Discipleship: Definition of Terms
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A Disciple: Fundamental Qualities
A Disciple: Fundamental Qualities
The terms of being a disciple were set by the teacher
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
2. Disciples are students
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3. Disciples are corrected by their teacher
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
4. Disciples follow the example of their teacher
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
5. Disciples were expected to reflect the convictions of their teacher and were accountable to him.
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.”
A Disciple of Jesus: Distinct Qualities
A Disciple of Jesus: Distinct Qualities
Jesus initiates the relationship
Jesus initiates the relationship
This is different from how it worked between students and rabbis in 1st century Judaism. When it came to honoring God, behavior was the primary concern, and to know and understand God-honoring behavior, the Jews looked to the knowledge and insight the rabbis possessed of the Scriptures.
The condition of one’s heart was not a substantive consideration. Whether one loved God, understood God’s love for him or had a meaningful relationship with God was not a concern.
Potential disciples would approach rabbis to be their disciplers. Rabbis would agree or reject the request.
Becoming a disciple of Jesus does not begin with the act of a would-be disciple. This relationship is not about what a person does but about what Jesus has done. The basis of Christ’s relationship with His disciples begins and depends on His act of sacrifice on their behalf.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
e. Disciples of Jesus are not His disciples based upon some contract, but upon their union with Him. Disciples are in Christ (Rom. 6), and therefore belong to Him and are intimately connected to Him.
f. To be a Christian is to be a disciple of Jesus. To be a disciple of Jesus, is to be a follower of Him. Christians belong to Jesus and follow Jesus.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Our Definition: A disciple of Jesus is someone who lovingly obeys Christ, forsakes the kingdom of this world and pursues the kingdom of heaven. Disciples believe God’s promises, obeys His commands by His power and for His glory.
Discipleship: Defining Qualities
Discipleship: Defining Qualities
Transmission of knowledge
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
2. Focused on serving others
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
3. Relationship Oriented
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
4. Demands personal sacrifice
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
5. Aims at maturity
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
The goal:
that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Present: imagery of a father giving away the bride Colossians 1:22
he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
The method
proclaiming Christ: broadly making Him known
warning: admonishing, counsel
teaching: instructing
with all wisdom: demands that we are growing in truth ourselves
Our definition: Discipleship is the process by which we assist one another to mature in our walk with Christ.