“DISCIPLESHIP” means “learning of Him” to be like Him, as He Himself commanded (Matthew 11:29). The design for discipleship (the purpose of the disciple) is clear - to have REST FOR THE SOUL (Matthew 11:28-30). Peace or Rest of the soul is that invaluable thing that has eluded many souls, and consequently homes, communities, and nations. It cannot be purchased with money, or exchanged by barter with any other material possessions. 

Many have some “good” things of this life - name, position, houses, money, food, but CRISES or LACK OF PEACE has ruined the enjoyment of what they have. The lingering police/court cases, the broken homes, the shattered relationships in families/kindreds/communities, the diseases borne of pollution and sin and the enmity between one and the other have all joined together to wreck the souls of those affected or engaged in these things, bringing lack of peace to their lives.

It is in the light of the fore-going situation that we come to learn of Christ, so we can have rest for our souls. It is note-worthy that He said, “learn of Me” (Matthew 11:29); not “learn of me and some other”. It must also be realized that He meant learning to practice. It is they that thus learn of Him that are called disciples (John 8:31). They defy obstacles and follow Him to wherever He goes, sitting close at His feet (John 6:3; Matthew 5:1; Luke 8:35; 10:39).

1. HIS SONSHIP (Psalm 2:7; Luke 1:35; John 5:18-20; 10:36; Heb. 1:5)
THE beginning of learning of Him is learning of His Sonship. How did He become God’s Son? He was adopted (declared) the Son of God, although He had all along been the Word of God, personified (John 1:1; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 19:13). In like manner, we must be adopted into sonship (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4,5,6; Ephesians 1:4-5), although by nature, we are not sons (Ephesians 2:1-3,11-13; 1 Peter 2:10).

The adoption into sonship is the direct result of receiving the only begotten Son of God into one’s heart (John 1:12; Colossians 2:6). Receiving Him does not mean the mental acceptance of the head, but the heart-receipt of the simple and the babe. This is achieved through sincere/hearty pouring away of the filth of the heart (sin) that had precluded Him, and receiving (by faith) Him that paid the price of our salvation by His death on the cross (Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 2:2; 4:10 and Acts 20:21).

This is the first aspect of learning of Him. If anyone does not have Him within, the one is not His, that is, not a son of God (consider Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:4; 5:12). The one CANNOT therefore learn of, follow, or copy His other areas of life.

2. HIS COMPANIONSHIP (John 6: 5-12)
JESUS was their Lord (John 13:13-14) but also a real companion to His disciples. He was not a lord over God’s heritage (consider 1 Peter 5:3; Mark 10:37; Luke 22:27). He knew what to do, yet He involved Philip and the other disciple (John 6:5-8). He could do without them, but He did what He did, (I) to fulfil the Word of God (Ecclesiastes. 4:9-12; Proverbs 27:17); (ii) to assess and improve them (John 6:5-6); (iii) to honour them.

Leaders, family heads and all those in authority have somewhat to learn here. They should involve the chief disciples/elders under their authority to assess and improve them (John 6:5-6), honour them (John 6:5-6; Acts 10:7-8; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1-3; 1 Thessalonians. 1:1) and to gather useful ideas/information (Ecclesiastes. 4:9-12; Proverbs 27:17), yet the decision is that of those in authority (John 6:6,10; 1 Timothy 1:2-4; Acts 15:6-20).

Conversely, the chief disciples/elders under authority, if they are disciples indeed, must be subject to the decisions of those in authority (John 6:10-11; Acts 15:6-20; 1 Timothy 1:2-4).
It is noteworthy that this situation does not justify the unscriptural “core-group”-run so-called Christian fellowships which is the brain-child of non-submissiveness. In such circles, every matter is tabled before the “core-group” for deliberation and decision possibly by voting or the like.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Jesus did not consult His disciples in every development before doing what was to be done (consider these few cases: John 7:1,14; 8:1-11; Matthew 21:23-27).
Those that are genuinely in authority, that is, leaders appointed by God readily receive instructions/directions from the Lord for their work/ministry (Exodus. 4:14-16; Numbers 12:5-8; 1 Kings 18:36b John 5:19-20, 30; 1 Corinthians. 2:16). Those under authority who are true disciples know this (compare John 6:68).

The point/emphasis therefore is companionship which makes, (i) for assessment and improvement of those under authority; (ii) for gathering of useful information; (iii) honouring one another and (iv) for harmonious co-existence.

3. LED OF THE SPIRIT (John 6:6, 10-11)
AS stated previously, the Lord, being a complete human being had His own mind, distinct from the mind of God (John 5:30; 7:17; Matthew26:39). But His personal mind was subject to the mind/will of the Father (Matthew 26:39; John 5:30; 7:17).

That He knew what He would do is a statement refering to His having been directed by the Holy Ghost that was residing in Him (John 6:6; compare Romans 8:14). It is the mind of God that God will materialise (consider 1 Kings. 17:1-15; 18:36-38; Romans 8:26; 1 John 5:14).

To readily know the mind of God, one’s mind would have been constantly exercised by the Word of God and prayer (Mark 1:35; 6:46-47; Luke 5:15,16; 6:12; Acts 6:4; 13:1-2). Also one would have put on quietness of the spirit (Isaiah 42:1-2; 1 Thessalonians. 4:11). Those who are always full of food and whose minds are pre-occupied with other things than prayer and the Word will always be at a loss as to what the mind of the Lord is, in any given situation.

The point/emphasis is: To be led of the Spirit into solutions and successful ministry/ living, the disciple’s heart must be exercised constantly by the Word and prayer, and he must have put on quietness of the spirit.

4. UNWASTING (John 6:12)
THE Lord is not wasteful. He did not waste words (Matthew 27:12-14; Mark 14:60-61; 15:4-5; Luke 23:8-9), power (physical and spiritual), time or talent. Rather, He lavished them in ministering to the needy, but recouped them while ministering to the Lord as well as when ministering to the needy.
But many believers waste all these on the mundane things of this life. As a result, they are at a loss when opportunities call for preaching, teaching, counselling, interceding, being in want of the Word, power and spirit. They worsen their case by not coming before God to be exercised by His word, prayer and be influenced by His presence (Acts 24:16; 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Corinthians. 3:18).

Further more, the Lord commanded the gathering of the left-over of the bread and fish because (i) they would be useful later; (ii) He was going to refer to it in future to correct their erroneous impression and boost their faith (Matthew 16:9-10).
Disciples therefore should have records of what God has done in their lives, or said to them, and of what He has done in the lives of others (Exodus. 13:3; Deuteronomy 5:15; 7:18; 32:7-8; 1 Chronicles 16:11-12; Psalm 105:4-5; Isaiah 43:17-18). These are faith - boosters in times of need/ trouble for self and for others. They are also faith-boosters for prospective disciples.

But some have misconstrued the preservation of the crumbs, hence they “preserve” all crumbs of bread in their bellies. What a pity! (consider Romans 16:18; 1 Corinthians 6:13; Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Corinthians 8:8).


By Pastor A. C. Ohanebo