The word “discipleship” can be intimidating. Different churches have various ideas, procedures, and materials that they use to carry out the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19-20) There are some elements that are universal though, like accountability, counseling, prayer, fellowship, and teaching. Those are the 5 properties of biblical discipleship in this post, but first, how do we define biblical discipleship?
What is Biblical Discipleship?
Discipleship is investing the transforming truth of God’s word into another person, living life with them, and helping them to grow in their faith, and character. It’s all about taking them under your wing, teaching them the word, and training them in ministry. Biblical discipleship also provides tactics for the disciple to become a disciple-maker themselves.
Matthew 28:18-20 KJV~ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Disciple Like Jesus Did
Biblical discipleship follows Jesus’ example of passing the baton of ministry onto His disciples. Jesus showed his disciples how to minister, how to love people, and how to help meet their needs.
If we want to glorify God and reproduce disciple-makers, we have to disciple like Jesus did. We can learn how to engage with our disciples by reading the Gospels and taking note of how Jesus interacted with his.
5 Properties of Biblical Discipleship:
- Accountability
- Counseling
- Prayer
- Fellowship
- Teaching
Accountability in Discipleship
To mature in our faith and character, we have to learn to walk in the Spirit and obey biblical principles. This is where discipleship comes in. Biblical discipleship holds the younger believer accountable to attend church, read their Bible, memorize scripture and apply it. Therefore, the mature believer must be willing to call sin what it is and be involved in their disciple’s life.
The disciple must be humble, teachable, and submit to the authority of their spiritual mentor, or the discipleship relationship won’t work.
1Peter 5:5 KJV~ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Counseling in Discipleship
Disciplers may not be licensed counselors, but they do have the knowledge of the Bible, which gives wisdom for every issue of life. (James 3:13-18). They are peacemakers, instructing the disciple to handle trials and tribulations biblically.
Counseling in discipleship encourages obedience, and reconciliation in relationships with God and others. The discipler continually points the disciple to what is true according to the scriptures.
Proverbs 12:15 KJV~ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Prayer in Discipleship
Prayer is vital to the health and success of every discipleship relationship, and it has several benefits, including:
- You gain a prayer partner
- Teaches you how to pray
- Bonds the relationship
- Grows your faith
Through prayer, you draw near to God, and seek His presence, provision, and protection. Prayer matures your faith, which is what discipleship is all about.
James 5:16 KJV~ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Fellowship in Discipleship
Fellowship is community and communion, sharing intimately in the word and work of the Lord. Share on XOftentimes believers lose friendships when they choose Christ. This can be lonely, and may lead to compromise to fill that void. Christian fellowship helps to meet that need for community.
Fellowship can be going out for coffee, prayer meetings, Bible study, going to dinner or the movies, or just hanging out together at home. Check Pinterest for some great ideas!
Teaching the Word in Discipleship
In discipleship, we have to balance relationship building with Bible teaching. The goal of biblical discipleship is to reproduce disciple-makers. We have to teach the word of God because it’s the Bible that transforms hearts, minds, and lives.
Discipleship without biblical instruction is not discipleship at all.
2Timothy 2:2 KJV~ And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
If you would like to learn how to study your Bible, so you can properly interpret, apply, and teach it, click here:
How to Study the Bible in 7 Simple Steps
or here:
3 Questions to Ask When Studying the Bible
Open Your Heart and Home With Discipleship
Biblical discipleship is opening your heart and home to another believer. Teaching them how to follow Jesus by your example, and sharing the scriptures with them. It’s holding them accountable, praying for them, offering wise counsel, and enjoying sweet fellowship together.
These 5 properties of biblical discipleship work together to create a relationship that is a conduit of grace and growth for both the disciple and the discipler.
For more on biblical discipleship:
3 Keys to Bearing the Burdens in Discipleship
Women Teaching Women: Be an Example in Discipleship
Building the Discipleship Relationship
The Call to Invest: Biblical Discipleship For Women
What Every Disciple Needs to Know About Sound Doctrine
Teaching the Young Women to “Be Good”
The Importance of Scripture in My Life: Guest Post for Wield the Word
Barriers and Blessings of Biblical Discipleship: A Big Sister’s Perspective
Learn how to study the bible
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Pray With Confidence
Prayer is a must when you are investing in other women. If you would like to grow in your prayer life, you should check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors. Here are some links I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
2 Things to Remember to Find Peace in Chaos
19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God
Check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs as well. There are so many great options to boost your spiritual growth!
Thanks for sharing. These are excellent. I’d say another quality of Biblical discipleship is equipping, which is what Jesus did with his disciples, so that they weren’t simply inward looking but outward looking, with a view to them all doing the things that Jesus did.
Definitely! I think a lot of our Christian walk and ministry is more “caught” than “taught”. As we do life with the disciple and let them see the principles in action they’re equipped to do it themselves. I do make it a point it to tell my disciples that the goal of discipleship is not for them to get puffed up with knowledge but to pass those truths along to the next generation after them. Encouraging them to know the word, exhorting them to live it, and equipping them to invest it is the goal of my ministry to women. I hope to instill that same goal in the faithful women God gives me! Thanks for the comment!
Your definition of Biblical discipleship gives an excellent picture of what this is.
Thank you for your feedback, blessings to ya! 😊