The Four Marks of a Disciple
The four marks of a disciple as taught by Richard Green, Terry Goodwin and Bob Carder.
Here are the four marks of a disciple:
A Disciple is Obedient (Hebrews 5:8).
A Disciple is Faithful (Hebrews 3:1-2).
A Disciple is Loving (John 13:34-35).
A Disciple is Reproducing (John 12:24,32).
Now which one would you say we fall down on in the local church. If there is one deficit in any one of the four, which would you say it is and why?
posted by Bob Carder @ 9:13 AM
22 comments
22 Comments:
Bobert,
Are these the only 4???
Is this a trick question? It seems to me the answer has to be obedience. If we are obedient, the others will follow. If not, they won't.
I disagree Mike. I would say "a disciple daily abides in Christ" because the others will only follow from that. (John 15)
Obedience without abiding in Christ is legalistic Phariseeism
I've been in a bit of a blogging drought the past few days. You've given me some thoughts for a post I'll make this evening. Thanks Bobert!
I agree with Mike. Obedience inslacking in many Christ abiders. We say we are abiding in Christ, we understand and agree with the Great Commission we just never get the deal from the mind into action. Or out of the pew and onto the streets.
God said, fulfill the Great Commission, we say we believe we should but it's a heart matter, will I do what the boss says or will I skip that part? Many in the church are skipping that part.
Lack of obedience to God hinders our effectively abiding in Christ.
I guess you could say, I disagree with Bill on this one.
Reproduction is missing. Or rather the church reproduces a faulty disciple (pew-sitter, program operator, knowledge sponge), not a disciple according to the biblical definition.
Abiding without obedience is the impossibility see John 15.
Jhn 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
Terry's got it. "Abiding without obedience is the impossibility." I would add, "Obedience without abiding is weak, man-powered, and ineffectual."
Bob, when you talk about the people in the pews who are "abiding" but not obedient, I think Terry nails it here. They aren't truly abiding in Christ. If they were, then obedience would be an impossibility. So, to correct the problem, we need to have a deeper understanding of what it means to abide in Christ and lead them into that. From there, according to Terry, obedience in the inevitable result.
Am I missing something? I don't see "abiding" in the list...
That's the point. It should be. And in my humble opinion, it should top the list because the other 4 flow out of that.
Ahhh ... a little penlight bulb is going on over my head. I reread and reread and reread the post and didn't see "abide" anywhere.
We laymen can be a little thick. :)
We could say, As a believer abides in Christ, they should demonstrate the following marks of a disciple.
I see your point, Bill. My skull is thick at times, like yesterday. I assumed everyone knew this described a Christ follower and when you assume things you make an....(blank)...of yourself. Starts with "A"
Now we all are back on the same page. It's great to have guys that hang in there until there is an understanding for what it being said.
I'm going to go with Jesus on this one (how's that for pretentious-sounding!): in the Great Commission he told his disciples to go make more disciples by 1. Baptizing them, and 2. Teaching them to OBEY everything he commanded.
Dr. J.B., now that's profound just like Jesus!
If Bill is right and I think he is, there are thousands of abiders (I made up this word) in the pew who are not abiding with Jesus (they are abiding with something/someone but not Jesus) thus the reason for the lack of obedience. The point I was trying to make earlier is that they do believe they are abiding. If that's true and I believe it is, what in the world are we going to do about those who profess but do not possess and because of that do not obey? Maybe that's the reality of the narrow road to heaven and the wide road to hell. What a painful reality.
The church is full of abiders who do not abide in Christ.
Bobert:
You've made up a number of words, but "abiders" is not one of them. Sorry.
An abider is one who abides.
Mike, just checking to see if you are paying attention. You didn't catch it the first time I mentioned this stuff, so I mentioned it again!
An abider is just going along for the ride.
Abiding is much more intentional. I can be an abider in a church without being one who abides with Christ. :) Just messing with you.
At least the definition I give here is original.
I could make a long list of 25 plus things here but I have found that all of those things I could list actually flow out of these four marks assuming they are born again and abiding in Christ.
And I would add faith as a mark of a disciple, as we discussed in the thread below (can't remember what it's called!). But faith is probably another way of saying abiding.
Have you left out one? A disciple is characteristic of Christ-likeness. Perhaps this is splitting hairs but a part from the vine a disciple can not produce fruit. A part from bearing fruit not one can please God. Obediance, faithfulness, love and making disciples flow from Christ-likeness...the very essence of heart-holiness. Just a random reflection - hope you don't mind.
Hey guys... this is my first time responding to a blog. I came across it because I’m planning to do a series on "the marks of a disciple" in my church and I ran search in google to see what others saying
It has been funny reading through the comments. Seems very serious!
My take on being a disciple is that it evolves in the life on any person who chooses to follow Christ. A new Christ follower (Christian) will "abide" in Christ to the measure of their understanding of it. As they grow they will learn to abide more. I wonder what practically definition of abiding is?
In the same way they will excel in some areas of following Christ then others.
For example... many new Christians are great at "reproducing" because they are full of the "good news" they have received. Sadly, man Christians relax in their reproducing over time... but they will begin to excel in other areas of discipleship.
The genuine mark a disciple is to be the "image of Christ" in the earth.
Mirroring Him in everyway! Abiding in Him as He abided in His father. Loving like He loves, giving like he gives, and living with joy like he lived with joy, serving others like He serves other.
In principle, a good happen, support the views of the author
Interesting article, added his blog to Favorites
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