Discipleship - C

Introduction:
1. This is week #7 of our summer series: Strengthening Your Grip on KEY AREAS in your Christian Life
- our goal has been to connect this study to our Annual Theme 2006: Gearing Up for Greater Effectiveness which implies staying on top of KEY AREAS in our Christian walk
> because if we’re not growing in our walk with the Lord, then we’re really NOT going to be ready to meet the challenge that lies ahead of us (Community Center, Vision of Hope)
2. Our emphasis this summer is reaching out to people, building bridges in our relationships with people, getting out of our comfort zones and ‘connecting’ with others, and ‘Gearing Up’ for the fall season if the Lord allows us to minister then
 Our primary goal: To glorify God by showing love to one another, demonstrating we are the disciples of Christ, and reaching out to others!
> meeting people where they are (that’s a lot of what this emphasis on discipleship has been about) and helping them take the NEXT step of growth
3. Each week, we’ tried to keep the following question in front of all of us!
Q: What is the NEXT step of growth for you . . .for us as an ABF, church?
[serving, leadership, evangelism, hospitality to others, prayer life, study of the Word, etc.]
4. This is our 3rd and final week on the IMPORTANT subject: Strengthening Your Grip . . . on Discipleship!
- we’ve focused on the individuals God has used to help you grow and change
- I trust you’ve had an opportunity to thank that individual(s)
NEXT WEEK: we’ll be doing a study on July 28th: Strengthening Your Grip on Encouragement
[READ Luke 9:18-26 – comment as you go]
Q: What have been our two different perspectives of discipleship?
> Being a DISCIPLE (growing and changing in your personal life) & being a DISCIPLER –
Q: What is the difference? [explain]
Q: How do we define discipleship?
Discipleship = the process of helping others conform to the image of Christ in the way they think and act
Q: What is the ultimate goal of discipleship?
Goal: God is glorified (glory = right opinion)
 1 Corinthians 10:31 . . . do, do all to the glory of God.
Q: What is our model for discipleship?
> Christlikeness - if God is going to be glorified, it will be because we are like His Son:
> so we have to be thinking and acting like Christ, and helping other think/act like Christ!

Q: What is the two-fold process of discipleship?
#1: Salvation – justification (legally declared righteous on the account books of heaven) – that’s the 1st step in the discipleship process
- we ought to be very passionate about winning people to Jesus Christ (part of our mission)
#2: Growth – Progressive Sanctification (doctrine of spiritual growth – how a person changes and grows
- that implies the 3 key principles:
1) Understanding the goal of life is to please God by being like Jesus Christ
2) Learning to deal with the idols of the heart
idols = anything we make more important than pleasing God (James 1:13-17)
3) Practicing the ‘put off’ and ‘put on’ process of Eph. 4:22-24
- the example we used was the issue of worry [summarize that process of change]
- also, we considered the . . .

II. Origin of Discipleship: Where Did Discipleship Begin?

A. Technically, it began in Genesis 1, 2, 3 – the OT is full of examples of God patiently discipling His people (I wouldn’t say they really listened – look at what is happening in Israel today – it’s a result of NOT following the Prince of peace (Jesus!).
B. Modeled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ
* The beginning of His ministry
* Exemplified throughout His ministry
- The Lord has certainly equipped us with sufficient resources to get the job done:
 Holy Spirit / Word of God / Body of Christ / All the grace
- we concluded our study last week with thinking about the ‘how to’ of discipleship

