Discipleship was not a new concept started in the ministry of Jesus. Rabbis and even other cultures had disciples long before Jesus chose the twelve. Still, there was something different about the way Jesus approached discipleship. In his book, The Complete Book of Discipleship, Bill Hull writes about four ways that Jesus’ way of doing discipleship was unique.

 

• It was unique in who He chose. He chose observant Jews who were tradesmen. Jesus did not seek out the most educated or the religious leadership to be disciples. He chose average people in normal jobs who had a love for God and keeping His commands.

 

• It was uniquely based on friendship and common respect. As the disciples of Jesus took on the next generation of disciples, it was not to take on a role of importance for themselves. The focus is always on Jesus.

 

• It was unique because it redefined disciple. A disciple of Jesus is not just a student or a follower. A disciple of Jesus is someone who commits to follow Jesus and learn as part of a community of disciples. Being His disciples means being accountable to another disciple and encouraging one another as we follow Him together.

 

• It was unique in how we should apply it now. The pattern we see in the discipleship that Jesus taught is one that we should be following today. Jesus calls us to be disciples who work along other disciples to make more disciples. It’s the way the church was always intended to grow and mature.

 

Jesus chose regular people just like us to spread His story across the entire world. And it worked! It can continue happening today as we point more people toward Him and help each other to follow His example.

 

Brian