I will subscribe to discipleship by typing. Jesus Christ has no other kind of disciple than the one made by a pattern. Disciples are made by “observing’ (keeping, practicing) what He commanded us, not merely by learning His commands. Teaching doctrine is important, but the teacher of the doctrine is of immense importance. Jesus set the pattern for all disciples when He said, “Follow Me.” Later, Paul continued the same pattern by saying, “Imitate me” (cf. Philippians 3:17, Phillips). Every Christian has the responsibility of becoming a type or pattern by which others may mold their lives.
The work of the Holy Spirit in us is to shape us according to the pattern He has received—Jesus Christ Himself. The goal of the Spirit is not to make us encyclopedias of doctrine, but living types of the Son of God. Even more, the Spirit seeks to make us living types of Jesus for the ones who are watching us daily. So we are types of Someone else for someone else.
My responsibility is not to “gather a following” or say, “I’m going to disciple you,” but simply to let the Spirit fill me; making disciples will then be the most natural result possible. The highest joy a witness can feel is when people say to him: “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23).
Discipleship is not the result of a formula, or a seminar, or an educational institution, but the work of a Person (or person) on another person. What we are lives in perpetual memory; what we say withers away like the chaff. We never have to strive, sweat, or labor to make disciples; we automatically make them or drive them away by whether or not Jesus is being formed in us by the Spirit. In a sense we do not make disciples; they are being made or unmade constantly by simply watching us.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).
Daily with the King 