This booklet is for those who want to live life as a fully devoted follower (FDF) of Christ. It will introduce 7 traits found in God s WORD that a fully devoted follower is to be living out more and more, moment by moment. These traits are plainly seen in the BIBLE, but not as plainly seen in those who claim to follow it. Let s change that by examining what God s WORD says about them, so we can see them become more of a reality in our lives! What a Fully Devoted Follower believes Read Romans 10:9. What do you see as the requirements of someone to be saved? Now read Ephesians 2:8. What did we have to do in order to be saved? Salvation or being a Christian begins by letting Jesus be in charge of your life (confessing Him as Lord Romans 10:9), believing in all that He says He is (believing God raised Him from the dead Romans 10:9), and putting your trust in His ability and desire to save you (Through faith in His grace Eph 2:8). This begins your life as a fully devoted follower. What a Fully Devoted Follower does Read Philippians 2:12-13 and write down what someone is supposed to do with their salvation.
Paul, the writer of this book in the Bible, is encouraging those people who have trusted Christ as their Savior to work out their salvation. He wanted them to understand that if you have really been saved then your life is going to begin to show some results of you being saved. You are going to start actually living out the things you read about in the Bible. You are going to begin to look and act like God has always desired you to! So let s focus on some things that a fully devoted follower would do Fully Devoted Followers Obey God s WORD Read 1 Peter 1:14-16. What are we told NOT to do in this passage? What are 2 things we are told to do in this passage? This passage lays out for the devoted follower how they are to live in this new life they have in Christ. They are told not to go back to the old way of living (the world s way), but to be obedient to God and to be HOLY (clean and set apart) like God is. How do you think a follower of Christ is to accomplish being obedient to God and being like God in holiness?
By getting to know God and His ways! There is only one way to do this really. by reading God s WORD or the Bible. As you read it you will begin to understand who God is and what He has done. You will see how Jesus lived triumphantly and perfectly to show us how we can have life to the fullest by following Him (John 10:10, John 14:6). You will read about the early churches and how they were encouraged by the early church leaders to live out their faith and trust in Christ. In order to obey God s WORD, you have to know God s WORD and in order to know God s WORD, you have to read God s WORD. Reading is not everyone s favorite thing to do, in fact for many it means work. but the rewards for this work are ever increasing. Read the passages of Scripture below and write next to them the benefits you receive from reading the Bible. Joshua 1:8 Romans 10:17 Hebrews 4:12 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Psalm 119:11
All these benefits lead to God being glorified more and more in your life and you finding rich and fulfilling joy in Him. This leads us to want to obey God and His commands found in the Bible because we see it is meant to help us live life fully, instead of obeying because feel like we have to. Something to remember when reading the Bible and it seems overwhelming or too much work is that every time you read it, even just one verse, all these benefits you looked at earlier have the potential to become a reality in your life! So read it like you would eat an elephant One bite at a time. Some things to think about Do you see the importance and value in reading, knowing and following God s Word? What is or will be the hardest part of this process for you? Reading? Knowing? Obeying? Is there someone that can help encourage you in the process? You should enlist them! Do you have a preferred time and place with no distractions that you could use for your time in the Word? So, read to know so you can OBEY! If you would like additional help on this you can visit deltonalakes.org/discipleship and download the PDF on How to Read and Study God s Word. Also it really helps to take time to memorize really meaningful passages of scripture so you can recall them in seconds when needed.
Fully devoted Followers Make Disciples Read Matthew 28:19. What were the Disciples told to go and do? Jesus told his Disciples to disciple others. The word disciple here means to instruct or teach others the things Jesus had taught and instructed them. This was the mission He was leaving His disciples with before he returned to heaven and we are the result of them taking that calling and purpose seriously. Just as Jesus called them to disciple others, we are called for the same thing. What does Jesus tell them in verse 18 of the same chapter? Why do you think He tells them that before He gives His command in verse 19? First thing He says to do is GO! This is not a faithless, get around to it when you can kind of thing. We have to seek people out. We have to go to them, but once we do what are we supposed to do with those that want to be discipled?
Look at Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus gives them only two steps in the disciple making process, write them down below. How to make Disciples Have you ever wondered why some churches make a big deal about baptism? Baptism is about identifying as a Believer in Christ. So Jesus told His disciples to Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit because the first part of discipleship is becoming a believer in Jesus Christ and baptism is an outward expression of that inward decision. You can read more about baptism at deltonalakes.org/ baptism if you re interested in more on this subject. 1) Help them believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (v.19) 2) Teach them to obey all God has taught us through His WORD (v.20) Real simple right? Even though the instructions are simple the process seems to be really messy and takes a lot of work, but the joy of following Christ in this is worth more than anything this world has to offer. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. What does the writer Paul say will be his joy and pride before the Lord one day? There is nothing compared to the joy of knowing that you have helped someone connect with God or helped them grow in obedience and faith in God! One of the ways to help guide you in discipling someone is the acronym M.A.T.H.
