EMERGING LEADER INITIATIVE Maturity, No. 1 Overview: What Does it Mean to be a Disciple? I. INTRODUCTION Encounter...Experience...Expand Overview of Membership to Ministry EVERY MEMBER A MINISTER AND MISSIONARY Bill Hull: Unless the church makes making disciples its main agenda world evangelism is a fantasy. There is no way to reproduce, multiply, and decentralize people and the Gospel without first diligently making disciples. A. Who should be disciples? Disciple from the Greek mathetes which means a. A disciple is a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ that is in process. Some disciples are becoming mature, some are mature and are reproducing themselves, but we are all in process. Chris Adsit: A disciple is a person-in-process who is eager to learn and apply the truths that Jesus Christ teaches him, which will result in ever-deepening commitments to a Christlike lifestyle. Every Christian is to be a disciple. B. What does a disciple look like? Luke 14:26-27, 33, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters yes, even his own life he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.... 33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. The key is that the disciple is one who is in process, yet they see that following after Jesus is worth. C. Who should make disciples? should make disciples. The Great Commission Mandate: Matthew 28:18-20, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Three D s of disciple making... D them through the power of Christ we are delivered from sin. D them in the discipling process we are developed into mature believers. D them God deploys us into the harvest field to reach others.
D. How long should the process take? Making disciples will continue until Christ comes again. Until the very end of the age. We are never done concerning being disciples. DISCIPLING TWO PEOPLE PER YEAR... YEAR 1 2 PEOPLE YEAR 2 4 PEOPLE YEAR 4 16 PEOPLE YEAR 6 64 PEOPLE YEAR 10 1024 PEOPLE YEAR 15 32,768 PEOPLE YEAR 20 1,048,576 PEOPLE YEAR 25 33,554,432 PEOPLE YEAR 30 1,073,700,000 PEOPLE YEAR 33 WORLD POPULATION E. What is included in discipleship? According to Matthew 28:20 it is and. F. How do we know whether we are spiritually mature? 1. One who is fruitful Luke 8:14, 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. 2. One who can receive a (spiritual wisdom) 1 Corinthians 2:6, 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 3. One who is, has a spirit of unity and is not blown away by false teaching and doctrine (grounded) Ephesians 4:13, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 4. One who will not quit and knows that they have not arrived (perseverance and humility) Philippians 3:15, 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 5. One who stands in the (assurance) Colossians 4:12, 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 6. One who is able to teach (teacher) Hebrews 5:14-6:1, 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary 2
teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 7. One who has moved past the (progressed) Hebrews 6:1-3 8. One who does not doubt (stability) James 1:4, 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. II. STAGES OF MATURITY 1 John 2:10-17. 12 - "Dear Children" Infants 13 - Children Child 13 - "Young Men" Adolescents 10 - "Brothers Adult 13 - "Fathers" Adult Growing to maturity is a process. A. Childhood 1. Infant 1 John 2:12, I am writing to you dear children... 1 Cor. 3: 1-3, Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. 2. Technon: "one who is a son by mere fact of birth." Romans 8:16, The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. John 1:12 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God "Children" - technos - little children, under care The power of Satan cannot prevent one from becoming a child of God if they desire. God has delegated each person the right to become His child. We each live a season as a child Matthew 18:3 3 And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Galatians 4:1-7,What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were 3
in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, Abba, Father. So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. SUMMARY: Child Slave to circumstances Reacts negatively to provocation Sees life in reference to self Reacts in natural ways POSITIVES - Open, Teachable, Receives B. Adolescent 1 John 2:14, I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Huios: "one who can be identified as a son because he displays the character or characteristics of his parents." Romans 8:14, Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. We come into the faith as (technos) and develop into (huios). If we don't develop the results can be devastating. A son is a Junior Partner to his father Purpose of Sonship: to bring the believer out of childhood to a place where he/she can grow in spiritual life Prov. 10:1, A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. 3 Goals Spiritually: 1. 1 Corinthians 13:11, When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Child faces troubles and moves back into a comfort zone. Jesus kept on about the Father's purpose; He was not deterred by circumstances. 2. Understanding Second Goal - Faith in Living - Just shall live by faith. Luke 7:1-9 - The Centurion s faith is revealed by his understanding of authority. If you don't have spiritual authorities in your life and don't submit to the Lordship of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, you are not going to grow. 4
3. Establishing Faithfulness for Living Matt. 21:23, Pharisees asking Jesus, "By what authority do you do these things?" Their response - "I Don't Know" Matt. 21:28ff - Two Sons God wants to bring us to a place where he can turn our inheritance over to us because we know it is more blessed to give than to receive. SUMMARY: Son - Junior Partner Acts according to Father's will Begins to take on Father's characteristics Moves from self-centered to God-centered Willingly submits himself to the authority of Father Concerned about affairs of Father Interested in carrying out the work of His Father - advance of Father's purposes. C. Adult There is a difference between being mature and being perfect. 1. Term "brother" - describes God's concept of being a manager A manager that represents God well I Tim. 3:1-2, 4-5, Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife...he must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?). SUMMARY: Brother - Manager of Life Demonstrates that he can manage one-on-one relationships. Can manage on behalf of Father A steward. Period of time which demonstrates our ability to function as mature believers. Proves that we have passed out of childhood - son - father. 2. Father Overseer Sets the patterns for living. God-Centered Concerned about others, rather than himself. Reproduces John 5:19-20, Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does." 5
a. Sets the for the Son John 5:19, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does..." b. Loves John 5:20 - "For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does." John 3:35 - Love, "The Father loves the son and has placed everything in his hands." c. John 5:20 - "For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does." "Shows" - nature to teach. Shows him what to do by word and example. d. Excels John 5: 20, "Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these." John 14:12, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father." e. and Authority John 5:22, Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son. John 5:30, By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 6:38, For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. Luke 22:29-30, And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 1 Peter 5:2-3, Be shepherd of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Mark 10:42-45, Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." 6
f. Honors John 5:23 -...that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the son does not honor the Father, who sent him. g. Is John 10:15, Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father III. MOVING FROM ONE STAGE TO ANOTHER A. Abide John 15:4, Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. Abide in Christ and spend time consistently in the Word of God and prayer. B. vv. 7-8, If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. C. v. 10, If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. D. Persevere vv. 18-20, If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoken to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 14:2-3, In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. C.S. Lewis: "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought the most of the next." IV. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS In what stage of maturity would you identify yourself? What needs to happen in order for you to move to the next level? Were you ever formally discipled? Have you ever discipled another Christian? If yes, what was that experience like? 7
V. RESOURCES (All of these resources are available at Fullness) Books: Adsit, Christopher, Personal Disciple-Making, Campus Crusade for Christ (1996) Eims, Leroy, The Lost Art of Disciple Making, NavPress (1978) Fryling, Alice, Disciple-Maker s Handbook, InterVarsity press (1989) Hull, Bill, The Disciple-Making Church, Baker Book House Company(1990) Watson, David, Called and Committed: World-Changing Discipleship, Shaw Publishers (1982) Wiersbe, Warren, Being a Child of God: Your Guide for the Adventure, Thomas Nelson (1996) Tapes & Videos: Steps to Maturity 5 part audio tape series by Bart Brookins Discipleship video seminar by Daniel A. Brown Personal Disciplemaking video series by Christopher Adsit 8