I thought this might be an interesting topic and see different opinions. Yeshua (Jesus) spoke of both, so let us look at some of the things regarding disciple's vs sheep. My focus has been more staying with the two eye witnesses that did write.. Why? Yeshua (Jesus) prayed for His chosen disciples, so they get top billing to me. Audio reading of the post at the bottom.
Defining a Disciple
To me where to start is in reading Gospels, looking at my search for those two books, the first thing I notice is that only Matthew mentions it four times, three of which are spoken by Christ and one not. Now the book of John 14 times the word "disciple is used and not once is it words of Christ. Now that surprised me. All uses of the word were the same Greek concordance meaning this was the same meaning:
a learner, i.e. pupil:—disciple. The Hebrew meaning same but added "learn, understand. "
So in Hebrew it also did mean not only to learn but to understand. We shouldn't feel bad as the disciples were with Yeshua for over three years and still didn't understand many things. The comforting fact from Yeshua was that He would send the Holy Spirit and He would teach you all things. I will write a post about this I am going to ask you to stop and ponder from scripture, If Yeshua (Jesus) is the trinity Father Son and Holy Spirit as I believe He is When did Yeshua return? Back to the disciple now, if you are a so called Christian and are not learning anything new, does it make you ask God the Father Why? Do you wonder why? To me these questions spark desire to understand.
What is a Sheep
The sheep to me held a key that the disciple had to learn, the sheep hear the Lords voice and follow Him::John 10:27 (KJV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Sheep is mentioned so many times with a lot about them in just the two books Matthew and John. In Matthew 12 times and in John 18 times. More than disciple was used. How important does that make the sheep. There will even be dividing of sheep and goats a dividing of nations really. There is a lot on the topic, for a reason, sheep rely on their shepherd and respond to him. We need to get to the place where we hear the Lord's voice and respond to Him.
I would start in the book of John. To me you can't know Yeshua (Jesus) till you read His words. You can't depend on just hearing other people. Then He will bring them to your remembrance, that is what the Holy Spirit does.
John 14:26 (KJV) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Is there a difference between being a sheep and being a disciple?
For us to be a disciple follower of Christ the burden falls upon us as individuals. Hearing through others you become disciples of whom you are under or following. So, to have a relationship with the Lord and be a disciple, we as individuals need to personally be in His words. So the sheep is the finished product, as the sheep hears and follows the one and only shepherd.
I want to be both, continue learning as the Lord will share hidden things too.