Many people consider themselves Christians, but that is not the term the earliest followers of Christ chose. The term most often used in scripture is actual “disciples”.

Although in some ways these terms are synonymous, what would you say would be some differences?

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. 21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. —Matthew 4:18-22 (NLT)

1. Jesus doesn’t choose the “best”, He chooses the willing.

Why would these men not be considered the “best” option for being disciples of a rabbi?

Sometimes we excuse ourselves from doing anything church related because we aren’t “that good”. But the question (according to Christ) is not “how able are you?” The question, rather, is “how available are you?”

Why is availability (and willingness) more important than ability?

2.Jesus chose us… not we Him.

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. —John 15:16 (NLT)

Why did Jesus choose those particular men to be his first disciples?
Why does Jesus continue to choose us as his disciples?

3.Our primary calling is to be with Him.

Jesus first call to these disciples was “follow me”.

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

4.He commands us to spiritually reproduce.

There is no such thing as a non-reproducing Christian. Discipleship is about bearing fruit. And this fruit isn’t simply something we do… it is someone we pour our lives into as Jesus poured into us.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

Who are you striving to make a disciple of Jesus this year?