Matthew 28:¹⁸ And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

In Christendom today, we have lost the meaning of "discipleship."

Webster's Dictionary defines a disciple as "one who believes the teachings of a master." Further, Mr. Webster states, the disciple may help to "disseminate those teachings." The primary thrust of this definition that is commonly held in most circles today, including the Church, is that discipleship requires little more than intellectual assent. So it seems that to be a disciple of Yeshua (Jesus), all I have to do is believe what He said. [Bridges for Peace, Article # 770106, copyright January, 2006]

Differing World-views / Differing Educational Models

The Greek Educational Model

The educational model most often used in todays world is that of the Greeks. The Greek model of the relationship between a teacher and his disciple requires no examination of the life of either the teacher or the disciple, for the method of learning is entirely mental. Greek teachers are teaching their students how to think and manipulate abstract ideas. The Greek teacher or disciple-maker is not teaching the student how to live. Therefore, the place of learning is within the four walls of the academy.

The Hebraic Educational Model

In contrast, the central method of Hebrew discipleship is the examination of the life of the teacher. The subject of study is the life of the teacher. The lesson to be learned by the student is how to live like the teacher. Therefore, while the Greeks learn indoors, seated in chairs and talking about ideas, the Hebrews live life together and examine each others behaviors.

To pass an examination in the Greek educational system is to articulate a certain system of ideas or to prove that one can manipulate ideas like the teacher. To pass an examination in Hebrew discipleship, the student must show he can do what the teacher does. Yeshua examined the disciples by sending them out to do as He does.

The most important skill of a successful disciple in the Hebraic model was that of imitation. The highways and byways of Israel became the classroom in this process of discipleship that involved listening ears, a zealous heart, and keen powers of observation, which imbued the student with the master's persona. The disciple learned not just the oral text of the Torah but the emphasis, articulation, and gestures that went with it. He was not just to believe his master and lend mental assent to his teaching, but he was to become his master. [Bridges for Peace, Article # 770106, copyright January, 2006]

From the Hebraic perspective, there are a plethora of examples of discipleship found in many sources, since that is what occurred commonly in Judaism whenever a rabbi called a person to be a talmid (disciple) - something that was done for centuries, and still is done in Judaism. Since Christians do not commonly listen to the teachings of a rabbi, it is easy for them to think of discipleship as merely following the "teachings" of the rabbi, when in reality, the true goal of discipleship is actually to get the disciple to walk as the rabbi walks!

Don't get me wrong: It is not that the teachings of the rabbi are insignificant or immaterial. To the contrary! They are designed to lead the disciple to the walk of the rabbi/master! The walk of a disciple in the footsteps of the master was the goal of the discipleship; not simply an intellectual knowledge or assent to the rabbi's point of view, or mere exercise of an individual's mental prowess.

In short, discipleship isn't just what you know, but how you live established upon what you learned from the rabbi/master. And the model for our walk AS BELIEVERS is our Rabbi/Master - Yeshua!

When Yeshua told His Disciples to make disciples of all the nations, He told them to teach these new disciples everything He taught them when He walked on this earth and He taught His Disciples by example how to walk and talk and live. He (Torah Incarnate - John 1:14) showed them how to walk like He did.

Doers, not Just Hearers

To underscore this He asks them directly and us (indirectly) the question, "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46)"

It is not the hearers of the Word who will be justified, it is the doers (Romans 2:13). James (1:22) says, "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."

1 John 2:³ By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; ⁵ but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: ⁶ the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

The question we need to ask ourselves, if we claim to be His disciples, is: "Are we walking like Yeshua walked?"

The Scriptures tell us that He walked "sinless" (Hebrews 4):¹⁴ "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin."

As His disciples, we should desire to walk like that. That's why 1 John 2 opens up with, My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin."

Like Him, we should walk with our hearts dedicated to the walk of holiness and sinlessness.

So, how does that walk look?

It "looks" like Torah, since that's how He walked. The Scriptures define what "sin" is: 1 John 3:4 - "Sin is the transgression of the Law (Torah)." If we want to walk sinless lives, we need to look to the Torah (Instruction); for that's how Yeshua/Jesus walked!

Let's all walk as true disciples of His! Let's walk like the Master, who walked out Torah in His life! That is true discipleship!

This article is the viewpoint of Bruce R. Booker and does not necessarily represent the views of all the members of Beth Yeshua Messianic Congregation.