New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996

Verses about discipleship

Discipleship in Scripture is the intentional, lifelong process of following Jesus Christ, being transformed into His image, and helping others do the same. The biblical foundation of discipleship begins with a clear call to allegiance: leaving behind self-centered priorities to walk closely in the footsteps of Jesus. In the Gospels, Christ emphasizes that true discipleship involves daily self-denial, surrender, and remaining abidingly attached to His teachings. A genuine disciple is recognized not merely by verbal profession, but by visible sacrificial love for others, personal obedience, and spiritual fruitfulness. Throughout the Early Church in Acts and the Epistles, discipleship developed as an interactive, relational responsibility within community. Believers committed themselves to sound doctrine, fellowship, prayer, and mutual accountability. Apostle Paul modeled this by inviting believers to imitate him as he imitated Christ, multiplying leaders through mentoring. The verses about discipleship culminates in the Great Commission, where every follower is called to make, teach, and equip new disciples across all nations.

"Come. Follow me," Jesus said. "I will make you fishers of people."
Matthew 4:19

"A student is not better than his teacher. A servant is not better than his master.
Matthew 10:24

It is enough for the student to be like his teacher. And it is enough for the servant to be like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, what can the others who live there expect?
Matthew 10:25

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. Anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:37

And anyone who does not pick up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:38

Then Jesus spoke to his disciples. He said, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24

If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me, he will find it.
Matthew 16:25

So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19

Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end."
Matthew 28:20

Jesus called the crowd to him along with his disciples. He said, "If anyone wants to come after me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34

If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me and for the good news, he will save it.
Mark 8:35

Don't be like that. Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your servant.
Mark 10:43

And anyone who wants to be first must be the slave of everyone.
Mark 10:44

Even the Son of Man did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free."
Mark 10:45

Then he said to all of them, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross every day and follow me.
Luke 9:23

Jesus replied, "Suppose you start to plow and then look back. If you do, you are not fit for service in God's kingdom."
Luke 9:62

"Anyone who comes to me must hate his father and mother. He must hate his wife and children. He must hate his brothers and sisters. And he must hate even his own life. Unless he does, he can't be my disciple.
Luke 14:26

Anyone who doesn't carry his cross and follow me can't be my disciple.
Luke 14:27

"In the same way, you must give up everything you have. If you don't, you can't be my disciple.
Luke 14:33

Jesus spoke to the Jews who had believed him. "If you obey my teaching," he said, "you are really my disciples.
John 8:31

Then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free."
John 8:32

"I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you.
John 13:34

If you love one another, everyone will know you are my disciples."
John 13:35

When you bear a lot of fruit, it brings glory to my Father. It shows that you are my disciples.
John 15:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem. You will be my witnesses in all Judea and Samaria. And you will be my witnesses from one end of the earth to the other."
Acts 1:8

The believers studied what the apostles taught. They shared life together. They broke bread and ate together. And they prayed.
Acts 2:42

He found him there. Then he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church. They taught large numbers of people. At Antioch the believers were called Christians for the first time.
Acts 11:26

Paul and Barnabas preached the good news in the city of Derbe. They won large numbers of followers. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch.
Acts 14:21

There they helped the believers gain strength. They told them to remain true to what they had been taught. "We must go through many hard times to enter God's kingdom," they said.
Acts 14:22

Brothers and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him.
Romans 12:1

Don't live any longer the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2

Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1

I have been crucified with Christ. I don't live any longer. Christ lives in me. My faith in the Son of God helps me to live my life in my body. He loved me. He gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

You are the children that God dearly loves. So be just like him.
Ephesians 5:1

Lead a life of love, just as Christ did. He loved us. He gave himself up for us. He was a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2

You should think in the same way Christ Jesus does.
Philippians 2:5

Brothers and sisters, join with others in following my example. Pay close attention to those who live in keeping with the pattern we gave you.
Philippians 3:17

Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9

You received Christ Jesus as Lord. So keep on living in him.
Colossians 2:6

Have your roots in him. Build yourselves up in him. Grow strong in what you believe, just as you were taught. Be more thankful than ever before.
Colossians 2:7

We and the Lord were your examples. You followed us. You suffered terribly. Even so, you welcomed our message with the joy the Holy Spirit gives.
1 Thessalonians 1:6

You have heard me teach in front of many witnesses. Pass on to men you can trust the things you've heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2

Christ suffered for you. He left you an example. He expects you to follow in his steps. You too were chosen to suffer.
1 Peter 2:21

Those who claim to belong to him must live just as Jesus did.
1 John 2:6

New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996

Verses about discipleship

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