A bible study bible Adam Osborne, JR.
It has been said that Discipleship is the key to the Christian walk. What does “discipleship†mean to you? If I asked you to CREATE the definition of a Christian Disciple, what would you say:
• By definition, a “disciple, a learner†is a follower, one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.
• Discipleship is Modeling and teaching Christians the precepts of the Bible: prayer, doctrine, Christian living, and worship.
• We are to care and share with others His love and character.
• Our Christian role is to be a model to the new convert and to the world. A Christ-like character, encouraging others to surrender themselves to Jesus Christ:
o Gal 2:20-21 (NIV) 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
• “Actively following the resurrected Jesus, attempting by the Spirit’s power to obey his teaching, embrace his purpose, imitate his way, love his world, proclaim his kingdom and live his ongoing mission to reconcile all things to himself.â€
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Discipleship is lived out in the context of our local church.
-at Leonardtown Baptist Church we use 4 words to describe and illustrate the discipleship process
-Seek / Study / Serve / Share
The focus of the remainder of this lesson is how discipleship should be found in the life of a Christ-follower.
BASIS:
Discipleship has one primary basis: – a relationship with Jesus Christ
Very quickly, we will review a few basic foundational Christian beliefs, then move to discipleship.
First, all of us, everyone, are sinners….
–Rom. 3:23 tells us: – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, . . .
Secondly, there is a price for that sin…..
–Rom. 6:23 tells us – penalty of sin … [For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord]
-either Christ dies for us or we die in our own sin
But, God has a plan to deal with our sin, that plan is JESUS:
–2 Cor. 5:21 tells us: – God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
-substitution – Christ took our sins / we receive His righteousness
Lastly, and remember, we are talking about how we MUST have a relationship with Christ….. our needed RESPONSE for God’s plan to deal with our sin is……
–Ephesians 2:8-10 – Needed response – FAITH = 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.]
–salvation clearly NOT based on works but on faith
TO REVIEW!!!!! Before you can be a disciple (follower) you must first be a member of the family!
OK, NOW, LET’S MOVE ON TO DISCIPLESHIP ITSELF! WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
EXPECTATIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP
LBC, like most churches has a covenant they ask members to subscribe to.
Let me read ours . . .
I’m going to quickly read through this. As I read this, I want you to consciously THINK about DISCIPLESHIP and see if our covenant fits the bill. We will discuss it after I’ve finished reading it to you.
“Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to maintain our mind and body as the temple of the Holy Spirit; to use our influence to prevent the sale and distribution of harmful substances and literature that would hinder the work of the Holy Spirit; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; and to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay. We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word. “
This covenant says a lot – probably more than we can cover here
But let us talk for just a moment about some basic expectations
Again, let’s refer to SEEK; STUDY; SERVE; SHARE
This is a good tool for discussing what it means to be a disciple:
1. Seek the Lord in worship
-It is expected that you will be faithful in your attendance . . .
-worship = blended (intentional …)
Can someone please give me a scripture that says we are to seek the Lord in worship?
Psalms 27:4 (NIV) 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Matthew 18:20 (NIV) For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
2. Study the Word in small group fellowship
-It is expected that you will be accountable
-practice charity
-not speak negatively about your church
-find a group to plug in
– practice koinonia (see below)
-ABF structure . . . (see below)
• The essential meaning of the koinonia embraces concepts conveyed in the English terms of community, communion, joint participation, sharing and intimacy. Koinonia can therefore refer in some contexts to a jointly contributed gift. The word appears 19 times in most editions of the Greek New Testament. In the New American Standard Bible, it is translated “fellowship†twelve times, “sharing†three times, and “participation†and “contribution†twice each.
• ABF STRUCTURE (ABOVE) = Timothy; Set Up Coordinator; Prayer Coordinator; Care Coordinator; Service Coordinator (service project); Evangelism Coordinator.
Can someone give me a scripture that tells us to Study?
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Nehemiah 8:8 (NIV) They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
3. Serve the Body in ministry
-It is expected that you will find some area in which to work.
Opportunities to serve at LBC:
• Awana
• Care (food; flowers, etc)
• Cave (care and visitation of the elderly)
• Transportation (vans; buses)
• Decorations
• Junior Church
• Nursery
• Kitchen
• Men’s Ministry
• Women’s Bible Study Group
• Wednesday Night Bible Study
• Prison fellowship
• Puppet / Drama teams
• Recreation Committee
• Welcome Committee: Greeters; Parking Lot;
• Small Groups
• Home School
• MET (Missions Evangelism Committee)
4. Share Christ with the World through evangelism
-Ways we can share . . . (missionary events like Moldova, Mexico, MET team,
-Another way is through giving. In what ways does LBC “share” with outside ministries?
