DISCIPLESHIP

Additional Study

Goal: To share insight as to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

                                                                                                           
I. Matthew 28:19-20
    A. Jesus wants everyone to become His disciples.
    B. The word “disciple” means “student” or “learner”
    C. Therefore, a disciple makes Jesus his Teacher and Lord
    D. Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations.
    E. He commands His disciples to teach younger disciples to obey His commands.
        a. Small groups or “mentorship groups.”
            i. One way Matthew 28:20 is accomplished is by frequent small group or “mentorship meetings,”
                where we discuss God’s Word and learn how we can be more like Jesus in all we do.
            ii. Mentorship groups also allows us to develop close relationships with each other.
            iii. Men meet with men and women meet with women.
        b. Wednesday night Bible class
            i. During Wednesday Night Bible class, the Bible teacher instructs us in the way of the Lord.
            ii. Ephesians 4:11-12 says that God gave us teachers, along with apostles, prophets, pastors
                (elders) and evangelists, to prepare us for works of service (ministry).
            iii. We will discuss the apostles, prophets, pastors and evangelists in a later study.
        c. Friday Night Devotional services
            i. During Friday Night Devotional service, we learn to praise God in songs of worship.
            ii. Friday Devotioanl is a great way to experience what the Psalmist said in Psalm 22:22 (which is
                reiterated in Hebrews 2:12), saying, I will declare your name among my brothers, and I will
                praise you in the congregation!
        d. Sunday Worship services:
            i. Sunday service is a time when we meet to remember Christ’s death by partaking the Lord’s supper.
            ii. Acts 20:7 – On the first day of the week (Sunday), the disciples met to break bread (that is, they
                partook of the Lord’s Supper)
            iii. 1Cor. 11:23-26 – The church got together to proclaim Christ’s death by eating the bread, which
                represents Chris’s body, and drinking the cup, which represents Christ’ blood.
            iv. On Sunday, we’re also given an opportunity to hear the Word of God and to worship Him in song and prayer.

II. Luke 6:40
    A. The goal of discipleship is to be like Jesus.
    B. This is why Jesus told His disciples to go and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands.
    C. This is accomplished by small group meetings, Bible study, prayer and fellowship (church gatherings).
    D. The end goal is to be like Jesus!

III. Acts 2:41-42
    A. These new disciples were devoted to:
        a. The apostle’s teachings (the Bible)
        b. The fellowship (the frequent gatherings of disciples-Sunday, etc.)
        c. Breaking of bread (partaking of the Lord’s Supper)
        d. Prayer

IV. John 13:34-35
    A. People recognize Jesus’ disciples by their love for one another.
    B. Disciples get the opportunity to show their love for each other when they fellowship together, especially during
        public worship (Sunday worship, Wednesday Bible class, Friday devotional, etc).

V. Luke 14:25-33
    A. The Greek word for “hate” is “miseö”, which means to “love less”.
    B. Matthew 10:37 interprets Luke 14:26.
        a. Matthew uses the term: “loves…more”.
        b. Luke uses the term: “does not hate” or “does not ‘love less’”.
    C. A disciple must love Jesus more than his closest relationships.
    D. A disciple must be willing to take up his cross (suffer for Jesus) and follow Him.
    E. A disciple gives up everything that stands in the way of Christ.
        a. Our fleshly desires usually stand in the way of Christ
        b. This is why Jesus said in Luke 9:23-25 that we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and
            follow Him.

VI. Matthew 5:10-12
    A. Since a disciple is to be like Jesus, a disciple must understand that, like Jesus, they will suffer persecution.
    B. Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-36 that our own family members will persecute us, should we devote ourselves to Jesus.

Challenge: Are you ready to become a disciple, devoting yourself to the word of God, to the fellowship of the Church, to the breaking of bread on Sundays and to prayer?

If they are willing to become disciples, have them get baptized, then set up another study with them and teach them “The Kingdom” study and the “The Church” study. After those studies are taught, get them into a mentorship group.