M Material: What material should you use to help another person come to believe in God and obey Him? The Bible is the premier and only source material to make disciples with, but which material from God s WORD should you teach first? There is plenty of resources out there, but the best place to start is where you started. You can visit deltonalakes.org/ discipleship to find some free resources to disciple others with. The important thing is to have a plan with the material you are going to use. Pray and ask the person you are discipling where they are at with the Lord, if they have a church background or not. All this could impact what biblical material you start with. A Accountability: this simply means to hold the person you are discipling to actually obeying and following what you are finding in Scripture. This also means letting them into your life and seeing how you live life to God s honor. It s important in accountability to not think of each other as policing each other but more like doctors doing a spiritual check up for each other. T Training: Help each other develop disciplines to help you grow in Christ. Disciplines like reading the Bible, prayer and service H Hang out: Spending time with the person you are discipling is essential to the whole process. It is what breathes life into the other three. Do life together. Let them see how Christ has influenced the things you do on a daily bases. Some things to think about Are you taking time to disciple others like Jesus has called us to? Identify some people around you to disciple, but remember its a slow process and everything will work against it, including sometimes the people you are trying to disciple Be intentional about it by praying about discipleship goals for those that are interested in being discipled. Asking God to show you what you need to teach or encourage in their lives.
Fully Devoted Followers Exhibit Fruit Read Galatians 5:22 and list below the fruit of the Spirit. Read Galatians 5:19-21 and list the fruits (or results) of our own nature. What does v. 21 tell us about people who live that kind of life without turning from it? A fully devoted follower desires to have the fruit of the Spirit exhibited in their live not the other. Sometimes we struggle to rid ourselves of the fruit of our own sinful nature, but if you are ok with living a life full of those things you really need to examine if you have really turned your life over to Christ and trusted Him as Savior, because that lifestyle does not match up with the Spirit who lives inside of believers. Who or what you are following will be exposed by what people see you doing! If you are following the flesh you will do fleshly things, if you are following the Spirit you will do Spirit things. So its very important we watch who or what we are letting influence us in our lives. What are some things or people that you let have influence over you that would not honor God?
How can you let the Spirit be the only influence in your life? Key to Exhibiting Fruit Galatians 5:16 gives us the key to living by the Spirit and not our sinful nature What does it tell us to do? If we listen to the Holy Spirit he will lead us to opportunities to exhibit the kinds of things that honor God, so the key to displaying love, joy, peace, etc. is to let the Holy Spirit guide you Let the Sprit guide us Read 1 John 2:27. The writer of this book in the Bible is writing to believers What does this verse tell us about the Holy Spirit? In order for us to be guided by the Spirit, we have to first have Him within us. He comes to live within those that have trusted Christ as their Lord and Savior. So, this is the first thing we need to do if we desire to be led by the Spirit. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. What does this passage tell us about God s Word?
Based off of this passage we find that God s Word is inspired by Him and therefore the Spirit would never say anything contrary to it. As a result we should know God s Word so we know when we are off track of the Spirit s leading In Psalm 66:18, what prevented the writer from hearing from God? We need to keep a short record of wrongs between us and God. If you want to be led by the Spirit so you can exhibit the fruit He produces then you need to confess to God areas of your life that don t match up to what He would desire. Look at 1 John 1:9 and write down what God does for those that confess sin to Him. According to Galatians 5:24, what do people who belong to Christ do? People who follow the Spirit must be willing to kill their own passions and desires, otherwise exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit is impossible, because they are contrary to our own nature. Yes, those who do not know Christ and have not given up their desires still show some forms of love, joy and the rest of the fruit, but it is not the same deep, meaningful and eternal kind of fruit that is found in those completely surrendered to Christ.
Some things to think about Have you trusted Christ as Savior? If not, what is keeping you from doing that? Tell someone so they can help show you what trusting Christ is all about. If so, In what ways are you still letting the old sin nature rule in you? What are some things that you need to do to stop living by your flesh, your desires and passions? Are you seeing any evidence of the fruits of the Spirit being displayed by you to others? How can you change some things in your life to help in this process? Fully Devoted Followers Share the Gospel Look at Acts 1:8 and write down what Jesus told the disciples (now referred to as apostles) to do? Just like these men were called to witness to others about Jesus, we are called to do the same thing. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul tells believers that they are to be ambassadors for Christ. Ambassador meaning one representing another.
