Lesson 4 - Discipleship

Study Goals:

• To help the student know what a disciple is. Definition - actual and practical (Acts 11:26, Luke 6:40)
• To help the student understand what a disciple does. The marks/proofs of a Disciple (John 12:47-50, John 13:34-35, John 15:1-9)
• To show that these traits are the “spiritual DNA” of a true disciple and that these proofs are found in baby disciples. (Acts 2:38-47)
• To help the student grasp the depth and seriousness of the commitment that Christ calls them to. (Luke 14)

What do you think of when hear the following words: 1) Christian? 2)  Disciple? 3) Church?

Acts 11:25- 26 “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

• NOTE: Many people (not all) believe that these words represent three different individuals/groups and three distinct levels of commitment. They see the church as a place to go and often think that a disciple is more highly committed (and rare) than a Christian. The problem this creates is that if someone thinks that the term disciple doesn’t apply to them, they will read over the term and its expectations without any personal application or expectation. The truth is the Bible uses these terms to describe the same individual(s). “Christian” is a ‘Roman style’ word to describe those who follow Christ; the “Church” is the saved people of God (Heb. 12:23), his collection of followers; and Christ’s ‘term of endearment’ for his followers was “Disciple” (a term he overwhelmingly used). By the completion of this study your student should know that all saved individuals are called to the same character and level of commitment. When Jesus describes the character and commitment of a disciple, He is describing the commitment and character for a Christian and the desired makeup of those within His church. This study will look at, from Jesus words, what it means to be a disciple, which is a Christian, and a member of His church.

From this verse does it appear that the term disciples and Christians were used to describe different or the same individuals?

How many times do you think the Bible calls followers of Christ, Christians?

• Only 3 times

How many times do you think the Bible calls followers of Christ, Disciples?

• About 120 times

Does this verse alter your understanding of the words Christian or disciple? If so, how?

Why would Jesus use this particular word so often? Is there any lesson you should learn from this?

• Jesus wants you to be clear on this word / concept!
• Explain the concept of overlooking a word that one does not think applies to them. (See preceding “Note”) Let your student know that understanding the word disciple and its implications is essential if they want to be a follower of Christ.

Where does the word “church” fit into this?

WHAT A DISCIPLE IS

Luke 6:40 “A student (disciple) is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

• NOTE: Explain that the word Luke uses for student (mathetes) is the same word that is used in other places we will study. (John 8:31, 13:35, 15:8, Luke 14:26) In the other places the word is translated as disciple, but it is the same word, with the same meaning. In the Greek language the word disciple was used to describe a student who is striving to become like his or her teacher. It involved more than learning about the teacher; it involved becoming like the teacher. The great Greek teachers in every field had disciples, that is, students who were trying to become like them.

Can you think of a word in your vocabulary that conveys this meaning or concept?

• Apprentice and Intern convey a very similar thought.NOTE: You have stated that this study will look at Jesus description/definition of a disciple. The Gospel of John reveals three clear marks or characteristics of a disciple. Explain that in this study we will examine those marks in John’s writings and then flip to Acts 2 to see the marks in the lives of a group of new believers. (Jesus gives the blueprint of a disciple in the Gospel of John and in Acts 2 we see the initial product). The purpose is to let the student know that these marks are the characteristics of all disciples not mature disciples. It is true that the marks should be more evident and defined in the mature disciple, but they must be present in the baby disciple. Adult men and women have more defined characteristics than infants, but they do not have different ones. Acts 2 confirms that these marks of a disciple are the DNA of a believer, present in any true follower.

WHAT A DISCIPLE DOES - (3 Characteristics from Jesus)

TRAIT #1 ----- A disciple “Holds to the Teachings of Jesus”

John 8:31 “If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth with set you free.”

What does it mean to “hold to the teaching?”

What does it mean if a husband or wife “holds to” his or her vows?

• In both cases it means that the person does what they say they are going to do. The New Century Version makes this very clear. “So Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “If you continue to obey my teaching, you are truly my followers.””

