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"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:8.
"The fruit we bear is the only test of the character of the tree before the world. This is the proof of our discipleship. If our works are of such a character that as branches of the living Vine we bear rich clusters of precious fruit, then we wear before the world God's own badge as His sons and daughters." —Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 348.
You are a disciple! You are a follower of Jesus Christ! You have identified yourself with Him!
All that Jesus was to His first disciples, He wants to be to His followers today. How can you know this? You will find this assurance in the words Jesus prayed when He gathered His little band of disciples around Him before He went into Gethsemane: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." John 17:20.
What does the Bible teach about Christian discipleship? In this first lesson you will get an overview of discipleship. You will discover—
CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE
1. A Christian disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ. Luke 14:27.
Luke 14:27 (NIV) And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Note: This is a daily matter according to Luke 9:23 (NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Jesus is referring to selfish desires being put aside, total commitment, even at the risk of death with no turning back.
2. A disciple is teachable and willing to learn. Proverbs 9:9, 10.
Proverbs 9:9-10 (NIV) Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. 10) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
3. A disciple's life is focused on knowing the true God. John 17:3.
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4. A disciple submits to the lordship of Christ. Colossians 1:15-18.
Colossians 1:15-18 (NIV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17) He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18) And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
5. Though living in a troubled world, a disciple has peace in Christ. John 14:27.
John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
6. A disciple follows a life-style patterned after Christ.
1 John 2:6 (NIV) Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Note: The foundation of following Jesus example is to live in connection with Him as He did with the Father. Prayer and faith in God's word are the means of this relationship.
7. A disciple will cherish home and family. Matthew 19:4- 6.
Matthew 19:4-6 (NIV) "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' 5) and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? 6) So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
8. A disciple considers everything in his life from the angle of honor to Jesus. Colossians 3:17.
Colossians 3:17 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
9. A disciple's goal is to relate to other disciples the way Jesus did John 15:15, 12
John 15:15 (NIV) I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends,
John 15:12 (NIV) My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
10. A disciple is a faithful steward. 1 Corinthians 4:2.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
Note: A steward in Bible times was a person appointed to manage the household owners property. Nothing we possess is really our own. All we have and are belong to God.
11. A true disciple displays loving obedience. 1 Peter 1:22.
1 Peter 1:22 (NIV) Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
Note: Keep in mind that the purifying obedience Peter speaks of here comes as the result of the work of the Holy Spirit (See Romans 8:2-16).
12. A disciple keeps the Sabbath and attends church. Luke 4:16.
Luke 4:16 (NIV) He [Jesus] went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.
Leviticus 23:3 (NIV) "'There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.
(See also 1Corinthians 7:19; Revelation 14:12 Acts 13:42-44;16:13; 17:2; 18:4;)
13. A disciple worships God in spirit and in truth. John 4:24.
John 4:24 (NIV) God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
Note: To worship God in Spirit means to be born of the Spirit (See John 3:5-8). To worship God in truth means to worship Him according to the teaching of Scripture (See John 3:21; 17:17)
14. A disciple seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and rests in God's promises. Matthew 6:33.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
DISCIPLESHIP COMMITMENT
"Christ in His life on earth made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will. As we commit our ways to Him, He will direct our steps. "—The Ministry of Healing, p. 479.
Write your impression of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.