104 Bible Verses about discipleship, nature of

it is written in the prophets, "they shall be all taught of God." every man therefore that hath heard the father, and been instructed by him, cometh unto me.

another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. but Jesus said to him, follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.

so they immediately left their nets, and followed him.

immediately they quitted their nets, and followed him.

Be ye therefore imitators of God, as his dear children; live together in love, for Christ loved us, and for us gave himself an offering and a sacrifice acceptable to God.

Let our brethren too learn some honest profession to supply their occasions, that they may not be destitute of an income.

but as he, who has called you, is holy: let your whole conduct be an imitation of his holiness. for it is written, "be ye holy, because I am holy."

they immediately left the bark with their father, and followed him.

take my yoke upon you, and learn to be meek like me, and of an humble temper: and ye shall enjoy tranquillity of mind.

and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the people he had hired, and went after him.

for I have given you example, that you might behave to one another, as I have to you.

then having brought their boats to shore, they left every thing, and followed him.

but you have learned other things from Christ, if you have heard of him, and have been taught the truth as he preach'd it:

that they who are in a state of life should not live at their own discretion, but to the service of him who died for them, and rose again.

for the same temper of mind ought to be in you as was in Christ Jesus:

for we neither live, nor die, as if we were our own masters. if we live, our life is appropriated to the Lord; and if we die, we die as his servants: whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord's.

and he said to them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men:

this will conciliate the divine favour. and this is the condition of your vocation, since Christ himself has suffer'd for us,

so that for the future he does not pass the rest of this life in gratifying his sensual passions, but in conformity to the divine precepts.

(for they were fishers) and Jesus said to them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

he that says he is attach'd to Christ, ought to regulate his conduct by his example.

after he had washed their feet, he took his garment, and setting down again, he said to them, do you comprehend what I have been doing? you call me master, and lord: and you are in the right; for so I am. if I then, tho' lord and master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.read more.
for I have given you example, that you might behave to one another, as I have to you. I declare unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord, neither he that is sent, greater than he that sent him. if ye comprehend these things, happy are ye if ye put them in practice.

Going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in a bark with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and Jesus having called them,

but the advocate, the holy spirit, whom the father will send for my sake, he will explain every thing to you, and make you remember, all that I have told you.

as the father has loved me, and I have loved you: so do you persevere in your love to me. your love to me will be in keeping my commandments: even as I love my father by keeping his commandments. These things have I spoken to you, that you might have some present comfort, and that hereafter your joy might be compleat.read more.
this is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. there cannot be greater love than that of a man, who lays down his life for his friends. you will be my friends, if you do what I have commanded you.

for the holy spirit shall instruct you on the very occasion, what is proper to be said.

but when he, the spirit of truth shall come, he will inform you of all those truths: for he will not speak from himself; but the information he shall receive will he communicate: and acquaint you with what is to come.

he that loveth father or mother more than me, is unworthy of me: he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is unworthy of me. and he that does not take his cross, and so follow after me, is unworthy of me. he that would preserve his life, shall lose it: and he that exposeth his life for my sake, shall save it.

Then he said to another, follow me: but he replied, Lord, let me stay first, till I bury my father. Jesus said to him, let the dead bury their dead; but do you go and preach the kingdom of God.

this is what we declare, not in the words which human wisdom, but which the holy spirit dictates; explaining spiritual things in a spiritual language.

Then addressing himself to his disciples, if any man, said he, would follow me, let him renounce himself, take up his cross, and so follow me. for whosoever will save himself, shall be a looser: and whosoever shall suffer loss for my sake, shall be a gainer.

As Jesus left that place, he saw one Matthew by name, sitting at the customhouse: and said to him, follow me. and he rose and followed him.

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, whereby ye may know him:

Then addressing himself to the people, and his disciples, he said, he that desires to be under my conduct, let him renounce himself, and follow me. for he that would save his life, shall lose it; and he that would lose his life out of love to me and the gospel, he shall save it.

as he passed along, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus, sitting at the custom-house, and said to him, follow me. accordingly he arose and followed him.

that by his immense power he would strengthen the faculties of your minds by his spirit: so that your souls may be possess'd with faith in Christ. Be ye rooted and grounded in social virtue, that you may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of this mystery:read more.
and be sensible of his exceeding love, in giving you the knowledge of Christ, that you may be filled with all the supplies of divine bounty.

Then he said to the whole company, if any one will be my follower, let him renounce himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. for whoever would save his life, shall lose it: and he that would lose his life, out of love to me, shall save it.

and were answer'd, that it was not they, but we, who were concern'd in the events which they predicted, events which have been now represented to you by those, whom the holy spirit from heaven inspired to preach the gospel to you: a secret which the angels desire to penetrate into.

