Documents

Documents about different biblical subjects

4-1-1 Discipleship

January 18th, 2011

Acts 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!