Discipleship #1: What is Discipleship?

Discipleship #1: What is Discipleship? Discipleship is not supposed to be complicated. Difficult sometimes, complicated never. Two thousand years ago, it was so simple that a carpenter explained it to uneducated fishermen in one sentence (Matthew 4:19). The fishermen understood it, acted on it, and they changed the world. If modern discipleship is confusing or complicated, it is because we have strayed from the biblical principles that Jesus taught His original disciples. For Jesus, discipleship was and still is top priority. Yes, He fed the hungry and healed the sick, but He always gave the twelve disciples His prime time. His final word to them before He ascended into heaven was a commission not just to be disciples, but also to make disciples. Like the original followers of Jesus, we are supposed to be disciples and we are supposed to make disciples. In other words, we are supposed to follow Jesus and we are supposed to help others follow Him. THE APOSTOLIC MANDATE 1. Jesus s final mandate to His followers was to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20) (ESV) 2. We call this mandate Christ gave us Great Commission or the The Apostolic Mandate. The Apostolic Mandate is not an activity reserved for a few anointed people. It is a description of the life purpose of every believer. It is the essence of discipleship. Discipleship #1 Rev. July 26, 2018 Page 1 of 5

DISCIPLESHIP BEGINS IN THE HEART OF GOD 1. God s will is that none should perish. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) (ESV) The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (II Peter 3:9) (ESV) 2. God s ways are perfect. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 18:30) 3. God s plan for salvation was sending His son, Jesus, to die for our sins and to have this good news spread by making disciples. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) UNDERSTANDING DISCIPLESHIP 1. Discipleship is not primarily a mentoring program to help Christians become better church members. Discipleship starts with the lost, not the found. It begins with engaging lost people. 2. Discipleship is not primarily an advanced course to help Christians know the Bible better. The goal of discipleship is not Bible knowledge but Bible obedience teaching them to obey. 3. Discipleship is not primarily an accountability group to help Christians stay out of sin. 4. Discipleship is not primarily about spiritual guidance. Discipleship #1 Rev. July 26, 2018 Page 2 of 5

WHAT IS THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP? Matthew 4:18-20 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow Me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed Him. 1. Discipleship is a call to follow Christ. Discipleship is a whole-life submission to Jesus. 2. Discipleship is a call to fish for men. 3. Discipleship is a call to fellowship with others. HOW TO BECOME A DISCIPLE 1. Before we can make disciples, we must become disciples. 2. We confess Jesus as Lord. There can be no discipleship without Lordship. Submission to Christ as Lord is the starting point. Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 3. We choose God s will over our own. John 7:17 If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own. 4. We carry our cross. Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all: If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Discipleship #1 Rev. July 26, 2018 Page 3 of 5

FOLLOWING JESUS AS LORD 1. We follow Jesus as Lord through self-denial. Self-denial requires putting Jesus before reputation and comfort. (II Corinthians 6:4-10; Hebrews 11:24-25) Self-denial requires putting Jesus before career and family. (Matthew 4:21-22) Self-denial requires putting Jesus before personal ideas. (II Corinthians 10:5) 2. We follow Jesus as Lord through sacrifice. Sacrifice is required to glorify God. (II Timothy 3:12) Sacrifice is required to love others. (II Corinthians 4:10-12) Sacrifice is required to crucify the flesh. (Philippians 3:18-19) 3. We follow Jesus as Lord through surrender. Surrender is manifest in heart devotion. (I Peter 3:15) Surrender is manifest in practical obedience. (Luke 6:46) Surrender is manifest in a continuous lifestyle. (Colossians 2:6) In summary, discipleship is a call to follow Jesus as Lord. One important way to embrace that call is to embrace the Apostolic Mandate, to go and make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:18). Because of your love for Jesus and an understanding of His desire for everyone to have a relationship with Him, are you willing to make changes in your schedule to intentionally reach out to others, to give your time, talent, and treasure to help someone else? DISCUSSION QUESTION (Have the students discuss these questions in class with on another or as a class) 1. As a result of this session, what is something new that you learned about discipleship? Also, as a result of this session, has your perspective on discipleship changed? If so, how? 2. Which aspect of Christ s lordship do you personally find the most challenging: self-denial, sacrifice, or surrender? Why? What action step will you take immediately to change? Discipleship #1 Rev. July 26, 2018 Page 4 of 5

REQUIRED HOMEWORK 1. Write a brief paragraph explaining the importance of discipleship. 2. What are a few practical things you hope to get out of this course? Write them down on the lines below. 3. Write out and reflect on the following three Scriptures: Matthew 7:21 I Peter 3:15 Colossians 2:6,7 Discipleship #1 Rev. July 26, 2018 Page 5 of 5