Discipleship— The Road Less Traveled - Pt 1

Lesson 1: Are You a Disciple? Matt 4:19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Three things: Follow me = being a disciple = Lifestyle shaped by God’s word — John 8:31-32 I will make you = changed life = thru Renewing the mind - Rom 12:1-2 Fishers of men = discipling others = kingdom builder - Matt 28:18-20 John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. —-1 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.—-2

Quote Before we can make a disciple, we must first be a disciple. Intro: The Christian life is one of “constant learning, growth & transformation” If you stop growing... you’ll start drifting backward. Heb 2:1 amp SINCE ALL this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away. Heb 2:1 msg It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off. The problem: Some start strong... but get to a certain point where they decide to coast. They get distracted... no longer time for:

a) God’s Word

b) Prayer c) Attendance becomes irregular ... & eventually nothing d) Fellowship—-they are more comfortable with unsaved

than with mature believers

e) Discipling others

Soon the inner fire goes out... and they produce “no fruit”... they end up ruled by their feelings & carnal pursuits. They remain in a “baby-like state of existence”—-never really knowing the will of God God wants us to Grow 1 Pet 2:2 NLT Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

Quote A Healthy person is a Hungry person It’s wonderful to see a Christian that is hungry for God’s Word. The Church is called to help believers to “think & live” biblically.

Must be Panted in Strong Local Church Ps 92:13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. Ps 66:8 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land 1 Cor 12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

Eph 4:11-16 NLT Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. —-12 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.—-13

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. —-14 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. —-15 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.—-16 Note— We all start out in the babyhood stage... This means we “all need” others “more mature” to help us grow. But this stage... should only take a year or two.

By this time we should—- a) Reading our bibles regularly

b) Praying c) Church Attendance Serving Tithing

d) Sharing the Gospel with others

Note— Being a disciple of Jesus is all about—-Growing up

Maturing in Christlike Character Really living the christian Life

First we develop in the disciplines of being a disciple—- than we start “making disciples”

Matt 28:18-20 NKJ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Note—- All Christians are called... by Jesus to Go...and Make Disciples.

However... “It takes one, to make one!” Question: