Discipleship
Chapter 15
Introduction
In His great commission, Christ challenged His disciples to go throughout the world and build the body of believers. He wanted them to use what they had learned and the gifts He had given them to create disciples. These disciples would continue the mission Jesus announced in Luke 4:18 regarding preaching the gospel and setting captives free. This was a monumental task that resulted in the creation of a prolific religion that changed the world. What was it about the preparation of people from different backgrounds and with different skillsets that made them so powerful and their system so effective?
What is the Impact of Our Discipleship?
Acts 17:6
But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers to the city officials, crying out, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 2:42-47
42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers. 43 Fear came to every soul. And many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 They sold their property and goods and distributed them to all, according to their need. 46 And continuing daily with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Lessons Learned
Jesus said that His disciples would accomplish greater things that He would. Christianity does not only affect what a person belives. It affects a person's actions and those actions affect the world. There should be a tangible benefit to the world because of the philosolphies we teach and the God we serve.
1. How are we turning the world upside down?
2. What power has God given us and how are we using that power to be witnesses for God?
3. What does our interaction say about us as disciples?
Do People Want to be Our Disciples?
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Luke 9:57-62
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”
Mark 1:16-22
Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Lessons Learned
Discipleship calls for a person to learn a new set of precepts and apply them to their lives. It also calls for that person to deny precepts once held dear and abandon actions and traditions that were an integral part of life. Discipleship calls for the transformation of a person's thinking, which can be quite difficult for someone who has defined all they do by a particular set of beliefs their entire life.
THINK ABOUT IT
1. What attracts people to who you are and what you do?
2. What are people who seek to be your disciples willing to abandon to follow the God you serve?
3. How will a person's life be changed because they have become a disciple of your faith?
What is Discipleship?
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Luke 6:40
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Lessons Learned
In our first text, Jesus tells us to teach others to observe what He has commanded. The result of this should be what we find in Matthew 5:14-16 that those who are taught to propagate this message are exemplary. The third texts tells us that those who are taught to be disciples of Christ should emulate Christ. The primary purpose of Christianity is to spread a mesage of hope and love. Accompanying that message are actions that demonstrate what hope and love can accomplish for others. We should ask ourselves if we are involved in creating disciples and if so what type of results are seeing.
1. What are we teaching people to observe and do?
2. What makes the disciples we create the light of the world and the salt of the earth?
3. How do our disciples emulate the words and actions of Christ?