How does apprenticeship work?

Discipleship happens primarily through teaching and imitation. It works best through love. As we lovingly teach young believers the ways of godliness and live worthy lives, they grow in Christ by imitating our lives and teachings (see 1 Tim. 4:16).

• Teaching: The Bible calls pastors and parents to teach those under their care (Prov. 4:1–9; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 6:4; 1 Thess. 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:18, 6:3; 2 Tim. 2:25; 4:2). The Bible also calls all believers to teach one another (Rom. 15:14).
• Imitation: Christians are imitators, first of God and then of each other. We grow in God's grace by listening and imitating. Here are some verses that emphasize this:
  • «Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ» (1 Cor. 11:1);
  • «Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you, and considering the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith» (Heb. 13:7);
  • «The things which ye have learned and received, and heard and seen in me, do these: and the God of peace shall be with you» (Phil. 4:9);
  • «You have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, endurance» (2 Tim. 3:10);
  • «Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is from God, but he who does evil has not seen God.» (3 John 1:11).
• Love: People will follow your life even when you don't love them. But a leader who leads with love represents the best picture of Christ, and people will follow you when you love them.
• Friendship: In a sense, discipleship is just friendship, but with a Christ-centered focus. What do friends do? They imitate one another. In discipleship, we build friendships to grow in Christlikeness ourselves and to help others become more Christlike.

How to be a student?

1. Listen and watch as mature Christians work, rest, build families, resolve conflicts, evangelize their neighbors, endure trials, serve in church, or struggle with sin.
2. Follow them!