Master Life: The Disciples Cross

John 15:5 “5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

A. The First Priority

Luke 9:23 “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.”

What are the three requirements to make Christ your priority?

Denial

Devotion

Dependence

Christ must have priority over any person, possession, and any purpose. Read Luke 14:26-33 and list the examples for each.

Person: father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and self.

Possession: give up everything

Purpose: carry his own cross

List the three highest priorities in your life.

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B. Under Christ’s Control

Mark 3:14 “14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,”

Underline the phrases that show two reasons Jesus chose the twelve.

“That they might be with Him”

“that He might send them out to preach”

Romans 10:9 “9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”

Luke 6:46 “46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

C. Connected to the Vine

John 15:5 “5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

a 1. Luke 6:46 . a. obedience

c 2. John 15:8. b. love

b 3. John 13:34-35. c. fruit

D. Learning Obedience

“When you have a life in Christ, a lifelong, obedient relationship with Him is a natural result.”

The key to discipleship is obedience to Christ’s commands.

Find the following verses and match the benefits of obeying Christ’s commands.

d 1. John 15:10. a. You show that you are His disciple.

c 2.John 14:21. b. You are blessed.

a 3. John 13:34-35. c. The Father loves you and reveals Himself to you.

b 4. John 13:17. d. You remain in His love.

“Christ does not want you to obey Him just to be good; He wants you to be obedient so that He can involve you in His mission.”

What is the command in each of the following verses?

Matthew 5:19-20?

Matthew 7:21,24-27?

Matthew 28:19-20?

James 1:22?

E. Challenges to Obedience

What are some challenges that keep you from obedience?

Respond to the following accounts as directed.

Jesus Called His disciples to leave what they were doing and to follow Him (see Matt. 4:18-22, Matt. 9:9). Describe something that would be difficult for you to leave behind or do if God asked you to.

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Jesus told Peter to catch a fish, take a coin from its mouth, and pay their taxes (see Matt. 17:27). What would you do if God asked you to do something that seemed unreasonable or that did not make sense to you?

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Jesus told His disciples to get a colt for Him and, if the owners asked what they were doing, to say: “The Lord needs it” (see Mark 11:3). If Jesus told you to get a pickup truck parked at Main and Broad Streets, what would you do, especially if you had to answer the owner’s questions with the statement “The Lord needs it”?

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When Jesus told Philip to feed the five thousand, Philip said it was impossible. Andrew offered a boy’s lunch even though he did not think it was enough (see John 6:5-11). Which disciple are you?

Philip

Andrew

Have you ever declined to be obedient because you believed that what God asked you to do was unreasonable or did not make sense?

Yes

No

John 8:31–32 “31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.””

A. A Close Relationship

Reasons for a quiet time:

To know God through fellowship with him.

1 John 4:9–10 “9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Why do you love God? ____________________________________________

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 “18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Why does it mean that God reconciled us to Himself? _______________

________________________________________________________________

B. Guidance for Daily Decisions

Reasons for a quiet time:

To know God through fellowship with him.

To receive direction and guidance for daily decisions.

Ways you can receive the word...

read it

listen to it (preach or audio)

study it

memorize it

meditate on it

recall it

apply it

Read John 8:31–32

When we are looking for direction why is “truth” important _____

____________________________________________________________

Read Psalm 143:8

What did the psalmist ask God to do for him? ______________________

____________________________________________________________

Read 1 John 5:14

What does this verse say about God’s response if you pray according to His will ________________________________________

C. Petitioning for Needs

Reasons for a quiet time:

To know God through fellowship with him.

To receive direction and guidance for daily decisions.

To bring needs before God.

Read the following verses and match the references in the left column with the prayer promises from the Bible in the right column.

d 1. Philippians 4:6-7. a. God renews our strength as we wait on Him.

c 2. Psalm 34:17. b. In prayer we find grace in our need.

b 3. Hebrews 4:16. c. God delivers the righteous from trouble.

a 4.Isaiah 40:31 d. As we make our request known to God He gives us peace.

