STEP TWO

THE BASIS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Romans 1:11,12 "For I want very much to see you, in order to share a spiritual blessing with you to make you strong. What I mean is that both you and I will be helped at the same time, you by my faith and I by yours." Good News Bible

1. Discipling--

   1.1 A. Four generations - a biblical model of multiplying disciples. The gospel and

   the Christian life are shared simply with others so that they can easily be passed on from the first to the fourth generation. 2 Tim 2:2                         
   1st generation: Paul
   2nd generation: Timothy
   3rd generation: faithful people
   4th generation: others
   
   B.An Old Testament principle for discipling-- Ps 78:5-6

1.2 The illustration of the two seas:

1. The Dead Sea--does not support life because it doesn't give, only takes in water. (Christians who just receive and don't share the gospel and the Christian life with others.)
2. The Sea of Galilee--supports life because water comes in and goes out (Christians who

share Christ with others.)

 

1.3 Examples:

1. Andrew calls Simon Peter--John 1:40-42
2. Philip and Nathanael--John 1:43-45
3. Jesus and His disciples--Mark 3:14 He chose them to be with him first and then to send them out

   information: 10% of the discipling effort
   formation: 90% of the discipling effort

2. What are the requirements of discipleship found in Luke 14:25-33? (This is a familiar Hebraic form of teaching using extreme contrasts.) Compare Matt 10:37-39; 15:3-4.
   
   
3. Can you find at least ten privileges of discipleship John 15:7-16?
   
   
4. We are setting down the basics in discipleship. Don't be discouraged if you don't see all of the characteristics of a disciple in the beginning. We're learning and growing.

   
   4.1 Personal characteristics that develop in a disciple's life:

   1. Decisiveness: 1 Cor 16:13-14 "Be alert, stand firm, be brave, be strong. Do everything in love."
   2. Maturity. Grown up into Christ -- Eph 4:14-15
   3. Diligence. Have a great desire to LEARN and great diligence to PRACTICE what you have learned. 1 Tim 4:15-16
   4. Faithfulness. Get to know one another. Establish trust. 1 Cor 4:2; Prov 20:6; Eccl 5:4-6a
   5. Modeling. Be a model for others to follow--1 Tim 4:12
   6. Encouraging. Encourage others to be successful in all areas of life--Phil 2:3-4; Lk 22:24-26; Rom 12:3
   7. Pace setting. Plan for the "long haul"--1 Cor 9:24-27

   
   4.2 Relationships with others.

   1. Friendship requires effort.-- Prov 17:17; Jn 15:12-14.
   2. Leadership focuses on serving.-- Mark 10:43-45. A Christian leader is a servant. This is not our cultural pattern, but is Christ's model given to us.
   3. Mutual submission is God's plan.-- Eph 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5; and unity is the result of being joined together in one body --Eph 4:16
   4. Spiritual authority comes as a result of working with and voluntarily under others. Notice how Titus is commissioned by Paul--Titus 1:5-- to act with authority --Titus 2:15. Also observe how Paul is subject to the Apostles--Acts 15:1-2; 16:4.and Gal 2:9-10. We recognize and submit to spiritual authority. It is not imposed.

HOMEWORK: Memorize 2 Timothy 2:2                                                                         

Find some of the characteristics of a disciple:                                                  

John 13:34-35____________________________________

John 8:31 _______________________________________

Ephesians 6:18 __________________________________

I Peter 3:15 ____________________________________

John 15:8 ______________________________________

Mark 10:43-45___________________________________

Acts 1:8 _______________________________________

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