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What is the heart of Discipleship?rnrnIt is very clear that the Bible presents Jesus as the One who is the heart and focus of Discipleship (see Romans 11:36, Hebrews 12:2, John 14:6 and Revelation 22:13). 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. To gain a deeper understanding of the broad concept of discipleship, you may find it useful to click through and read this blog.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.rnrn“‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” Matthew 4:19 TNIV.rnrnThe 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…” Just 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.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.rnrnWhat does discipleship look like?rnrnIn our bible study of this topic in the NZPUC, acknowledging that Jesus is the heart and centrepiece of discipleship, we have found four major elements.rnrn Knowing:rnrn“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” John 8:31, NLT.rnrnThis 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.rnrn“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 NIV.rnrn Living:rnrn“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 NLT. rnrnLove 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…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.rnrn Committing:rnrn“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27 NLT.rnrnThis truly highlights the response in the form of 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.rnrn Multiplying: rnrn“This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 NIV.rnrnConnection 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.rnrnAn examination of the passages dealing with discipleship has revealed the following about Jesus’ understanding of what it means to become a disciple:rnrnA disciple is the one who Knows Jesus, is Committed to Jesus, Lives a daily life cultivating loving relationships, and bears much fruit – by sharing Jesus and Multiplying disciples.rnrnThis is where the concept of our 4 part, Jesus centred graphic came from.rnrnrnrnFinally…rnrnIt seems only right to finish this blog with the final words of Jesus to his disciples. We pray that you will see Jesus invitation to you in this passage as you consider taking steps closer to the Saviour.rnrn“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.” Matthew 28:19-20, NLT.