Components of a prayer Journal.

Date Asked

Request

Scripture

Answer

Date answered

________________

D. Abide and Obey

Reasons for a quiet time:

To know God through fellowship with him.

To receive direction and guidance for daily decisions.

To bring needs before God.

To bear Spiritual fruit.

“If you want to sum up discipleship, it is obedience to the lordship of Christ.”

Read John 15:10

What happens when we keep Christ commands? ___________________

_______________________________________________________________

Whose example do you follow when you keep Christ’s commands?

_______________________________________________________________

To abide in Christ means to obeyHim.

Read John 15:4

What did Jesus say you must do to bear fruit? _____________________

E. A Daily Discipline

5 Keys to a quiet time:

Make a quiet time a priority.

Prepare the night before.

Develop a balanced plan of Bible reading and Prayer.

Be persistent until you are consistent.

Focus on the Person you are meeting rather than on the habit of having the quiet time.

John 15:7 “7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

A. Praying for What God Wants

Read John 14:13-14

What does it mean to ask in Jesus name? ______________________

__________________________________________________________

Think of a time when you prayed on the basis of what you wanted rather thank seeking God’s will first. Describe this experience below.

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B. Entering His Gates with Thanksgiving

Psalm 100:4 “4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”

Psalm 42:4 “4 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.”

Psalm 69:30–31 “30 I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving. 31 And it will please the Lord better than an ox Or a young bull with horns and hoofs.”

Approaching God

Read Isaiah 6:1-3

Can you imagine being in Isaiah’s situation? How would you have responded?

________________________________________________________

What can we thank God for?

Psalm 34:7 “7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.”

Deliverance from Trouble

Psalm 100:5 “5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.”

God’s faithfulness

Psalm 30:4–5 “4 Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.”

Forgiveness of sin

Psalm 92:4 “4 For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”

Creation

C. Enter his Courts with Praise

Psalm 34:1 “1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Names of God

Read Psalm 91

El Elyon

Psalm 91:1 “1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

El Shaddai

Psalm 91:1 “1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Yahweh (or Jehovah, personal name of God. Lord is Adonai — the master, the person with authority)

Psalm 91:2 “2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!””

Elohim

Psalm 91:2 “2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!””

Other names of God

Jehovah Jireh - the God who provides

Jehovah Shalom - the God who brings peace

Jehovah Sabaoth - the God who brings spiritual help

Jehovah Rapha - the God who heals

D. The Altar of Confession

Read Isaiah 6:4–6

When Isaiah experienced the Lord’s glory, he was _______________

__________________________________________________________

Read 1 John 1:8-10

Why is is necessary to confess our sin?

1. The Father will forgive you and cleanse you.

2. You deceive yourself and do not live in the truth if you clame to be above sin

3. The Father can show that He is faithful to His Promise to forgive you when you confess sin.

Read Ephesians 4:22-32

Make a list of the sins mentioned in these verses.

deceitful desires

falsehood

anger

bitterness

rage

stealing

brawling

laziness

slander

unwholesome talk

malice

If The Lord has convicted you over any of these sins pause now to ask forgiveness.

E. In God’s Presence

Read Hebrews 4:13-16

How does Hebrews 4:13-16 tell you that you are to approach God’s throne of grace? ___________________________________________

Praying for yourself: Petition

Take time now to list some personal concerns you need to bring to God.

Praying for others: Intercession

Take time now to make a list of others and their needs to bring to God.

John 13:34–35 “34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

A. The Mark of a Disciple

Read John 13:34–35

What did Jesus say identifies His disciples? ____________________

Read John 15:12

Why does John 15:12 say that you are to love other persons?

____________________________________________________________

B. The Gift of Accountability

God Works through others. Read Hebrews 10:24-25

What is the purpose of gathering with other believers?

____________________________________________________________

How is holding fellow believers accountable loving? ________________

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Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Which of these characteristics listed is difficult for you?