After this Jesus left the place, and seeing a publican named Levi, sitting at the custom-house, he said to him, follow me.

he order'd them to take nothing for their journey, but a single staff, no scrip, no bread, nor money in their purse:

Jesus said, if thou wilt be perfect, go sell your estate, give the value to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come and follow me.

practise what I have taught, what you have learnt of me, what you have heard me preach, and seen me practise. this do, and the God of peace will then be with you.

and said, he that can't abandon his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, nay, even his own life, cannot be my disciple. and he that does not bear his cross, and tread in my steps, cannot be my disciple.

then Jesus looking upon him with a favourable eye, said, there is one thing still to be done; go, sell all your estate, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; then come, take up the cross, and follow me.

he that seeks to save his life, will expose it; and he that exposes his life, will preserve it.

upon hearing that, Jesus said to him, one thing you have yet to do: sell all you have, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come, and follow me.

he that loveth his life, shall lose it: but he that sacrifices his life in this world, shall preserve it to eternity.

The day following Jesus having a mind to go into Galilee, met with Philip, and said to him, follow me.

to quit the vicious habits of your former conversation, corrupted by deceitful passions: and to be renewed in your mind, by living like men formed anew, after the image of God, in justice, sanctity, and truth.

this he said to signify to Peter by what death he should glorify God. and when he had spoken this, he said to him, follow me.

These things, my brethren, I have represented to you in my own person, and that of Apollos, out of respect to you: to show you how to moderate your esteem by the rule prescrib'd, that you may not be transported in favour of one rather than another.

be ye therefore perfect, even as your father who is in heaven is perfect.

and he that does not take his cross, and so follow after me, is unworthy of me.

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Then addressing himself to his disciples, if any man, said he, would follow me, let him renounce himself, take up his cross, and so follow me.

Imitate herein my example as I do that of Christ.

for whom he before approv'd, he predispos'd to follow the example of his son, who was to conduct them all as their elder brother;

tread in my steps, my brethren, and fix your eyes upon those who follow the example I give you.

Then addressing himself to the people, and his disciples, he said, he that desires to be under my conduct, let him renounce himself, and follow me.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to you, that you present your bodies a living victim, holy, acceptable unto God, as the service of a rational being. and be not conformed to the present age: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may perceive what God requires of you is good, and acceptable, and perfect.

Then he said to the whole company, if any one will be my follower, let him renounce himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.

for you know what an example we have given for your imitation: that our conduct among you was regular:

and he that does not bear his cross, and tread in my steps, cannot be my disciple.

but imitate the Lord Jesus Christ, and by no means indulge any sensual desires.

Let the women with submissive silence attend to instruction.

my sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

but as we lay aside the veil, the divine light gradually informs the mind, according as we attend to that spiritual sense, which points out the Lord.

if a widow has children or grand-children, let them above all things instruct their own family to be religious, and let them be grateful to their parents, for this is acceptable to God.

But be you attach'd to the doctrine you have learnt, with which you are intrusted, considering by whom you have been instructed:

since then, we have these promises, my dear brethren, let us cleanse our selves from all impurity, whether of body or mind, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

if any man would serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there also shall my servant be: whoever serves me, him will my father reward.

according as he had chosen us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, free from vice, and devoted to virtue.

these are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins: these are they who follow the lamb wherever he goes: these were ransom'd from among men, being the first fruits unto God, and to the lamb.

he it is that we preach, exhorting, and instructing men in every part of divine knowledge, that they may all be perfectly acquainted with the doctrine of Christ Jesus.

knowing that as you are the servants of Christ our Lord, you shall receive from him the inheritance for your reward.

be you therefore adorn'd with a compassionate temper, with benevolence, humility, meekness, patience as becometh saints and chosen favourites of God:

but Jesus calling them to him, said, ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise arbitrary dominion over them, and they that are great exercise their authority. but it must not be so among you: on the contrary, whoever would rise among you, let him be your minister. and whoever would be chief among you, let him be your servant.read more.
as the son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for all.

that the minister of God may be perfectly accomplished for every office of religion.

So that Jesus called them to him, and said, you know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and their great ones treat them in an imperious manner; but it shall not be so among young you: on the contrary, whoever would be great among you, he must be your servant; and whoever would be the chief, he must be the slave of all the rest.read more.
for the son of man himself is not come to receive the services of men, but to do them service, and to lay down his life a ransom for many.

as obedient children be no longer influenc'd by those passions, which were the effects of your former ignorance. but as he, who has called you, is holy: let your whole conduct be an imitation of his holiness.

in business be not slothful, but of an active mind, making the best use of every incident.

