Discipleship in the Church: The Household of Faith

Sermon Title: Discipleship in the Church: The Household of Faith

Scripture: Various Scripture

Occasion: Discipleship Night Out | 2nd Session

Date: Feb. 22, 2025

PRAY

I. Introduction: The Church as the Household of God

In our last session, we learned that discipleship begins in the home, where faith is taught, modeled, and passed down.

But discipleship does not stay in the home; it overflows into the church, the household of faith, where believers grow together in Christ and help one another mature in the gospel.

The Apostle Paul describes the nature of the church in

1 Timothy 3:15 ESV

if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

The church is not an event we attend or a program we consume—it is the household of God, the pillar and foundation of truth, a place where discipleship is meant to flourish.

But what does discipleship in the church actually look like?

II. Common Misconceptions About Church Discipleship

Many have wrong ideas about discipleship in the church.

Some believe:

“Discipleship is just a class.” (No—while classes can help, discipleship is life-on-life, not just information transfer.)

“Discipleship is the pastor’s job.” (No—the Bible teaches that every believer is called to disciple others.)

“Discipleship is optional.” (No—Christ commands us to make disciples.)

“Discipleship only happens in structured settings.” (No—discipleship happens in the ordinary rhythms of life, not just on Sundays.)

To bring clarity, let’s define discipleship biblically so we can put it into practice.

III. A Working Definition of Discipleship

Discipleship is the intentional and relational process of helping others follow Jesus by teaching them His Word and prayer, modeling a life of faith and godliness, and walking with them in the ordinary rhythms of life.

Breaking Down This Definition

Discipleship is intentional – It does not happen by accident; it requires purpose and commitment (2 Timothy 2:2).

Discipleship is relational – It happens in the context of life-on-life relationships (Acts 2:42-47).

Discipleship involves teaching – We teach the Word of God as the foundation (Colossians 3:16).

Discipleship involves modeling – We show others how to follow Jesus by our example (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Discipleship happens in everyday life – It is not confined to the classroom or pulpit, but lived out in daily interactions (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

Contrast: True vs. False Church Discipleship

Show Diagram

False Church Discipleship VS True Church Discipleship

A program or class only VS A life-on-life process

Something only pastors do VS Something every believer is called to do

Focused on knowledge only VS Focused on both knowledge and transformation

Happens only on Sundays VS Happens in everyday relationships

Detached from real life VS Lived out in homes, workplaces, and friendships

With this foundation, let’s look at how discipleship actually works in the local church.

IV. The Biblical Model of Discipleship in the Church

A. The Church as the Center of Discipleship

Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:19-20:

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

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.”

Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20is not given to isolated individuals but to the church—the visible, gathered people of God.

This passage, often referred to as the Great Commission, outlines the threefold responsibility of the church in discipleship:

1. Making Disciples (Evangelism and Conversion)

The imperative “Go therefore and make disciples” establishes that the mission of the church is not just to make converts but to make disciples—fully devoted followers of Christ.

The verb “make disciples” (μαθητεύσατε, mathēteusate) implies ongoing instruction and formation, not just a one-time decision.

Genuine conversion results in a transformed life marked by discipleship (Ephesians 2:8-10).

2. Marking Disciples Through Baptism (Church Membership)

Jesus commands that disciples be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—an outward sign of their union with Christ and entrance into the visible church (Romans 6:3-4).

Baptism is not an individualistic act but a covenantal ordinance of the church.

Believer’s baptism—baptism follows faith and serves as the public initiation into the local church (Acts 2:41-42).

This refutes the idea that Christianity is merely a private faith; rather, it is a corporate faith lived out in the covenant community of the church.

3. Maturing Disciples Through Teaching (Sanctification and Church Life)

Jesus says to teach disciples “to observe all that I have commanded you”—this is not merely intellectual instruction but life application, which happens in the local church.

The means by which disciples mature is through:

The preaching of sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2).

The mutual edification of the saints (Colossians 3:16).

Accountability and shepherding by elders (Hebrews 13:17).

Sanctification happens in the context of the local church, where believers are taught the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and grow in grace within the household of faith (1 Timothy 3:15).

The Local Church as God’s Appointed Means for Discipleship

The Great Commission is not an individualistic charge but a corporate command.

While every Christian participates in making disciples, discipleship is anchored in the ministry of the local church.

