1 What is a Disciple?

What is a disciple?

“When dealing with discipleship and the related capacity to generate

authentic followers of Jesus, we are dealing with that single most

crucial factor that will in the end determine the quality of the

whole – if we fail at this point then we must fail in all the others.”

Alan Hirsch

Write your own [brief] definition ofwhat a disciple is.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction

This will help you to:- decide if you really are a disciple- make sure your church (group) are all

looking to grow in the same things, and do thesame things, as they walk as disciples

- help others to understand what it means tobe a disciple of Jesus

Introduction

Memory Verses:

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you notknow that your bodies aretemples of the Holy Spirit, whois in you, whom you havereceived from God? You are notyour own; 20 you were bought ata price. Therefore honor Godwith your bodies.

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live isChrist and to die is gain.

The Cost of Being a DiscipleLuke 14:25-35 (NIV)25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, andturning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes tome and does not hate father and mother, wifeand children, brothers and sisters—yes, eventheir own life—such a person cannot be mydisciple. 27 And whoever does not carry theircross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.Won’t you first sit down and estimate the costto see if you have enough money to completeit? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are notable to finish it, everyone who sees it willridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began tobuild and wasn’t able to finish.’

31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to waragainst another king.Won’t he first sit down andconsider whether he is able with ten thousandmen to oppose the one coming against him withtwenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he willsend a delegation while the other is still a longway off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In thesame way, those of you who do not give upeverything you have cannot be my disciples.

Having read these verses—would

you now change your definition?

Is there anything you know you should

give up and yet are still holding on to?

Some Definitions of Disciple

“A disciple is _________________________ __________________________________________________________________________. It is being conformed to the image of Christ as Romans 8:28-29 states–that God’s No.1 purpose in our lives is to make us like Jesus.” Rick Warren

Some Definitions of Disciple

“A disciple is _________________________ __________________________________________________________________________. It is being conformed to the image of Christ as Romans 8:28-29 states–that God’s No.1 purpose in our lives is to make us like Jesus.” Rick Warren

…one who thinks, feels and acts like Jesus Christ.

“Discipleship is_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________”Alan Hirsch

…becoming more andmore like Jesus and

letting Him live His lifemore and more in me.

Real Life Ministries suggests that:(1) A disciple knows and follows Christ(2) A disciple is being changed by Christ(3) A disciple is committed to the missionof Christ.

Key Scriptures

What are the most important Bible verses in your understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

John 8:31–32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Luke 6:40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 John 2:6 …whoever claims to live in him must live (walk) as Jesus did.

Definition

The Greek word for disciple is ‘mathetes’ which means,“__________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________”The word ‘disciple’ occurs more than 260 times in the first five books of the New Testament. It was used in the secular Greek world for an apprentice to a tradesman — they were spoken of as imitators of their teachers.

Definition

The Greek word for disciple is ‘mathetes’ which means,“__________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________”The word ‘disciple’ occurs more than 260 times in the first five books of the New Testament. It was used in the secular Greek world for an apprentice to a tradesman — they were spoken of as imitators of their teachers.

‘one who learns instruction from another’.

Every Christian is called to be a disciple ofJesus and this means:- __________________________________________________________________________________________________

- they will followJesus

- ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________- a disciple is a person who is determinedto follow Jesus Christ, to learn from Himand live according to His example.

- they put the claims of Jesus first in their lives, regardless of the cost to

themselves

Five Basic Truths

1.________________________________________________________________________They don’t follow some words of Jesus, butcommit themselves to follow through all theteaching of Jesus in a disciplined and committedway.Jesus will speak living words to us daily throughthe Holy Spirit.

Five Basic Truths

1.________________________________________________________________________They don’t follow some words of Jesus, butcommit themselves to follow through all theteaching of Jesus in a disciplined and committedway.Jesus will speak living words to us daily throughthe Holy Spirit.

A disciple lives continuallyby the Word of Jesus.

Five Basic Truths

We must live our daily lives obeying thecommands, teaching and example He hasalready given to us.Discipleship is about doing what has beenrevealed for us to do through God’s Word.Weneed to obey the Word of God as the basis ofour discipleship, otherwise we will be at themercy of every idea or feeling that comes along.

2._________________________________________________________________________________________________100% commitment—Jesus has the right to demand this as Helaid down His life for us.

A disciple commits his life completelyto Jesus.

- to a loving God who is concerned for our health andgrowth in God.- He wants us to trust Him in every step as He takes ourlives and shapes them in accordance with His will (Matthew6:24; John 10:1–18).

3. _________________________________________________________________________________________________( John 15:4 – 5).What does fruit look like in the life of adisciple?

A disciple has a fruit-bearing relationship

with Jesus

• Fruit of HS• Obedience• Love for Jesus / God• Fellowship of HS• Forgiveness towards others…etc.

If we don’t bear fruit in our lives, theKingdom of God will not be expanded andthe Body of Christ will not grow.

Waylon Moore writes, ‘

“Our union with Christ makes possible a life through which others can be saved.

When a tree is so full of sap that it can no longer hold it, the result is fruit! When a Christian is full of Christ, others see Him

and hear about Him and are then spiritually reborn into the Kingdom of

God. Thus new believers are one fruit of discipleship.’’

