8 Characteristics of a Mature Disciple of Jesus

Discipleship is a life-long journey and commitment. When we hear Jesus’ Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), we may believe he is simply referring to evangelism. However, Jesus does not stop there; he says, “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).

Discipleship is a life-long journey and commitment. Discover the essential characteristics that mark a mature disciple of Jesus Christ!

This is the first and greatest commandment (Mark 12:30). It means that you value being in the presence of God more than anything else in your life. It doesn’t mean that you are perfect (we’re far from that) but that you are pursuing God with all of your heart, your soul, and your mind.

What does it mean to listen to God? It means that you recognize that God is speaking to you personally through the things around you, the people you are with, the TV or radio, and the Bible.  You recognize that God speaks to us and listen carefully. It means that you are not just doing things independently but spending time with God and listening to what He wants to tell you.

There’s no room for compromise here either. Obeying God means you are doing what He says, not just some of the things He says. It means that you are willing to do what He says even when you don’t understand it, even when it hurts, even when it may cost you something.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to continue living the life God wants us to live. He enables us to live with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He allows us to love God with all of our being, love and serve others, and live in the power of God, not our power. Growing up is to get you to the point where you’re living in the power of the Spirit and not of your strength.

This means that you know the Bible well and apply it to your everyday life. You know what it means to have the Word in your heart and use it in your life. It means that you not only know what the Word says but that you know what it means.

This means that you are making disciples. Remember, you are making an impact in the world for God’s Kingdom. However, results won’t always reveal themselves immediately. This doesn’t happen overnight, but you will leave a lasting impact on others over time.

It’s one thing to love those that are easy to love, but it’s another thing to love those difficult to love. It’s another thing to love those we love, but it’s still another thing to love those we don’t. A mature disciple will love people in the church and those not in the church. A mature disciple will love their family, even when their family doesn’t love them. They will love the lost, the poor, the lonely, the disadvantaged, the rejected, and the unlovely.

In the face of adversity and persecution, mature disciples will stand firm. They won’t just give up when things get complicated. Mature disciples will persevere and stand firm in the face of persecution, sickness, suffering, and financial difficulties.

If you want to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection, you will grow up. You need to mature if you’re going to live a pleasing life to God. If you’re going to shine like Jesus, it is time to grow in His Word.

Moving from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity is a lifelong journey. You can’t just flip a switch and become a mature disciple overnight. It takes time, and it takes effort. It takes grace, mercy, and the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish. If you are serious about growing up, it is possible.

A mature disciple will show these characteristics in all areas of their life, including job, family, the world, and the church. You don’t have to be perfect to be mature. But you can take small steps every day to grow up to be like Jesus. You have to have heart, desire, and intentionality, but it’s possible.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. 

We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!