The pattern seen in Acts 2:41-47 confirms this: those who were saved were baptized and immediately incorporated into the life of the church, where they were taught, nurtured, and equipped.

The Church’s Role: Making, Marking, and Maturing Disciples

The church is called to make disciples through evangelism.

The church is called to mark disciples through baptism and covenant membership.

The church is called to mature disciples through sound doctrine and shepherding.

This holistic discipleship process is not optional but essential for the health and obedience of Christ’s body.

The Assurance of Christ’s Presence

Jesus ends the Great Commission with a promise of His presence:

Matthew 28:20 ESV

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This promise is not given to lone Christians but to the church as it carries out its mission.

The presence of Christ is experienced uniquely in the corporate gathering of the saints (Matthew 18:20) and in the Spirit-empowered ministry of the church.

(FOR MY PURPOSES)

Recap

Matthew 28:19-20 demonstrates that discipleship is inseparable from the church.

Discipleship is not an individualistic endeavor but a church-driven mandate.

It involves conversion, commitment, and continued growth within the local body.

To reject church membership, baptism, or submission to sound teaching is to reject God’s ordained means for discipleship.

Therefore, a biblical understanding of discipleship recognizes that:

The church is God’s instrument for making, marking, and maturing disciples.

Baptism is a public identification with Christ and entrance into the local church.

Discipleship is a lifelong commitment to Christ and His people, not a one-time decision.

The Great Commission is fulfilled through the local church, where believers are equipped and sent out to make more disciples.

Thus, to obey Christ’s command in Matthew 28 is to commit to the church, its teachings, its ordinances, and its mission.

The Early Church’s Model of Discipleship (Acts 2:42-47)

The Great Commission was not just an abstract idea; it was something that the early church put into practice immediately. Acts 2:42-47 provides a blueprint for how discipleship functioned in the first-century church:

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Only Read this Section) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The phrase “they devoted themselves” indicates that discipleship was a continuous, committed practice.

It was not sporadic or casual but the very fabric of their lives together.

The Four Pillars of Discipleship in Acts 2:42:

These four elements were the foundation of the early church’s discipleship and remain essential for us today:

The apostles’ teaching was the Word of Christ delivered through His appointed messengers.

The Teaching of God’s Word – Discipleship begins with sound doctrine.

The local church today continues this work through the faithful preaching and teaching of Scripture (2 Timothy 4:2).

Discipleship cannot thrive apart from biblical truth; every believer must be rooted in sound doctrine (Colossians 3:16).

The word “fellowship” (κοινωνία, koinonia) means a deep, shared partnership.

Fellowship and Relational Discipleship – Growing together in life-on-life relationships.

Discipleship is not just about learning—it is about walking together in community (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The early church shared life, resources, and burdens with one another.

This is why church membership is vital—discipleship requires belonging to a local body where we are known and cared for.

This refers to both the Lord’s Supper and the hospitality of sharing meals together.

Breaking of Bread (Lord’s Supper and Hospitality) – Sharing meals and spiritual nourishment.

The Lord’s Supper was a regular practice that reinforced their unity in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

Meals were a key way that discipleship was carried out—teaching, encouragement, and accountability often happened around the table (Luke 24:30-32).

The early church was devoted to prayer—they depended on God’s Spirit to empower their growth (Acts 4:31).

Prayer and Reliance on the Holy Spirit – Discipleship is impossible apart from God’s power.

True discipleship is not merely about effort but about dependence on Christ (John 15:5).

Churches today must cultivate a culture of prayer, seeking the Spirit’s guidance in our disciple-making efforts.

The Fruit of Discipleship: A Transformed Church Community

Acts 2:43-47 reveals the outcome of this biblical model of discipleship:

Awe and reverence for God spread among them.

Sacrificial generosity marked their relationships—they met one another’s needs.

Daily engagement in worship and fellowship strengthened their faith.

Evangelistic growth resulted—"The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

When the church is faithful in making, marking, and maturing disciples, God blesses the work by adding new believers and strengthening the body.

(FOR MY PURPOSES )

Conclusion: The Church as God’s Appointed Means for Discipleship

Discipleship is not a solo endeavor; it is a church-driven mission.

The Great Commission is fulfilled through the church—by making, marking, and maturing disciples.

Acts 2:42-47 provides the pattern for how discipleship flourishes within the local church.

