A recipe is a set of instructions for preparing something, or a formula that produces anticipated outcomes. A disciple is a student that receives teaching and training. I suggest there are four ingredients that make a Christian disciple.  These are to focus, follow, be faithful, and fruitful.

Focus means to have clear vision or to look intently.  Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith ….”  You need to beware of some hindrances to staying focused.  They are distraction, detour, doubt and discouragement.

Follow means to move behind in same direction or to acknowledge authority. A Christ-follower must submit to and stay close to Jesus as He leads us. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says to “follow Me.”

Faithfulness is also an ingredient to discipleship. To be faithful is to be true, reliable, dependable, and loyal. To be found faithful, one must be dedicated, disciplined, determined, and devoted. In II Timothy 4:7, the Apostle Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

The fourth ingredient to discipleship is to be fruitful. Fruitful means to be productive or to cause results. Galatians 6:7 says, “. . . A man reaps what he sows.” There is a sowing principle that says: you reap what you sow; you reap after you sow; and you reap more than you sow.  Galatians 5:22-23, list the spiritual fruit that should be evident in the Christian’s life. It says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As a Christ-follower, make sure you have the spiritual recipe for discipleship that includes these ingredients: stay focused on Jesus, follow His lead, stay faithful, and be fruitful.

– Encouraging Words by Tony Cooper