In many church circles, "discipleship" has become a buzzword; something we know we should be doing, but often feel like we’re failing at. We wonder: Am I doing it right? Am I qualified? But what if our modern struggle with discipleship stems from a misunderstanding of what the word actually meant to the people who first heard it?
To understand "disciple," we must understand the 1st-century Jewish context. Education at the time followed a strict path:
- Ages 5–10: Both boys and girls attended a school attached to the local synagogue. They memorised the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) and learned Jewish history.
- Ages 10–14: Most girls transitioned to learning how to manage a household. Most boys began learning a trade. However, the best of the best attended a house of learning. There, they studied the Prophets and were encouraged to ask deep questions.
- Age 14+: Only the most elite students could apply to become a disciple of a particular Rabbi. This required the Rabbi’s personal approval.
Once selected, a disciple gave up everything. This wasn't a weekly classroom session; they spent every waking moment with their Rabbi. They worked for him, served him, and travelled with him. The goal was simple but all-consuming: to be transformed into the likeness of their Rabbi.
The Unqualified Chosen Ones
In this system, you had to be the brightest and most educated to be chosen. Yet, when Jesus chose His disciples, He didn't head to the top tier of the schools. He went to the docks and the tax booths. He selected men who had already started their trades; men who had likely been "passed over" by the traditional system.
In Acts 4, Peter and John are described as “unschooled, ordinary men” who had “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Jesus chooses ordinary people to live extraordinary lives. If you feel like you aren’t "clever enough" or "good enough" to be used by God, just look at the twelve. They were ordinary people with ordinary jobs, yet Jesus called them.
The only qualification that ultimately mattered was that they had been with Him. They spent three years walking, eating, and talking with Him. They obeyed even when it made no sense, like trying to feed over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. They weren't perfect and got things wrong (just read Luke 9:51-56 or Matthew 16:21-23), but Jesus was incredibly patient with them.
The Cost of Following
Jesus was very clear about the requirements:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)
To be a disciple of Jesus, we must surrender our own ambitions and expectations in favour of His. We see this in Matthew 4:18-22. When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they didn't wait for the right conditions. They immediately left their nets, their boats, and even their families.
A Personal Journey
For a long time, I felt I had to wait for the conditions to be just right before I could do what God was calling me to do. I had a long list of reasons why I was disqualified to be used by God: I wasn't good enough, I didn't know the Bible well enough, I wasn't ready.
Eventually, the pull to follow Him completely became stronger than my excuses. I didn't have a map; I only knew the first step, and that was scary enough. But once I said "yes" despite the cost, I began an incredible journey of knowing God intimately. My faith moved from head knowledge to lived experience.
I have become more confident in who God is and who I am in Christ. It hasn’t been an easy journey; there have been more challenges than I can count, but I am constantly reminded of His goodness and faithfulness.
The first disciples of Jesus were ordinary, unqualified people who said "yes." We are called to do the same.
Journal Prompts
Spend time reflecting on a couple of these questions.
- The Unschooling: In Acts 4, the disciples were recognised simply because they had "been with Jesus." If people looked at your life this week, what evidence would they see that you have been spending time with Him?
- The Passed Over Feeling: Are there areas of your life where you feel not good enough or unqualified to be used by God? List them out, then invite Jesus to speak His truth over those specific insecurities.
- Being with Jesus: We often focus on what we can do for Jesus, but the Bible says the most noticeable thing about the disciples was that they had been with Jesus. What does being with Jesus look like in your busy daily routine right now?"
- Identifying the Nets: When Jesus called the brothers, they "at once left their nets." What are the "nets" in your life right now, comforts, distractions, or fears, that are keeping you from following Him more closely?
- The Next Simple Step: I mentioned not having the whole map, just the first step. What is one specific thing you feel God is asking you to do this week that feels slightly uncomfortable or scary?
- A Yes Without a Why: Write a prayer of pre-emptive surrender. This is a prayer where you give God your "Yes" before you even know what the next instruction is. What does it feel like to offer that to Him today?