104 Bible Verses about discipleship, nature of

It is written in the prophets, And all shall be taught of God. Every one who has heard and learned of the Father comes to me.

Another of the disciples said to him, Lord, permit me first to go away and bury my father. But Jesus said to him, Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.

And they left their nets, immediately, and followed him.

And immediately leaving their nets they followed him.

Be therefore followers of God, as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God of good odor.

and let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary purposes, that they may not be unfruitful.

but as he that called you is holy be you also holy in all [your] conduct, because it is written, Be you holy, for I am holy.

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

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls;

and he immediately called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired men, they went away after him.

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

And bringing the ships to the land they left all and followed him.

But you have not so learned Christ, if you have indeed heard him, and been instructed by him as the truth is in Jesus,

and he died for all, that those who live should no more live for themselves but for him that died for them and rose again.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

For no one of us lives for himself; and no one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; whether therefore we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

And he said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishermen of men.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you a copy that you should follow his steps,

that you may no longer live the rest of your time in the flesh according to the desires of men, but according to the will of God.

And Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishermen of men.

He that says he continues in him, ought also himself so to walk as he walked.

When, therefore, he had washed their feet, and taken his clothes and sat down again, he said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you say well, for 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. I tell you most truly, the servant is not greater than his lord, nor the apostle greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

And going forward thence, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

but the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, which the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and remind you of all things which I have told you.

As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you; continue in my love. If you keep my commandments you shall continue in my love, as I have kept my Father's commandments and continue in his love. I have spoken these things to you that my joy may be in you, and your joy be completed.read more.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No man has greater love than this, that one should give his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you;

for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that hour what you ought to say.

but when he, the Spirit of truth has come, he will lead you in all the truth; for he will not speak of himself, but he will speak whatever he shall hear, and tell you things to come.

He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he that does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He that finds his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.

And he said to another, Follow me. And he said, Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. But he said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but do you go and proclaim abroad the kingdom of God.

which we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

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

And Jesus departing thence saw a man sitting at the custom-house, called Matthew; and he said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

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

And calling the multitude, with his disciples, he said to them, Whoever wishes to follow after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life for my sake, and that of the good news, shall save it.

And passing by he saw Levi, the son of Alpheus, sitting at the custom house, and said to him, Follow me; and he arose and followed him.

that he would grant to you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through the faith, you being founded and established in love, that you may be able to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length, and depth and height,read more.
and to know the love of Christ which exceeds knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

And he said to all, If any one wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it.

to whom it was revealed that they ministered not to themselves but to us those things which have now been declared to you by those who preached to you the good news, with the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, into which the angels desire to look.

And after these things he went out and saw a publican by the name of Levi, sitting at the custom house, and said to him, Follow me.

and charged them to take nothing for the way, except a staff only; not bread, nor a provision sack, nor copper in the girdle,

Jesus said to him, If you will be perfect, go and sell your property, and give to the poor, and you shall have a treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.

and what you learned and received and heard and knew in me, these things do; and the God of peace shall be with you.

If any one comes to me, and hates not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and still more his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

And Jesus looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack; go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have a treasure in heaven; and come and take up your cross and follow me.

Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever shall lose shall save it.

And Jesus hearing it, said to him, One thing you yet want; sell all that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have a treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.

He that loves his life shall lose it, and he that hates his life in this world shall preserve it to eternal life.

On the next day he wished to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, Follow me.

that you should lay aside your former mode of life the old man destroyed by deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new man, created after God in righteousness and true holiness.

but he said this signifying by what death he should glorify God; and having said this, he said to him, Follow me.

I have applied these things figuratively, brothers, to myself and Apollos on your account, that you may learn by us not to [go beyond] what is written, that you may not be puffed up for one against another.

Be therefore perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

and he that does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

A disciple is not above his teacher, but every perfect one will be as his teacher.

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

Be followers of me as I also am of Christ.

For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he may be a first-born among many brothers;

Be followers of me, brothers, and observe those who walk so as you have us for an example.

And calling the multitude, with his disciples, he said to them, Whoever wishes to follow after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.

I EXHORT you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice; holy, well pleasing to God, your reasonable service; and be not conformed to this life, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, that you may prove what is the will of God which is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

And he said to all, If any one wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For you know yourselves how you ought to follow us, for we walked not disorderly among you,

And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for desires of the flesh.

