Why We Can’t Forget the Meaning
We live in a world overflowing with books, podcasts, programs, and voices—all claiming to know what the Christian life should look like. In the noise, we’ve diluted definitions. We’ve changed meanings. And nowhere is this more dangerous than when it comes to the word “disciple.”
Here’s what I want every church leader to understand: Unless we build rhythms into our lives to remember what God has called us to, we will forget. It’s an Old Testament truth. It’s a New Testament truth. And it’s a present-day reality in our churches.
So let’s go back to the foundation. Let’s remember what a disciple actually is, because if we’re called to make disciples, we’d better understand what we’re making.
The Invitation That Defines Everything
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus extends an invitation to his disciples: “Come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” This single verse gives us the complete definition of what it means to be a disciple. We can break it down into three essential parts:
A disciple is following Jesus. This means Jesus is your authority. He takes the reins. He’s the head, and what he says impacts what you think. When you begin to follow him, you’re acknowledging that his boundaries, his rules, his way of life becomes your way of life.
A disciple is being changed by Jesus. Jesus takes you as you are, but he doesn’t leave you there. He begins to change you at the heart level. It’s not just about following rules—it’s about transformation. All the law and the commands hang on this: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. As the Holy Spirit moves into your life, as you’re reading God’s Word, as you’re with other mature believers, your heart changes.
A disciple is committed to the mission of Jesus. Everything in your hands—your gifts, your abilities, your resources—becomes part of his mission. “I will make you fishers of men.” You join him in what he’s doing. This isn’t about Jesus joining you in your mission and helping you get what you want from life. No, you deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him.
No Such Thing as a Christian Who Isn’t a Disciple
Let me address something directly: Some people say, “I’m a Christian, but I’m not a disciple. That was just for those guys back then.”
That’s not what Scripture teaches.
Jesus commanded us to go into the world and make disciples. In the first church, their very first name was “the disciples.” They made disciples. The disciples gathered into a church. Later, non-Christians started calling them “Christians”—but that was never meant to replace discipleship. It was simply outsiders saying, “Hey, those are the people who follow Christ.”
If you’re a Christian, you’re a disciple. If you’re a disciple, you’re a Christian. The question is: Are you following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus as you grow in him?
From Your Head to Your Feet
When we understand what a disciple is, we can then ask the crucial questions: Where do I follow Jesus? Where am I being changed by Jesus? Where am I committed to the mission of Jesus?
The answer? Wherever you work, live, and play.
This is where the Five Spheres comes in—a visual representation of the book of Ephesians that shows how discipleship works from the inside out. It starts with who you are in Christ (the bullseye), then moves through the church, the home, the workplace, and acknowledges the spiritual realm we’re battling in.
When you gave your life to Jesus, it’s every part that he wants. Not just Sunday mornings. Not just your “spiritual life.” Every sphere. Your marriage. Your parenting. Your job. Your relationships. Your recreation. All of it.
The Job of Leaders: Equip, Don’t Entertain
Here’s what every church leader needs to hear: The job of a pastor is to equip you, not entertain you. Ephesians 4 is clear—God gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. For what purpose? So that they could equip the saints for works of service so the body of Christ would be built up.
The church’s purpose isn’t just a room where everybody comes, listens, and then leaves saying “that was good” or “that was bad” depending on their mood that day. The purpose is equipping Christians for works of service.
You were saved from something for something. You have a purpose. God knit you together in your mother’s womb. He gave you gifts and abilities, and he wants you to use them to serve others.
Keep the Definition Clear
As you walk with Jesus, you’ll still blow it. We all do. We have a sinful nature and we have an enemy. But the more mature we get, the quicker we circle back when we recognize we’ve taken the wrong road.
The beauty of remembering what a disciple truly is—following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, committed to the mission of Jesus—is that it gives us direction. It reminds us that there’s actually a purpose for our lives. It’s not a hodgepodge. God can do something in every part of your life, and he wants to.
So church leaders, keep this definition in front of your people. Keep it in front of yourself. Build rhythms to remember it. Because unless we do, we will forget. And when we forget what a disciple is, we can’t possibly make disciples.
The question isn’t whether you’ve prayed a prayer. The question is: Are you following, being changed, and committed? That’s what a disciple is. That’s what we’re called to be. That’s what we’re called to make.
To learn more about living as a disciple in every sphere of life, explore The Disciple’s Journey.
To watch the sermon that inspired this post, click below.
