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What is the heart of Discipleship?rnrnAs we look for a definition (and meaning) of Discipleship and Disciple, it is necessary that we start from the beginning. The very first question one needs to ask is, “What is the heart, the core, of Discipleship?” The key verse in this regard is, “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.” Romans 11:36 NLT. Furthermore, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:2 NLT. And yet again, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13 NLT. (See also, John 14:6)rnrnIt is very evident that the Bible presents Jesus as the One who is the heart, the focus of Discipleship. Everything is from Him, through Him and for Him. If there is no Jesus, there is no discussion on discipleship. Although the word ‘Discipleship’ is not mentioned in the Bible, Jesus is the One who called His followers disciples.rnrnWhat is the purpose of Discipleship?rnrnThe first disciples were called for a very specific reason – from the original calling of the first disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, Jesus made it very clear that multiplication, or disciple-making would be the goal of their discipleship. “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” Matthew 4:19 TNIV. The first thing the original disciples heard about the nature of their calling was also the last thing they heard when they received their commission.rnrn"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Mathew 28:19-20. NIV.rnrnThis commission is commonly called "The Great Commission". Notice the main thought of Jesus' command... “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them… teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…”rnrnJust as Jesus had sought them out and invited them to follow him, they were to seek out others and invite them to join in the same type of relationship.rnrnLet’s look at this passage closely. The figure below explains the relationship of the original Greek clauses. Four verbs shape the backbone of Jesus’ statement. They are:rnrn“Going,rnrnrnrnMake disciples of all nations,rnrn rnrnBaptizing them…rnrnrnrnTeaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”rnrnAdapted from Winning on Purpose by John Edmund Kaiser.rnrnrnrnOnly one, ‘make disciples’, is in the imperative mode and this makes it the main clause of the sentence. The other three verbs appear in the form of participles, thus being subordinate verbs in support of the main one, which is, ‘make disciples’.rnrnTo "make disciples," therefore, is the GOAL and PURPOSE of Discipleship! The object is not to find them, gather, teach, or improve them. The object is to make them. rnrnWho is a disciple?rnrnThe English word ‘disciple’ is a translation of the Greek μαθητής.  Its origin described the situation where a student would attach himself to a teacher for the purpose of acquiring practical and theoretical knowledge.  It is used in the New Testament to indicate that the follower had totally committed to following his master. This could only occur when the disciple accepted Christ totally by rejecting his old life and beginning the new life of discipleship in Him. To be a disciple, then, is to be living in a relationship with the One who is discipling you.  In this relationship, one is to be constantly learning more about that person, while at the same time living in subjection to that person.  The word itself does not suggest a rapid conversion to the person, but a slow process by which one is made into a disciple.rnrnIf we acknowledge the above assertion that Jesus is the heart and the centre piece of discipleship, then it would be most reasonable to allow Him to define who is a disciple. If one studies this topic and reads all the statements Jesus made about disciples, one will find four major and direct references to who is a disciple:rnrn “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” John 8:31, NLT. This highlights the aspect of not only knowing Jesus’ teaching, but also knowing Him. He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6. NLT. And also, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 NIV.rn The second major passage on Jesus’ understanding of becoming a disciple is found in Luke 14:27, “And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” NLT. This truly highlights the response which is a commitment on the side of the followers. Those who decide to become His disciples must be willing to give up everything in order to follow Him.rn The third passage, is found in John 13:35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” NLT. Love is to be the absolute, infallible test of one’s discipleship. You can tell that a person is a disciple when that person loves as Jesus loves, - that is unconditionally. This is the litmus test of one’s journey as a disciple. We can know the truth and can claim to know Jesus and have a relationship with Him, but if it’s not evident in the way we relate to each other we may not be called His disciples.rn The final passage is, “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 NIV. Connection with Christ means bearing fruit. This is the inevitable result of such a connection.  Because it is inevitable, if there is no fruit, the discipleship is not yet mature or fully formed. The person must be producing fruit.  What is this fruit?  Some may suggest that Jesus refers to the fruit of the Spirit as enunciated by Paul in Galatians.  However, Jesus is speaking prior to Paul.  In the context of this passage Jesus is referring to Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches.  The job of the branches is to produce fruit because of their living connection to the vine.  Otherwise, they are cut off as non-productive. The whole context of this passage seems to centre on an understanding of mission.  The Christian who is not reproducing by creating other disciples, is not yet a mature disciple.  It is impossible, then, to be a follower of Jesus and not make disciples.  Making disciple is therefore not to a casual conversion once in a lifetime, but an on-going way of living.  Jesus invites people into a life of continuous disciple-making.  Jesus wants us to produce much fruit.rnrnrnrnAn examination of the passages dealing with discipleship has revealed the following about Jesus’ understanding of what it means to become a disciple. A disciple is the one who Knows Jesus, who is Committed to Jesus, who Lives with his/her fellows in loving relationships, and bears much fruit – Shares Jesus and makes disciples.rnrnShorter version: A disciple while becoming more like Jesus, makes disciples.rnrnWhat is discipleship?rnrnThe key verse where ‘making disciples’ or ‘discipleship’ is introduced, is Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” NLT.rnrnAs all missionary responsibilities are summed up in the in the aorist imperative ‘Disciple!’ (μαθητευσατε)  then two coordinated present participles “baptising” and “teaching” (notice the similarity in structure: βαπτιζοντες and διδασκοντες) make elaborate the two practical goals of discipleship – baptism, and teaching. Baptism is the goal of evangelism, teaching the means of sharing knowledge. Discipling reaches its first goal in the once-off act of baptism (denoting acceptance and commitment) and is continued through the ongoing activity of teaching (denoting growing in knowledge)rnrnThus the Great Commission tells Christians both the means of initiation (baptism) and the means of continuation (Jesus’ teaching). According to this evidence, it appears that discipling is both an initial work and a continuing work (process).rnrnSo, Discipleship is a journey of a deepening KNOWledge of Jesus, growing in COMMITMENT to Him and His body, LIVING and serving in loving community and MAKING disciples.rnrnCan discipleship journey be measured?rnrnOne’s discipleship journey can be measured, not always though, by their:rnrn Quality of their relationships. See John 13:35. In other words, genuine expression of the fruit of the Holy Spirit as expressed in Galatians 5:21-22 in fellowship and growing friendships.rn Abiding in the teaching of Jesus, their prayer life and worship experience. See John 8:31.rn Faithfulness in stewardship, commitment to their Lord in baptism and involvement in ministries in His Body - Church. See Luke 14:27.rn Fruit bearing. In other words, how effective they are in making disciples. See John 15:8.rn