Below are some passages from the Bible. Take some time to look up these passages and write down what we are witnesses of. Isaiah 58:1 John 3:16 Acts 5:42 Acts 13:32-35, 38 Acts 20:21 Romans 5:8 1 Corinthians 1:23 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 2 Corinthians 5:20 1 Timothy 1:15 1 John 4:14
These passages help us to understand what the Gospel is. The Gospel is the story of who God is and what He has done to save us from who we are and what we have done. If you are still unclear on what the Gospel is take time to look at our Gospel tract found at deltonalakes.org/discipleship. According to 2 Timothy 4:2, when are we supposed to preach the Word? Read 1 Peter 3:15 and write down what you should do if someone asks you about the hope you have? Both of these passages emphasize the point that believers should share the Gospel with others. The Bible tells us to always be ready to share the hope we have in Christ, at any time. Some things to think about How well do you know the gospel and if asked could you explain it to someone? What verses from the Bible would you use to explain the Gospel? What do you need to do to be more faithful in sharing the Gospel with others?
Fully Devoted Followers Give Read 1 John 3:17 and write down what someone who is a fully devoted follower would do in the situation presented in that passage? We communicate whether or not we have really trusted Christ by if we give to those in need. John 3:16 communicates the giving heart of God in that He gave His son, so we could have eternal life. Believers give because our God gives and we are to become more like Him. Look at Luke 6:38 and write down the principle of giving found in the passage. When we give to others, with a heart for others, God gives back to you. This is not always with more money, or a better life now, but as God sees fit and is best for you. This is not a fix all for your problems either. You can not just give and expect God to get you out of a problem or return money to you through the mail the next day. We are reminded in Isaiah 55:8, that His ways are different than ours and always better. Look up that passage and read it for yourself.
Matthew 6:19-21 tells what we should give to. Also, What does it tell us about our treasure? So according to this passage, who is it better to give to and entrust your money to? Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 and see the way that fully devoted followers give. What was the financial situation of the churches in Macedonia? We see that these believers not only gave money but what else (v.5)? Did this church give much or little? Why did they give according to verse 2? Their desire to give revealed that they were fully committed to God and His work. Giving is not a matter of what you have. It's a matter of the heart. It's a matter of the sacrifice that you desire to render toward God.
The writer of 2 Corinthians (Paul) wrote in verse 7 that the church in Corinth should excel in giving just like the Macedonia churches and we should seek to give abundantly and sacrificial like them as well. Luke 16:10-13, Jesus shares about giving as well. Write down some principles you see in this passage? God commits into your hands a trust, the money that you have is not yours, it's His. He gave it to you. If you do not handle that money wisely, He will never give you the true riches. Also, holding onto money and not being willing to give it as God calls you to give shows that it rules over you and according to this passage if money is your god, Jesus isn t. Read Philippians 4:19 and write down what the writer wrote would be the result of their generosity to him? We see in this passage that generosity results in God taking care of the giver as well. Read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. How much was He willing to give once he trusted in the forgiveness found in Jesus?
According to 2 Corinthians 8:9, how much was Jesus willing to give for us? Zacchaeus gave half of all he had and 400% back to those he cheated The point here is giving is spontaneously done out of love and gratitude, not out of law. The example is Jesus Christ who gave himself fully for us! Read Acts 2:43-47 and see the giving habits of the church at its beginning. Write down some of the principles of giving we should still practice for other believers today. In this passage there were Christians at the time that had need. It says there that the believers that made up the church were selling and parting with things and were sharing their goods with those who had need. This is not the only place in the book of Acts we see this generosity among believers, but it seemed to be a defining part of what those that were saved and following Christ did. Look at Acts 4:32-37 and Acts 11:27-30 for more giving examples of the early church. It seems as though they had little concern for themselves but gave for the sake of others and the need to spread the Gospel. The bible encourages us to put some planning and thought into our giving as well. Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 to see Paul s instructions to give to the church in Jerusalem. Write down how much he tells them to put aside and how often.
In this passage the church is encouraged to give in proportion to what they make and to give it regularly and faithfully. These are principles we can apply to our giving as well. Old testament law asked for Israel to give 10% towards the temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). Churches have used this as a starting point to encourage people in giving for a long time. Even though we have no obligation to give any certain amount as believers in Christ, this would be a good place to begin to exercise your faith in this area. Lastly on the matter of giving as a fully devoted follower check out this passage: 2 Corinthians 9:5-10. This passage really sums up the principles we have been examining from other parts of Scripture. Write down the principles we should apply to our giving today. Some things to think about Are you giving generously financially to others? If so, how can you increase your giving to continue to grow your faith? If not, what do you need to do to be victorious in giving? Are you a planner or spontaneous in your giving? How would God like your giving to be and do you you need to make any adjustments to get there? if so, what would they be? What are some giving principles you would like to apply better and how will you plan on doing that?
