Documents
Documents about different biblical subjects
4-1-1 Discipleship
January 18th, 2011Acts 11:25-26
- To call oneself a Christian can mean many different things to people today.
- The name “Christian” was applied for the 1st time to disciples at Antioch, about 7 years after the beginning of the church.
- How many times is the word “Christian” used in NT? (Three times.)
- How many times is the word “disciple” used? (About 300 times.)
- What is a disciple? A disciple is a learner who strives to conform his thoughts, words and actions to those of his master.
- To understand what it means to live as a Christian today, we will start by looking at Jesus’ expectations for those who would be his disciples . . .
Mark 1:16-20
- Call of the first disciples: “Follow me.”
- A disciple asks himself, “What would Jesus do?” then strives to do it - regardless of the cost.
- A disciple of Jesus has the same purpose as Jesus: to be a fisher of men. What does this mean?
- What did they abandon to follow Jesus? Everything! (job, possessions, family)
Luke 9:23-27
- Emphasize the heart that God wants.
- What are the three demands of discipleship in this verse?
- What does it mean to “deny yourself?”
- What does it mean to “take up your cross daily?”
- What does it mean to “follow Jesus?”
- How can we be “ashamed of Jesus and His words?”
Luke 9:57-62 - Examine the issues involved with each person - thoughtless following, excuse making
and second thoughts.
Luke 14:25-35
- If anyone would come after me… A disciple loves Jesus more than any other person (v.26).
- A disciple loves Jesus in spite of any persecution (v.27).
- A disciple loves Jesus more than any possession (v.33).
- Count the cost (vv.28-30): it’s the most important decision of your life!
- Consider the alternatives (vv.31-32): Surrender or lose everything! It’s a decision for the rest of your life (vv.34-35).
John 13:34-35
- What will disciples of Jesus will be known for? Their love.
- “As I have loved you”: What kind of love did Jesus demonstrate for us?
Matthew 28:18-20
- The Great Commission: God’s plan to save the world.
- Disciples make disciples by baptizing people from all nations in his name and teaching them to become mature, obedient
followers of Jesus.
- Efforts to reach the world with the gospel are multiplied when every disciple embraces Jesus’ final charge.
- Are you willing to answer the call to be a disciple of Jesus?
Mark 10:28-31
- What did Peter and the others give up in order to follow Jesus? Is it possible to “outgive” God?
- What does Jesus promise to those who have committed their lives to following him?
- Being a Christian is not always easy, but it is the life we were created for.
- It is the best life now, and the best life for eternity!