Lighthouse Foundations (4)

Session 4

DEVELOPING DISCIPLES

WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?

1. A disciple is a believer. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)

2. A disciple is a follower. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

3. A disciple is a learner. “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32)

4. A disciple is a Witness. "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you…” (Mark 5:19)

5. A disciple is baptized. “Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…So then, those who had received his word were baptized…” (Acts 2:38)

6. A disciple is a reproducer. "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (John 15:8)

7. A disciple should have a healthy balance between evangelism and discipleship.

FOUR HABITS OF A DISCIPLE:

1. Time in God’s Word "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32)

2. Prayer "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (John 15:7-8)

3. Tithing "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” (Luke 14:33)

"…the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.” (Deuteronomy 14:23)

4. Fellowship "…love one another, even as I have loved you….By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

DEFINITIONS OF “HABIT” (Webster's Dictionary):

“A continual, often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity, acquired through frequent repetition.”

“A customary practice.”

“Sow a thought; reap an act.”

“Sow an act; reap a habit.”

“Sow a habit; reap character.”

THE GOAL OF SESSION FOUR: That I will commit to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.

“…For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.” (Romans 6:19)

HABIT #1 - Time In God's Word

2 Timothy 3:16–17 CSB

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

I. HOW TO HEAR GOD'S WORD:

Romans 10:17 CSB

17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

Ways to Hear God's Word:

The Bible on audio/app

Sermon audio online

Church services & studies

Radio/TV teachers/podcasts (be careful)

PROBLEM: We forget most of what we hear after 72 hours.

How To Improve Your Hearing:

1. Be ready and eager to hear God.

(Jesus) “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Luke 8:8) “...be quick to hear...” (James 1:19 )

2. Deal with attitudes that prevent hearing God.

(Luke 8:4-15) “So take care how you listen...” (Luke 8:18)

3. Confess any sin in your life.

“…putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word …” (James 1:21)

4. Take notes on what you hear.

“We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2:1)

5. Act on what you hear!

“But one who looks intently at the perfect law… and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)

Barriers to Hearing:

A Closed Mind: Is fear, pride or bitterness preventing me from hearing God?

A Superficial Mind: Am I really serious about wanting to hear God speak?

A Pre-occupied Mind: Am I too busy and concerned with other things to concentrate on what God has to say?

II. HOW TO READ GOD'S WORD:

Revelation 1:3 CSB

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near.

How often should I read God's Word? Daily

"(The Scriptures) It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes," (Deuteronomy 17:19)

Suggestions:

· Read it systematically. · Read it aloud quietly to yourself. · Underline or color code key verses. · Choose a reading plan and stick with it.

If I read approximately 20 minutes a day, I can read through the Bible once in a year.

"I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12)