Disciple and Student – difference and similarity

Differences between a disciple and a student.

A disciple and a student, though share some similarities, are strikingly different from each other. A disciple is a devoted, lifelong follower who follows a teacher or the teachings and doctrines taught by him. A student is someone studying at a school, college, or university in order to enter a particular profession.

Origins

Disciple comes from the Latin word discipulus (learner); discipulus also comes from the Latin verb discere (learn). However, the terms disciple and disciples, as used in the English New Testament were translated from the Greek word mathetes, which generally refers to any learner, pupil, or apprentice. But mathetes was most often used to refer to devoted followers of a religious leader or a teacher. The word disciples, as used in the English Old Testament, was translated from the Hebrew word limmuwd

The word ‘student’ comes from the Latin ‘student’; the Latin word ‘student’ also comes from the Latin verbs ‘studēre’; and ‘studēre’ means to be eager, zealous, or diligent, to study.

Other differences

A student is a learner; he acquires knowledge and gain technical skills.  However, a disciple exceeds the student, in that he is not just a learner, but a doer of the teachings he receives, showing uncommon loyalty and commitment of heart to them.

For the most part, a student’s approach is to merely engage his mind to learn from his teacher; but a disciple devotes both his mind and his heart to the teacher’s teachings. That is why they become devotees.

To the student, the teacher is an educator – one who passes knowledge on; whereas to the disciple, his teacher is his leader and mentor, in addition to being an educator, whose lifestyle is worthy of emulation.

To the student, the teachings taught are for future livelihood; but the disciple esteems the teachings as essential values for living.

The student is after knowledge and skill, whereas the disciple is after principles, beliefs or things worth believing, doctrines, values of life, and things of eternal value such as salvation.

The student, at length, gains professional or technical skills, which he applies in the job field, to make financial gains; but a disciple lives by the teachings received to gain virtues.

Normally, a student keeps his knowledge to himself; even if he would impart it to others, he would do so at a price. However, a disciple passes on the teachings, doctrines, principles, and values taught him to others with the intention of proselytizing them to join his faith, philosophy, etc.

Scholarship, academic study, or being a student is time-bound. A student will someday end his course and graduate, vacating the classroom, never to become a student again until he makes another decision to further his education. However, being a disciple is forever – you live as a disciple for life.

You would pass through the hands of many teachers in the course of pursuing scholarship. However, there is this one person whose teachings and deeds appeal to your faith and devotion so much that you willingly choose to follow him faithfully; you are a disciple of that person. A student has many teachers; a disciple, apparently, has only one teacher and mentor. Eg. Christians, Jesus; Muslims, Mohamed; Buddhists, Buddha; etc.

Similarity between a disciple and a student

Every disciple is, inevitably, a student of a kind, who, in the course of discipleship, learns; whether by seeing, reading, or hearing; and commits to memory what he has learned. Normally, disciples are well-drilled in the teachings and doctrines of the teacher and leader. Both of them, a disciple and a student, have someone, a teacher, who instructs them.