To reject church-centered discipleship is to reject God’s blueprint for spiritual growth.

True discipleship cannot happen apart from the local church, where believers are taught, encouraged, and held accountable in covenant community.

Which leads me to my next point.

B. Membership vs. Eldership: God’s Blueprint for Discipleship

God has given the church a clear structure for spiritual growth and discipleship.

1. The Role of Elders in Discipleship

Elders are given by Christ to equip the church for discipleship.

Titus 1:9 ESV

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Ephesians 4:11–16 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (This is the focus!) until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Elders disciple the church by:

Preaching and teaching sound doctrine (1 Timothy 3:2).

Protecting the church from false teaching (Acts 20:28-30).

Equipping members to disciple others (Ephesians 4:11-12).

2. The Role of Church Members in Discipleship

Discipleship is not just for pastors.

Every church member is called to be a disciple-maker.

Notice again more closely, Eph. 4:12…

Ephesians 4:12 ESV

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Misconception:

“I don’t need to be a church member to be a disciple.” Reality:

Discipleship requires commitment, accountability, and submission to church leadership (Hebrews 13:17).

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account….

Now, the point is for us to clearly see the vital role that elders and church membership play in discipleship within the church.

Discipleship is not casual—it requires commitment.

And the first step of that commitment is to submit to faithful, biblical elders and to commit yourself to a specific local church where you will live out all the "one another" commands of Scripture.

Discipleship at Its Core: Carrying Out the “One Another” Commands in Covenant Membership

At its core, discipleship is not just a program or class—it is the intentional, relational process of living out the “one another” commands of Scripture within the covenant community of the local church.

True discipleship happens when believers commit to love, serve, exhort, and encourage one another in the context of church membership.

The New Testament presents over 50 “one another” commands, which define how discipleship is carried out in the life of the church.

The “One Another” Commands: The Blueprint for Church-Centered Discipleship

Discipleship is not merely a formal teaching process but a life-on-life commitment to obey these commands in the church.

A. Love and Unity in the Church

Love one another (John 13:34-35) – The distinguishing mark of disciples of Christ.

Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10) – A family-like commitment in the church.

Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16) – Pursuing peace within the church.

Do not pass judgment on one another (Romans 14:13) – Extending grace in secondary matters.

Accept one another as Christ has accepted you (Romans 15:7).

Bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2) – Showing patience in discipleship.

Forgive one another (Colossians 3:13) – A core mark of Christian community.

B. Encouragement and Spiritual Growth

Teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16) – The essence of discipleship.

Encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13) – Strengthening one another in the faith.

Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24) – Motivating each other to holiness.

Build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11) – Speaking life into fellow believers.

Exhort one another (Hebrews 10:25) – Calling one another to persevere in faith.

C. Service and Humility in Discipleship

Serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13) – True discipleship is marked by servanthood.

Carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) – Walking with each other through trials.

Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21) – Displaying humility in relationships.

Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13) – Enduring difficult relationships with grace.

Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9) – Welcoming and caring for fellow disciples.

D. Protection and Accountability

Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16) – A vital part of spiritual growth.

Pray for one another (James 5:16) – Seeking God’s help for each other.

Do not grumble against one another (James 5:9) – Avoiding division and bitterness.

Warn those who are idle (1 Thessalonians 5:14) – Holding one another accountable.

Rebuke one another when necessary (Luke 17:3) – Loving correction in discipleship.

E. Mutual Edification and Witness

Speak truth to one another (Ephesians 4:25) – Discipleship is rooted in honesty.

Clothe yourselves in humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5).

Comfort one another (2 Corinthians 1:4) – Encouraging each other in suffering.

Why the “One Another” Commands Require Church Membership

These commands assume ongoing, accountable relationships—which can only happen within the local church.

The New Testament never envisions lone-ranger Christianity; discipleship is always corporate and relational.

True discipleship requires a covenant commitment to a church body—to submit to elders (Hebrews 13:17), serve fellow members (1 Peter 4:10), and persevere together in faith (Hebrews 10:23-25).

Conclusion: Discipleship is Life Together in the Church

Biblical discipleship is not a solo effort but a covenantal reality where believers live out the one another commands in the local church.

If we neglect church membership, we neglect true discipleship because we cannot live out these commands in isolation.

