Founder’s Blog
The Four Jobs of a Disciple
In the first century, the disciples of the Sages had four major tasks to perform. These tasks describe the cultural context of the institution of discipleship in the Gospels.
To memorize their teacher's words
It was the job of a disciple to memorize the words of his Master. The oral transmission process was the only intergenerational communication practiced among the Sages. The great Rabbis and Torah scholars of first century Judaism did not write scrolls or compose books for their students to read and study. Instead, they taught orally and their disciples studied by memorizing their words. Through constant repetition, disciples memorized their teacher's words verbatim and were able to repeat them to subsequent generations.
To learn their teacher's traditions and interpretations
It was a disciple's job to learn the tradition of how his Master kept the commands of God and interpreted the Scriptures. Every detail about the teacher was important to the disciple. The disciple needed to learn how the teacher washed his hands, how he kept the Sabbath, how he fasted, how he prayed, how he gave charity, how he affixed a mezuzah, how he said the blessings over food, etc. Furthermore, the way the teacher interpreted passages of scriptures, the meanings he drew out, the parables with which he elucidated, the way he explained a verse or understood a concept, each of these was of utmost importance to the disciple. Details of this sort were not just trivia. To a disciple, these were like gems and pearls meant to be gathered and treasured.
To imitate their teacher's actions
A disciple's highest calling was to be a reflection of his teacher. A disciple studied to learn, to act, to speak and to respond the same way his Master would act and speak and respond. A disciple studied to do the things his Master did. "Every disciple, fully trained will be like his master."
To raise up disciples
It was the job of a disciple, when fully trained, to raise up his own disciples. He was to create a new generation of students and to transmit to them the memorized words of his Master, the traditions and the interpretations, the actions and behaviors of his Master. The goal was to pass the torch of discipleship from generation to generation.
These principles of discipleship should be taken seriously. We've somewhat lost the meaning of what it means to be a disciple and to have a Master. Let us all rededicate our lives, put our hands to the plow and earnestly follow him.
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Visitor Feedback:
Have we lost that tradition and meaning today? Absolutely. Glad you brought this up, Boaz. Thanks.
James | August 18, 2011 7:21 AM
Thanks for your teaching and encouragement, Boaz! My desire is to develop a teaching series on these elements of discipleship. Blessings. Shalom.
Durwin Kicker | August 18, 2011 9:18 AM
A good reminder at a frustrating, difficult time in my life. Refocus.
I'd like to see some specific experiences anybody has had in putting this into practice.
Mike Miller | August 18, 2011 10:06 AM
Specifics? I always start off discipling young believers by having them memorize the "Sermon on the Mount." We work on it together while doing other things like running or working in the garden together. That's just the beginning.
Michael Millier | August 22, 2011 6:43 PM
Boaz, This really touched my heart. I am taking this all down and putting it on my refrigerator for my daughter (Yasmin) and I to live by. To me this is a Kingdom mindset and Principles to live by!!
Shalom,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Anna Langill | August 28, 2011 3:02 PM
Thank you. This has inspired me. Be blessed.
Andrew Start | September 11, 2011 5:16 PM