115 Bible Verses about discipleship, nature of

It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who hears from the Father, and has learned, comes to me.

All your children shall be taught by God; and great shall be the peace of your children.

For I am the LORD your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth. For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

And another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

"Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, 'You shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy.

And they immediately left their nets and followed him.

"'Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am the LORD your God.

And immediately they left the nets, and followed him.

Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, even as Christ also loved us, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.

but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."

And they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.

And immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.

Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.

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

When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.

Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Judge the fatherless. Plead for the widow."

But you did not learn Christ that way; if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:

He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

With my soul have I desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me will I seek you earnestly; for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,

For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord's.

And he said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men."

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,

that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men."

he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, 'Teacher' and 'Lord.' You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.read more.
For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.

Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.read more.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.

for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say."

However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on his own; but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you things that are coming.

He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

He said to another, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God."

And we speak of these things, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by the Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.

And as Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;

He called the crowd to himself with his disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.

And as he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he arose and followed him.

that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,read more.
and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it.

To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, "Follow me."

And he commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse,

Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

And the things you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

"If anyone comes to me, and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross."

Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it.

the day that you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, "Assemble me the people, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children."

When Jesus heard it, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me."

He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.

Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, Hear, Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that you may learn them, and observe to do them.

On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me."

that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and your foreigner who is within your gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law;

Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to go beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.

Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

And whoever does not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.

For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.

He called the crowd to himself with his disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.

For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we did not behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

Whoever does not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.

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

If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love;

These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you must be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,read more.
even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

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

Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all.read more.
For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;

not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness; and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.

For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. We know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

Jesus therefore said to those Judeans who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jewish people. The same came to him by night, and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him."

The one who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him."

Nicodemus (he who came to him before, being one of them) said to them,

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love.

This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.

and whatever 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. His commandments are not grievous.

Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. And look, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;read more.
that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

Jesus therefore said to those Judeans who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.read more.
Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and withers; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. "In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. "I command these things to you, that you may love one another.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

"If anyone comes to me, and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

So therefore whoever of you who does not renounce all that he has, he cannot be my disciple.

But say the things which fit sound doctrine, that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;read more.
that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded; in all things showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and a sound message that cannot be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.

As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, "I want to follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."read more.
But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God." Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to bid farewell to those who are at my house." But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."