4.__________________________________________________________________________________________________( John 13:34 – 35).This is not ordinary human love but thelove which God has shown us. It is selflesslove that does not look for something inreturn to stimulate its action.

A disciple showsunconditional love for

others

The Greek word for this love is ‘agape’which means ‘selfless love’, where God andothers are more important to us than ourown selfish desires.The word [agapao] means unconquerablebenevolence and undefinable goodwill. Itwill never seek anything but the highestgood for mankind. It does not need achemistry, an affinity or a feeling.

5.________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ (Matthew 28:18–20).The goal is to win other disciples, not just converts. Converts may change their minds but disciples follow their Master.

A disciple is dedicated to the fulfilment of Christ’s

commission

A Disciple is a Very Blessed Person

For each of the points below consider : Would it be life changing if you lived this not just believed it?How often do you believe the lies of the devil about these things and not the truth that God and the Bible proclaim?

– He is called and chosen by God (Ephesians 1:4 – 5). – Jesus is his Saviour; He died on the cross for him so that his sins could be forgiven, making him acceptable to God (Romans 5:8). – God is his Father, with whom he has a personal relationship, so he is a child of God and of God’s Kingdom (Galatians 4:6–7).

– He has been given eternal life (John 3:16). – The Holy Spirit lives in him, giving him power to witness to his new life in Christ (Acts 1:8). – He has peace with God (Romans 5:1). – Nothing can separate him from the love of God (Romans 8:38 – 39).

A Disciple has Responsibility:

‘’_______________________________________________________________________’’

This is a question that should be asked in everysituation you face.Make an is agreement (covenant) with Jesus toalways try to do what he would do (1 John2:6).

‘’_______________________________________________________________________’’

This is a question that should be asked in everysituation you face.Make an is agreement (covenant) with Jesus toalways try to do what he would do (1 John2:6).

‘‘What would Jesus do?’’

Ask the Holy Spirit to show us what Jesuswould do in your position. He will answer if we

really want to know what pleases Him. Byknowing more of Jesus’ teaching and lifestyle

increases, and by reading God’s Word, so yourability to know what Jesus would do will

increase.

Make a firm decision

– Make a firm decision to do whatJesus would do, (don’t settle for lessthan God’s best)

– This should not be an emotionalresponse but a definite act of the will.

Make a firm decision

– At times you will need to submitsignificant decisions to those who are inspiritual authority over you. Don’t beafraid to do this if you genuinely wantthe will of God for your life becausedisciples are not to act on their own butas part of the Body of Christ, but theyare to be personally responsible to theLord for their actions.

Some of the benefits of being a disciple

– _______________________________ __________________________________________________________________ towards people, money, business practice and social responsibility.

Some of the benefits of being a disciple

– _______________________________ __________________________________________________________________ towards people, money, business practice and social responsibility.

There will be changes for the better in your

attitude

– ______________________________ __________________________________________________________________ so that many negative thoughts, attitudes and actions which are inconsistent with the life of Jesus will be removed.

You will experience the refining or purifying of

your life,

– Jesus would not act in unbelief.Whenyou desire to act like Him, He will give youthe faith to do so.When necessary youcan confess your doubts and ask for Hisforgiveness and faith.

– Love will govern your actions, wordsand attitudes.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

You will become more willing to forgive; you

will have greater compassion for those in

need and a greater concern for the lost.

– We inherit everything from God that Jesus inherits. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Romans 8:17). Even when obedience proves costly, you will not be the loser, for God will always give back far more than is given to Him; both in this life and eternally in heaven (Luke 6:38; John 10:10).

If we are prepared to share in His sufferings, we will also share in His glory

– Changes will take place in some of your old habits because the Lord wants to see those changes in you. __________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Colossians 3:17).

Submit willingly to those changes, and resist

temptation to return to old habits and so compromise

your discipleship

– By taking your discipleship seriously you will be seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. You can be confident that God will keep His promise and provide for your every need, as He did with Jesus (Matthew 6:33).

Questions and Discussion Points

1.Should we live as we want, or as God wants in every situation? (2 Corinthians 5:15).

2.Who is our guide in the things of Christ Jesus? (John 16:13–14).

3.What sort of things will anyone who has faith in Jesus do? (John 14:12–14).

4. Can we learn anything about love by God’s giving ofHis Son Jesus (1 John 4:10–11), and how we as disciplesremain in His love? (John 15:9–14).

5.What are the two greatest commandments of God?(Matthew 22:37 – 39).

6.How can we, as disciples, live out our daily livesmanifesting ‘agape’ love towards God and others as Godrequires of us? (Romans 5:5).

7.When things get tough, can we relax a bit until we cancope with life again? (Luke 9:62). If not, why do so manyChristians do this?

Summary and Application

1.We need to be totally committed to Jesus, makingHim our Lord.This means that we will not say ‘no’ whenHe asks us to do something for Him.

2.Every disciple of Jesus should ask the question, ‘‘Whatwould Jesus do?’’ in every situation in which they findthemselves.

3.We need to live continuously in God’s Word as Hisdisciples so that we will know Him better, and then wewill have an increased ability to know what Jesus woulddo in each situation.

4.We need to see God as our loving Master who onlywants our good.

5.We need to love and serve God first, others secondand ourselves last.

Summary and Application

The End

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