So, What’s a Disciple?
Pastoral | October 2, 2025 | By: Sam Melvin
What does it mean to live like Jesus? That’s a tricky question in many ways. A lot of us think we know the answer. But when asked, we’re probably not sure exactly what to say. I imagine if you asked three different people to define it, you’d get three different answers.
One term often used to describe living like Jesus is “discipleship.” But what exactly does that mean? We might assume we can define it, but then again, we’re not totally sure. Like I said, it’s tricky.
Well, Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 that we are to “Go therefore and make disciples…” If we’re going to fulfill that Great Commission, especially at Scottsdale Bible Church, what should it look like?
In a church that’s been around for more than 60 years, with multiple growing campuses, this is an important question to ask from time to time. Why? Because times change. People change. And if we aren’t careful, even with the best of intentions, we could be missing the mark.
Times change. People change. If we aren’t careful, we could miss the mark.
Recently, I was part of a team that asked these very questions. It led us to first define some terms. What is a disciple? A disciple is a believer who follows Jesus and His ways. Scripture teaches that all of us have sinned, and that sin brings death (Romans 3:23; 6:23). But Scripture also teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and all who personally place their faith in Him and believe in Him are redeemed and justified based on His shed blood (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:16).
The moment we believe in Christ through the message of the gospel, the seed of salvation forms. We are welcomed into the family of God and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Jesus compels us to follow Him, just as He did with His disciples and all those who would hear Him (Matthew 4:19; 8:22; 9:9). Following Jesus is our primary focus as His disciples. As a result of following Him, we learn and practice the ways of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).
That leads us to the term discipleship. We define discipleship as the active process of growing as a disciple. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). The disciple’s response to God’s grace involves denying his or her sinful nature while embracing the cross of Christ and all that comes with it. This means we are invited to play an active role into the process of discipleship in our lives. In other words, action from the disciple is necessary (Romans 12:1; Philippians 3:10), and our actions coincide with the active work of Christ in our life (John 15:5).
We’re invited to play an active role into the process of discipleship in our lives.
What then does spiritual growth look like in our lives? We see it occurring in three interrelated movements. First, it involves each believer being with Christ. Being with Christ means we are intentionally settling into His love for us (Ephesians 3:17-19). Second, the practice of spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and worship encourages us to grow closer to Christ, resulting in each of us becoming like Christ. As we’re being conformed into the image of Christ, it affects all that we say, think, or do (Philippians 4:8). The more we become like Christ, the more we see ourselves living like Christ. Living like Christ means that “whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked” (I John 2:6).
These three movements of spiritual growth are not considered stages. You can’t cross them off a list of tasks or duties. They are all interrelated. As we experience them together, we should find ourselves growing in spiritual maturity, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit while further reflecting the image of Christ in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).
But we can’t do this alone. The spiritual growth process of discipleship is not only continuous but meant to be done in community. Community is a dynamic, relational environment where believers do life together and support each other in their faith journey. It includes meeting together, studying God’s Word together, and growing in faith together.
We can’t do this alone. Discipleship happens in community.
Jesus said that He would be with believers whenever they gathered (Matthew 18:20). When the New Testament Church was first formed, we saw the believers doing everything together (Acts 2:42-47). There is great value in community. It means that our interests become others’ interests (Philippians 2:4). It means our burdens become others’ burdens (Galatians 6:2). We receive love, care, prayer, accountability, encouragement, and hospitality in community. This is where transformation happens (1 John 4:11; James 5:16; Romans 15:7).
The author of Hebrews writes, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). We need community for discipleship to happen.
At Scottsdale Bible Church, we’re endeavoring to discard the “trickiness” of discipleship and fulfilling the Great Commission. If you are a believer who follows Jesus and His ways, keep showing up. It helps! Make a difference by engaging in our community of Christ-followers. Live like Jesus and show others how to do the same. Let’s be a church of disciples, marked by unwavering faith and unconditional love.
Sam Melvin
Pastor of Discipleship
Discipleship happens when we’re in community! Discover your place to connect and grow by checking out our men’s, women’s, young adults and singles groups.
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