Do you on your part employ all your care in adding to your faith, fortitude: to fortitude, knowledge: to knowledge, temperance: to temperance, patience: to patience, piety: to piety, fraternal affection: and to fraternal affection, universal benevolence.

how successful our arrival was among you, and how you renounc'd your idols to serve the living and true God,

beloved, we are now the sons of God, tho' it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know, that when this change shall be, his immediate presence will give us a divine resemblance. he that hath such an expectation should purify himself, even as he is pure.

Jesus said therefore to those Jews who believed on him, if you adhere to my doctrine, then will you be my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth,

Now one of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, was there, a ruler of the Jews: who came to Jesus by night, and said to him, rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher sent from God: for no man can perform the miracles that you do, except God be with him.

he that hath received my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me, shall be beloved by my father, and I will love him, and shew my self unto him.

thereupon Nicodemus, he that came to Jesus by night, and was then present,

your love to me will be in keeping my commandments: even as I love my father by keeping his commandments.

if we keep his commandments, that is a proof that we know him.

whatever we ask, we shall receive it of him, because we keep his commandments, and do what is agreeable to him.

for our love of God consists in the observation of his precepts: precepts that are far from being grievous.

and Jesus came, and said to them, all power has been given me in heaven and in earth. go and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost: teaching them to observe every thing which I have enjoin'd you: and be assured I shall be always with you to the end of the world.

ye are the light of the world. a city that is situated on an hill, cannot be hid; and when men light a lamp, they do not put it under a bushel: but on the stand, to give light to all the family. even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven.

and what you heard me deliver in the presence of many, intrust to such persons of integrity as are qualified to instruct others

It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers: thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ: till being united in a perfect belief, and acknowledgment of the son of God, we grow up to that full state of maturity required by Christ:read more.
that we should be no longer children, fluctuating, and carried about with every empty doctrine, by men vers'd in sleight and the crafty arts of deceit: but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head: from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts. This I say therefore, and conjure you by the Lord not to live for the future as other Gentiles do, in the vanity of their minds,

they continued stedfastly in the apostolical doctrine of a community, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Jesus said therefore to those Jews who believed on him, if you adhere to my doctrine, then will you be my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

I am the genuine vine, and my father is the vintager. every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he takes away: as for the branch that bears fruit, he prunes it clean, to make it more fruitful. you are already clean by the instructions I have given you.read more.
be attach'd to me, and I shall be so to you. as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it be attach'd to the vine: so neither can you, except you continue attach'd to me. I am the vine, you are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for independent of me ye can do nothing. if a man abide not in me, he is cast away as withered branches that are gather'd up to be thrown into the fire, where they are burned. if ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what ye will, and you shall obtain it. my father will be honour'd by your bearing much fruit, and you will have the honour of being my disciples. as the father has loved me, and I have loved you: so do you persevere in your love to me. your love to me will be in keeping my commandments: even as I love my father by keeping his commandments. These things have I spoken to you, that you might have some present comfort, and that hereafter your joy might be compleat. this is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. there cannot be greater love than that of a man, who lays down his life for his friends. you will be my friends, if you do what I have commanded you. henceforth I do not treat you as servants; for the servant is unacquainted with his master's affairs: but I have treated you as friends; for what I have learnt of my father, I have communicated to you. it was not you that chose me, but I that chose you, and establish'd you, that your travels may be fruitful, and your fruit be lasting: so that whatever ye shall ask of the father for my sake, he will give it you. Above all I enjoin you, to love one another.

a new commandment I give unto you, "that ye love one another; that you would have the same love for one another as I have had for you." by this mutual love shall all men know that you are my disciples.

and said, he that can't abandon his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, nay, even his own life, cannot be my disciple.

in like manner every one of you must count upon renouncing all that he has, otherwise he cannot be my disciple.

As for you, teach nothing but what is agreeable to sound doctrine: advise the aged to be prudent, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience: the aged women likewise, to behave with sanctity of manners, not false accusers, not given to tipling,read more.
but to lectures on virtue, that they may teach the young women prudence, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, good oeconimists, beneficent, submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. the young men likewise exhort to be modest. In all things show yourself a pattern of virtue: in teaching shewing uncorruptness, gravity; let your doctrine be sound and inoffensive, that your opponents may be ashamed, and have nothing that is ill to say of us.

At another time, as they were walking in the road, a man said to him, I will be your follower, wherever you go. Jesus answered him, foxes have their kennels, and birds of the air their nests, but the son of man hath not where to lay his head. Then he said to another, follow me: but he replied, Lord, let me stay first, till I bury my father.read more.
Jesus said to him, let the dead bury their dead; but do you go and preach the kingdom of God. another likewise said, I will be your follower; but let me first go home, and settle the affairs of my family. Jesus answered him, whoever puts his hand to the plough, and looks back, is not fit to be employ'd in the kingdom of God.