2-A Foundational Understanding of Discipleship

2-A Foundational Understanding of Discipleship

Discussion 1

  • What was the call of Jesus to His disciples? (Matthew 28:19-20)
  • What does this mean for us today?
  • What characteristics should be forming in the life of a disciple? (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 4:7-11; John 13:35; Ephesians 4:11-16; Galatians 5:22-23; Luke 14:27; John 8:31-32; John 15:8).

Discussion 2

The call to discipleship is different for everyone. Look at the following examples and talk about how they differ.

  • Peter and Andrew – Matthew 4:18-22
  • James and John – Matthew 4:22
  • Matthew (Levi) – Luke 5:27-28
  • The Rich Young Ruler – Matthew 19:16-22

How does your call to discipleship compare to these and other disciples you know?

Discussion 3

Discuss the following goals of discipleship?

  • Toward self – becoming fully mature in Christ: Colossians 1:28, Ephesians 4:11-16
  • Toward others – love and servanthood: Galatians 5:13
  • Toward the world – the Great Commission: Matthew 28:19-20.

Discussion 4

The Four-Stage Model of Discipleship applies to the national church, local church, and individual discipleship development. Discuss the following aspects as it applies to you and your church.

  1. A Four-Stage Nation makes responsible reproducing disciples and begins a local church (Stage 1)…makes responsible reproducing leaders (Stage 2)…expands local churches who come together as a national movement (Stage 3)…and sends reproducing missionaries cross-culturally (Stage 4).
  2. A Four-Stage Church evangelizes and disciples (Stage 1)…makes responsible disciples and trains leaders (Stage 2)…sends out trained leaders to plant churches (Stage 3)…and develops and networks in sending missionaries cross-culturally (Stage 4).
  3. A Four-Stage Disciple/Leader values evangelism, discipleship, and church planting (Stage 1)…is committed personally to knowing Jesus passionately and to growing in Jesus (Stage 2)…serves the Lord according to their gifting and calling (Stage 3)…and influences others for Christ (Stage 4).

Discussion 5

For the next few weeks, discuss the following aspects of a fully mature disciple.

  • Understands salvation (Romans 5:1); the Person of Jesus (Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 1:15-16); and who they are in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17); understands the place of water baptism and has been water baptized (Matt 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12).
  • Understands how to handle God’s Word (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17; Heb 5:12-14).
  • Understands how to die to sin so it doesn’t have dominion (Rom. 6:1-14); understands the “old self/new self” and how to “put off/put on” aspects of the two natures (Col. 3:5-14); understands what is morally important to God (Eph. 4:1).
  • Understands how to walk in the Spirit (sanctification/fruit of the Spirit [Rom. 8; Gal. 5:22-26]); what it means to be “Spirit-filled” (the importance of a prayer language; baptism with the Holy Spirit [Eph. 5:18; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 14:15]).
  • Knows their spiritual gifting and the importance of serving Christ according to their gifting, passion, and temperament (Rom. 12:3-8; 2 Tim. 1:6; Psalm 139:14); is involved in works of service (Eph.4:12).
  • Understands the Church/participates in community (Acts 2:42-46; 4:32-35; Hebrews 10:24-25).
  • Understands what is means to influence others for Christ; understands the importance of evangelism; has a global heart for people’s spiritual and practical needs (Matt. 25:34-46; 2 Pet. 3:9).
  • Understands basic Christian disciplines (stewardship/devotions [Matt 25:14-30; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Psalm 119).
  • Understands how to pray/fast and worship (Luke 18:1; Matt. 6:9-18; Col. 3:15-17).
  • Understands forgiveness and basic “peacemaking” principles (Rom. 12:17-20); understands control of the tongue (James 3:3-12); understand the basis for healthy relationships with others; is relationally intelligent (Rom. 12:10).
  • Understands how the devil and the demonic work; knows how to resist him and deal with demonic influences/possession (Luke 10:17-20; Eph. 6:10-17; James 4:7-8).
  • Understands when they have a “besetting” issue in their life that requires extra (sometimes professional) help determining its origin/diagnosis and healing process (Luke 4:18-19); has access to resources within the church that guide them through the healing/recovery.
  • Understands how to do life “by grace not by works” – both “being with God’ and “doing because of love for Him”; understands how to grow in Christ (Rom. 1-8; 2 Peter 1:5-9).
  • Understands how we’re healed – physically, spiritually, emotionally (psychologically), and relationally (Luke 4:16-21).
  • Is a discipler of others (Matt. 28:19-20).
  • Understands God’s “Grand Story” (Gen. 12:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).
  • Is a life-long learner (Col. 1:9-10).

Understands the Bible’s teachings on key life specifics:

  • On marriage/being single (Deut. 24:1-5; Matt. 19:3-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16)
  • On gender identity (Gen. 1:27; 2:20-25)
  • On employer and employee roles (Eph. 6:5-9; Col. 3:22-4:1)
  • On parenting/parental responsibility in bringing kids to Christ (Deut. 6:20-25; Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20-21)
  • On the place of government/the state and being a citizen (Rom. 13:1-5; 1 Pet. 2:13-17)
  • On healthy submission to spiritual authority (Heb. 13:17)
  • On the role of women in the church (Acts 18:24-26; Rom.16:1,7)

Discussion 6

Read Ephesians 4:7-16 and discuss the following questions:

  • What is the purpose of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher?
  • Who should be doing the work of the ministry?
  • What is the end result?
  • How does 2 Tim.3:16-17 fit into this?

Practicum 1 – Leading People to Christ by Sharing Your Story

Prepare a five-minute testimony of how you came to know Christ as your personal Savior.

  • Tell who you were and the circumstances in your life prior to coming to Christ.
  • What caused you to look to God?
  • Where were you when you surrendered your life to Christ and how did it happen?
  • How has your life changed since becoming a Christian?
  • End your story with a simple invitation for those listening to receive Christ into their life.
  • Practice your story until you gain the confidence for it to flow freely, then pray for opportunities to share it with others who do not know Christ.