104 Bible Verses about discipleship, nature of

It is written in the prophets, "And they shall all be taught of God." Every one therefore that hath heard and learned from the Father, cometh unto me.

But another of his disciples, whom he ordered to follow Him, said unto Him, Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father: but Jesus said unto him; Do thou follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.

and they immediately left their nets, and followed Him.

and immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Be ye therefore imitators of God as his dear children; and walk in love, even as Christ hath loved us, and given Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweet perfume.

And let our brethren-also learn to excel in good works for necessary exigencies, that they may not be unfruitful.

but as He who hath called you is holy, be ye also holy in all your conversation: since it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.

and He called them also; and they immediately left the ship, and their father, and followed Him.

Take but my yoke upon you, and learn of me, (for I am meek and lowly in heart,) and ye shall find refreshment to your souls:

and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the men he had hired, and went along with Him.

For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.

And when they had brought their ships to land, they left all and followed Him.

But ye have not so learned Christ; if ye have indeed hearkened to Him, and been instructed in Him, as the truth is in Jesus; to put off the old man,

And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live to themselves, but to Him who died for them and rose again.

Let the same mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

For none of us liveth to himself, and no one dieth to himself: but if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

and He saith unto them, Come with me, and I will make you fishers of men:

For unto this are ye called; because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye might follow his steps.

that he should no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh according to the lusts of men, but after the will of God.

(for they were fishermen,) and Jesus said unto them, Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men:

He that saith, he abideth in Him, ought himself also so to walk even as He walked.

And when He had washed their feet, and taken his clothes about Him, He sat down again, and said to them, Do ye know the intent of what I have been doing to you? Ye call me, Master, and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet.read more.
For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord, nor is the messenger greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye, if ye do them.

And going on from thence He saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets;

But the comforter, that is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said unto you.

As the Father hath loved me, and I have loved you, continue in my love: and if ye keep my commandments ye will continue in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and continue in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy in you may continue, and that your joy may be full.read more.
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends: and ye are my friends, if ye do what I command you.

for the holy Spirit shall teach you at that very time what ye ought to say.

But when the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that will He speak, and will shew you things to come.

He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that would save his life shall lose it; and he, that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.

And He said to another, Follow me: but he said, Lord, permit me to go first and bury my father: but Jesus said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

which we also speak of, not in words dictated by human wisdom, but in those which are dictated by the holy Spirit; explaining spiritual things by spiritual words.

Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any one is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me: for he that would save his life shall lose it; but he that would lose his life for my sake shall find it.

And as Jesus was passing from thence, He saw a man sitting at the custom-house, named Matthew; and He saith to him, Follow me: and he rose up and followed Him.

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to the knowledge of Him,

And calling the people and his disciples to Him, He said unto them, Whosoever is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me: for he that would save his life, shall lose it; but he that would lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, shall save it.

And as He went along, He saw Levi the son of Alpheus, sitting at the receit of custom, and saith unto him, Follow me: and he rose up and followed Him.

that He would grant you, according to his glorious riches, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit, as to the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith: and be ye rooted and grounded in love, that ye may be able, with all the saints, to comprehend what is the breadth, and length, and depth,read more.
and height, and to know the love of Christ, which surpasseth knowledge; that ye may be filled according to the abundant fulness of God.

And He said unto them all, if any one is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me: for he that would save his life shall lose it, but he that would lose his life for my sake shall save it.

to whom it was revealed, that it was not to themselves, but to us they ministered these things, which are now declared unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you, through the holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

After these things He went out and saw a publican named Levi, sitting at the custom-house, and said to him, Follow me:

and ordered them to take nothing for their journey, but a staff only; no bag, nor bread, nor money in their purse:

Jesus replied, If thou wouldst be perfect, go, sell thy estate, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.

and what ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these practise; and the God of peace will be with you.

so he turned and said to them, If any man come to me, and does not comparatively hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and follow me, cannot be my disciple.

Then Jesus looked upon him with affection, and said to him, One thing thou wantest; go, sell all that thou hast, and give it to the poor; and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow me.

and whosoever will venture his life, shall preserve it.

But when Jesus heard these things He said unto him, Thou yet wantest one thing, Sell all that thou hast, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

So he, that loveth his life, shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, shall preserve it unto life eternal.

The day following Jesus had a mind to go out into Galilee, and meeting with Philip, saith unto him, Follow me.

which according to your former conversation was corrupted with deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and to put on the new man, which according to the image of God is created in righteousness, and true holiness.

This He said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had said this, He saith unto him, Follow me.

These things, my brethren, I have by a figure transferred to myself, and Apollos, for your sakes, that ye may learn in us not to be wise above what is written, that ye may not be puffed up for one against another.

Be ye therefore perfect in love and goodness, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

and he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

the learner is not above his teacher, tho' every complete scholar will become as learned as his master.

Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any one is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me:

Be ye then imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.

for those whom he foreknew, He also predetermined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be as the first-born among many brethren: and whom He before ordained, these He also called;

Brethren, be imitators of me, and observe those that walk as ye have us for an example.