III. Technique: How Does Discipleship Work?

- the key verse for that study was:
 Mark 3:13 And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,
- the verse gives us 5 steps to the process (last week we talked about the 1st two)
A. Announcement – basically coming to know Jesus as one’s personal Lord and Savior
B. Appointment
- Jesus basically ‘called’ them to this mission – He chose them for the task
- Jesus was choose these 12 guys – just like He chooses to save us and SEND us to represent Him!
- let’s conclude our study with taking a look at step #3 of the process:
TEACHERS, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT OUR “PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE, EMPHASIS”, AND THE NEED TO BE SERVING ALONGSIDE OTHERS
C. Involvement [Note the comment above]
- the short version is this: if you’re going to disciple anybody, you have to spend time with that person(s)
- that’s why a person who isolates themselves from others will NEVER disciple anybody!
* He spent time ‘WITH THEM” – they went where He went, saw what He saw, did what He did
- this is why faithfulness in attendance is so important for the worship service, ABF, small groups – you’re with the body and individuals
Q: If you didn’t show up for 2 months, would anybody miss you?
> not because they didn’t see your face, but because of you influence on their life and they missed being around you!!
Point: if the answer is no, then my guess is you’re not involved in the lives of others very much – and that needs to change if you’re going to be like Jesus!
D. Assignment
- this is the specific mission they were given: * The Mission: Matthew 28:19-20
- the mission is simple: Literally “having gone, make disciples of all nations”
Input: What are the implication of that statement to our community outreach to Hispanics, the students at Purdue, the SMITE team in Brazil right now, the Moldovians this August?
[various answers – we have a mission, and we need to keep the main thing the main thing and be as creative as the Word allows us, and as aggressive as love will guide us!]
E. Accountability
 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
- It’s reasonable to expect that Jesus, our King and Judge will evaluate our efforts in the end
Input: Why don’t we like to think about the accountability of our discipleship efforts?
- Let’s ask another question:

IV. Commitment: What Does Discipleship Mean?

A. Personal Relationships
“Disciples have no higher priority in their lives than Christ—not even their love for their own family members.” P. 115
Q: Can you say that, first and foremost, Jesus Christ is number one in your life? Would the following verses really characterize your life, your thinking, and your choices?
- Are the following verses applicable to YOUR life?:
 Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
 Colossians 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
B. Personal Goals and Desires
 Luke 14:27 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
“The crowd that surrounded Jesus understood exactly what he meant. They were familiar with the scene He referred to . They had often seen criminals carrying their crosses to the place of their execution. In those days carrying one’s own cross meant the same as a person in our day walking to the gas chamber or the electric chair. It meant death—sure, absolute death.” – Swindol, p. 116
• The issue is commitment – a high level of consecration on the part of those who wish to become disciples.
- Here are a few verses to consider:
 Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
 Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
 Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
 Luke 22:41 And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."
 John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
 John 8:29 "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."
“A genuine disciple . . . comes to that place where no major decision is made without a serious consideration of the question, “What would the Lord want me to do?” as opposed to, “How will this benefit me?” – Swindol, p. 117
 John 6:66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.
* 3 Questions to ask:
1. As you think through the major decisions you have recently made (past 6-8 months), are you growing in making decisions that please the Lord and bring glory to God?
2. Are you growing in taking your personal goals and desires and comparing them to God’s Word as you seek to do His will?
3. Do you seek out godly counsel and/or advice before making important decisions?
C. Personal Possessions
 Luke 14:33 "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.
Point: It’s not about what you possess (those things are temporal and pass away with time) – our lives should be about what is ETERNAL!

V. Evaluation: Why Is Discipleship So Costly?

- Because God is holy, and sin really messed things up
- the price that had to be paid by the Son of God was so great – it cost God the Father His ‘only begotten Son’
- If He paid that price to redeem you, shouldn’t we be willing to sacrifice whatever to serve Him?
Key Passage: Hebrews 12:1-14 – Read & explain as you go – compare the cross to what you are being asked to do – and we don’t face persecution, but some in the body do!
All you need to do is get alone with the Master, pour out your fears and your failures, then tell Him you are ready to take the first step away from a world that centers on you and into a new life that focuses on Him.” – Swindol, p. 125

Conclusion:
Two important questions: Are you a disciple? Are you a discipler?

ABF Series
Strengthening Your Grip on KEY AREAS in your Christian Life #5 – Part C
Discipleship —Luke 9:18-26
Introduction:
Q: What is the NEXT step of growth for you . . .for us as an ABF, church?

Q: What have been our two different perspectives of discipleship?

Q: How do we define discipleship?

Q: What is the ultimate goal of discipleship?

Q: What is our model for discipleship?

Q: What is the two-fold process of discipleship?

