INSIGHT
 
   The Bible teaches us that the first century believers "were called Christians first at Antioch." Acts 11:26 Prior to this, all the believers were known as disciples. And even after being called Christians at Antioch, they continued to be referred to as disciples. It is interesting to know that the term Christian appears only 3 times in the New Testament, while the term disciple over 260 times. This is due to the fact that the nature of Christianity is not a life of complacency and laziness, but rather of discipline, diligence and growth.
   The word disciple means a learner or pupil. The term is virtually absent from the Old Testament, though there are two related references (1 Chron. 25:8; Isa. 8:16). In the Greek world, the word disciple normally referred to an adherent of a particular teacher or religious/philosophical school. It was the task of the disciple to learn, study, and pass along the sayings and teachings of the master. In rabbinic Judaism the term disciple referred to one who was committed to the interpretations of Scripture and religious tradition given him by the master or rabbi. Through a process of learning which would include a set meeting time and such methods as question and answer, instruction, repetition, and memorization, the disciple would become increasingly devoted to the master and the master's teachings. In time, the disciple would, likewise, pass on the traditions to others. Jesus taught His apostles the ways of God in this manner. He taught them through instruction, answering questions, proposing questions, correction and by His example. His discipleship taught them to be servants of God and to love all men. It is only through discipleship unto Christ that one can grow into the likeness of Christ. Remember, disciples are made...not born! Matt. 28:19
The Body of Christ
God's Plan: Accountability


Key Text:         Matthew 28:19-20  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Theme:
It is indisputable that the Bible teaches the necessity of discipline in the lives of Christians. Training in righteousness is important in maturing Christians unto Christ, but it is the responsibility of the one who has confessed Jesus as Lord to persevere in his or her Christian growth. It is our personal responsibility to grow and mature. If we don’t grow in our faith, it is our fault, not the teacher’s.

Application:
Here are some practical suggestions:
1. Arrange a regular time to meet

    together with the one who is training

    you each week.

2. Strive to have frequent contact with

    your brother/sister who trains you.

3. Be open to spiritual correction.

4. Get to know each other personally.

5. Get into good habits to train yourself:

    - Have regular quiet times and prayer

      times.

    - Be organized with your time,

      studies, etc...

    - Be evangelistic, outgoing and

      friendly.

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon Outline

Accountability and Christ

I. God's Plan

  A. Disciple defined
    1. Greek word: Mathètes
      a. A pupil, a learner
      b. Jesus' definition: Luke 6:40
        -- involves a growing process
        -- goal is to be as the teacher

  B. Disciples Are Made--Mt 28:19
    1. Through baptism
    2. Teach them to obey (observe)
      a. Disciples must be taught to obey
      b. Submit to those who teach
    3. Focus of the baptized believer:
      a. Make Christ's commands their rule
      b. Observe all good things
      c. Learn from teachers
        --Eph 4:8, 11-13

  C. The Disciple's Heart
    1. Willingness to learn
      -- Basis: humility (Matt. 18:3-4)

    2. Willingness to imitate good
      -- As I follow the example of Christ
        (1 Cor 11:1)

    3. Willingness to seek advice
        -- Prov 12:15

    4. Willingness to be corrected
       -- Prov 10:17

  D. The Outcome
    1. Less of self and more like Jesus

  E. The Test: Pleasurable or Miserable?
    1. Are you a pleasure to work with?

Small Group Study

Warm-up:
Who is a friend? How does your definition of a friend differ from other people’s definition?

See To It                                  Proverbs 27:5-6

1. Why is open rebuke better than hidden love?

    Is “hidden love” love at all? Explain.

 

2. Why do many people refrain from telling the

    truth about a person’s shortcomings?

 

3. How do people usually view those who speak

    the truth in regards to correction? Read

    Galatians 4:16. Was Paul being a friend or

    an enemy? Why?

4. What would an enemy do to his associates?

Seeing It Closer:
1. How do you react to correction?

2. Do you seek advice frequently? Why or why not?

  3. How have you been a friend to those around you? Do you find yourself gently correcting  those who need correction?

Getting To It:
Pray for one another that we would be true friends to all people, especially to the household of God.

 

 

This week's Quiet Times:

God's Plan: Accountability

MONDAY
The Greek word paideias or one of its derivatives is used seven times in Heb 12:1-11. This word is not found exclusively in the N.T.; it also was common among the Greeks in reference to the treatment of children, including in its meaning both educational and corporal punishment. NKJV translators have rendered it most often as some form of "chasten" (vv. 5-8, 10, 11), and once as "correct" (v. 9), but it is better translated "discipline." The divine purpose of this loving discipline is unquestionably to bring man into the privilege and responsibility of sonship. If you do not allow Him to discipline (disciple) you, what do you become? What does the Lord’s discipline bring about? Is discipline something we enjoy? Write 1 Corinthians 11:32 on an index card, learn it, and realize the implications of rejecting the Lord’s discipline. Call a sister/brother tonight and share with them how the Lord has disciplined you and what were the results of you heeding His discipline.

TUESDAY
The Lord’s discipline works through several agents, four of which we will discuss this week. Read carefully 2 Tim. 3:16,17. What is it that corrects and rebukes us? Where does the Word come from? Who is ultimately doing the correcting and rebuking? Notice the last thing mentioned in this verse: “Training in righteousness”. The Greek word paideias was translated as “training”.  So, in essence, we are disciplined in righteousness. Write 1 Co. 2:13 on an index card and meditate on it throughout the day.

WEDNESDAY
If we all speak the truth to each other in love (Eph 4:13), we will encourage and admonish each other, creating an atmosphere where striving toward and reliance on God is stressed.  That is exactly the purpose of the assembly; the church. Study Hebrews 10:23-25. What is our responsibility to each other? What is the purpose of encouraging each other? Look up encourage in a good dictionary. Can you encourage and be encouraged if you “give up meeting together”? Check out 1 Thess. 5:14-15. Look up admonish in a good dictionary. What is your job amongst the brethren? Are all these things being done to you when in the presence of brothers? Are you doing these things in the presence of brothers? Write Colossians 3:16 on an index card and memorize it. Does it not bring about a new meaning to singing??

THURSDAY
Even with all the encouragement that you receive from the brethren, there are some brothers/sisters that have special impact upon you. Among them may be the brother/sisters that first reached out to you with the saving gospel of Jesus. Read carefully Hebrews 13:7, 17. Who are you to remember?  What are you to consider? What are you asked to imitate, considering the result of their conduct? (See also 3 John 11) Why should we submit to our leaders in the faith? Aren’t you ultimately submitting out of reverence for Christ? (Eph 5:21) Carefully consider Ezekiel 3:18-21. What are you held accountable for? No wonder the Hebrew writer encourages you to make the job of your leaders joyful by submitting to them.  They keep watch over you and are accountable to God! Write Proverbs 10:17 on an index card and commit to it in your heart.  Don’t hold back your love for the brethren! Be gentle and abide in mercy.

FRIDAY
Study 1 Timothy 4:7,8. None of the accountability agents that God gives you will work unless you train yourself to be godly. What is this kind of training profitable for? God has even equipped you to be able to undergo self-discipline! Check out 2 Timothy 1:7. What kind of Spirit is living in you right now, which you have acquired when you obeyed the gospel and were baptized in Jesus’ name? Do any of us have an excuse? Write 1 Timothy 4:16 on an index card and memorize it. See to it that you are meeting with your spiritual trainer at least once a week, that you may be fully trained.