Ethan Walker
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church involves following Jesus, loving God, and serving others. Catholics are taught that Jesus Christ founded the Church, and that the Church's teachings are based on both tradition and Sacred Scripture. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a disciple as someone who must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it. According to Dr. Edward Sri, there are four habits of a disciple: prayer, fellowship, the sacraments, and the teachings of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Disciples are obedient | "You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15) |
| Disciples are taught | Scripture shows Jesus teaching his disciples, who then implement the teachings in their lives |
| Disciples follow | "Disciple" means "follower". Disciples must do as Jesus did, love as he loved, and choose what he chose |
| Disciples keep an eye on Heaven | The life we live now is not our final home |
| Disciples are called | Jesus calls each of us to be his disciple |
| Disciples intentionally respond to Jesus' call | A disciple must respond positively to the call and follow Jesus |
| Disciples love | "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35) |
| Disciples make other disciples | "Go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:18-20) |
| Disciples serve God and others | Jesus commands his disciples to serve, heal the sick, drive out demons, etc. |
| Disciples live explicit lives of discipleship | Being a disciple is not a "private matter" |
| Disciples live out their faith publicly | Disciples publicly profess and spread their faith |
| Disciples repent from their sins | Catholics have the Sacrament of Penance to absolve guilt |
| Disciples are grounded in prayer | Prayer is one of the four pillars of the Catholic faith |
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What You'll Learn
Love and serve God and others
The life of a disciple is not about oneself, but about loving and serving God and others. This involves performing works of charity and justice, promoting solidarity, justice, peace, and stewardship of creation, and serving others as a means of serving Christ.
Jesus commands his disciples to serve, heal the sick, drive out demons, and make other disciples. In Luke 8:1, Jesus travels through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God, and his disciples are with him. Similarly, disciples today must follow Jesus, love as he loved, and choose what he chose.
Disciples are also called to witness and spread the faith. This involves living out the faith publicly, bearing witness to it, and confidently professing it to others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a disciple as one who must "keep the faith, live on it, profess it, bear witness to it, and spread it."
Discipleship is not a private matter or a simple spiritual practice, but a public expression of one's faith and a commitment to serving others. It is through service and love that disciples draw closer to God and fulfill their calling.
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Be obedient and follow Jesus' teachings
To be a disciple of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church, one must be obedient and follow Jesus's teachings. The word "disciple" means "follower", and disciples are called to obey Jesus's commands. In John 15:14, Jesus says, "You are my friends if you do what I command". Being intimate with Jesus and being disobedient are incompatible.
The Scriptures show that the original disciples of Jesus were constantly learning from Him and implementing His teachings in their lives. As such, the life of a Christian disciple is one of lifelong learning. Disciples are called to follow Jesus, to love as He loved, and to make the same choices He made.
Jesus's teachings can be found in the Gospel, and individuals in the Catholic Church are attracted to these teachings and to the person of Christ. They become more than followers—they become disciples, or adherents, to Jesus Christ. They live out their faith publicly through the Church that Jesus founded.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a disciple as one who not only keeps the faith and lives on it but also professes it, bears witness to it, and spreads it. Discipleship is not a private matter, nor is it merely a spiritual practice. It is a public commitment to following Jesus's teachings and living a life of service to others.
The New Testament lists four things that the earliest disciples devoted themselves to: prayer, fellowship, the sacraments, and the teachings of Christ. These four pillars have guided the Catholic Church throughout the centuries and form the basis of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
By obeying Jesus's teachings and following His example, Catholics can become true disciples of Christ, living out their faith and spreading His message to others.
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Respond to Jesus' call
Responding to Jesus' call is a key aspect of being a disciple of Christ in the Catholic Church. This response is not a passive or accidental act, but a deliberate and conscious choice to follow Jesus and live according to his teachings.
In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus calls his first disciples, the fishermen, inviting them to leave their nets and follow him. This invitation is extended to all who wish to become disciples. Responding to this call involves a deep commitment to Jesus and a willingness to obey his commands. As Jesus says in John 15, "you are my friends if you do what I command".
Being a disciple of Christ means more than just following rules or adhering to a set of beliefs. It is about having a personal relationship with Jesus and allowing that relationship to transform one's life. This transformation is facilitated by certain habits and practices, such as prayer, fellowship, participation in the Sacraments, and studying the teachings of Christ. Through these practices, disciples grow in their love for God and for others, which is a primary mark of a disciple, as Jesus says in John 13:35, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Disciples are also called to serve others and to share the Gospel. This service can take many forms, including works of charity, justice, and peace, as well as preaching and evangelization. By serving others, disciples follow in the footsteps of Jesus and his apostles, who healed the sick, drove out demons, and performed other acts of service.
Finally, responding to Jesus' call involves a lifelong journey of learning and growth. Disciples are constantly learning from Jesus and striving to implement his teachings in their lives. This process of discipleship is not meant to be undertaken alone but within the community of the Catholic Church, which provides support, guidance, and opportunities for service and evangelization.
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Make other disciples
Making other disciples is a key aspect of being a disciple of Christ in the Catholic Church. This is based on Jesus' final command to "make disciples", as stated in Matthew 28:18-20.
The Catholic Church's foundation is the \"universal call to holiness\", which means that individuals are attracted to Christ's teachings and become more than just followers. They become disciples and live out their faith publicly through the Church. This involves not only keeping and living by the faith but also professing it, bearing witness to it, and spreading it.
Catholics are called to preach the Gospel and bring others into a relationship with Jesus and his Church. This can be achieved through works of charity and justice, as well as the promotion of solidarity, justice, peace, and stewardship of creation. Service, when understood as serving Christ in others, can be a powerful way to share the Gospel and bring people closer to Christ.
Additionally, Catholic schools and their teachers play a vital role in fostering a culture of witness and preparing future generations of disciples. Catechetical methodologies, which are based on Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and human experience, also guide pastoral programs aimed at renewing the faith of Catholics.
Ultimately, making other disciples involves sharing the love of God and inviting others to respond positively to Jesus' call, as the original disciples did.
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Live out your faith publicly
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means that your faith should be deeply rooted in your identity. It should be a "mark" on your soul, and you should strive to live out your faith publicly. This means that you should not only keep your faith private but also profess it, bear witness to it, and spread it.
The Catholic Church is founded on the \"universal call to holiness". Individuals are attracted to Christ's teachings and become more than just followers—they become disciples. As a disciple, you are called to witness and create a culture of witness. This means living an explicit life of discipleship and serving others as a means to share the Gospel.
Catechetical methodologies are based on the proclamation of the faith from Sacred Scripture and Tradition, as well as their application to human experience. The witness of catechists and teachers of the faith fosters a culture of witness and provides a powerful witness to the Gospel. Catholic schools and their teachers are also witnesses to the faith and play a crucial role in fostering future generations of disciples.
As a disciple, you should strive to follow Jesus' example and obey his commands. This includes loving and serving God and others, as well as making other disciples. Remember that your life of discipleship starts with following Jesus and choosing what he chose.
Being a disciple of Christ is not about personal preference or simple spiritual practice. It is a commitment to living out your faith publicly and actively sharing the Gospel with others.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is within the Church that you can be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church stresses its foundation in the world on the "universal call to holiness". Individuals in the Church find the richness of Christ's teachings in the Gospel and become disciples.
Dr. Edward Sri highlights four habits of a disciple, which are prayer, fellowship, the sacraments, and the teachings of Christ.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a disciple as someone who must not only keep the faith and live on it but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it.
Disciples are obedient, taught, and follow Jesus. Disciples are also called to love and serve God and others.
