Discipleship

2 weeks ago we talked about living for Jesus

Last week we discussed how serving is a part of living for Jesus.

Means GROWING for/with Jesus & growing others with Jesus

Why we’re talking about DISCIPLESHIP

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

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.”

Great commission. Jesus is giving lasting instructions to his disciples who were becoming apostles.

First thing we need to know here is - What is a disciple? What does being a disciple mean and/or look like?

Lexham Theological Wordbook Discipleship

Discipleship is the process of devoting oneself to a teacher to learn from and become more like them. For the Christian, this refers to the process of learning the teachings of Jesus and following after his example in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. Discipleship not only involves the process of becoming a disciple but of making other disciples through teaching and evangelism.

Paul refers to this process as “imitating”

For today’s purpose, we’re breaking this down into 3 steps - to keep things simple and straight forward.

STEP 1: Be a Disciple Yourself

We need to be more than a mere “Christian,” we need to be disciples of Christ! Learning, growing, and walking with Him.

Matthew 4:18–20 ESV

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Peter and Andrew didn’t hesitate, they followed.

God called them and they answered!

But being a follower isn’t enough.

Luke 9:23–25 ESV

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Count the costs! - A statement we heard a lot training and prepping for missions. But not a lot in the Church by-and-large.

We live in a very different time and culture than Jesus did, how can we live for and like Jesus today?

1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Cor 10:31 has become a life verse for me!

Paul says to imitate him as he imitates Christ.

So to be a disciple of Jesus and to live more like him, learn from and imitate the faith of great Christians around you.

Learn as a child does.

STEP 2: Feed into Others

The best way to learn is to teach!

The zeal and fire of new believers can spread and bring others to faith! While the consistent heat of the embers of mature faith can bring sustained spiritual growth.

We all have a part in ministry, faith, and life!

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Everyone everywhere needs Jesus. It’s a plain and simple truth.

We are each called to do this. Some to equip, some to lead, some to plant the seed, some to water the seed, some to reap the harvest, some to sort the harvest, and so on.

Romans 10:14–15 ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

We all have a part in this. What’s yours? Do you know, or do you need some help discerning this?

STEP 3: Walk w/ Them as They Feed into Others

We started this talk by discussing our own personal walk with Christ. Then helping the next generation of believers.

We repeat these steps, btw. This in’t a one time thing.

We all need help from those more mature in the faith. And unless you are a brand new Christian, I can assure you that you are further along in the walk than someone else.

But we’re not supposed to simply bring people to faith, bring them up, and then send them off.

When we have discipled others and they are now discipling, we are there to mentor them on this part of their journey.

Like a teen nearing adulthood, our roles as parents shift from instructor to mentor.

Deuteronomy 32:7 ESV

Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.

Job 12:12 ESV

Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.

Growing with Christ brings spiritual maturity.

If you’re not growing more spiritually mature, examine your walk with God.

Reading, praying, serving, obeying...

Maturity doesn’t mean perfection. It means growth and development.

We all should have those we look up to to and those who look up to us.

You don’t ever want to be the biggest fish in the only pond you ever swim in.

Ask yourself, who do you look up to? Who mentors you? Who are you imitating?

Ask yourself, who looks up to me? Am I maturing and becoming a good example for them?

PRAYER -

Father,

Thank you so very much for your son, Jesus. Thank you for your love and kindness that you have show to us. Help us to walk in the footsteps of Christ. Grow us every day more into his image. Make Jesus the center of our lives, in such a way that it draws those close to us ever closer to you. Help us to grow the next generation of disciples, feeding into them the very best that you have had fed into us. And help us mentor them as they disciple others. Give us courage and strength to go out into the world and shine your light everywhere we are.

In Jesus’s name - amen.