Being a disciple means learning from Jesus’ example, following his ways and becoming more like him day after day.
Discipleship doesn’t stop with us. It also means helping others become more like Jesus.
There are many ways we can help make disciples, from sharing the gospel to caring for those in need.
What Is a Disciple of Christ?
You’ve probably heard of the 12 disciples — those ordinary men Jesus chose as his closest companions. But they weren’t merely friends.
In Greek, the original language of the New Testament, the word for “disciple” is mathetes. This word comes from the word manthano, which means “to learn.” These disciples were students or pupils of Jesus. They got to follow him around, learning from both what he said and what he did.
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). He taught them the importance of humility and washing each other’s feet (John 13:14-15). He taught them to feed the hungry (Mark 6:30-44) and to value the vulnerable (Mark 10:13-16). And it was all through his example.
As these 12 men followed in Jesus’ footsteps, they became more like him. The same can be true for us today. Being a disciple of Christ looks like learning from his example, following his ways and becoming more like him day after day.
12 Bible Verses About Discipleship
You can learn a lot about discipleship in the Bible. From being a light in the darkness to showing Christlike love to those around us, the Bible teaches us how to follow Jesus with our whole lives.
All Scriptures written in NIV.
1. Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
2. Matthew 5:14–16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
3. 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.”
4. Matthew 28:19–20
“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.”
5. Mark 8:34–35
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. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
6. Luke 14:27
“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
7. John 8:31–32
To the Jews who have believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
8. John 13:34–35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
9. John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
10. Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
11. Acts 11:26
And when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
12. James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Discipleship Meaning: What It Looks Like to Disciple Others
To be a disciple of Jesus, we have to learn and become like him. But we can’t simply focus on ourselves. Jesus spent his life serving others and inviting them into the kingdom of God. So discipleship isn’t just about what we become but what we help others become too.
Following Jesus means also discipling others. In fact, that’s the Great Commission, given to us by Jesus before he ascended into heaven.
“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.” — Matthew 28:19-20
But what does it look like to disciple those around us? We must ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” and then follow his lead. Here are some practical, everyday ways we can be disciples by making disciples.
Share the Good News
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” — Mark 1:14-15, NIV
This is just one example from the Bible of Jesus proclaiming the gospel. We should do the same. After all, hearing the gospel, believing in Jesus and professing him as Lord are the first steps to becoming a disciple.
Today, make an effort to share the gospel with just one person. Send a friend a text. Call a family member. Or speak to someone at the grocery store.
Not sure how? Here are eight easy ways to share the gospel with those around you.
Invite People In
Discipleship doesn’t just happen in church buildings. In fact, most of the time, Jesus was teaching, ministering and loving during the seemingly mundane moments of everyday life.
In John 4, Jesus ministered to a woman when she was doing a routine chore at a well. In Matthew 9, he called a hated tax collector to be one of his disciples while simply walking through the marketplace. And in Mark 4, a routine boat ride became a moment where Jesus revealed his ultimate authority.
Sometimes, the best way to disciple someone is to let them see Jesus in your everyday life. Invite them in. Share a meal. Help a friend with a simple chore. Walk with a family member. Remember: We don’t just follow Jesus on Sunday. We follow him daily.
Care for the Hungry and the Sick
Jesus often taught the importance of caring for those in need. In Matthew 25, he even tells us that when we feed the hungry, give the thirsty a drink and look after the sick, it’s like we’re doing those things for him personally.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” — Matthew 25:40, NIV
But Jesus didn’t just teach the importance of caring for the hungry and the sick. He lived out those teachings. For example, when Jesus fed the 5,000, he didn’t just fill their bellies. He also filled their souls — loving on them and caring for them by healing their illnesses (Matthew 14:14).
Discipleship means caring for the hungry and sick, just like Jesus. Why? It reveals his heart for them. It builds trust and opens hearts to the gospel. It teaches God’s ways through example. And it meets people in the middle of their struggle, where they need hope the most.