Can you “hold to” a “teaching” if you do not know it?

Can you know a “teaching” and not “hold to it”?

• A disciple is committed to both knowing and holding!

Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching…”

How long had these people been Christians? (Acts 2:41)

What do you think we should learn from this?

• A commitment to knowing Christ’s teaching and obeying His teaching begins immediately.

1 John 2:3-6 “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”

TRAIT #2----- A disciple “Loves One Another”

John 13:34-35“And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

Who is the “one another” that a disciple is called to love?

• It is the other disciples/Christians/the Church. It is not loving the people in the world, even though we are commanded to love them. This love, for our fellow disciples is evidence to the world that we are authentic Christ followers.
• If you are committing to become a disciple, you are committing to become a lover of other disciples, a lover of the church.

Acts 2:44-47 “All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together….”

How did the disciples love for each other show up?

• They were united.
• They shared their possessions.
• They met together consistently to continue their learning about God.
• They spent time at each other’s homes.

How will loving like Christ show up in your relationship with other disciples?

1 John 3:16-18 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

• NOTE: Before moving on to the next point, communicate clearly that loving other disciples involves a commitment to being and sharing together. Church attendance, fellowship and sharing are a consistent part of a disciple’s life.

TRAIT #3----- A disciple “Bears Fruit”

John 15:5-8“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 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… 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

What does it mean to “bear fruit”?

• NOTE: Explain that there are two distinct but interconnected types of Christian fruit.

#1………. The Fruit of the Spirit – A changed life!

Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.”

• Explain that the fruit of a changed life is essential if a disciple wants to produce the second kind of fruit.

#2………. The Fruit of Reproduction – A life that changes lives!

Philippians 1:22-23 “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith…”

• Explain that oranges produce oranges, grapes produce grapes, and disciples produce disciples.

Mark 1:16-18 “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 28:18-20 “Go into all the world and make disciples.”

Luke 19:10 “I came to seek and save the lost.”

• Being like Christ means choosing to be concerned with reaching the lost. A disciple will be a “fisher of men.”
• NOTE: Before moving on, reiterate the connection between a changed life (having the fruit of the Spirit in one’s life) and the ability to influence others. If God does not make a difference in my life others will be uninterested in my message. Remind your student of 1 Timothy 4:16.

Acts 2:46-47 “... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

• Once again, we see the baby disciples of Acts 2 possessing the disciples DNA.

THE COMMITMENT OF A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST

• NOTE: This final section is a call to commitment. Jesus said if one is unwilling to radically commit, they could not be His disciple. Remember your goal is to produce a disciple, not complete a study. Baptism is not the goal, being like Christ is. Even at this point in the studies, it is important to remember that “it’s about the death not the dunk!” Jesus was always honest with the commitment he expected, and he wants you to do the same. No “bait and switch.”

Luke 14:25-34 --------------------------------------------------
“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to 31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

What is Jesus trying to communicate when He uses the term “hate” in regard to one’s relationship?

• While it is obvious that He does not mean to literally hate, Jesus uses the Greek word for hate to make a point. He wants us to know that He will not be second on our priority list. He is “Lord of all” or not Lord at all.

Which individual(s) mentioned pose the biggest threat to you making Christ your most significant relationship?

• NOTE: Often the person will mention wife/children while ignoring the command to subjugate self. It is important that you make them aware of the need to include self in this examination of competing relationships.

Why does Jesus bring up the cost counting illustrations of building a tower and facing an army?

• It is easy to get into a relationship without really considering the cost of the relationship. When the unexpected cost surfaces, it is also easy to bale on the relationship. Men especially, but people in general, don’t like commitments. We like the idea of “friends with benefits” but Jesus demands that we be more than friends. He demands that we be his surrendered followers. He demands this because He wants to protect, bless and use us. Jesus cannot protect or bless anyone who will not give control of their life to him. The “terms” that King Jesus gives to anyone looking for peace are complete surrender.