Download the 9 discipleship characteristics every Christian should know
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Jesus invested three years of ministry to focus intensely on developing his disciples. He spent every day with them, teaching them to obey, and modeling how they should live. As church leaders work to create discipleship paths for their congregations, they face various perspectives and understandings of discipleship.
So, what can we glean from the Bible regarding what true discipleship should look like? What can we learn from how Jesus interacted with his followers and how he instructed them to make more disciples?
The night before his crucifixion, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment—to “love one another.” (John 13:34-35) He could have told them many different things at this moment, but he chose to emphasize the need to love one another. Loving each other was the only way the disciples could survive such a painful experience.
Being part of a community of faith and being a true disciple involves loving each other. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus replied to the Pharisees’ question about the greatest commandment: "love the Lord your God” and “love your neighbor as yourself.”
We must show up when people need encouragement or accountability. Loving one another also means serving others and leading by example.
One of the key characteristics of discipleship is to obey God’s commands. One of the last instructions Jesus gave before he ascended into heaven was the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Spreading the gospel and making disciples are non-negotiables for believers in Jesus. From teaching our children to know and follow God to sharing the gospel with our co-workers and neighbors, true disciples heed Christ’s command to “go and make disciples of all nations.”
In John 8:31-32, Jesus told the Jews who believed in Him to “hold to my teaching” and that the truth would set them free. We need to follow that admonishment to pursue the truth. Today’s culture tends to value trending opinions or convenient beliefs at the expense of truth. However, part of our responsibility as followers of Christ is to seek and proclaim the truth faithfully.
How will others know that you’re a follower of Jesus Christ? They may hear you talk about your faith, however, they will also watch to see if your actions match your words.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Letting our light shine before others can involve loving our neighbors, discussing faith with non-believers, and in general setting an example of how Jesus’ followers should live. Serving others, helping people in need, speaking the truth in love, and being a good steward of the resources God has entrusted to you are all qualities of discipleship.
A true disciple looks out for the needs of others above their own needs. Jesus gave up his throne in heaven, came down to earth, and died for our sins. He set the ultimate example of sacrificial service. As we look to honor and follow God, we should seek ways to serve others.
What does real discipleship look like in everyday life? It’s making the extra effort to support your spouse during a challenging season. It means sacrificing your time to volunteer at church or staying up late at the hospital with a family in crisis. A mature disciple knows that their life is no longer their own. A disciple’s life belongs to Christ, and that means being ready and willing to serve others at a moment’s notice.
In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul admonishes believers to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”
In verses 5-8, he reminds us of how Christ Jesus humbled himself—even to death on the cross. Mature Christian disciples do not draw attention to themselves to seek praise or applause for their accomplishments. Instead, they focus on humbly serving with excellence and honoring God in word and deed.
One element of following Jesus Christ that faithful disciples need to remember is that we must stay connected to God each and every day. Jesus often went away from the crowds to pray. He wanted to be in a place where he could talk with his Father and hear what he had to say. Disciples of Jesus should follow his pattern and set aside time to pray and seek God.
In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray with the Lord’s prayer. He modeled that we should praise God, seek his will, and declare our dependence on him.
In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus tells Peter to forgive someone who sins against him “up to seventy times seven.” A true disciple also follows Jesus’ instructions and example by forgiving others, even those who put him on the cross.
A mark of immature disciples is the unwillingness to forgive others. While forgiveness can be difficult, it’s an act of obedience to God. Harboring anger and refusing to forgive will only end up hurting the person holding onto those feelings. Instead, you can choose to forgive—even if the other person never expresses remorse.
You probably know someone who’s gone through a difficult trial such as losing a job, facing cancer, or praying for a prodigal child. In countries where Christianity is illegal, believers risk severe persecution or even death. The Apostle James knew what it meant to face trials, and he exhorted us to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2-4)
While that can be a challenging instruction to follow, the rewards are significant. James goes on to teach us that the “testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
While you may never deal with such extreme trials, you’ll likely face challenging seasons. As you persevere and trust God throughout each trial, allow that experience to grow in your faith and become more like Jesus.
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The daily practice of becoming a true disciple of Jesus can feel like an overwhelming task. However, it’s important to remember that discipleship isn’t an overnight process. In fact, it’s a lifelong journey you begin the moment you believe in and trust Jesus Christ for salvation.
Embracing these discipleship characteristics helps each of us walk in Jesus’ footsteps, see people through Jesus’ eyes, and act towards them with his love. As more disciples build Christian communities around the world that reflect Jesus, we’ll be that much closer to fulfilling the Great Commission.
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