Take a moment to consider: How can you care for those in need today? Maybe you could cook a meal for a neighbor or offer to drive a family member to a doctor’s appointment. You could even donate to a ministry feeding the hungry or give canned goods to a local food pantry.
Point Others to the Truth
An important part of the Great Commission is this: teaching those around us to obey Jesus’ commands. And to do so, we must point them to the truth found in his Word, the Bible.
Every day, we have many opportunities to do just that. A friend might ask for our opinion on something. A family member might ask us a question about God. One of our children might do something inappropriate that requires correction.
Discipleship happens when we point hearts and minds back to Jesus’ ways and words. And this doesn’t mean preaching a sermon. Instead, you might share a simple Bible verse or a testimony of Jesus’ work in your own life. You might help a friend find biblical wisdom for a tough decision.
When we point others to the truth, we’re helping them follow Jesus instead of their feelings or even our opinions. And that’s the key to being a disciple.
Disciples in El Salvador: Following Jesus Into the Community
Notice that Jesus never said you had to be rich or have your life together before becoming a disciple. He never said you had to be from a certain country or of a certain social status.
You don’t even have to be a certain age — even children can be faithful disciples of Jesus. And a group of kiddos in El Salvador is proving that to be true.
Inspired to Live Out the Gospel
One afternoon, Pastor Enoc, a facilitator at a Salvadoran Compassion center, heard a voice while on a walk. As he stepped closer, he realized the soft hymn was coming from Reylee, a 12-year-old boy who had come with his mother to visit Maria, an elderly woman they went to church with.
Pastor Enoc watched in awe. Slowly, the reality of what he was witnessing pricked his heart: Reylee and his mother had decided to visit Maria and lift her spirits with songs.
The pastor thought about the group of children he served at the church. They all attended Bible lessons and Sunday morning services at the Compassion center, gathering with joy and an eagerness to learn.
But Reylee’s song brought Pastor Enoc a new revelation. The children were no longer satisfied with just listening — they wanted to live out the gospel to those around them.
“Something is changing in them, because they say that the gospel is not limited to attending morning worship, sitting and singing. Today they are looking out of the walls, adopting other ways of being a disciple; not just waiting for people to come to the church, but going to them.” — Pastor Enoc
Love Echoing Beyond the Walls of the Church
Soon, Pastor Enoc began following the children into the community, and he continues to do so today.
On Sunday evenings, they usually visit the sick and elderly in their homes. During those visits, they might read Psalm 23 and sing simple hymns. They might even clean and organize, helping those they visit with tasks they can’t do on their own.
It’s in these moments that Pastor Enoc sees the power of the gospel at work through the unique gifts of each child. He watches as Reylee cleans living spaces and calls the other children into spontaneous prayer. He watches as other children read Bible verses with confidence.
And he watches as the gospel moves from the pages of their Bibles and into action — love echoing beyond the walls of the church.
A Community Transformed
The small community of Huilihuiste in El Salvador is being transformed by young disciples. As the children walk the streets with purpose, bringing the gospel into humble homes of those in need, hearts are touched and filled with hope.
“When children walk into the homes of the elderly, they do more than visit — they restore joy, dignity and hope. Their faces light up, hearts feel remembered and the simple presence of a child becomes a powerful reminder that love still reaches every door.” — Pastor Enoc
Walking with the children, Pastor Enoc has experienced his own personal transformation. Through the yes of each child to serve like Jesus, he’s learning what true discipleship really looks like.
“Even my life is being impacted by their service. Through them, God has taught me that discipleship is far more than teaching a Bible lesson inside a classroom. True discipleship is sharing life, creating meaningful moments, building relationships and serving others with love.” — Pastor Enoc
A true disciple learns from Jesus’ ways, follows in his footsteps and helps others do the same. And as the children in El Salvador show so beautifully, anyone can be a disciple. All can respond to the Great Commission. Each of us can help transform lives with the gospel.