Sharpen Your Faith Discipleship Paul T. Quelet March 25, 2007 1
What is Discipleship? I. It is multiplying your faith. In other words, you reproduce your Christian life by investing your life in others. II. It really involves intentionally developing people by imparting your passion for the Lord. 2
The Right Reasons for Discipleship I. It is Biblical. A. See Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-18. Jesus gives the great commission to make disciples. It is stated qualitatively (build effective disciples) in Matthew 28:18-20 and quantitatively (all nations) in Mark 16:15-18. B. Jesus patterned discipleship. He had a small group of 12 men and discipled all of them. He invested His life in 12 so they would eventually invest in others. 3
The Right Reasons for Discipleship (2) II. It is the most effective way to develop people. A. If someone goes to a large group, it often does not produce life change. Intimate relationships CANNOT be developed in a large group. B. The heart of a local movement should be small group discipleship. C. Read Ephesians 4:16. Small groups administer God s power for growth directly. 4
The Right Reasons for Discipleship (3) III. It is best for your local movement. A. Genuine Authentic Community (Hebrews 10:24-25) B. Movement Growth (Read 2 Timothy 2:2) 1. The movement can only grow as leaders are developed. 2. Leadership must be multiplied if more people are to be reached. We must do the best we can for the most people. 3. Even Jesus knew as the very Son of God He had to reproduce His life to affect many others. 5
The Right Reasons for Discipleship (3) (cont.) C. Movement Longevity Leadership Redevelopment (Read Acts 20:28) 1. Ministries will CEASE TO EXIST if new leaders do not take the place of departing leaders. 2. Discipleship allows the person being discipled to go further and deeper than the current leader of a ministry understanding what has gone on up to that point. 6
What Does a Good Disciple Look Like? A. Walks by faith developing a relationship with the Lord (see Micah 6:8) B. Communicates their faith developing a heart for what is on God s heart, seeing other people come to know Him better. (see Luke 15) C. Multiplies their faith takes the things they have learned and passes them on. (see 2 Timothy 2:2) To be taught, to learn to teach, and to teach. 7
The Right People in Discipleship How Do You Choose Wisely? (Luke 6:12-19) A. Jesus chose 12 from among the larger crowd of His disciples. B. You can only disciple a few. Jesus was limited in time and space, so he knew He could significantly invest in only a few. C. Jesus chose wisely and He is our example for discipleship. D. Some people honestly do not want to be discipled now! E. Some people do not want to be a Biblical disciple. 8
DIAGRAM OF DISCIPLESHIP Paul Graduates Timothy Judas Iscariot Samson There is NO GROWTH if you do not choose wisely!! 9
How to Choose Disciples Wisely The Key: Carefully observe potential disciples. A. Faithful (Heart for God) B. Available (Makes discipleship a priority) C. Teachable (Willing to change) D. Social and Emotional Maturity E. Going where God has called them to go 10
How to Challenge a Potential Disciple to Discipleship The Key: Cast vision for that person to engage in Biblical Discipleship. A. Invite them to where you are going. B. Discuss what you have committed to. C. Lay out the cost of discipleship (Luke 9:51-62 and Luke 14:25-35 The cost of following Jesus.) D. Ask him/her to prayerfully decide. If this is done, it causes people who you disciple to basically self-select! 11
The Right Components of Discipleship What really causes GROWTH? I. Relationship A. Read Mark 3:14. There were reasons Jesus involved his disciples. B. See 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12. Paul had a fond affection for the people. They shared their own lives with the Thessalonians. C. Need to have a real relationship. We need to get involved in their life. D. People will not care what you know until they know that you care. 12
The Right Components of Discipleship (2) I. Word of God A. Produces life transformation. B. Builds convictions for a lifetime. C. When does this happen? 1. Small Group 2. Appointments 3. When you are hanging out 4. Conferences 5. Large group meetings D. Quiet time is most important to impart. 13
The Right Components of Discipleship (3) III. Ministry modeling it like Christ did. A. Jesus took His disciples along when He was ministering. Timothy learned ministry by watching Paul. B. Planning outreaches and doing them. Don t just talk about doing it. C. Actually sharing your faith with other people and bringing your disciples along. E. Do not rob your disciple of ministry!! 14
What Often Happens in Ministry? (Philemon 6) 1. Often your view of God increases. 2. Compassion for the lost develops. 3. Grow in confidence in ministry. 4. Builds vision and passion. 15
Tips for Growing Your Disciple IV. How long should you disciple someone? Generally 3-12 months is sufficient to impart some significant things to the person you are discipling. V. How do you learn how to disciple? Learn to disciple by doing it. Constantly evaluate how you re doing in it. VI. Make sure you are constantly being poured into as your pour out to the person you are disciping. 16
The Right Content What Needs to be Discussed? I. Discipleship is not just hanging out!! It is about being intentional. It is meeting with a friend for a purpose. II. What are the two extremes? A. Planners and wingers!! B. It does take some planning, typing, reading, etc. C. Try to be both (ready, but flexible). 17
The Right Content (2) III. Focus on their specific needs or their goals in their life at that time. A. Focus on their personal walk with God and character. (see Romans 5:3-5) B. Many times competence outruns character. C. What are often the major character issues? 18
The Right Content (3) IV. Pass on your convictions. (Read Philippians 1:6-8) A. The best thing you will pass on is what you have a passion for. B. Make an assessment of what God has built into your life. C. Make a list of your deepest conviction messages/topics/etc. D. Pass on your disease. Infect them with your passion. 19
The Right Content (4) V. Cover foundational content to a Christian s walk that everyone needs. (Read 1 Peter 2:2-3) A. There are topics that every believer needs. B. Bring in your own wisdom. C. Share what God has done in your life. 20
Perspectives on a Disciple s Growth I. It is God who causes the growth. (Read 1 Corinthians 3:6-7) A. God will use you. God will work through you. B. Don t put it on yourself if someone does not grow. 21
Perspectives on a Disciple s Growth (2) II. God will use the whole body of Christ to disciple the person. (see Ephesians 4:16) A. This is what we have Christian groups. B. Invite a person to become part of the larger body. C. Don t let a disciple depend on you only for their growth. D. Let the rest of the body of Christ give answers, use gifts, and impart knowledge that you do not have. 22
Perspectives on a Disciple s Growth (3) III. Each disciple is responsible for his/her own personal growth. (Romans 14:10) A. We can only create an environment for growth. B. We can only mentor and be a spiritual leader. C. We should strive to sharpen each other to multiply our influence. 23
DISCIPLESHIP IS SUCH A PRIVILEDGE!! 24