A disciple is a follower or adherent of a teacher, and the term is found in the New Testament only in the Gospels and Acts. In Christianity, a disciple is a dedicated follower of Jesus, and discipleship is not the same as being an apostle. While a disciple is one who learns and apprentices under a teacher or rabbi, an apostle is one sent as a missionary to proclaim the good news and to establish new communities of believers. The word disciple comes from the Latin word discipulus, meaning “pupil” or “learner” .
To be a disciple of Jesus means to learn from him to live like him, to conform ones words and ways to the words and ways of Jesus. A disciple is someone who trusts and believes in a teacher and follows that teacher’s words and example. Discipleship is a journey of intentional decisions leading to maturity in one's relationship with Jesus so that one becomes more like Him in attitudes, focus, and ultimately behavior.
In the world of the Bible, a disciple was a person who followed a teacher, or rabbi, or master, or philosopher. The disciple desired to learn not only the teaching of the rabbi but also to imitate the practical details of their life. A disciple did not merely attend lectures or read books, but they were required to discipline themselves in the teachings and practices of another.
To summarize, a disciple is a student who follows a master teacher, learns from them, and models their life after them. In Christianity, a disciple is a dedicated follower of Jesus who learns from him to live like him.
