50 Hymns about Discipleship

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19, KJV). Christian hymns have long given voice to this call. Across centuries, hymn writers have expressed the cost, joy, obedience, sacrifice, and lifelong devotion involved in walking with Christ. Hymns about discipleship remind believers that faith is not passive, but active, shaped by daily surrender, obedience to Christ’s Word, and love for others. The following hymns reflect the biblical call to deny oneself, take up the cross, and follow Jesus faithfully.

Hymns Calling Believers to Follow Christ

“Follow On” (W. P. Jay)
This hymn urges believers to pursue Christ with perseverance, echoing the longing of Psalm 63 to know God more deeply.
“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” (Traditional)
A powerful confession of commitment, emphasizing unwavering loyalty to Christ regardless of opposition.
“Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” (Henry F. Lyte)
A hymn of surrender that highlights self-denial and wholehearted trust in Christ.
“Where He Leads Me I Will Follow” (E. W. Blandly)
This hymn stresses obedience and willingness to follow Christ in every circumstance.
“Footsteps of Jesus” (Mary B. C. Slade)
A gentle reminder that Christ’s life provides the pattern for Christian living.
“Still, Still with Thee” (Harriet Beecher Stowe)
Focuses on walking daily with Christ in quiet devotion and faithfulness.
“O Jesus, I Have Promised” (John E. Bode)
A prayerful hymn expressing commitment to remain faithful amid temptation.
“Take My Life, and Let It Be” (Frances R. Havergal)
One of the clearest hymns of consecration, offering every aspect of life to Christ.
“Lord Jesus, Think on Me” (Synesius of Cyrene)
A devotional hymn calling believers to continual remembrance and imitation of Christ.
“More Love to Thee” (Elizabeth Prentiss)
Expresses the disciple’s desire to grow deeper in love for Christ through trial and obedience.

Hymns on Self-Denial and Surrender

“I Surrender All” (Judson W. Van DeVenter)
A heartfelt declaration of total submission to Christ’s will.
“Have Thine Own Way, Lord” (Adelaide A. Pollard)
Uses the imagery of the potter and clay to illustrate yielded discipleship.
“Just As I Am” (Charlotte Elliott)
Reflects Christ’s own prayer and calls believers to surrender personal desires.
“All for Jesus” (Mary D. James)
A hymn emphasizing total devotion in thought, word, and action.
“Take the World, but Give Me Jesus” (Fanny Crosby)
Contrasts worldly gain with the supreme worth of Christ.
“Living for Jesus” (Thomas O. Chisholm)
Calls believers to live daily in service and obedience to Christ.
“Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” (Edward Hopper)
Portrays discipleship as trusting Christ’s guidance through life’s dangers.
“Yield Not to Temptation” (Horatio R. Palmer)
Encourages disciplined Christian living through reliance on Christ.
“Higher Ground” (Johnson Oatman Jr.)
Reflects the disciple’s desire for spiritual growth and upward calling.
“Lord of All Hopefulness” (Jan Struther)
Invites Christ’s lordship into every moment of daily life.

Hymns on Service and Obedience

“The Servant Song” (Richard Gillard)
Focuses on Christlike humility and mutual service among believers.
“Make Me a Blessing” (Ira B. Wilson)
A call to active discipleship through loving service to others.
“Lord, Speak to Me” (Frances R. Havergal)
Encourages attentive obedience to God’s Word.
“In the Garden” (C. Austin Miles)
Reflects personal fellowship with Christ that fuels faithful living.
“Work, for the Night Is Coming” (Anna L. Coghill)
Stresses diligence in Christian service while time remains.
“So Send I You” (Margaret Clarkson)
Connects discipleship with sacrificial mission and obedience.
“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” (Washington Gladden)
A prayer for Christlike compassion, patience, and service.
“Give of Your Best to the Master” (Howard B. Grose)
Challenges believers to offer their finest gifts to Christ’s service.
“Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go” (Charles Wesley)
Encourages faithful daily labor done in Christ’s name.
“Take Time to Be Holy” (William D. Longstaff)
Reminds disciples that obedience flows from communion with Christ.

Hymns on Costly Discipleship and Faithfulness

“Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” (Thomas Shepherd)
Highlights the cost of following Christ and the honor of bearing the cross.
“Am I a Soldier of the Cross” (Isaac Watts)
Uses military imagery to depict courage and perseverance in discipleship.
“Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” (George Duffield Jr.)
Calls believers to boldness and faithfulness under pressure.
“Jesus Calls Us” (Cecil F. Alexander)
A tender hymn describing Christ’s call away from worldly distractions.
“Faith of Our Fathers” (Frederick W. Faber)
Honors faithful obedience even in suffering.
“Onward, Christian Soldiers” (Sabine Baring-Gould)
Emphasizes disciplined commitment and unity under Christ’s leadership.
“Once to Every Man and Nation” (James R. Lowell)
Challenges believers to moral courage and obedience in difficult times.
“When We Walk with the Lord” (John H. Sammis)
Better known as “Trust and Obey,” this hymn captures the essence of discipleship.
“Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me” (Paul Gerhardt)
Responds to Christ’s love with grateful obedience.
“I’m Not Ashamed to Own My Lord” (Isaac Watts)
Encourages public loyalty and unwavering confession of faith.

Hymns on Growth and Perseverance

“Be Thou My Vision” (Traditional Irish)
Centers discipleship on Christ as the believer’s guiding vision.
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” (William Williams)
Pictures the Christian life as a pilgrimage led by God.
“Nearer, My God, to Thee” (Sarah F. Adams)
Expresses the disciple’s desire for deeper communion with God.
“Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord” (B. Mansell Ramsey)
A prayer for instruction and obedience in God’s truth.
“Lead On, O King Eternal” (Ernest W. Shurtleff)
Calls disciples to follow Christ in righteousness and peace.
“Day by Day” (Carolina Sandell)
Highlights daily trust and dependence on Christ.
“My Jesus, I Love Thee” (William R. Featherston)
Affirms love for Christ expressed through lifelong devotion.
“Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” (Fanny Crosby)
Reminds disciples that faithfulness flows from Christ’s sacrifice.
“Abide with Me” (Henry F. Lyte)
A prayer for Christ’s presence through life’s trials.
“Footsteps of Jesus” (M. B. C. Slade)
A direct musical echo of Christ’s call to discipleship and an answer to the call.

Hymns about discipleship do more than inspire emotion. They teach doctrine, shape obedience, and strengthen resolve to follow Christ faithfully. Through these hymns, believers are reminded that discipleship involves surrender, service, perseverance, and love rooted in Christ. Singing these hymns in worship and reflection helps keep the church focused on Christ’s call, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, KJV).