LIVING AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS THE CHRIST

Lesson 2
The Nature Of Discipleship
I. Some introductory thoughts and principles
(See Discipleship In The Ministry of Jesus by Jones)
1. Jesus followers were called disciples
(See Matthew 5:1, 2)
2. Later, when the church was established following the resurrection of Jesus, the
disciples were called Christians first at Antioch
(Acts 11:26)
3. The word disciple comes from a word which means a learner, but it also includes one
who follows the teaching of another
a. The disciples of John
(Matthew 9:14)
b. The disciples of the Pharisees
(Matthew 22:16)
c. The disciples of Moses
(John 9:28)
4. Please notice that a disciple will bear much fruit in his life, fruit that is pleasing to
his Master
(John 15:8)
WHAT DOES THIS REALLY MEAN?
5. To be the disciple of the Lord, we must hold to the teaching of Christ
(John 8:31, 32)

II. Some Questions That Cause Us To Think Seriously About Discipleship

1. What does it really mean to follow Jesus?
2. Are we really following Jesus, or are we simply performing ceremonies?
3. Do the many different religious sects and denominations HELP or HINDER
discipleship?
4. If we just feel good about our religion, is this discipleship?
5. Is just being religious the SAME as discipleship?
6. Is just believing in Jesus the SAME as discipleship?

III. Discipleship Is Rooted And Grounded In the Eternal Purpose Of God

1. God chose us in Christ before creation that we might be holy and blameless
before Him
(Ephesians 1:4)
2. Gods plan had two wonderful purposes:
a. That we may be holy and blameless (saved)
b. That God will be honored and glorified
(Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14)
3. Gods eternal purpose and plan was that the church will show forth His Wisdom
(Ephesians 3:10, 11)
4. We are created in Christ Jesus FOR GOOD WORKS

(Ephesians 2:10)

5. If we are part of Gods eternal purpose, we must find out how He wants us to live.
MAN HAS NEVER BEEN LEFT BY GOD TO LIVE AS MAN DESIRES!

IV. The Nature Of Our Discipleship In Gods Plan

1. In ancient time, Greek philosophers had their followers. The disciples of these men
walked with their teacher. One group was called Peripatetics, those who walked
2. NOTE: Enoch walked with God
(Genesis 5:24)
3. Jesus made disciples! He either made disciples or enemies!
QUESTION: Is it true today that men and women try to be the friend of ALL
and the enemy of NONE?
4. To be the disciple of Jesus, we must REMAIN IN HIS WORD and the TRUTH will
make us free from sin
(John 8:31, 32)
5. In order to understand discipleship, we must understand GOD!
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

God is not questioned in the Bible. He is the GREAT I AM (Exodus 3:14)

Be HOLY LIKE GOD
(Leviticus 11:44; I Peter 1:15)
Be IMITATORS OF GOD!
(Ephesians 5:1)
God wants us to DRAW NEAR TO HIM
(James 4:8)
God wants to BE CLOSE TO US!
(See Exodus 25:8; Ephesians 2:19-22)
To make this possible, God sent Jesus to die for the sinful and disobedient world
(Romans 5:6-8)

6. In order to understand discipleship, we must understand JESUS!

a.
b.
c.
d.

Jesus reveals God to us

(John 1:18)
If we want to be like God, WE MUST BE LIKE JESUS!
We must DO as He did, LOVE like He loved, HATE EVIL as He did!
JESUS ALWAYS DID THE THINGS THAT PLEASED HIS FATHER!
(John 8:29). DISCIPLES WILL DO THE SAME!
e. JESUS HAD A GREAT LOYALTY AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE WILL
OF GOD!
(John 6:38)
d. When Jesus saw people, He considered the potential HARVEST OF SOULS
(John 4:35; Mark 1:38)
e. JESUS COUNTED THE COST IN HIS MINISTRY!
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

He emptied himself and CAME TO EARTH (Philippians 2:5-8)

He knew that He MUST PAY A GREAT PRICE!
He came TO SERVE, NOT TO BE SERVED!
(Matthew 20:28)
He allowed Himself to be exposed to all the temptations of this world
(Hebrews 4:14-16)
(5) He completed the work He came to do
(John 9:4)
(6) IT IS FINISHED!
(John 19:30)
f. DISCIPLES WILL DEVELOP THE SAME LOYALTY TO THE WILL OF
GOD!
g. DISCIPLES WILL BE WILLING TO COUNT THE COST OF THEIR
DISCIPLESHIP!
h. DISCIPLES WILL BECOME MORE AND MORE LIKE THEIR MASTER!