What is real discipleship?

Simply by asking that question, it’s probably apparent that I believe there is a counterfeit kind of discipleship. And that, my friend, is the point of today’s episode. I want to show you, through the Bible, what real discipleship is, and I’m going to do it by sharing four things that discipleship really isn’t — examples of what I call “counterfeit discipleship.” And while we wade through the counterfeit, we’re going to discover the real thing.

Why is it so important to uncover what real discipleship is and how we walk in it? Good question! It’s because real discipleship is what drives real transformation in the believer’s life. Without real discipleship we can tend to feel stuck, disappointed and even burned out. We don’t want that as a Jesus follower, right? So it’s imperative that we understand what real discipleship is, how to access it and what we can look forward to when we fully engage in discipleship to see transformation come to our lives in a very powerful way.

Are you ready to discuss? Awesome! Then I want you to grab your journal and a pen, and . . . Let’s Go!

What you will learn in this episode:

• The Biblical definition of real discipleship — both what the scriptures tell us and how Jesus lived it out;
• What real discipleship can do in a believer’s life;
• Four ways that we try to counterfeit discipleship;
• And a practical way for women to engage in real discipleship right now.

Scripture References mentioned in this episode:

Matthew 28:18-20 —
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 4:18-20 —
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Philippians 2:6-7 —
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Philippians 3:17 —
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

Matthew 13:1-12 —

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Matthew 11:28-30 MSG —
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Links to Resources Mentioned in This Episode

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Our 9th Annual REVIVE Women’s Conference is coming up on May 14th & 15th and you are invited to join us. Come be revived in the presence of God, filled afresh by His Spirit, and encouraged and sharpened in community with like-minded women who have a sound for the Kingdom and the boldness to shout it out. Do you need this? Then jump on in, Sister!

Online tickets are just $29 and include three teaching sessions, worship, chances to win sweet prizes and a few other surprises we’ve been cooking up just for you. You’ll also have access to the replays. We cannot wait to host you this year as we celebrate Coming Out of the Wilderness in the power of the Holy Spirit. Are you ready? Click below to grab your seat!

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Erica co-leads a local church alongside her husband, Doug, in Tampa, Florida called REVIVE Church of Tampa. You can visit the church’s website for more information about who we are, what we believe and how we show up as the Church in the heart of West Tampa and beyond.

REVIVE Church of Tampa

REVIVE Church of Tampa streams services live on Friday nights at 7pm ET and Sunday mornings at 11am ET. You can find those livestreams on our church Facebook page:

Live Services – Fridays at 7pm ET and Sundays at 11am ET

If you’re interested in joining the online campus of REVIVE Church of Tampa, you are welcome to join our community group on Facebook where we offer weekly discussion around the Friday and Sunday messages as well as discipleship Zoom groups and the opportunity to host others in your home as you stream services. You can find us here:

The ROCC: REVIVE Online Campus Community

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About this podcast:

Positioned to Prosper is a weekly podcast that covers the ins and outs of what it means to live a lifestyle of breakthrough and victory in your relationships, health, finances and beyond. Your host, Erica Pyle, is no stranger to jumping without the proverbial parachute while maintaining a firm grip on godly wisdom. A self-described slayer of pragmatism and a “walk by faith” kind of girl, Erica is an unabashed believer in the power of God to radically transform lives. Front-footed in faith as she offers straight-up truth, strategies, and wisdom for living victoriously, and equipped with her love for the word of God, her certification as a holistic health coach, and years of experience in personal finance and taxation, Erica is ready to help you get positioned to prosper.