Fully Devoted Followers Pray Prayer is something we see as a primary practice of those that follow Jesus. All through the Bible are specific prayers, instruction on prayer and the prayers of the writers themselves in their books. Prayer in Scripture is simply people talking with God. Jesus was asked in Luke 11 by his disciples to teach them how to pray. Let s start there too. Read Luke 11:1-4 and write below what are some specific things Jesus tells his disciples to pray. Jesus model prayer begins with Jesus referring to God as Father. Write down why you think that is significant. Why do you think Jesus would want us to see God as a Father while you pray (Luke 11:11-13 may have some clues to help answer this)? After Jesus refers to to God as Father to begin his prayer, He talks about God s Holiness. What should we apply to our prayer times when we talk to God based off of this?
Recognizing God s holiness is a way that Jesus is praising God in His praying to Him. When we pray it is important to begin with a good understanding of who God is and what He has done for you and to express those things to God. Why do you think Jesus asks for God s kingdom to come soon in the last part of verse 2? Jesus again is modeling for us that our prayers should be concerning His Kingdom things and we should speak with God about things that have to do with His will. Read Luke 11:3-4 and write down what you think Jesus is modeling for us to pray. Our prayers should reflect what Jesus models in this passage by filling our prayer time with talking to our FATHER about our needs, confessing (saying we are sorry for) sins we have let creep up in our life, asking God for help to do things He has called us to such as forgiving others and not giving into temptation (the pull to do things that dishonor God).
What is the lesson we learn about praying to God from the story Jesus tells in Luke 11:5-9? God wants us to nag Him about things that we are concerned about!!! In fact it almost sounds like the more you pray about something the more likely God is willing to act on it for you. That is not to say that God will give you whatever you want if you bother him enough, but if you pray according to what God would want (His will), You could really see the things you pray for answered in the way you are hoping. Below are some more passages on how you should pray. Take some time to look up these passages and write down what instructions you see for how to pray. James 5:16 1 Thessalonians 5:18 2 Chronicles 34:27
Next are some passages about some things we could add to Jesus instructions on what to pray for. Look at these passages and write down what else would be good for us to lift up to the Father in prayer 1 John 5:14 Ephesians 1:8 Ephesians 6:18 Matthew 5:44 James 5:13 Matthew 26:41 Some things to think about How much time are you investing in prayer and what could you do to invest more? What are some ways you can pray more closely to what we see taught in Scripture about prayer?
Fully Devoted Followers Serve Read Galatians 5:13. What are we to use our freedom in Christ for? Serving others in love is the way we are encouraged to use our freedom in Christ. Look at Mark 10:45 and write down what Jesus did for us. Jesus, who is the ruler of everything, lowered himself to serve us. Ultimately giving His life to save us. This is the kind attitude that those fully devoted to following Him should have. In Romans 12:10 we are encouraged to show honor to each other. Write down what you think it means to show honor to someone. In the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) this passage says we are to try to outdo each other in showing honor. We can serve each other by competing to see who can honor others the most. The idea of this passage is that we should not be thinking about ourselves but how we can serve and honor others. 1 John 3:16-19 is a great passage to help us understand what real love is. What are some ways mentioned in this passage that we can show love to our brothers?
According to this verse, if we are not willing to love others and serve them is the love of God in our hearts? 1 Peter 4:10 tells us that every believer has a Spiritual gift given to them by God. What are we told to do with those gifts in verse 10? As we serve others with our gifts, we should have the same attitude of Paul in Acts 20:34-35. What did he do and how should we follow his example? Check out Matthew 25:34-40 and write down below the type of person that is being described. The type of person that honors the Lord, shows his desire to honor God and follows Him well is one who serves others by thinking about others needs first. This is what those fully devoted to Christ do! What is really cool is the promise we find in Proverbs 19:17 in relation to this passage. Read it to find out how God feels about those who are mindful of others needs. So according to Matthew 5:16, what can happen when we serve others? Serving others is very important in the life of the believer. It shows their commitment to Christ and that the love of God is in them.
Some things to think about Are you a server or one that needs to be served? If you need to be served, how can you begin to break free of that need? How can you grow in noticing opportunities to serve others around you? How can I really live all this out? If you recall at the beginning of this booklet we looked at Philippians 2:12-13. Take a second to review that passage answer the question below. In verse 13, what does it say God is enabling you to do? The best part of all these things we have talked about is that being a fully devoted follower means we get to be a part of doing something that has purpose, and not just purpose for us, but it is God s purpose! So as we faithfully live a life devoted to Him fully, He will give us all we need to fulfill all He has planned for us! Are you ready to commit to working on displaying these characteristics on a more regular bases? If so, we would love to help you on your journey. Let us know how we can help you at deltonalakes.org/connect