Matthew 28:16-20

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

5 Characteristics of a Disciple

1. Disciples spend time with Jesus

John 12: 26

Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

2. Disciples Love Jesus

Mark 12:30 (NLT)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Rick Warren

“If you’re a dad or you are a husband, the greatest gift you can give your wife and the greatest gift you can give your children is to love God supremely. Why? Because when a dad or a husband loves God supremely it creates enormous security in the mind of your children and in your wife. Because they’re thinking, he’s not doing this on his own. He’s depending on God. He’s not going to steer us in the wrong direction. He’s going to put our needs first because that’s what God says to do.” 

3. Disciples love people

John 13:34-35

 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

1 John 4:7-8

 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 11-12

 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

4. Disciples serve others

Mark 9:35 (NIV)

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 

 Matthew 20:28 (NLT)

 “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."

5. Disciples make disciples

Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."