The Bible has a lot to say about discipleship. In fact, the word “disciple” is mentioned 260 times in the Bible. God values discipleship, and therefore we should value it. We’ve gathered 35 bible verses about discipleship that are helpful in understanding how to apply it to your life and walk with Christ.
A disciple is basically a student. It is someone that follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, learns from them, studies them, and then applies them to their life. One of God’s greatest commandments was for us to go out and make disciples of all nations and bring people to know Jesus.
Not only are disciples encouraged to learn and study the life of Jesus, but to imitate his life and do and He does. We are made in His image and should strive to be good examples of what Christ would do.
Let’s dive into what the Bible has to say about discipleship!
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Table of contents
- 4 Basics of Discipleship
- 35 Bible Verses to Encourage
- The Great Commission
- Matthew 28:16-20
- Luke 14:33
- Luke 9:23-25
- Luke 14:26
- John 8:31-32
- Matthew 11:29
- John 13:34-35
- Luke 14:26-27
- John 12:26
- Mark 8:34
- Matthew 16:24
- Matthew 8:18-22
- 2 Timothy 2:2
- 1 Corinthians 11:1
- Mark 1:17
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
- Philippians 2:3-4
- 1 Peter 2:21
- John 15:16
- Galatians 6:9-10
- John 9:27
- Mark 16:15
- 1 Peter 5:8-9
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
- Genesis 12:1-3
- 1 Corinthians 1:9
- Acts 1:8
- 2 Corinthians 5:20
- Romans 10:14-17
- Hebrews 3:12-14
- Titus 2:1-8
- Matthew 9:9
- Proverbs 27:17
- Acts 14:20-22
- Galatians 6:6
- Summary
4 Basics of Discipleship
There are 4 main principles of discipleship. You must know and study the word of God, have relationships with people to lead them to know God, understand the Spirit of God, and then act out the mission of Jesus Christ.
- Word of God
- Study the Bible, comparing versions and understanding the background and context in which the scriptures were written.
- People of God
- Have meaningful relationships with people, relate to them and walk with them in our journey with Christ.
- Spirit of God
- Allow the Spirit of God to transform us into disciples and make us more like Christ.
- The mission of Christ Jesus
- Walk out the mission of Jesus and go out into all the nations and make new disciples.
Read More about the 4 Basics of Discipleship…
The Bible talks about discipleship in not only the gospel but all throughout the scripture. God wants us to have eternal life and glorify God, and we should want that for others as well. Our life as a Christian is not meant to be lived alone or in seclusion but with others in community.
35 Bible Verses to Encourage
The Great Commission
Perhaps one of the most popular and greatest commandments God gave us comes from the book of Matthew. This is titled as “The Great Commission”, as God commands us to go out and make disciples of all nations. He teaches us to then baptize them, and such the model of Christianity was created.
Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Luke 14:33
In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Luke 9:23-25
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
Luke 14:26
If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.
John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
John 13:34-35
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Luke 14:26-27
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
John 12:26
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Mark 8:34
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Matthew 8:18-22
When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Mark 1:17
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
1 Peter 2:21
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
Galatians 6:9-10
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
John 9:27
He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?”
Mark 16:15
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Genesis 12:1-3
The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Romans 10:14-17
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? How are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ
Hebrews 3:12-14
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
Titus 2:1-8
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. …
Matthew 9:9
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Acts 14:20-22
But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Galatians 6:6
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
Summary
As you can see, the Bible has a lot to say about disciples and discipleship. It’s more than just being a follower of Jesus. It’s about the constant pursuit of knowledge to be more like Jesus, and to be in community with others who want the same.
About The Author
Comments 1
I’m very interested in making more disciples for Jesus because his death and resurrection is my only salvation and hope. I need spiritual motivational help and convincing biblical aid to assist me in encouraging new interests in my former life circles. Yours in Christ.