• our giving & tithing helps support worldwide ministry, including work of LBC.
o Lottie Moon
o PBA
o Various others
-As far as GIVING goes, you need to be faithful at the level God leads you …
-There are “4” General principles to giving:
-generously -sacrificially -regularly -cheerfully
2 Corinthians 9:6Â The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2Â On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.Â
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV) 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NIV) 1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.
• Someone read Matthew 28: 16-20 (The Great Commission)
Matt 28:16-20 (NIV) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
o How would you respond if I said that the Great Commission is also the “Great Failure†of our church today? Would you agree or disagree? (Discuss)
o In what ways are we failing discipleship or the Great Commission today?
The Great Commission TELLS US to make disciples……
Let’s look at DISCIPLESHIP by the example of the PERFECT disciple, Jesus Christ.
o He lived a Godly life
o He equipped the 12 disciples
o And, then he commanded that the disciples go out and REPLICATE themselves. To make other disciples.
Every new believer, is then discipled through God’s Word and God’s church, THEN, they go out and REPLICATE themselves too…..thus fulfilling the Great Commission.
Think about this: “What we learn and do here during our short time on earth will echo throughout the vastness of eternity.
• Putting Jesus first in all things: Mark 8:34-38.
Mark 8:34-38 (NIV) 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
The disciple of Christ needs to be set apart from the world. Our focus should be on our Lord and pleasing Him in every area of our lives. We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness.
NEXT: We need to follow Jesus’ teachings. Someone read John 8:31-32
Following Jesus’ teachings: John 8:31-32. We must be obedient children and doers of the Word.
John 8:31-32 (NIV) 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Obedience is the supreme test of faith in God (1 Samuel 28:18),
1 Sam 28:18 (NIV) 18 Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today.
Jesus is the perfect example of obedience as He lived a life on earth of complete obedience to the Father even to the point of death (Phil 3:6-8)
Phil 3:-8 (NIV) 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
• Fruitfulness. Someone read (John 15:5-8):
John 15:5-8 (NIV) 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Our job is not producing fruit. Our job is to abide in Christ, and if we do, the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit, and this fruit is the result of our obedience. As we become more obedient to the Lord and learn to walk in His ways, our lives will change. The biggest change will take place in our hearts, and the overflow of this will be a new conduct (thoughts, words, actions) representative of that change. The change we see is done from the inside out, through the power of the Holy Spirit. It isn’t something we can conjure up on our own.
• Love for other disciples (John 13:34-35).
John 13:34-35 (NIV) 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
• We are told that love of other believers is the evidence of our being a member of God’s family (1 John 3:10).
1 John 3:10 (NIV) 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
• Love is defined and elaborated on in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. These verses show us that love is not an emotion; it is an action. We must be doing something and involved in the process.
1 Cor 13:1-13 (NIV) 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Furthermore, we are told to think more highly of others than of ourselves and to look out for their interests (Philippians 2:3-4).
Phil 2:2-4 (KJV) Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
The next verse in Philippians (Verse 5) really sums up what we are to do when it comes to everything in life: “verse 5 says “Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesusâ€.
What a perfect example He is to us for everything we are to do in our Christian lives.
• Evangelist – Making disciples of others (Matthew 28:18-20) (Great Commission above) . We are to share our faith and tell nonbelivers about the wonderful changes Jesus Christ has made in our lives. No matter what our maturity level is our Christian life, we have something to offer. Too often, we believe the lie from Satan that we really don’t know enough or haven’t been a Christian long enough to make a difference. Not true! Some of the most enthusiastic representatives of the Christian life are new believers who have just discovered the awesome love of God. They may not know a lot of Bible verses or the “accepted†way of saying things, but they have experienced the love of the living God, and that is exactly what we are to share.
Discipleship is not an option:
o The Great Commission (above)
o Romans Chapter 12
o 1 Corinthians Chapter 12
o Galatians 6:1-10
o Mark 1:35-2:12
Romans 12:1-21 (NIV) 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
o 1 Corinthians 12
1 Corinthians 12:1-31 (NIV) 1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
One Body, Many Parts
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret?
Love’ 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
o Galatians 6:1-10
Gal 6:1-10 (NIV) 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
o Mark 1:35-2:12
Mark 1:35-2:12 (NIV) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else–to the nearby villages–so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
A Man With Leprosy
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
2:1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralytic, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Last updated, New Years Day, 2022. Â
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