To be a disciple is to commit to a local church where we love, teach, correct, encourage, and serve one another until we all reach maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16).

To reject biblical church membership and eldership is to reject God’s blueprint for “one-another” discipleship.

V. Evangelism vs. Making Disciples: A Biblical Distinction

One of the most common misconceptions in the church today is the confusion between evangelism and discipleship.

While they are deeply connected, they are not the same thing.

A. The Misconceptions About Evangelism and Discipleship

Many people wrongly assume that:

Evangelism and discipleship are identical – Some believe that making a disciple is simply sharing the gospel.

While evangelism is essential, making disciples involves teaching people to obey all that Christ has commanded (Matthew 28:20).

Evangelism stops at conversion – Some think that once someone professes faith in Christ, the work is done.

But Jesus calls us not only to proclaim the gospel but to train and mature believers in the faith (Colossians 1:28).

Colossians 1:28 ESV

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Discipleship is only for believers – While true discipleship takes place in the church, it begins with evangelism as we call unbelievers to follow Christ.

B. The Difference Between Evangelism and Making Disciples

SHOW DIAGRAM

Evangelism vs Making Disciples

Proclaiming the gospel to unbelievers (Romans 10:14-15)

VS Teaching and training believers in Christ (2 Timothy 2:2)

Calling people to repentance and faith (Mark 1:15) VS Teaching obedience to Christ’s commands (Matthew 28:20)

A moment of decision VS A lifelong process

Done outside the church in the world (Mark 16:15) VS Primarily done inside the church (Acts 2:42)

Discipleship includes evangelism, but it extends beyond it.

Jesus’ command in the Great Commission is not simply to make converts, but to make disciples who are taught, trained, and sent out to disciple others.

C. How Evangelism and Discipleship Work Together in the Church

Evangelism is the front door of discipleship.

When we bring someone to Christ, we do not abandon them—we walk with them, teach them, and bring them into the life of the church.

Practical Ways to Tie Evangelism and Discipleship Together in the Church:

Assimilate New Believers into the Church Immediately

When someone professes faith in Christ, the goal is not just conversion but integration into the church.

Encourage them to attend services, be involved in the life of the Church, and be discipled by mature believers (Acts 2:41).

2. Connect Evangelism to Church Membership

Evangelism is not just about making individual converts, but about bringing people into the covenant community of the church.

The New Testament pattern is that those who are saved are baptized and added to the church (Acts 2:47).

3. Teach New Believers to Share Their Faith Immediately

A key part of discipleship is teaching new believers how to evangelize others.

Jesus commanded the demon-possessed man He healed to go and tell what God had done (Mark 5:19).

Mark 5:19 ESV

And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

4. Create Pathways for Evangelism in the Church

Have regular outreach opportunities where church members can invite unbelievers and witness to them (e.g., Freeway Ministries, local evangelism efforts, events like the super bowl, missions trips).

As elders it’s our job to equip members with evangelism training so that they can confidently share their faith.

We have to get better at this! This is why we are here. This is the start to this training.

5. Encourage Families to Model Evangelism and Discipleship Together

Parents should take their children with them when sharing the gospel.

This trains the next generation to see evangelism as a normal part of the Christian life.

Families can serve in outreach ministries together, showing hospitality to unbelievers and leading them into discipleship.

D. The Ultimate Goal: A Disciple-Making Church

A healthy church is not just a church that preaches the gospel—it is a church that disciples new believers, trains them, and sends them out to make more disciples.

Evangelism brings people into the kingdom.

Discipleship grows them in the faith.

The church strengthens and equips them to go out and do the same.

This is the biblical model of a multiplying church.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

When evangelism and discipleship work together in the church, we see a movement of multiplication—believers who are trained, equipped, and sent out to make more disciples who make disciples.

Final Thought: Are We a Disciple-Making Church?

Let us ask ourselves:

Are we only preaching the gospel, or are we walking with people and discipling them?

Are we inviting people into the life of the church, or are we simply hoping they figure things out on their own?

Are we living out Acts 2:42-47, where the church is a community of disciple-makers?

A true disciple-making church is one where every member is involved in evangelism AND discipleship—where new believers are welcomed, taught, and trained to become disciple-makers themselves.

May we be a church that not only proclaims the gospel but also nurtures and grows those who come to faith—so that they, too, may go and make disciples of all nations.

