The basic meaning of the word, “disciple,” is learner. A disciple is one who learns. A disciple of Jesus Christ is one who learns from Him. We can know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life (Jn. 17:3), even if we cannot know them exhaustively. Paul said it was his life’s ambition always to be growing in knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:10). Can our ambition be anything less?

Christian discipleship is a calling to life-long learning. It begins in seeking Jesus Christ in His Word, where every prophet, psalmist, and apostle writes abundantly of His person and work (Jn. 5:39). But following Jesus requires that we also hear His wisdom speaking to us from world, from the works of God in creation and culture (Col. 2:2, 3; Prov. 8; Ps. 19:1-4). There is much to learn about Jesus, His Kingdom, His providential rule and plan, and how we fit into the divine economy over which He presides by studying the Word and works of the Lord together.

Jesus commanded us, “Learn from Me” (Matt. 11:29). He is holding classes daily in His Word and works, and we who would be His disciples must sign up for a lifetime of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2 Pet. 3:18).

The school year is just beginning for children all over the land. Perhaps you should enroll in a new course of studies yourself – one that will take you deeper into the Word of Christ and more meaningfully into His works in creation and culture. Perhaps the resources and activities provided below will help to launch your discipleship into a higher orbit around our glorious Savior and King.

Resources for this topic

How to Have a God Encounter by Regis Nicoll

Getting the Most out of Scripture by T. M. Moore

Grounded in the Word by T. M. Moore

On Reading Fiction by James V. Schall

The Christian and his Books by Rob Ventura and Jack Buckley

More Christians Reading Fiction by Charles Colson

Made for Wonder: Reaching for Understanding by T. M. Moore

The Need to Read: Francis Schaeffer by Todd Kappelman

For more insight to this topic, get the book, The Christian Mind, by Harry Blamires, from our online store. Be sure to order your copy of our new DVD series, Doing the Right Thing. Here’s a great resource for investigating the power of natural law for ethical behavior.

Activities

1. Find a friend or two and make a plan to study something together over the next year. Choose a book of the Bible, and complement that with articles from colsoncenter.org or other resources to help you grow in your relationship with Christ. Set a schedule to meet together regularly and discuss your studies.
2. How can you help your church in the work of making disciples during the coming year? Meet with your pastor or an appropriate lay leader and find out what the needs are or what opportunities may be available in the work of Christian education. Seek the Lord for how you can be of more service in the year to come in helping others to know Jesus.
3. Email today’s Talking Points column to several Christian friends. Challenge them to read some of the resources, watch the Two-Minute Warning, and take on one of the activities.

A conversation starter
Christians tend to take the word, “disciple,” for granted. But do we really know what it means? Try this conversation starter with some Christian friends: “So, if the meaning of ‘disciple’ is really, ‘one who is learning from Jesus,’ how can we improve in this area of our walk with the Lord?”