The objective is to learn. To learn everything about anything is only possible when we are earnest students of anything we are studying. Deep learning is scholarly learning. This is 100% percent applicable to understanding what it means to become and to remain a disciple of Jesus.

Deep questions matter because shallow questions produce shallow results. Most people can answer surface-level religious questions without changing anything about their lives. But discipleship requires the kind of reflection that exposes assumptions, reveals gaps in understanding, challenges comfortable traditions, and forces us to confront what Jesus actually commanded. In other words, deep questions are not meant to make us feel smart; they are meant to make us honest, and then to make us obedient.

The word disciple is used 261 times in the New Testament. The word “Christian” is only used three times (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). To put this in perspective, we have to ask ourselves, What was Jesus referring to when He said teach them everything?

Plainly stated, modern discipleship is not the discipleship of the Bible. The meaning of discipleship, the importance of discipleship, and the lack of it in our modern era are evident in our lives and communities.