What is a Disciple?

[pat34lee]

This is from information I gathered during a discussion in my home group on the difference between apostle and disciple. The article linked to below is the second on the page. It isn't long and worth reading fully.

Exerpt from full article (The Shocking Results):
Hebrew Word Study | Skip Moen » disciple

Disciples – Something shocking happens in the Gospel use of the term “disciple.” We don’t notice it in English, but in Greek the results light up the sky like fireworks. The Greek word for “learner” is manthano. In Greek thought, this word is connected to didasko (to teach). It comes from the idea of cognitive activity. It is more correctly translated “pupil” since it implies “one who learns something taught.” It is distinguished from mathetes (disciple) because mathetes means someone who has adopted the lifestyle of the teacher. In other words, a pupil learns information while a disciple copies the master’s rule of conduct and attitude.
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How many of us are either teaching or learning true discipleship as opposed to knowledge? I know only me, and though I'm learning, I'm a long way from following in Yeshua's steps.

If you want the article on apostles, which is also good, here is that link:
Hebrew Word Study | Skip Moen » apostle

 

[Wesley1982]

Disciple = Student & Follower of a Teacher/Master

 

[visionary]

I like to think of myself as a disciple then... because I want to be more than just a learner of information.. but an active follower of Him.

 

[Moriah Ruth 777]

Well, the NT tells us to be doers of the word and not just hearers only. So to me this would imply that being a disciple of Yeshua you would be doing, teaching, not just sitting there doing nothing with what you have learned.

Also Yeshua instructed his disciples to go out and preach the gospel. Doing, teaching, preaching.

My thoughts on the apostles would be they were to help create or supplant churches or body of believers and to make sure things were going according to God's word and laws.

Moriah Ruth

 

[mishkan]

This is from information I gathered during a discussion in my home group on the difference between apostle and disciple. The article linked to below is the second on the page. It isn't long and worth reading fully.

Exerpt from full article (The Shocking Results):
Hebrew Word Study | Skip Moen » disciple

Disciples – Something shocking happens in the Gospel use of the term “disciple.” We don’t notice it in English, but in Greek the results light up the sky like fireworks. The Greek word for “learner” is manthano. In Greek thought, this word is connected to didasko (to teach). It comes from the idea of cognitive activity. It is more correctly translated “pupil” since it implies “one who learns something taught.” It is distinguished from mathetes (disciple) because mathetes means someone who has adopted the lifestyle of the teacher. In other words, a pupil learns information while a disciple copies the master’s rule of conduct and attitude.
​

How many of us are either teaching or learning true discipleship as opposed to knowledge? I know only me, and though I'm learning, I'm a long way from following in Yeshua's steps.

If you want the article on apostles, which is also good, here is that link:
Hebrew Word Study | Skip Moen » apostle

I don't understand, then. The title says, "Hebrew Word Study". The key terms we ought to be looking at are "rabbi", not "didaskolos"; and "talmid", rather than "mathetes".

The rabbi/student disciple relationship has been well-defined and documented. It conveys a high degree of intimacy, nearing that of the parent/child relationship. In fact, there is a story in the Talmud that teaches one should hold his rabbi in higher regard than his natural father.

The purpose of the rabbi/talmid relationship is to pass on one life to another. This is the source for statements like, "Imitate me as I imitate Messiah". It has never been about merely transmitting a collection of facts. That is the purpose of a Western-style university system, but it has never been the goal of the yeshiva, such as Sha'ul set up.