We have been invited to the opportunity of a lifetime: to be discipled by Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:16–18 NLT, emphasis added: “16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him.”

Discipleship with Jesus involves four major themes:

Discipleship is LEAVING.

• Peter left his nets, and Levi left his table. We must be prepared to leave it all behind
• Luke 14:25–33 NLT: “25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 ‘If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 28 But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, “There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!” 31 ‘Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.’ ”
• You must be willing:
  • To leave comfort
  • To leave possessions
  • To leave relationships
  • To leave dreams
• The privilege of being a disciple of Jesus Christ comes at the highest cost. Following Jesus is the pearl of great price.

Discipleship is LEARNING.

• Matthew 11:28–30 NLT, emphasis added: “28 Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’ ”
• Wisdom personified invites us to learn from Him!
• Learn to think like Christ (your philosophy).
• Learn to be like Christ (your character).
• Learn to act like Christ (your ministry).

Discipleship is LOVING.

• John 15:15 NLT: “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”
• It is relational, not transactional. Our discipleship with Jesus is based on a loving relationship with Him, not a transactional mentality. When you come to Him, you get deep friendship.
• The main focus of your learning is LOVE: learning how to love God with all of your heart and how to love people like God loves them. A true disciple is one who has learned to love both God and people like Jesus does.

Discipleship is LEADING.

• Matthew 10:1; 7–8 NLT: “1 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness... . 7 ‘Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!’ ”
• A true disciple will always end up being empowered by Christ to do the works He did.
• Luke 6:40 NLT: “Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.”
• John 14:12 NLT: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”