And calling the people and his disciples to Him, He said unto them, Whosoever is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and well-pleasing to God, as your rational service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may experience what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

And He said unto them all, if any one is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me:

For ye know how ye ought to imitate us: for we were not disorderly among you;

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and follow me, cannot be my disciple.

But put on the Lord Jesus, and make not provision for the flesh to gratify its irregular desires.

Let the woman learn in silence with all submission: but I permit not a woman to teach,

and I know them, and they follow me.

But we all with unveiled face beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory, as proceeding from the Spirit of the Lord.

But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let these learn first to shew piety at home, and to make suitable returns to their parents: for this is becoming, and acceptable in the sight of God.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learnt, and been assured of, knowing from whom thou hast learned them;

Having therefore, my beloved, these promises, let us purify ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

If any man would serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: and if any one serve me, him will my Father honour.

according as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unblameable before Him in love:

These are they who were not defiled with women; for they are virgins: these are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth: these were redeemed from among men, as the first-fruits unto God and the Lamb.

whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ;

Put on therefore, as the elect of God holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, benignity, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;

but Jesus called them to Him and said, Ye know that the princes of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority upon them: it shall not be so among you; but whosoever would be great among you, let him be your minister, and whoever would be chief among you, let him be your servant:read more.
as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly fitted for every good work.

But Jesus called them to Him, and said unto them, Ye know that those who rule among the Gentiles, lord it over them, and their grandees exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whoever would be great among you shall be your minister; and whoever of you would be first shall be servant of all.read more.
For the Son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.

as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He who hath called you is holy, be ye also holy in all your conversation: since it is written,

not slothful in business: fervent in spirit: serving the Lord.

And to this giving all diligence, add to your faith fortitude; and to fortitude knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience piety; and to piety brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection charity.

For they themselves declare concerning us what kind of entrance we had among you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God;

Beloved, we are now the children of God, but it doth not yet appear what we shall be: we know however, that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every one, that hath this hope in Him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure.

Therefore said Jesus to the Jews that believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, ye are indeed my disciples.

Now there was a man of the pharisees, whose name was Nicodemus, a ruler among the Jews: who came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for none can do these miracles which thou dost, unless God be with him.

He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest my self to him.

Upon this Nicodemus, (who came to Him by night)

and if ye keep my commandments ye will continue in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and continue in his love.

And by this we know that we have known Him, if we keep his commandments.

and whatsoever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep his commandments, and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me both in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

Ye are the light of the world: a city, that is situated on a hill, cannot be hid. Nor do men light a candle, to put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick: and then it giveth light to all in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father, who is in heaven.

and the things which thou hast heard from me, before many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

And therefore He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; to qualify holy men for the work of the ministry, to the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all arrive in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, at perfect maturity, even to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.read more.
That we may be no longer children fluctuating and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the artful insinuations of men, and their crafty methods of deceiving; but holding the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body being fitly joined together and compacted by the aid of every joint, according to the operation proportioned to every part, maketh an increase to the edification of itself in love. This I say therefore, and charge you in the name of the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk,

And they continued stedfast in the apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Therefore said Jesus to the Jews that believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, ye are indeed my disciples. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman: every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away, and every one that beareth fruit, He purgeth, that it may bear more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.read more.
Abide therefore in me, and I will abide in you: for as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, unless it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, beareth much fruit: but without me ye can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he is cast out as a useless branch and withereth: and they gather them up, and throw them into the fire, and they are burnt. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what ye will, and it shall be granted you. Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, and I have loved you, continue in my love: and if ye keep my commandments ye will continue in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and continue in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy in you may continue, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends: and ye are my friends, if ye do what I command you. I no longer stile you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth: but I have called you friends; for whatsoever I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you. Ye did not first choose me, but I chose you, and have appointed you to go forth, and bear fruit, and that your fruit should be lasting: that whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name, He may give it you. These commands I give you, that ye should love one another.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; ---as I have loved you, that ye also love one another: for by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have mutual love to each other.

so he turned and said to them, If any man come to me, and does not comparatively hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple.

So, every one of you, that doth not give up all that he hath, cannot be my disciple.

But do thou speak the things which become sound doctrine: that aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in the faith, in love, in patience: the aged women likewise in behaviour as becometh saints, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of that which is good;read more.
that they may instruct the young women to be temperate, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be prudent, chaste, keepers at home, good, submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be evil spoken of. Exhort the young men in like manner to be temperate: in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works, with uncorruptness in teaching, gravity, sound doctrine that cannot be condemned; that he who opposeth it may be ashamed, having no evil to say of you.

And as they were going by the way, there was one said to Him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest: and Jesus answered him, The foxes have holes, and the fowls of heaven their nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And He said to another, Follow me: but he said, Lord, permit me to go first and bury my father:read more.
but Jesus said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee, but allow me first to go and take my leave of my family. But Jesus said unto him, No one, that hath put his hand to the plough and looketh back, is fit for the kingdom of God.