Discipleship

DISCIPLESHIP

Most people who know something about the Bible know that Jesus had disciples. What are disciples? The making of a disciple involves teaching, or instructing, so that the one who is the disciple learns to follow the precepts and instructions which have been taught. In the context of the New Testament Scriptures, discipleship involves learning (which hopefully leads to believing), believing (which should lead to godly living), and godly living (which should include leading others to also become disciples). The lessons taught during the discipleship process are not merely intellectual – they are lessons which help the one being discipled to become more and more like the one who is doing the discipling. Our understanding of discipleship in the context of the times in which Jesus lived is that it was not a classroom lesson once, or more, per week. The disciple LIVED with the master – in order to learn all that could be learned, in order to observe the master at work, in order to allow the students to model themselves after the master in every way possible.

ALL true believers in Jesus Christ are disciples of Jesus Christ – and all true believers have a share in the “great commission”. The “Great Commission” which is found in Matthew 28:18-20 states: “And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." The focal point of the commission is actually NOT merely “preaching the gospel”, although that certainly is a PART of the commission. Stated alternatively, the goal in carrying out the commission is NOT just to “get people saved”. Making disciples involves more than that and it goes beyond that. Consider Acts 14:21 “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, AND had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium and Antioch.”

Consider some Biblical information regarding the disciples of Jesus Christ:

1. They came to Him (Matt. 5:1; 8:25; 13:10; 13:36)

2. They followed Him (Matt. 8:23; John 6:3)

3. They ate with Him   (Matt. 9:10-11; 26:18)

4. They were challenged by Him (Matt. 9:37)

5. They were empowered by Him (Matt. 10:1)

6. They were commanded by Him (Matt. 11:1; 14:22; 26:19)

7. They obeyed Him (Matt. 21:6; John 6:12)

8. They accompanied Him (John 2:2; 2:12; 3:22; 18:2)

9. They believed on Him (John 2:11; 2:22)

10. They were comforted by Him (John 20:19)

11. They were gladdened by Him (John 20:20)

Consider some Biblical instruction regarding disciples of Jesus Christ (are YOU one?):

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matt. 16:24)

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;" (John 8:31)

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35)

"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:8)

"And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 13:52)