Make Disciples

Good morning, church family! Today, we’re going to dive into what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ. Discipleship is more than just attending church or knowing a few Bible verses—it’s about following Jesus, being changed by Him, and living on mission with Him. Whether you've been walking with Jesus for years or you're just starting to explore what it means to follow Him, discipleship is the journey that shapes our lives as believers.

In Matthew 4:19

Matthew 4:19 ESV

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

, Jesus calls us to follow Him and to become "fishers of men." But what does that look like in our everyday lives? How do we live out this calling in the midst of our busy routines? Today, I want us to explore three key truths about discipleship: Disciples are followers of Christ Jesus, Disciples are being changed by Christ Jesus, and Disciples are on mission with Christ Jesus. These three aspects not only define discipleship but also show us how to live it out in practical ways.

2 Timothy 2:1–6 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

Let’s start by looking at the first truth:

Disciples are Followers of Christ Jesus

Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Discipleship begins with a personal relationship with Christ. The first step in becoming a disciple is following Jesus. Notice that Jesus didn’t require any prerequisites from His disciples before calling them. When Andrew and another disciple were following John the Baptist, they were directed to Jesus, and what was His response? "Come and you will see" (John 1:39).

2 Timothy 2:1 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

Discipleship starts with an invitation. Jesus doesn’t say, "Get your life together first, and then you can follow me." Instead, He invites us to follow Him just as we are—broken, imperfect, and in need of grace. The key here is relationship. To disciple others, you must first be a disciple.

Now, this doesn’t mean you need to be a pastor or have all the answers. It simply means you need to be in a growing, authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. The greatest way to follow Him is through His Word. So, are you spending time with Jesus? Are you listening to His voice through the Scriptures? Are you talking to Him through prayer? The invitation to follow Him is personal, and it’s meant to transform your life.

Discipleship begins with the daily, intentional act of following Jesus, seeking Him, and building that personal relationship. It’s about saying, “Jesus, I am yours—guide me, teach me, and use me.”

Disciples are Being Changed by Christ Jesus

Discipleship doesn’t stop at following Christ—it involves being changed by Him. Paul encourages Timothy in vv. 3-6 with some beautiful imagery. In thise text he points to 1) soldiers, and then to 2) athletes. Discipleship is a continual process of transformation. Just like a soldier who must focus on pleasing the one who enlisted him, we too must set our hearts on living for Jesus and allowing Him to transform our lives.

2 Timothy 2:3–6 ESV

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

Let me illustrate this. In Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers was small and weak compared to the other soldiers. But his character and determination caught the eye of the officer in charge. In a key scene, Steve faces a challenge to climb a rope to retrieve a flag. Rather than relying on physical strength, Steve notices that the flag is pinned to the pole, so he takes the pin out and claims the flag—using wisdom and creativity instead of brute strength.

In discipleship, we may not always have the strength or ability in our own power, but we have the ability to be transformed by Christ. When we seek Him, He changes us from the inside out. Discipleship isn’t about perfection, but about being open to His transforming power in our lives. The key to being changed by Christ is not just reading the Bible but living it out. Are we allowing God’s Word to shape our actions, our attitudes, and our decisions?

Real transformation means that we don’t just hear the Word—we do the Word. It means loving our spouses well, raising our children with wisdom, and serving those around us. It means being patient when we’d rather be angry and forgiving when we’d prefer to hold a grudge. Transformation takes time, but it’s the natural outcome of following Jesus.

Disciples Are on Mission with Christ Jesus

Being a disciple is not just about growing in knowledge and personal transformation—it’s also about living on mission. Discipleship involves sharing the good news of Christ and helping others grow. Paul’s charge to Timothy is not only to learn but to “entrust” the message to others (2 Timothy 2:2). Discipleship is a cycle of teaching and passing on what we have learned to others.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

One of the best ways to understand discipleship is through relationships. Discipleship is most effective when it’s lived out in everyday life. Think about how it works practically: Discipleship happens when you take time to meet with someone over coffee and walk them through how to love their spouse better. It happens when you sit down with someone struggling with sin and show them the power of the gospel to change hearts. It happens when you invite someone into your life, allowing them to see how you deal with stress, conflict, or loss—and showing them that Christ is your strength.

Imagine you are a mother standing outside watching your son run around in the rain. He’s completely soaked and covered in mud, but he doesn’t mind. You know that when you go inside, you’ll need to clean him up. But the only way to do that is to touch the mess—to get your hands dirty in order to make him clean. This is discipleship. We are called to step into the mess of others’ lives, to love them in their brokenness, and to walk with them as they grow in Christ.

Discipleship is messy, it’s difficult, and at times, it’s exhausting. But it’s also deeply rewarding. It’s a life spent pouring into others so that they, too, can become disciples who make disciples. We are called to help others find Christ, grow in Him, and then go out to help others do the same.

Conclusion:

So, what does it mean to be a disciple? A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, is continually changed by Him, and lives on mission with Him. It’s a journey of transformation that starts with knowing Christ and then sharing His love with the world around us. But here’s the beautiful part: discipleship is not just about what we do—it’s about who we are becoming in Christ.

Let me ask you: Are you truly following Jesus? Are you allowing Him to change you from the inside out? Are you living on mission, investing in others, and passing on what you’ve learned?

If you want to be a disciple, it starts with a relationship with Jesus. But it doesn’t stop there. It continues with transformation, and it leads to mission. Discipleship is a life-long process, and it’s a life worth living.

Let’s commit today to follow Him, to be changed by Him, and to live on mission with Him. And as we do, let’s make disciples who make disciples—multiplying the Kingdom of God for His glory.