Throughout Scripture we see close relationships that help one or both parties become more like the Lord: David and Jonathan, Elijah and Elisha, Barnabas and Paul, Paul and Timothy, Barnabas and John Mark, and, of course, Christ Jesus and His disciples.

Too often I try to make discipleship something it isn’t. At times I sway to the intellectual side and insist that knowing more is surely the best way to develop as a disciple of Christ. At other times I sway to the legalistic side and insist that doing more for the Kingdom and having a spiritual checklist is by far better.

The more I look at Scripture, the more I realise it incorporates both.

• I must know Scripture through and through and memorize God’s Word as Jesus did so I will not be led astray in times of temptation and so I will be able to incorporate the Word in my prayers.
• I must make time spent in prayer a priority and a habit, just as Jesus did, so I will be better able to discern His leading.
• I must serve others and be prepared to wash the filthy, dusty, smelly feet God directs my way with humility and love just as Jesus did.

If being a disciple of Christ means that I am striving to be like Him, then it stands to reason that discipleship, at its core, is helping another person become like Jesus, and who better to help others become like Jesus than Jesus? If I truly want to be someone who is able to disciple another I must know my Lord well and then teach them the skills to do the same and pass along those skills. I must be willing to submit myself to His teachings and study His life. He is God clothed in humanity so He knows what He’s talking about.