____________________________________________________________

C. What Christ Expects

Read John 15:9, 12-13

Why are you to love others? _________________________________

At the heart of friendship is the willingness to __________________

Examine what the Bible says about the way friends are to act toward one another. Read the verses and match each reference in the left column with the correct statement in the right column.

d 1. Proverbs 17:7. a. Friends care enough to confront one another in love if necessary.

a 2.Matthew 18:15. b. Friends do not gossip or make hurtful remarks about one another.

b 3. James 4:11. c. Friends want the best for one another and therefore present the gospel to friends who do not know Christ.

c 4. 1 John 1:3. d. Friends love one another regardless of the situations they face.

Read John 15:14-17

Underline two things that Jesus considered important to communicate to His disciples in the verses 14 and 15.

John 15:14–15 “14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

Underline the three things Jesus wanted to happen in the lives of His disciples in the verses 16 and 17.

John 15:16–17 “16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 “This I command you, that you love one another.”

John 15:8 “8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

A. Bearing Fruit for Christ

What is the proof that we are Christ’s disciples? (John 15:8)

What is the fruit that is expected to be produced?

Galatians 5:22-23 The Fruit of The Spirit

John 15:8 Disciples

B. Relying on Christ

Read John 15:4-7

What does it mean to abide (remain) in Christ? _________________

___________________________________________________________

Read Luke 10:16

Who does Jesus say that people are rejecting when they reject His disciples? _________________________________________________

D. Compelled to Tell

Telling is not optional. Read John 15:26-27

Why should we testify about Jesus? __________________________

_________________________________________________________

The Great Commission. Read Matthew 28:18-20

What does Jesus mean by all authority has been given to him (v 18)? ___________________________________________________

How should we translate the phrase “Go make disciples? _______

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How can we teach others to observe (obey) Jesus’ commands?

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How comforting is it to know that Jesus does not leave us on our own to carry out His commission? ___________________________

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E. The Price of Bearing Fruit

Read John 15:20-21

What do Jesus’ words “No servant is greater than his master” mean to you? ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

What did Christ suffer for you? Read the three verses and then match the statements in the right column with the correct references on the left column.

b 1.Luke 22:47-48. a. Respected persons in authority rejected Him.

c 2. Mark 6:1-3. b. A friend betrayed Him.

a 3. Mark 8:31 c. The people in His hometown took offense at Him.

Have you had an experience in which you felt persecuted because you witnessed for Christ? If so, describe below.

How does it make you feel to realize that Christ has already endured any type of heartache you have suffered?

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John 15:13 “13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

A. Take up your cross

Read John 13:12-20

Why did Jesus wash the disciples feet? ________________________

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What example is displayed to us through not only Jesus washing the disciples feet, but Christ sacrifice of His life for us?

__________________________________________________________

Read John 12:24

Using Jesus’ example what does the sacrifice of our life for others produce?

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Read Luke 14:27

What happens to a person who refuses to be a cross bearer?

___________________________________________________________

What are the 5 ministry types are established through the disciples cross?

Ministry of teaching/preaching.

Ministry of worship/intercession.

Ministry of discipleship.

Ministry of evangelism.

Ministry of service.

B. Ministry in Christ’s Name“Ministry takes place within the body of Christ”

See a need, meet a need. What are some needs at Blackwood?

___________________________________________________________

C. A call to missions-”Mission happens outside the walls of the church.”

Read Acts 1:8

What are some needs in our Jerusalem?

________________________________________________________

What are some needs in our Judea/Samaria?

________________________________________________________

What are some needs in the remotest part of the earth (foreign)?

________________________________________________________

E. A Disciple Indeed

What are the 6 characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Someone who is abiding in Christ.

Someone who is living in the word.

Someone who is praying in faith.

Someone who is in fellowship with believers.

Someone who is witnessing to the world.

Someone who is ministering to others.

Master Life: The Disciples Cross

1. Abide in Christ

2. Live in the Word

3. Pray in Faith

4. Fellowship with Believers

5. Witness to the World

6. Minister to Others