The Need for Discipleship

.... Discipleship is a subject that has weighed on my heart for many years. This was so much the case that I even backed away from evangelism for a time, until I was sure I could follow through with some meaningful instruction (Luke 14:28-30; John 15:16). So it is very encouraging to find the same interest in discipleship in our church today.

.... Discipleship is the missing half of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). Evangelism without discipleship is like a seed left untended, so that briers and thorns will choke it with unfruitfulness. But a good discipleship course, focused on Jesus Himself as a reflection of His life, would bring forth fruit abundantly (Philippians 3:7; Titus 2:7; Ephesians 4:13-16).

.... Please take special notice of the words, ‘focused on Jesus Himself’ because this is the crux of the matter. We cannot emphasize this perspective enough. A basic discipleship course is more than a curriculum; in every sense it is an unfolding relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ that grows ever deeper, more wonderful and more intimate, and more meaningful through our trials, so that our lessons always flow from this relationship:

.... "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ."

(1 John 5:20)

.... Christians have seldom learned the basics from this perspective, so a renewed focus on Jesus could present our generation with a challenge. A Christ-centered teaching is very much like Christ Himself, in that it is always a little different from the standard beliefs of the day. But like Jesus again, that difference will be spirit and life, for it will show us more clearly who He is (John 14:6). And true hearted Christians will always be drawn to this perspective, so eventually this will bring us to the unity of the faith:

.... ". . . till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ . . ."

(Ephesians 4:13)

.... Because this discipleship course will introduce new and potentially controversial per- spectives, two further elements are needed. First, we seek a lively discussion involving many sincere Christians. Questions and comments are equally welcome as long as the truth is spoken in love, and our goal is to see Jesus more clearly (Ephesians 4:13-15; John 17:17). Actual examples are especially valuable because they offer application and help everyone obtain a better 'feel' for the material. By clicking on the 'comments' link at the bottom of each lesson, you may join in the discussion freely. Of course, we ask that proper Christian etiquette be maintained. Also, no subject is off limits as long as it is not too much of a rabbit path.

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.... In this way, as the discussion grows, each of our topics will take on a life of its own within the members of an online community. It is our hope and belief that our shared perspectives will create a very fruitful, living setting for the Holy Spirit, as He works in our hearts as our true teacher (see 1 Corinthians 2:13).

.... Second, each participant must maintain their own, lively Bible study independently of this forum. If you’ve been a Christian for awhile, you may already have a study routine established. But for those who don’t, I’d like to suggest one in the next lesson, based on how Jesus taught the apostles.

For the next lesson, click here

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If you would like to begin a Bible study today, but do not have a Bible, click here to read Matthew 1 online