"COME WITH ME"

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What does it mean to "be a disciple"?

A disciple of Jesus is: “A learner or pupil who accepts the teachings of Christ, not only in belief, but also in lifestyle." J. Oswald Sanders


Begin the journey of following Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Come with Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

To follow Jesus takes commitment. In the beginning, you may not even believe. How can you believe something or someone you have never met? The first disciples didn’t know Jesus. They had heard about Him, but when they accepted His call to “come with Me (follow Me)” they became learners.

To be a disciple of Jesus you begin with His Word – the Bible. His earthly journey is recorded in what we call the “Gospels”. They are titled: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Luke is an exciting place to begin – from before Jesus’ birth, through His life, His death, burial, resurrection and ascension.

You can hear from Jesus and communicate with Him through prayer. What a special joy to have someone Who knows you and wants to spend time with you. He is available to meet with 24/7. So spend time in His Word and prayer every day.

You can experience what it means to be a follower of Jesus in “fellowship” – that is, in family with others who know Jesus. Whether it is a campus Bible study, or church, or small group Bible study – it is a great time experiencing the love of God through others.

Jesus said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve.” The first disciples followed Jesus, learned from Jesus, and then served alongside Him. He sent them out to preach, teach, heal the sick, feed the hungry – He taught them how to love one another and love their neighbours (and even how to love their enemies). Serving Jesus is a great part of being His disciple.


Continue the journey of helping others to follow Christ.

Jesus said to them, “Go and disciple peoples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Being a disciple includes the willingness to GO where He sends us. Sometimes it may be within your household, sometimes within your neighbourhood or community or nation, and sometimes He may send you to care for people in another nation.

We go where He sends us as His disciples and we pass on what we’ve learned from walking with Him.

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Declare what you have witnessed and experienced as a follower of Jesus wherever you go.

Jesus said to them, “Be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The early disciples had plenty to talk about. They had seen Jesus in action for three years! They heard Him preach, listened to His teachings, watched Him pray and obey God. They witnessed miracles – His power to heal, cast out evil spirits, raise people from the dead, turn water into wine, speak to the sea and the storm and calm the waves and stop the wind and so much more.

But the greatest thing they witnessed was His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection from the dead. Jesus lived a perfect life of obedience. He lived a selfless life of serving others. He willingly died on the cross to pay the price for the sin of the world. He rose from the dead and it was witnessed by hundreds of people as He walked and taught and ate with them for 40 days.

As disciples of Jesus we can testify to this truth. We bear witness to the fact that Jesus brings new life. That He is alive and is our Lord and Saviour. We testify as witnesses to the Truth – no one can deny the change He’s made inside.