Discipleship - Introduction

And He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.' - Matthew 4:19

-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT-

Discipleship: knowing & following Christ and helping others do the same.

Biblical Discipleships are: Prayerful Relational Spirit Led Bible Based Committed to Holiness

As I reflect back on my life, I think of a number of men that God put in my life to disciple me, to help me know and follow Christ. As I think about these men, they were men who:

1. Knew and followed Christ a. They believed the Bible. b. They trusted Jesus. c. They obeyed Jesus.
2. Had a heavenly kingdom perspective a. They loved truth. b. They loved the people of God. c. They were not caught up in the things of the world.
3. Loved and cared about me a. They made time for me. Encouraged me. b. They told me the truth (the hard truth). c. They were concerned about my walk with Christ.

These men treasured someone, something greater than the world could offer. They treasured Christ and holiness. They found a satisfaction and joy in Christ that measured way beyond anything the world could offer. I have watched these men and their families face trials and struggles, keeping their eyes on Christ. I have heard these men tell me truths that were hard to hear at times. I am thankful to God for putting godly men in my life at an early age.

While discipleship has diminished greatly in the church today, it has not disappeared, and I am thankful that God has stirred our hearts once again to pound the table for discipleship. As Christ followers, disciples are who we are and discipleship is what we do. Discipleship is how we relate to one another as believers. Discipleship is the way we express our love for God and one another. Discipleship is how we care for one another and how we spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Discipleship is the fruit of knowing and following Christ.

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Christ Jesus makes His followers disciplemakers. He instructs His followers to be disciplemakers.

Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

This Sunday, we will begin a journey in discipleship. Our journey begins with us walking through 1 & 2 Thessalonians. In preparation for this Sunday Read Acts 16 & 17 (this is a good introduction into 1 Thessalonians) and 1 Thessalonians.

-CONSIDER & MEDITATE-

1. Am I currently in a discipleship? If “No”, what is preventing me? If “Yes”, how is God at work in this relationship? What can I celebrate that God is doing through this discipleship?

2. If I am currently not in a discipleship, am I willing to obey Christ’s command to follow Him and make disciples?

-PRAYER & THANKSGIVING-

Pray

Ask God to stir the hearts of The River to make it a priority to be engaged in discipleship relationships.

Ask God to put someone on your heart to grow with in knowing and following Christ.

Give Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord for specific people God has put in your life to help you know and follow Christ.

Give Thanks & Encourage: As specific people come to mind, take time to write a letter to one or two people expressing how God has used him/her to help you know and follow Christ.