True Discipleship

As we look at these CRORE Concepts for the Church… you will begin to notice how many of these Concepts overlap. Christ is building His Church, and instruction in scripture is interwoven together to build a strong, healthy church body.

IF we are to be strong and healthy, THEN there needs to be healthy teaching, there needs to be discipleship!

Discipleship Defined…

Discipleship: The process of training people intentionally in some discipline or way of life. Discipleship is the process of devoting oneself to someone to learn from and become more like them.

Terms in our culture can be confused and overlapped in their implementation…

Mentor a trusted counselor or guide/instruction

Parent a person who brings up/trains and cares for a another

Disciple one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines/teachings of another such as Christ!

Our scripture passages today highlight the dual calling of scriptural discipleship:

1. To evangelize, urging followers to spread the gospel and create disciples across nations, emphasizing a lifestyle rooted in sound doctrine

2. To cultivate personal holiness and teach others to do the same. By cultivating believers in their faith, discipleship emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine/teaching. Discipleship is characterized by teaching, reproof (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and a commitment to righteous living that reflects and models Christ to the world, creating a lasting impact on our faith that extends across generations.

Christ Statements… Concerning Discipleship!

Christ bold words in Luke 14:25-33

Luke 14:25–33 NLT

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. “But don’t begin until you count the cost… So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

In comparison our love and desire for Him is contrasted sooo much

Greatest Command, Love God and Love others

Even your own life… you now live for Him!

Your cross… it will be difficult… there will be a cost!

Jesus would also say in Luke 10:2-3

Luke 10:2–3 NLT

These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

NOTICE… God is in charge of this Harvest… He works in hearts

There is not a lack of need rather a need for workers… Discipleship is WORK! We take His message and teachings

It will not be popular or even liked… lambs among the wolves

We see this in our own society…God’s Truth is hated and despised

To disciple is dangerous… yet we are given a command, a commission

David Livingston: “If a commission from an earthly king can be considered an honor, how is it that a commission by a Heavenly King can be considered a sacrifice?”

Compelled to Commission…

Christ Authority Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

To evangelize, urging followers to spread the gospel and create disciples across nations, emphasizing a lifestyle rooted in sound doctrine

ALL THE COMMANDS… scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Jesus has said… it is not easy, it is a change of focus, He has the authority to commission us to this, there is a need BUT… what does this look like practically… as mentors, as parents, as disciples of Jesus Christ… Paul gives us a practical pattern for true discipleship in his letter to Titus 2:1-15

Titus 2:1–15 NLT

As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.

Teaching Transforms Lives

Paul left Titus on Crete to set things in order… in the household and family of God there is ORDER!

The first step of ORDER is leadership (look at this in future weeks)

The “ORDER” also refers to the HEALTHY TEACHING of “Roles and Responsibilities” within the body of Christ… DISCIPLESHIP!

Healthy teaching in God’s church should produce healthy living when applied appropriately in ones life

Paul draws out “SOUND DOCTRINE...(NASB)” Titus 2:1

Older men and your character and actions

Older Men… sound doctrine and teaching is exhibited in certain behavior… Paul lays out RIGHT BEHAVIOR for older men!

He shifts to older women… here is their behavior / conduct

Older women… same thing the RIGHT BEHAVIOR is presented for older women and Paul gives the reason in verse 4...

Why?… to Encourage and train the younger women!!!

right behavior (this is healthy teaching)

As wives, mothers, understanding their CRUCIAL ROLE for their homes

Likewise… older men, train, teach, instruct the younger men!

He declares that they are to BE EXAMPLES!!! (living out sound doctrine)

Be watched, engage in time, life, come alongside… TEACH!!!

Be the instructors and spiritual leaders in your homes God has called you to be!

Men and women… if you and I are MANDATED to teach the younger ones, to look at them and declare, “follow my example”… then we have an obligation to understand God’s word, know it, study it and pass it on!

This by the way is to be done in the HOUSEHOLD OF GOD, starting in your own homes…

Paul wraps up this older younger teaching order in verse 8… “SO THAT” … our actions/works will put the opponents to shame and they have nothing bad to say!!!!

Paul solidifies his argument in God’s Grace!… in Titus 2:11-15

God’s Grace is for ALL People

Grace is the Motivation for Godly Living

Grace Contrast How We Live

God is calling us to good works

Our Works Declare Christ!

TOTAL COMMITTED (vs14) =one who is deeply committed to something and—‘enthusiast!

Now pastor don’t get too carried away with this… Look at verse 15… I HAVE TO!!!

In verse 15 after giving this sound teaching… Paul declares, “You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say. … this is to Titus, to shepherds, elders, pastors… WE MUST!

IT IS NOT… a program or study.… it is a lifestyle with intention!… this is sound teaching / this is sound doctrine!

Doctrine Defines Discipleship

What you and I believe will create and define how we live… how we spend our time… what and who we invest in…

WEEKLY TIME

Most children spend 32 hours a week at school (Minimum)

Sports on average take a minimum of 10 hours of their time

If they abide by the recommendation they get 76 hours of sleep each week (give or take)

CHURCH… (Awana, Sunday, Trail Life or Heritage Girls) will take 5 hours weekly

Out of 168 HOURS WEEKLY that each of us are allotted that leaves 45 hours weekly…

Friends...Eating...Hygiene...Playing...Homework...Chores

That is why the definition of DISCIPLESHIP has the word INTENTIONALLY!!!

I love what the Psalmist says about God’s Word in Psalm 119:105

Psalm 119:105 NLT

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

The Path???… God's Word directs us that is why it is imperative we know His Word!

Closing Thought:

In the broader context of Scripture, Jesus is the ultimate disciple-maker who lived out (3 Years of Ministry) His teachings not just through words, but through His life and sacrificial love.

The call to discipleship reflects the heart of Christ's mission and His ongoing work through believers empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Discipleship is an active commitment not just to conversion, but to cultivating a lifestyle that reflects and models Christ.

It should enable others to grow in their faith, forming a legacy of believers from generation to generation empowered to change the world.