A Portrait of Discipleship

The Most Excellent & Most Holy Reverend Chris Jenkins

I. Introduction to Discipleship• 1. A General Definition:

Discipleship is the process whereby a genuine convert, enabled by the Holy Spirit, and led by a more mature disciple -maker, cultivates greater biblical knowledge, in addition to those spiritual disciplines & heart attitudes that make him/her more and more like Jesus Christ. In other words, a disciple is a person who is moving closer toward greater likeness to Jesus in thought, word, and deed.

Introduction to Discipleship

• Therefore, my spiritual maturity will ultimately be judged by how much I think, talk, and act like Jesus – and not merely by the time that has passed since I “said a prayer.”

Introduction to Discipleship

• Further, we should make a distinction between formal discipleship and those studies/events that may have elements of discipleship perhaps but which are not formal discipleship per se.

Introduction to Discipleship• In light of all of these

considerations, a maturing disciple must eventually become a Disciple - Maker himself/herself.

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1, NIV)

“Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” (1 Cor 4:15-16, NIV)

Introduction to Discipleship

1. Why is this topic so important?

a. Because the personal consequences for failing to be actively involved in discipleship are grave.

Personal Consequences

• It may reveal an unconverted heart (cf. Matt 7:17-20; 12:33).

“Either make the tree good

and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. ” (Matt 12:33, NAS)

Personal Consequences• It means that I will miss the

blessings of an intimate relationship with Christ that discipleship promotes (cf. 2 Pet 1:5-8).

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet 1:8, NAS)

Personal Consequences

• It may indicate a prideful heart that refuses to acknowledge that I still need to learn (cf. Pss 25:5; 119:12, 33).

Personal Consequences

• It will leave me open to errors in thinking (cf. 2 Tim 2:15).

Introduction to Discipleship

1. Why is this topic so important?

b. Because the corporate consequences for failing to be actively involved in discipleship are grave.

Corporate Consequences• As a church we will be

ineffective in our various ministries (cf. Matt 5:13-16).

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;” (Matt 5:13-14, NAS)

Corporate Consequences

• We will lack qualified leadership (cf. 1 Tim 3:1-13).

Corporate Consequences• Our people will have a

superficial knowledge of Christ (cf. 1 Cor 3:1-3; Heb 5:11-14).

“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,” (1 Cor 3:1-2, NAS)

Corporate Consequences• We will have little or no

substantive influence in the surrounding culture/community (cf. Rom 12:1-2).

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. ” (Rom 12:2, NAS)

3. Why are so few Christians involved in discipleship?a. A lack of understanding

concerning the true nature of discipleship.

b. A lack of appreciation for the opportunities and blessings of discipleship.

c. A lack of spiritual maturity [i.e., pride & laziness].

d. There is little personal evangelism happening in our lives.

4. One final introductory note: • We must remember that

discipleship is intimately tied to evangelism (Matt 28:19).

a. Discipleship is the natural outgrowth of evangelism.

b. Discipleship is the responsibility of the spiritual parent.

II. Spheres of Discipleship • Personal discipleship• Family Discipleship• Church Discipleship

“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deut 6:6-9, NAS)

III. Elements of Discipleship

1. Discipleship involves an impartation of knowledge (cf. Luke 2:46-47; Matt 7:28-29).

“When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” (Matt 7:28-29, NAS)

III. Elements of Discipleship2. Discipleship involves an

impartation of your life (cf. 1 Thess 2:7-8).

“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. ” (1 Thess 2:7-8, NAS)

III. Elements of Discipleship

3. Discipleship involves an impartation of spiritual disciplines (1 Tim 4:7).

“But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;” (1 Tim 4:7, NAS)

Christian Disciplines

a. Discipline of purity (cf. 1 Thess 4:3-8; Leviticus 19:2).

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;” (1 Thess 4:3-5, NAS)

Christian Disciplines

b. Discipline of hospitality (cf. 1 Pet 4:9).

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” (1 Pet 4:9, NAS)

Christian Disciplines

c. Discipline of daily Bible reading (Joshua 1:8).

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (Joshua 1:8, NAS)

Christian Disciplines

d. Discipline of daily prayer (cf. Acts 1:14; 1 Thess 5:17).

“These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:14, NAS)

Christian Disciplines

e. Discipline of worship (cf. John 4:24).

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24, NAS)

Christian Disciplines

f. Discipline of integrity (cf. Proverbs 12:22).

“Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.” (Proverbs 12:22, NAS)

Christian Disciplines

g. Discipline of godly communication (cf. Eph 5:4; 4:15).

“and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:4, NAS)

Christian Disciplines

h. Discipline of commitment to the local church.

i. Regular attendance (cf. Heb 10:24-25)

ii. Membership (cf. Heb 13:17)

iii. Giving (cf. Acts 20:35)iv. Participation/Service (cf.

1 Pet 4:10)v. Love & Prayer (cf. Rom

12:10; 1 Thess 5:17)

A New Year with New Opportunities!

• Make this a year where you grow spiritually.

• Get involved in formal discipleship.

• Let us facilitate getting you together with another man.