Without a cause, mission, purpose there is nothing to lead people to. A disciple believes in His master. As a follower there is something or someone that you believe enough in to be following in the first place. Your efforts to tell others or show them or invite them to share in that belief is what’s called leadership.
Leaders, Followers, Disciples, and Apostles
A disciple is a follower, someone who sits at the feet of the master, watching, learning, imitating. But it’s more than just studying somebody. That’s stalking. A disciple is one who follows in his master’s footsteps. He watches and learns, then gets off his butt and does the same.
Jesus chose 12 men, a rather lousy bunch of guys in my opinion. These were His first disciples, the first to leave everything behind and follow Him. Then He made them apostles. He sent them out on a mission. They were putting in practice all that they had learned from walking with Him, from following.
The apostles never stopped being disciples. Learn. Live. Lead. They continue to walk with the master, to follow His way. That is what being a Christian is all about. But it’s a lesson you can learn as a leader whether or not you share this faith.
Question: What or who do you follow? In what ways are you leading others to do the same?