The Character of a Disciple

What qualities in a person do you look for to verify in your mind that a person is a Christian and why did you choose that quality?

A disciple is

someone who follows a leader and seeks to learn from them.

Luke 17:1–4 ESV

1 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

What do these verses teach us about the character of a disciple?

We should be careful of what we say and do around those who are younger in the faith than us. I’m not talking about chronological age, I’m talking spiritual age. We need to make sure things we do won’t lead them to sin.

We should be willing to forgive others when the come to us with a truly repentant heart.

How is an unwillingness to offer forgiveness tied to sin in our lives?

If we are unwilling to forgive others, we are not approaching others, as well as our Heavenly Father with a true repentance when we ask forgiveness.

Why do you think Jesus said to “watch yourselves” in this regard? Why is this something we have to keep watch for?

If we don’t keep watch out for it, we end up allowing bitterness to build within us which will cause us to sin against those who have offended us.

It is easier to allow bitterness to grow than to continually forgive others.

Luke 17:5–6 ESV

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

Why might the disciples have asked for increased faith in response to Jesus’ words on forgiveness?

They saw this as something which would be difficult to do. Maybe even early on in the minstry they are doing with Jesus, they have already experienced quite a bit of hurt and knew there were areas where they needed to forgive others.

How does Jesus’ response regarding faith surprise you?

He hit them with not the quantity of their faith or the amount of faith they had, but with what they were doing with it.

How does this challenge your ideas regarding the amount of faith you need in order to follow Jesus well?

What do these words show us about quality compared with quantity in regards to faith?

It’s not so much about the quantity, but once again about the quality. What are we doing with the faith we have in Christ? Are we continually asking for more faith in order to face the trials we have, or are we exercising the faith we have.

Luke 17:7–10 ESV

7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”

Don’t these verses go contrary to the things we are taught in today’s society?

What do these verses teach you about the humility followers of Jesus are called to exhibit?

We supposed to be here to serve others. We are to be second to their needs.

How has Jesus modeled perfect humility for His followers?

Jesus modeled this perfectly. He came to earth in one of the most humble births. He put others needs before His own, including the needs of His Father. He died on the cross for all of us and took our sins upon himself so we could have a relationship with His Father and Him.

He gave everything up for us.

Luke 17:11–19 ESV

11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

How did the one leper in this passage show true thankfulness for Jesus’ healing work?

He returned and fell to his knees and thanked Jesus for his healing.

What is significant about the fact that the man who returned was a Samaritan?

He was a foreigner, not a Jew.

What did this indicate about who Jesus came to save?

It shows that salvation was open to all and not just the Jewish people.

How are all disciples of Jesus called to exhibit thankfulness for Jesus’ healing work in their lives?

We all should thankful for the saving work which Jesus did for us on the cross. We need to realize the spiritual healing which has taken place in our lives is far bigger miracle than the one Jesus did for the lepers.

What are some practical ways we might do this regularly?

As always, questions to think about as we leave this evening.

Where are you currently struggling to offer forgiveness to someone? How might remembering God’s forgiveness of you help you to move toward forgiveness of this person? How might you ask for His help in this regard?

What would you say is the connection between living faith-filled and humble lives? How do both of these place Jesus as the center focus of our lives over being focused on ourselves?

Who do you need to tell about the hope of Jesus as means of showing thankfulness for His work in your life? How will you respond?