Lesson 17
Discipleship
A Disciple’s Purpose is to Become Like His Master and to
Adhere Strictly to His Teaching and Truth
| A. | All Christians are not disciples! Discipleship, like salvation, involves a conscious decision to follow the Savior whatever the cost. | ||
| B. | There are five primary ministerial goals that serve to fulfill the biblical command of what we call “The Great Commission.” They are as follows: | ||
| 1. | To evangelize the world (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15) | ||
| 2. | To establish edifying churches (Acts 11:19-26) | ||
| 3. | To build individual disciples (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18) | ||
| 4. | To bring disciples and their churches to Christ-likeness (Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19) | ||
| 5 | To bring glory to God (Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 10:31) |
Discipleship Is the Pivotal Element
Between Goals 1&2 and 4&5
Although Christ certainly evangelized and established His Church, He never built what we would call a "big" church during His ministry. His goal was to leave 12 men behind at His ascension that could do what He had done. His 3 1/2 year ministry was primarily a discipleship ministry.
In the establishment of New Testament churches, Paul the Apostle understood and taught this principle when he said, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2)
Jesus said, "Teaching them to observe all things...." This is not primarily a pulpit process but a personal, people process, one on one!
| Discipleship is not | Discipleship is...... |
| an activity | an attitude |
| a program | a philosophy |
| a series of lessons | a way of life |
| education only | edification/exhortation |
| teaching only | your life, and example |
| a handbook | heart-to-heart ministry |
| a rapid formula | a long-lasting relationship |
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