Discipleship is, very simply, following after Jesus Christ, and we follow after Him by moving forward in obedience to His word. As He sent them out, Jesus told the apostles to make disciples of people from every nation (Matthew 28:18-20), teaching them the things they had been taught. This pattern is repeated throughout scripture, and we clearly see the example of new believers following a more mature believer as they follow Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Timothy 2:2). According to Jesus, no earthly relationship, possession, or interest ought to compete with following after Him as His disciple (Luke 14:25-33). Discipleship must be the heartbeat and priority of every local church and believer (Colossians 1:28).