I grew up in a family that attended church out of tradition rather than conviction. My first real encounter with Jesus came through a Christian teacher who invited me to church, where I heard a message unlike anything I’d experienced before. When the call to follow Jesus was made, I responded, though I didn’t fully understand what was happening. Still, I knew something had changed within me. I began to read the Bible, finding excitement in passages and truths I’d never heard before. For years, I was content to call myself a follower of Jesus.

But over time, I realised there was more to faith than simply following. I took further steps—being baptised in water and the Holy Spirit, and getting involved in church ministry. That’s when I began to understand what it means to be a disciple, not just a follower.

This is a journey many of us share. Yet, I’ve come to see that many Christians remain “followers,” even after public declarations of faith and active participation in church life.

So what’s the difference between a follower and a disciple?

A follower, by definition, is someone who supports or admires another. Social media has made this concept familiar—anyone can follow you, often without real connection or commitment. Some followers are passive, showing up but never engaging deeply. Following is easy; it requires little of us and can be ended at any time.

A disciple, on the other hand, is a student who chooses to learn from a master and to mirror their life. When Jesus called His first disciples, He invited them to “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). This wasn’t just an invitation to observe, but a call to transformation. Discipleship means committing to learn from Jesus, to be changed by Him, and to live out His teachings—even when it’s difficult or inconvenient.

The distinction is crucial. Followers may be fans, but disciples are committed. Followers can drift away when challenged, but disciples remain, trusting that understanding comes with time and continued relationship.

There are risks to remaining just a follower: spiritual stagnation, vulnerability to temptation, shallow roots, and missing opportunities to impact others. Discipleship, while demanding, offers deeper relationship with Christ, spiritual maturity, and the joy of participating in God’s work.

So why do many settle for being followers? Sometimes it’s fear of commitment, the cost of discipleship, or the comfort of the status quo. Our culture values instant results, but discipleship is a gradual, lifelong process.

The early church understood this well. Acts 2:42-47 describes a community devoted to teaching, fellowship, and prayer—gathering both in large groups and small, intimate settings. My own faith was shaped in Sunday school and house groups, where real growth happens through honest conversation, prayer and shared life.

If we want our churches to thrive, we must move beyond gathering crowds of followers and focus on making disciples. This means prioritising small group discipleship, deeper relationships, and active service in our communities. Discipleship isn’t just the work of pastors or senior leaders alone, it is the calling of every believer.

Jesus entrusted the Great Commission to His disciples, not just His followers. The early church grew because disciples made more disciples, each one committed to living and sharing the life of Christ.

Are you content to be a follower, or will you step into the challenge of true discipleship? As a church, are we ready to become a community that makes disciples, not just gathering followers?

The choice is ours. Let’s pursue the deeper, transformative journey of discipleship together.