DISCIPLESHIP & THE CHURCH
Module 5 contemplates the change that must occur in a believer over time. Discipleship is a process of growth and change. A healthy follower should be more like Christ each and every day. A disciple of Jesus follows his or her teacher and learns how to live a life that glorifies God. There is a “Lordship” mentality that must become a part of the believer’s approach to life. The believer voluntarily relinquishes control.
Jesus told his followers that discipleship is a lifetime commitment
Module Bible Reading Assignment
John - Chapters 5 & 6
What is a disciple?
A disciple is a learner or a student.
The Twelve whom Jesus called to be His closest companions were with Him day and night. They had a personal relationship with Him—walking with Him, eating with Him, sharing in His conversation, observing the way He lived, listening to Him preach to the crowds. But they weren’t following Jesus just to enjoy His presence. As Jesus’ disciples, they had a purpose: to learn from Him—absorbing His teaching, learning from His example, even profiting from His rebukes. And this was true for all His disciples, not just the twelve.
Jesus paints a picture of an authentic disciple in the Sermon on the Mount.
Read Matthew 5 - 7
Six (6) traits or characteristics of true disciple:
John 8: 31 & 51 - They will abide in Jesus and keep His word. (Obeys the commands)
John 13: 34-35 - They will love one another /other disciples. Love is disciple’s identification badge.
John 15: 8 - They will bear much fruit. (Replicate themselves)
Luke 14:26 - Their love for Jesus when compared to their love for their father or mother or siblings or wife will seem like hate. (The disciple’s love for Jesus is far more than their love for other human relationships)
Luke 14: 27 - They will carry their cross and follow. They will die to their own desires and worldly pleasures. They will submit to the authority of God.
Luke 14: 33 - They will prioritize the things of God more than their possessions. (Increase your focus on the eternal - God’s word and the souls of people.
ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS OR A FAN?
There is a distinct and profound difference between a follower of Jesus (Disciple) AND a fan of Jesus.
One requires a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus and the other simply requires knowledge of or about the person of Jesus. It is a question of knowledge versus relationship. You may know a lot of facts about Jesus and His teachings; but, does He know you? Think about a famous person. You may know a lot about them; but, what if you got their mobile phone number and called them? Would they recognize your voice and know your name?
There is a difference.
Discipleship has the power to transform
A Fan does not benefit from a personal relationship or reward.
Matthew 7: 21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
The Cost of Discipleship
Discipleship has a real and tangible cost. It requires total commitment. There is no middle ground! Jesus clearly states that you will lose your life. He doesn’t hide the fact of a difficult journey. Jesus encourages each one of us to stop and consider the implications of this decision.
Make no mistake, this decision is monumental and far reaching.
LUKE 9: 23 - 26
A sermon on the Cost of Discipleship
by Steve Lawson
59 minutes Well worth the time ….. PLEASE LISTEN
The primary practices of a Disciple
Consider downloading the Bible App on your mobile device. Get involved in a group going through a plan.
A Disciple routinely reads the Bible ……
Create a habit of daily Bible reading ………… Use the Bible App and read through the Bible in a year.
Understand that a spiritual life in Jesus Christ requires food, just like our physical body.
What kind of food does the spiritual body require?
Matthew 4:4
But He answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
New Testament reading plan, Old Testament reading plan, the Psalms Reading plan, etc.
Consider praying for “S.P.A.C.E.”, before you read the scriptures,
S - Sin. Lord, please expose sin in my life and give me the courage to repent.
P - Promise. Is there a promise in your scriptures that will encourage me?
A - Attitude. Lord, is there an attitude in my life that doesn’t honor You?
C - Command. Is there a command in scripture that I need to obey?
E - Example. Is there a Godly example of a man or woman that I can emulate?
Reading God’s Word
The Bible Project has reading plans, family reading plans, books of the Bible videos, topical videos and much more. This is a MUST!
A Disciple has a vibrant prayer life …………
Matthew 6: 5-13
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
Use the acrostic A.C.T.S. as a prayer tool to keep you focused:
Adoration - Col. 1: 17, Ps. 147.:5, Mal. 3: 6, John 5: 26, Gen. 17: 1, Eph. 3: 16 & 3: 20, Rom. 11: 33
Confession - James 5: 13-16, 1 John 1: 5-10, Matt. 6: 14-15
Thanksgiving - Ps. 107: 1-3, 1 These. 5: 18, Phil. 4: 6, Ps. 9: 1, Ps. 100: 4
Supplication - Phil. 4: 4-7, Mark 11: 24, Eph. 6: 18, 1 John 5: 14-15, Rom. 8: 26
Prayer is communication between a “child” and their “Heavenly Father.” It can happen any place and at any time.
Practices fasting to focus the prayer life.
As the believer’s physical body yearns for nourishment, it prompts the soul to have communion with the Father.
A Disciple listens and obeys the Holy Spirit’s prompting…..
8 minutes
A Disciple memorizes scripture ……
Consider memorizing a verse a week.
Psalm 119: 11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
A Disciple practices tithing ……. What is “tithing”?
Tithing is giving God our first 10%. It is not the last 10%. The Lord expects the first and best of what we have to give. We generally think about tithing in terms of money, but we can also give God our time and talents. It’s a way to acknowledge to God that everything really is His.
We give him the first 10%, and He allows us to manage the rest on His behalf. We are to be “stewards.” A steward is a house manager. We take care of the “Master’s home and his possessions.
Some may ask whether that means gross or net (i.e. your paycheck before or after taxes are taken out.) Others may ask if that means tithing on monetary gifts. There’s not a verse to specifically answer these questions - it’s more about our heart attitude. However, the Bible does say that “God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. We don’t have to give ……….. we get to give. That is the right attitude.
As far as where to give, start with the local Bible-based, Christ-centered church you attend. We consistently give to our local church on a monthly basis. Over time, we have added various missionaries and Bible-based ministries (Focus on the Family, K-Love radio, the Bible Project, etc.) to whom we give either on a monthly or annual basis. Other examples include helping to support individuals with short term mission trip costs or giving toward local or international disaster relief efforts through Bible based, Christ-centered organizations (Samaritan’s Purse, for example). Ask God for wisdom (there’s that James 1:5 verse again,) and He will give you discernment.
In our experience, we have learned that you cannot outgive God! We highly recommend giving tithing a try. It’s something we are instructed to do, and it requires a step (or maybe even a leap) of faith. The prophet Malachi says that God will open his storehouse of blessing if we tithe. Be faithful and just do it, we believe you will be glad you did.
A Disciple actively serves in his local church …
THE CHURCH
The “believing church” is a collection of true believers / true disciples. The Bible states that this collection of people will be His Bride when He returns. EPHESIANS 5: 21 - 32.
What should the Church do or be? Rick Warren wrote a book entitled, “The Five Purposes of the Church.”
Discipleship
Worship
Fellowship
Ministry / Service
Evangelism