First and foremost, a disciple is someone who accepts Christ as Savior. Romans 10:9 says that "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Simply believing and confessing that Jesus is the risen Son of God is all that is necessary to receive the free gift of salvation to spend eternity with God.

Jesus was sent to share the good news so that we do not have to spend eternity in hell. Jesus came to share that all people can restore their spiritual relationship with God through His sacrifice on the cross. The spiritual relationship that was severed in the Fall of mankind can be restored. All anyone has to do is respond to the message of the good news and choose Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Growing faith requires a hands-on approach. Jesus spent time mentoring and coaching His disciples. In the same way, discipleship today requires a mentor who models what Christ looks like in words and actions. An effective mentor understands how to spiritually discern the disciples' level of understanding and growth to help them grow closer to Jesus.

Paul demonstrated this truth in 2 Timothy 2:2 when he told believers that "what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."