What does it mean to be a Disciple?
Over the next 21 weeks you will hear Trinity Staff say many times that our goal is to make disciples that
make disciples. This may be confusing, especially if you don’t know the meaning of the word “disciple.”
It’s really quite simple. “Disciple” was originally a Greek word meaning “learner.” So, when we ask you
to be a disciple, we are asking you to be a learner/student. Understanding what makes someone a good
learner will help us to become better disciples of Jesus Christ.
Learners Seek Knowledge
The first step in learning is the desire to learn. Without the drive and willingness to learn, no learning
can take place. For example, how much do you think a fifth grader is learning 10 minutes before recess?
Probably nothing, because he doesn’t want to learn at that point, he just wants to go outside and play.
You must have the desire to learn and grow in a relationship with Jesus. The prayer of a disciple should
probably be similar to King David: “Teach me your ways, O Lord that I may walk in your truth” (Psalm
86:11). This means outside of class time, like maybe in the evenings, it would greatly benefit you to seek
the Lord by studying the bible and learning more about Jesus. You can find first-hand accounts of Jesus
in the book of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Learners seek knowledge.
Learners Are Humble
“Humility” might not be a word you associate with learning, but in order to learn we must admit there’s
something we don’t know. We need to entrust ourselves to an authority, like a teacher, or a book, or a
mentor, and be willing to accept what they say. To learn, we must let go of the idea that we’re always
right and know more than those around us. In discipleship, we must submit ourselves to Jesus and his
Word as the authority of our lives. If we don’t follow Jesus with humility, we will never be transformed.
Learners Are Willing to Change
Learning can often take us places we didn’t expect. While at Trinity, you might find what you are
learning contradicts something you previously believed to be true. It is important to keep an open mind
and not reject it. This doesn’t mean accept everything blindly. Effective learners are flexible when
facing new and unexpected information; they’re willing to explore it. Jesus often calls us to new things.
He calls us to a new way of life because we all know the old way wasn’t working very well. We must be
willing to let go of our plans and follow him. Sometimes His plans make sense to us, but sometimes they
don’t. If in doubt, seek counsel from a few spiritually mature men.
Learners Act on What They Know
The knowledge that’s learned must become a belief, because our beliefs effect our actions. We do what
we believe. In other words, a learner takes knowledge and applies it to their life. If we have truly
learned something it will change our actions. Disciples of Jesus act on what He tells us. When Jesus says,
“follow me,” it requires action. We are to imitate what Jesus does. We should be disciples, and make
disciples.