Have you ever tried to teach a Zoom Bible class with a toddler staring at you and the weather app trying to hijack your screen share? No? Well, welcome to my world. Let’s just say that technology keeps us humble. But as distracting as those moments can be, they also remind me that discipleship isn’t about a perfect setup—it’s about being present in the mess and choosing to grow anyway.
Discipleship isn’t just a church word or a program. It’s a way of life—a daily choice to walk with Jesus. And today, we’ll unpack three essential traits that define a true disciple: being a learner, putting Christ first, and living a pure and holy life.
A Disciple Is Always Learning
The word “disciple” means learner. Not someone who learned, past tense, but someone who keeps on learning. Not to impress anyone, but because they want to know Jesus better and live like Him.
In John 6:66-69 (ESV), after a particularly tough teaching, many disciples left Jesus. But Peter stayed. Why? Because he knew that Jesus had “the words of eternal life.” A disciple knows who to learn from. And Peter, knew it wasn’t YouTube or TikTok theology.
That kind of learning posture is seen even in Jesus’ own life. At age 12, He was in the temple asking questions, not flexing His divine muscle (Luke 2:46-52). Verse 52 tells us, “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” If the Son of God grew in wisdom, I think we can too. There’s no graduation day for spiritual growth. And there’s definitely no cap and gown.
Paul backs this up in 2 Timothy 3:14-17, urging believers to continue in what they’ve learned. He reminds us that Scripture not only informs us—it transforms us. It teaches, corrects, and prepares us to do good in a world that desperately needs good. It’s not just about head knowledge—it’s about being shaped into the kind of people God can use.
And when that learning starts to change us from the inside out, it naturally affects the way we prioritize everything else in life.
A Disciple Puts Christ First
This one hits close to home. Ever reached for your phone first thing in the morning, scrolled through social media, and then realized you haven’t talked to God at all yet? Yeah, me too.
Putting Christ first isn’t just a morning habit; it’s a mindset that orients your day, your decisions, and your desires. Jesus lays it out clearly in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
He doesn’t say seek God second or third, after work emails and the kid’s soccer schedule. He says first. And just in case we missed it, He also warns us in verse 24: “No one can serve two masters.” That’s not just about money; it’s about where our allegiance lies.
When we genuinely seek Christ first, we begin to loosen our grip on worry, comparison, and the chaos of culture. We discover that God has a way of realigning our lives when we align our hearts with His priorities.
And the clearer our priorities become, the more obvious it is that our lives are meant to reflect something holy, something set apart. That’s the third mark of a disciple.
A Disciple Lives a Pure and Holy Life
Now, let’s talk about holiness. It’s not a popular topic. It doesn’t trend well. But it matters deeply.
Titus 2:11-14 tells us that grace trains us “to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” That’s discipleship in a nutshell: saying “no” to the world and “yes” to Jesus.
Holiness isn’t about pretending to be perfect. It’s about being set apart, aligning our conduct with Christ’s character. Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 1:14-16 when he writes, “As obedient children… be holy in all your conduct.” Not just some of it. All of it.
And sure, we all fall short. But the defining trait of a disciple is not perfection—it’s pursuit. A pursuit of a life that reflects God’s purity and love, even when culture calls us elsewhere.
So What Now?
As we wrap up, I ask a simple but revealing question: Which of these three is hardest for you today? For many, the is was putting Christ first. Between social media, exhaustion, and our endless to-do lists, it’s easy to lose focus.
But here’s the encouragement: you don’t have to get it all right at once. Start with one small, consistent step. Maybe it’s five minutes in the Word before grabbing your phone. Maybe it’s choosing to turn off Netflix ten minutes early and pray. Maybe it’s simply asking, “Jesus, what do You want me to learn today?”
Being a disciple means committing to the journey—one step, one choice, one day at a time. And we don’t walk it alone. Invite a friend to grow with you. Share what you’re learning. Pray together. This walk is lighter when it’s shared.
And don’t worry, even if your Bible app crashes or the weather widget won’t go away, the journey of discipleship keeps going.
Coffee in one hand, Bible in the other—let’s keep walking.
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