If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Investing in God’s people from life to life
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
Jesus called on His followers to make disciples. So, what is a disciple? How would we know if someone was a disciple? How do we go about making disciples, or even developing a ministry that fosters the making of disciples?
Bible Zone
- Process of Growth - Growth is a process that requires nurture.
- Marks of a disciple - How can we tell whether people in our ministry are disciples.
- Fruit of discipleship - What is the outcome or fruit of a disciple of Christ?
- People who make disciples - Sharing the work Christ is doing in our own lives.
- Why make disciples - Jesus commissioned his disciples to make disciples.
- Overview of Disciple Making - A Biblical model for making disciples.
Development is a process. A young disciple of Jesus will make mistakes because they are ignorant of many aspects of the Christian faith. Even if they do have a degree of understanding, they might make mistakes through lack of confidence that God will work in them or their situation.
- What qualities are identified here by Peter?
- Why is faith the start point?
- How are the qualities developed by the new believer?
- What developing expectations does Peter have for a young believer?
2 Peter 1:5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
A broader perspective on Process of Growth
A disciple is someone who follows Jesus. By its very nature, following Jesus means not giving our lives to other things. When Jesus clarified discipleship He contrasted it to keeping our lives for ourselves.
- To whom was the offer of discipleship extended?
- What are the requirements for following Jesus?
- What will get in the way of following Jesus?
Mark 8: 34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?*37 Is anything worth more than your soul?38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
A broader perspective on Marks of a disciple
Jesus was concerned about the inner qualities by which a person lived and the fruit of those qualities born not only in ones own life, but in the lives of those we influence.
- What is Paul’s outlook on these young believers?
- What does Paul look for as the evidence of spiritual life?
- How could you see these in the lives of those you minister to?
1Thessalonians 1: 2We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
A broader perspective on Fruit of disciplemaking
The Lord works to shape the person who makes disciples. He knows that the fruit of our ministry will be shaped by our attitudes and lifestyle. He desires the very best for us and those we work with so he draws the best out of us through life circumstances.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:6-9 Paul tells of his love, and the price he was willing to pay on behalf of the gospel.
- What were Paul and his team’s attitudes towards the Thessalonians?
- How was love expressed by Paul and his team?
- What is the difference between sharing the gospel and sharing life?
- How could you develop such attitudes in your ministry?
1 Thessalonians 2: 6-9 ... As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
A broader perspective on People who make disciples
As Jesus was ending his ministry on earth He told us, His disciples to participate with Him in His continuing mission on earth, to make disciples of all nations. What an amazing privilege to work with Jesus in this way.
- Who was given the commission, and in what context was it given?
- What are the elements of the commission?
- What part does Jesus play in His commission?
Matthew 28:17-20 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
A broader perspective on Why make disciples
Helping people develop in disciple making requires that we back away from our situation and reflect on the overall ministry. A good mentor can help us do this. In the Bible Jethro mentors Moses. Jethro advises Moses to serve the needs of the people through others. This method serves those who are mature, for it enables them to participate in ministry. It serves those who are less mature for it gives opportunities of personal help in their own walk of faith.
- What roles are mentioned in this passage?
- What roles was Moses to fulfil?
- What roles was Moses to delegate?
- To whom was Moses to delegate them?
Exodus 18: 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people— men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain— and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.
A broader perspective on Overview of disciple making
PRINCIPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP
