If someone asked you to explain what it means to be a disciple of Jesus — in plain language that anyone could understand — could you do it?

Not a seminary answer. Not a theological essay. A simple, clear definition that someone brand new to the faith could grab hold of and take with them wherever they go.

Because here's the truth: if we can't define discipleship simply, we can't multiply it effectively. And multiplication is the mission.

It really comes down to three questions every follower of Jesus should be able to answer: Who are we becoming? What are we doing? And what are we seeing?

Who Are We Becoming? It Starts with Attitude

The Bible is clear about the direction of the Christian life. We are becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. That's the trajectory. That's the goal. Not perfection by next Tuesday — but daily, ongoing transformation into His likeness.

And the starting point isn't behavior. It's attitude.

Are we surrendered? Are we humble? Are we loving? These aren't items on a spiritual checklist — they're the evidence that God's power is actually at work in us. The question isn't "Am I perfect today?" It's "Am I different today than I was yesterday?"

That's all discipleship requires on the "becoming" side. Not giant leaps. Just daily surrender and a heart that's open to change.

Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here." That's who we are becoming — every single day. We are new creations. The old patterns, the old identity, the old way of living — gone. And something new is taking its place as we renew our minds and allow the Holy Spirit to shape us into the image of Christ.

It's an easy framework to teach and an easy framework to live by: the old is gone, the new is here, and we are becoming more like Jesus one day at a time.

What Are We Doing? We Are Ambassadors

Once we understand who we're becoming, the next question is equally straightforward: What are we supposed to be doing with our lives?

Paul gives us the answer in 2 Corinthians 5:20: we are ambassadors for Christ. And ambassadors, by definition, don't live in their hometown. We are citizens of heaven. We belong to the kingdom of God. But while we're here on this earth, we have a job to do — we represent Jesus to others.

And the assignment is simpler than most of us make it. We tell others to come back to God. That's it.

You don't have to have all the answers to every theological question. You don't have to solve every problem someone is facing. You don't have to earn a degree or memorize the entire Bible before you're qualified to share your faith. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, just be ready to share your hope in Jesus Christ.

Why do you believe? Why do you trust? Why do you follow? That's your message. You're not selling a product or winning a debate. You're sharing the reason for your hope. And that's something every believer — whether they've been walking with Jesus for thirty years or thirty days — is equipped to do.

We don't know everything. But we know why we believe. And that's more than enough to be an effective ambassador for Christ.

What Are We Seeing? We Share the Results

The third question closes the loop and creates something powerful: What are we seeing God do?

This is where discipleship becomes contagious. When believers come together and share the stories of what God is doing — in their own lives, in their families, in their communities — something shifts. Faith grows. Hope spreads. People who were skeptical start paying attention.

This is why the local church gathers. Not just for information. We come together to celebrate stories. We celebrate the movement of God. We celebrate transformation in people's lives. We testify. We share what we've witnessed firsthand.

And when you're telling someone about Jesus, you're not just sharing doctrine — you're telling them about the results you've seen. What has God done in your life? What is He doing in the lives of the people around you? How has He changed your marriage, your mindset, your purpose, your peace?

Testimony is one of the most powerful evangelism tools a believer has. It's personal. It's real. And it's impossible to argue with someone's lived experience of God's faithfulness.

A Definition of Discipleship That Goes Wherever You Go

Here's why this simple framework matters so much: it travels.

If someone is part of your church for one year — just one year — will they hear everything they need to keep following Jesus for the rest of their lives? Will the definition of discipleship be clear enough and simple enough that they can take it with them wherever they go?

That's the test. And these three questions pass it:

Who are we becoming? New creations — daily surrendering our attitudes and hearts to look more like Jesus.

What are we doing? Serving as ambassadors — sharing our hope in Christ with everyone we encounter.

What are we seeing? The movement of God — celebrating and testifying to what He's doing in and through His people.

When you connect these dots for people — when discipleship moves from abstract theology to a framework they can actually live by — you don't just see growth. You see multiplication. You see the gospel spreading from person to person, household to household, community to community.

Because a disciple who knows who they're becoming, what they're called to do, and what God is doing around them doesn't just sit in a pew. They go out and make more disciples.

And that's exactly what Jesus had in mind.

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This post is based on teaching from Matt Dawson at Journey Church and The Cypress Project — equipping believers and training pastors to make disciples who make disciples.