PURPOSE
The Holy Spirit comes to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8) The Holy Spirit helps us
See Our Needs. Through His scriptures on Discipleship, He convicts us concerning Righteousness. Thus, these Scriptures should: clear up common misconceptions about following Jesus, convict us of our rejection of true discipleship, and inspire us to answer the true call of Jesus.
Acts 11:25-26 (Tap to Expand)
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and 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.
- Acts 11:25-26 – How many times is the word Christian used in NT?
- How many times is the word disciple used?
- How would you define the word “disciple” non-religiously?
- If you asked someone on the street, “Are you a Christian,” what would be the typical answer?
- How about being a disciple? Why the difference among synonyms?
- How can we use the Bible to define Christianity?
Luke 9:23-27 (Tap to Expand)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
- Emphasize the heart that God wants. What are the three demands of discipleship?
- What does it mean to “deny ourselves?”
- What does it mean to take up our cross daily?
- How can we be ashamed of Jesus and His words? What is the consequence of this shame?
Luke 9:57-62 (Tap to Expand)
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
- Examine the issues involved with each person – thoughtless following, excuse-making, and second thoughts.
- Note the parallel between “follow me” and “preach everywhere the kingdom of God.”
Mark 1:16-20 (Tap to Expand)
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
- What is the invitation?
- Which is easier to do, catch a fish or catch a man for God?
- Even fishing needs input. Following Jesus, being taught, discipled, and trained for his mission are you involved in that process?
- If you are not fishing for men, are you following Jesus?
Matthew 28:18-20 (Tap to Expand)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- The Great Commission: God’s plan to save the world. Which would you rather have a penny doubled daily for a month or $1,000 a day for a month?
- Likewise, a multiplying chain of disciples best achieves the mission.
Matthew 22: 34-40
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
- The Greatest Commandment! How can you better love God and neighbors? (Hint: He who has been forgiven much will love much)
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES
- Luke 14:25-35
- Colossians 3:13
- Matthew 7:21-27
- Matthew 25:31-46
- Matthew 10:26-39
- Luke 11:1-4