Not Just Church Attendance
Mike Breen said it well: “If you make disciples, you will always get the church. But if you try to build the church, you will rarely get disciples.” We don’t need more programs, we need more people living like Jesus. And to live like Jesus, we need to understand the conduct of a disciple.
Don’t get me wrong—programs are great. I once attended a church potluck so good I thought the Holy Spirit brought the banana pudding. But programs don’t transform hearts—Jesus does.
This blog kicks off a series on what it looks like to actually follow Christ. Not just in theory. Not just on Sundays. But in real life. This article will explore three key marks of a disciple: putting Christ first, abiding in His Word, and dying to self.
1. A Disciple Puts Christ First
Jesus says in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (ESV)
The God who placed stars in galaxies and called them by name is asking to be first in your life. Not because He needs your attention—but because He deserves it. Isn’t that wild?
Putting Christ first doesn’t always come naturally. We say He’s first, but our calendars and credit card statements often tell a different story. Christ isn’t asking to be part of our lives—He’s asking to be the center.
Before we get too comfortable—remember, the same God who deserves our first and best is often squeezed into leftover minutes. Jesus might be listed as #1 in your Instagram bio, but if your morning routine looks like TikTok → coffee → stress → maybe a rushed prayer, then we’ve got some reordering to do.
Matthew 8:21-22 shows a man saying, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus replies, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Translation? “Now” is the right time to follow Jesus. Delaying obedience is disobedience dressed in excuses.
It’s like telling your personal trainer you’ll start eating healthy—right after you finish off that “emergency” stash of Oreos.
Action Step: Make a list of your top 5 priorities. Where is Jesus? Reorder that list with Christ as #1, and identify one change you can make this week to reflect that priority.
2. A Disciple Abides in the Word
John 8:31-32 tells us, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (ESV)
To abide isn’t just to read the Bible when you feel guilty or need an Instagram quote. It means to dwell in the Word. To study it. Wrestle with it. Obey it. Wrestling might mean sitting with a passage that challenges your comfort, asking tough questions, or digging deeper when something doesn’t make sense right away. Mark 7:8 warns us not to elevate tradition or personal preference over God’s Word: “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”
Let’s not treat the Bible like a spiritual vending machine—press F5 and hope it gives us a motivational verse without requiring life change.
Action Step: Start a daily Bible habit. Read one chapter of John each day this week. Write down one truth to live out.
And no, Leviticus is not where you want to start unless you enjoy reading about goat sacrifices before breakfast.
3. A Disciple Dies to Self, Sin, and Society
John 12:24-25 says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Jesus isn’t recruiting fans. He’s calling followers to die to pride, sin, and the applause of the crowd.
There’s no backstage pass. Following Jesus isn’t like liking His posts from a distance—it’s more like handing Him your calendar, your budget, and yes, even your Netflix queue.
Whether it’s lust (Matthew 5:27-30), misplaced religious traditions (John 5:1-17), or shame (John 8:1-11), Jesus calls us to radical repentance and transformation.
Action Step: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal one area in your life where self is still in charge. Confess it. Take one concrete step to surrender that area to Christ.
The Journey Begins Here
Discipleship is not a status we achieve—it’s a life we live. And it begins with reprioritizing everything around Jesus, rooting ourselves in His Word, and laying down our lives daily. These aren’t easy steps, but they’re essential.
Ten thousand years from now, the only thing that will matter is whether we followed Jesus and helped others do the same. What are we waiting for?
Ready to take the next step? In the next article, we’ll talk about the outward signs of a disciple: loving God’s family and bearing lasting fruit. Stay tuned!
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