Luke 6:40 (ESV)
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
 
The word disciple can simply mean a learner from a teacher.  But, when Jesus used the word “disciple,” He used it with the meaning of a learner who becomes attached to one’s teacher in such a way that he becomes a follower of the teacher both in doctrine and conduct of life.
 
The goal in following Jesus is to become like Him.  To become like Him by adopting His teachings as truth and to become like Him in the very way we live.
 
Later, Luke records Jesus as saying, “…If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  (Luke 9:23 ESV)
 
In this one statement, Jesus tells us three things we must do to “come after” Him.
 
1. We must deny ourselves. 
We must remove ourselves from being first place in our thinking.
 
2.  We must take up our cross.
I’ve heard many people, regarding suffering, say “We all have our cross to bear.” But, Jesus was going to the cross of crucifixion.  To take up our cross is to die to self.  
 
3.  We must follow Jesus.
Where was Jesus going when He said this?  He was going to the cross.  To take up our cross means that, out of loyalty to Jesus, we must be ready to endure the worst that man can do to us for the sake of being true to Him.
 
We get our word “discipline” out of the same word as “disciple.”  There are many disciplines that we must do in order to follow Jesus.  Over the next few devotional thoughts, we are going to explore seven disciplines of healthy Christian living.  They are:
 
1. A Private Time Daily in the Word and Prayer (quiet time)
2. One Large Group Worship Experience Each Week
3. One Small Group Interactive Bible Study Each Week
4. Regular Meetings With One or More People For Accountability of One’s Moral Ethical and General Life Focus
5. Maintaining an Avenue of Ministry
6. Expressing Our Faith Through Our Tithes and Offerings
7. Regular Communication of the Gospel
 
Get ready to be challenged in what it means to follow Jesus.