The invitation to become a disciple of Jesus Christ is not a motivational call—it is a divine command. The Great Commission is not limited to evangelism; it includes the forming of disciples, who are spiritual sons shaped into Christ’s image.

Matthew 28:18–20 — “Jesus came up and said to them, ‘All authority [all power of absolute rule] in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.’” (AMP)

To make disciples, we must first become true disciples—fully submitted, inwardly transformed, and relationally grounded in Christ.

The Call to Discipleship #

Jesus did not call men to a classroom but to a life. He summoned them to follow Him and be changed.

Matthew 4:19 — “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.’” (AMP)

Greek: “Disciple” — μαθητής (mathētēs), meaning learner, apprentice, or one who imitates a master.

The call to discipleship is a call to be with Jesus (Mark 3:14), to learn of Him (Matthew 11:29), and to be conformed into His image (Romans 8:29).

Adamic vs. Christ-like Discipleship #

There are only two true patterns of humanity: Adam and Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:45–49 — “So it is written [in Scripture], ‘The first man, Adam, became a living soul (an individual);’ the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving spirit [restoring the dead to life]… Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the Man of heaven.” (AMP)

Adamic Discipleship (Religious Flesh): #

• Rooted in self-consciousness (Genesis 3:7)
• Driven by fear, shame, and performance
• Attempts to cover nakedness through external coverings (fig leaves = self-righteous acts)
• Relates to God through distance, not intimacy
• Seeks to serve God in the strength of the soul, not the Spirit

Christ-like Discipleship (Spirit-born): #

• Rooted in God-consciousness (Hebrews 10:22)
• Driven by faith, surrender, and rest
• Embraces the finished work of the cross (Galatians 2:20)
• Lives in union and abiding (John 15:4)
• Walks by the Spirit, not the flesh (Galatians 5:25)

Romans 8:29 — “For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” (AMP)

Greek: “Conformed” — συμμόρφους (summorphos): to share the inner form, essence, and nature of another.

True discipleship is not trying to behave like Jesus, but being formed into Jesus. The Adamic man cannot be trained—he must be crucified (Romans 6:6). Christ doesn’t reform Adam; He replaces him in us.

Disciples of Religious Systems vs. Disciples of Christ #

Jesus warned of religious discipleship that leads people away from the truth:

Matthew 23:15 — “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte (convert), and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” (AMP)

Religious discipleship—like that of the Pharisees—forms people into systems, not Christ. It teaches laws, rules, and traditions, but does not impart life.

Characteristics of Pharisaical Discipleship: #

• Focuses on external performance
• Motivated by fear of punishment or approval-seeking
• Lacks intimacy with God—emphasises distance and hierarchy
• Produces self-righteousness and pride
• Blocks others from entering the Kingdom (Matthew 23:13)

Characteristics of Christ’s Discipleship: #

John 8:31–32 — “So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them], then you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].’” (AMP)

• Teaches abiding, not striving
• Flows from relationship, not religious status
• Produces freedom, not fear
• Builds truth inwardly, not performance outwardly
• Transforms from the inside out (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Disciples of Christ are not built by behaviour management but by beholding the Lord. We become what we behold (Psalm 34:5).

Walking in the Spirit vs. Walking in the Flesh #

Discipleship is not managed through the soul (mind, emotions, will)—it must be led by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 — “If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].” (AMP)

The flesh (Greek: σάρξ / sarx) refers not just to sin, but the entire self-life, including religious effort. Discipleship in the flesh breeds burnout, competition, pride, and guilt. It mimics spirituality without transformation.

But true discipleship by the Spirit produces:

• Grace for growth, not guilt
• Internal guidance, not external control
• Union with Christ, not merely imitation
• Fruit of the Spirit, not works of flesh (Galatians 5:22–23)

Submission and Accountability #

Discipleship requires divine order. There is no maturity without spiritual authority and submission.

Hebrews 13:17 — “Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [recognising their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare…” (AMP)

God raises true fathers to raise true sons. The disciple must honour God’s set order—this safeguards growth and guards from deception. Submission is protection, not punishment.

Relational Discipleship and Vulnerable Growth #

Discipleship is deeply relational. It is not simply academic; it is incarnational—life shared with life.

James 5:16 — “Confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offences], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored.” (AMP)

Spiritual maturity happens in community, not isolation. We need vulnerable spaces for confession, correction, and covenantal friendships that challenge us to pursue God’s purpose.

Daily Cross and Ongoing Transformation #

Luke 9:23 — “…he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (AMP)

Greek: “Deny” — ἀπαρνέομαι (aparneomai) — to utterly reject one’s ownership of life.

The cross is not only the place of Christ’s death—it is the place of our death in Him (Galatians 2:20). Daily discipleship means daily surrender, daily transformation, and daily walking by grace.

Conclusion: The Pattern of the Son #

True discipleship begins in Christ, is formed through Christ, and ends in Christ.

Romans 8:29 — “…He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” (AMP)

We are not called to become better versions of ourselves. We are called to be formed into Christ. Let us reject superficial religion and shallow performance. Let us pursue the cross, embrace spiritual fathering, walk in the Spirit, and be shaped into the Son.

1 John 2:6 — “Whoever says he lives in Christ… ought to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.” (AMP)

Summary Points #

• Adamic discipleship builds self-effort and religious performance; Christ’s discipleship builds surrender and sonship.
• Pharisaical discipleship forms blind followers of traditions; Jesus forms Spirit-led sons.
• Discipleship is not behaviour control, but inward transformation through the cross and the Spirit.
• True disciples walk in daily surrender, loving submission, and authentic relationship.
• The end goal is Christ in you—the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

In Christ,
Shaliach.