Let a woman learn quietly in all subjection;

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

And we all with unvailed face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same likeness, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.

But if any widow has children or relatives, let them learn first to support their family and to make returns to their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

But do you continue in what you learned and understood, knowing from whom you learned,

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

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

as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him,

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

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

knowing that you will receive from the Lord the recompense of the inheritance. You serve Christ the Lord;

Put on, therefore, as elect and beloved saints of God, hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering,

But Jesus called them to him, and said, You know that the rulers of the gentiles exercise lordship over them, and the great exercise authority over them; but it shall not be so among you. But whoever wishes to be great among you, let him be your minister; and whoever wishes to be first among you, let him be your servant,read more.
as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

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

And Jesus called them and said to them, You know that those who desire to rule the gentiles exercise lordship over them, and their great men exercise authority over them; but it shall not be so with you. But whoever wishes to be great among you, let him be your minister; and whoever wishes to be first of you, let him be a servant of all.read more.
For the Son of man also came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.

As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the desires of your former ignorance, but as he that called you is holy be you also holy in all [your] conduct,

be not slothful in business, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord,

and for the same purpose also, giving all diligence add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience piety, and to piety brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

for they declare of us what introduction we had to you, and how you turned from idols to God, to serve the living and true God,

Beloved, now are we children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be. We know, that if he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one that has this hope in him purifies himself, as he is pure.

Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on him, If you continue in my word, you are my disciples indeed;

And there was a man of the Pharisees whose name was Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to him by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can perform these miracles which you perform unless God is with him.

He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me; and he that loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.

Nicodemus, he that came to him, being one of them, said to them,

If you keep my commandments you shall continue in my love, 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 what we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things which 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 coming near spoke to them, saying, All power is given me in heaven and on the earth; go and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always till the consummation of the world.

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a modius [1.916 gallon measure], but on a candlestick, and it shines to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father in heaven.

and what you heard from me through many witnesses, these things commit to faithful men, who shall be competent to teach others also.

And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,read more.
that we may be no longer children, driven about like waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the art of men, and the craftiness of deceitful wiles, but speaking the truth with love we may grow to him in all things, who is the head, Christ; by whom all the body being joined together and compacted by the supply of every joint, according to the proportionate operation of every part, makes increase of the body to the edification of itself in love. This I say then and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the other gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds,

and they attended constantly to the teaching and companionship of the apostles, the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on him, If you continue in my word, you are my disciples indeed; and you 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 bears not fruit he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit he trims, that it may bear more fruit. You are now pure, by means of the word which I have spoken to you;read more.
continue in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it continues in the vine, so you cannot, unless you continue in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He that continues in me and I in him, this man bears much fruit; for separated from me, you can do nothing. If any one continues not in me he is cast without as a branch, and is withered; and they collect them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you continue in me, and my words continue in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be [given] you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you; continue in my love. If you keep my commandments you shall continue in my love, as I have kept my Father's commandments and continue in his love. I have spoken these things to you that my joy may be in you, and your joy be completed. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No man has greater love than this, that one should give his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you; I no longer call you servants, for the servant knows not what his Lord does; but I have called you friends: for all things which I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should continue, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. These things I charge you, that you love one another.

I give you a new commandment to love another, as I have loved you that you also should love one another. By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.

If any one comes to me, and hates not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and still more his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

So, therefore, no one of you can be my disciple who does not forsake all that he has.

Speak things which become sound teaching. That the aged men be sober, grave, of sound mind, sound in faith, in love, in patience; that the aged women, in like manner, be of behavior becoming holiness, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good,read more.
that they may instruct the young women to be lovers of their husbands, lovers of their children, sober, pure, fond of home, kind, subject to their husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. In like manner exhort the younger to be of a sound mind, presenting yourself as an example of good works in all things, in teaching [exhibiting] integrity, gravity, sound argument not to be condemned, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of us.

And as they were traveling on the way, one said to him, I will follow you wherever you go. And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of heaven places of shelter; but the Son of man has not where to lay his head. And he said to another, Follow me. And he said, Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.read more.
But he said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but do you go and proclaim abroad the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow you, but permit me first to bid farewell to those in my house. But Jesus said, No man putting his hand on the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.