So the big question now is…HOW DO WE DO THAT??!!

I’m glad you asked!

VI. Practical Ways to Live Out Discipleship in the Church

A. For Married Couples

Serve together in ministry.

Open your home for hospitality and fellowship.

Pray together and Join prayer groups together.

Study Scripture together with other believers.

B. For Parents

Teach your children to love the local church.

Take your children along with you to meet with church members, evangelize, and serve the community (such as through Freeway Ministries).

Take children to hospital visits with you.

Bring families in the Church into your regular rhythms of life.

C. For Singles

Serve in ministries within the church.

Seek out mentorship and disciple younger believers.

Visit the sick and widows in your church.

Spend time with couples and families in the Church.

D. For Teenagers

Get involved in serving—help with kids, music, outreach, or hospitality.

Find a mentor in the church and learn how to disciple others.

Ask to come with them to church events, and visiting with Church members.

Start a bible and prayer with a fellow student of the same sex.

VII. Conclusion: A Church That Makes Disciple-Makers

Let us now turn to Romans 15:14 and read it together:

Romans 15:14 ESV

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Paul had confidence in the Roman believers because they were full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

This is the picture of a healthy, thriving, disciple-making church—a church where every member is being transformed by Christ and helping others grow in the faith.

But let’s be honest—is this true of us?

Are we full of goodness, living holy, Christlike lives that reflect the gospel?

Are we filled with all knowledge, hungry for the Word of God and sound doctrine?

Are we able to instruct one another, taking responsibility for discipling those around us?

Or have we settled for simply attending church without engaging in discipleship?

Now, let us read 1 Timothy 3:15, which ties everything together:

1 Timothy 3:15 ESV

if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

The church is the household of God—His dwelling place, the pillar and support of the truth in this world.

That means we are not just a gathering of individuals—we are a spiritual family, a house built upon Christ, a people set apart to uphold and proclaim the truth. A people that display together the living presence of God!

Now picture with me what this looks like in action—what happens when we truly live out biblical discipleship.

A Beautiful Word Picture: Acts 2:42-47 Coming Alive in Our Church

Imagine our church becoming like the early church in Acts 2:42-47:

People are devoted to the Word—not just hearing it preached, but studying it, meditating on it, and sharing it with one another.

Prayer fills our gatherings and our homes—not just as a formality before meals, but as a powerful, Spirit-led reality that sustains us.

Fellowship is deep and sacrificial—not just friendly small talk after service, but real, life-giving relationships where burdens are carried and victories are celebrated.

Breaking bread together is more than a meal—it becomes a means of grace, a tangible expression of the unity we have in Christ.

People are coming to faith because discipleship is happening—not just from the pulpit, but in conversations at coffee shops, in homes, and in workplaces.

There is a holy awe among us—a sense of God’s presence, His power at work, transforming lives.

What if this wasn’t just an ideal—what if this was our reality?

What if we truly lived as the household of God—as a disciple-making church that is full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and able to instruct one another?

What if our church became a beacon of light in this dark world—a people committed to teaching, modeling, and walking in the gospel together?

A Call to Action: The Urgency of Discipleship

Church, we cannot wait any longer.

If we do not disciple one another—the world will.

If we do not pass on truth—false teaching will take its place.

If we do not build up the body—the church will weaken.

We must commit ourselves to biblical discipleship now.

Husbands, start discipling your wives.

Parents, train your children in the Lord.

Singles, invest in spiritual friendships and mentor younger believers.

Teenagers, seek out mature Christians and begin discipling those younger than you.

Every believer, take responsibility for someone else’s growth.

This is our calling.

This is our mission.

This is how the church thrives and endures.

Let us pray.

O Lord, We confess our failures in discipleship. We have been too passive, too distracted, too fearful. But tonight, we repent.

Revive our church, O God. Fill our homes and our gatherings with the fire of discipleship. Let us be a household of faith that upholds truth, models Christ, and makes disciples who make disciples.

Holy Spirit, empower us. Jesus, lead us. Father, be glorified in us.

For Your glory and the strengthening of Your people, we pray.

Amen.

The Final Charge: Go and Make Disciples

Church, let us not just hear this message—let us live it.

Let us discuss this together with joy and the seriousness of the task at our tables.

Then GO and MAKE DISCIPLES!

For Christ.

For His church.

For His glory.

Amen.