Today's Quote

Today's Verse

Daily Wisdom

Welcome!

Established in September of 2001, we are a growing Christian family in the area south of Lake Travis. Come, be a part of the Lord's work!

..a thought from Dan Hardin

Discipleship

Jesus had twelve disciples which were also called apostles. While the word "apostle" refers to one sent out, the word "disciple" refers to a follower. We sometimes use the word "disciple" today but with less emphasis on the deepest meaning of the word.

In Jesus' time disciples were more then just students. Students were not only learners of that which their teachers taught, but were those who set out to emulate their teachers. Today in our school systems students may or may not like their teachers. Students can make A's and succeed in school while disliking those who teach them.

In Jesus' day disciples selected teachers they idolized. They not only wanted to learn what the teacher taught but wanted to be as much like the teacher as possible. Disciples were followers as well as learners. This is clearly indicated in Matthew 10:25, where Jesus says, "It is enough for the disciple that he become as his teacher,..."

When studying in one university I noted that the students of one of my teachers became his disciples -- tried to be just like him. I appreciated what this teacher had to say and liked him as a person, but many of his students went beyond that and emulated him in every way. When they preached they used his mannerisms, his gestures, and his way of speaking. They attempted to be just like him -- carbon copies.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul wrote, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." Paul was not above asking his followers to imitate him, though he noted that in doing so they were imitating Christ. If I imitate any man I may be imitating some bad things along with the good, but if I imitate Jesus Christ I am guaranteed that all that I am imitating is good.

To be a disciple of Jesus is to follow him completely -- to try to be like him. Jesus, as God in the flesh, wanted men to be like him -- to be like God. In Matthew 28:19 the followers of Jesus were told to go and make disciples. As Christians today, that is still our goal. We want people to try and emulate Jesus Christ. Learning about him is good but learning to be like him brings us into an eternal and ultimately rewarding relationship.