II. Origin of Discipleship: Where Did Discipleship Begin?
A. Technically, it began in Genesis 1, 2, 3
B. Modeled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ
* The beginning of His ministry
* Exemplified throughout His ministry
III. Technique: How Does Discipleship Work?
 Mark 3:13 And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,
A. Announcement
B. Appointment
C. _________________
* He spent time ‘WITH THEM”

D. __________________

* The Mission: __________________

Input: What are the implication of that statement to our community outreach to Hispanics, the students at Purdue, the SMITE team in Brazil right now, the Moldovians this August?

E. __________________
Input: Why don’t we like to think about the accountability of our discipleship efforts?

IV. Commitment: What Does Discipleship Mean?
A. Personal ________________
“Disciples have no higher priority in their lives than Christ—not even their love for their own family members.” P. 115

B. Personal ___________ and _____________
“The crowd that surrounded Jesus understood exactly what he meant. They were familiar with the scene He referred to . They had often seen criminals carrying their crosses to the place of their execution. In those days carrying one’s own cross meant the same as a person in our day walking to the gas chamber or the electric chair. It meant death—sure, absolute death.” – Swindol, p. 116
• The issue is ___________________ – a high level of consecration on the part of those who wish to become disciples.

“A genuine disciple . . . comes to that place where no major decision is made without a serious consideration of the question, “What would the Lord want me to do?” as opposed to, “How will this benefit me?” – Swindol, p. 117
* 3 Questions to ask:
1. As you think through the major decisions you have recently made (past 6-8 months), are you growing in making decisions that please the Lord and bring glory to God?
2. Are you growing in taking your personal goals and desires and comparing them to God’s Word as you seek to do His will?
3. Do you seek out godly counsel and/or advice before making important decisions?

C. Personal _____________________

V. Evaluation: Why Is Discipleship So Costly?
Key Passage: ______________
“ Master, pour out your fears and your failures, then tell Him you are ready to take the first step away from a world that centers on you and into a new life that focuses on Him.” – Swindol, p. 125

Conclusion:

Two important questions: Are you a ____________? Are you a _______________?

ABF Series
Strengthening Your Grip:
Discipleship – Luke 9:18-26 – Part B
Introduction:
Q: What is the NEXT step of growth for you . . .for us as an ABF, church?
Q: What have been our two different perspectives of discipleship?
Q: How do we define discipleship?
Q: What is the ultimate goal of discipleship?
Q: What is our model for discipleship?
Q: What is the two-fold process of discipleship?
II. Origin of Discipleship: Where Did Discipleship Begin?
A. Technically, it began in Genesis 1, 2, 3
B. Modeled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ
* The beginning of His ministry
* Exemplified throughout His ministry

III. Technique: How Does Discipleship Work?
 Mark 3:13 And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,
A. Announcement
B. Appointment
C. Involvement
* He spent time ‘WITH THEM”
D. Assignment
* The Mission: Matthew 28:19-20
Input: What are the implication of that statement to our community outreach to Hispanics, the students at Purdue, the SMITE team in Brazil right now, the Moldovians this August?
E. Accountability
 2 Corinthians 5:10
Input: Why don’t we like to think about the accountability of our discipleship efforts?

IV. Commitment: What Does Discipleship Mean?
A. Personal Relationships
Quote - P. 115
 Matthew 6:33
 Colossians 1:18
B. Personal Goals and Desires
 Luke 14:27
Quote – Swindol, p. 116
• The issue is commitment
 Luke 9:23
 Romans 12:1
 Philippians 2:3
 Luke 22:41-42
 John 6:38
 John 8:29
Quote – Swindol, p. 117
 John 6:66
* 3 Questions to ask:
1. As you think through the major decisions you have recently made (past 6-8 months), are you growing in making decisions that please the Lord and bring glory to God?
2. Are you growing in taking your personal goals and desires and comparing them to God’s Word as you seek to do His will?
3. Do you seek out godly counsel and/or advice before making important decisions?
C. Personal Possessions
 Luke 14:33
V. Evaluation: Why Is Discipleship So Costly?
Key Passage: Hebrews 12:1-14
Quote” – Swindol, p. 125
Conclusion:
Two important questions: Are you a disciple? Are you a discipler?