Discipleship

Matthew 28:19 - 20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and

the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

The key verb in the Great Commission as I understand it is to:

•MAKE DISCIPLES

Includes

• Baptism- that presupposes salvation. Means to overwhelm with a fluid (immersion) Always associated with conversion. An act of obedience which immediately follows salvation. It probably should be the first demonstration or fruit of salvation.

• Teach them to observe the commandments Christ has given. Certainly would include the commands He has given through the apostles via inspiration.

Webster

• A disciple is a follower, learner, and one who accepts and assists in the spreading of the doctrines of another. In this case it would be the doctrines of Jesus Christ and His apostles

A Disciple

• One who is disciplined or lives a disciplined life.

• To discipline means training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental and moral character.

• Psalms 119:67 Living Bible “I used to wander off until you disciplined me; now I closely follow your Word.”

Discipline

• Discipline has many facets.

• Not just punishment although that is one of the definitions.

• Take a look at biblical model

Training

• Must start here.

• No basis for action without training.

• Example of Christ - Sermon on the Mount, Matt 5, 6, 7.

Praise

• Can be thought of as positive reinforcement. • Example of Christ. Matt. 16:13 - 17 Now when Jesus came

into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He began asking His disciples, saying, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

• And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

• And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

• And Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Praise

• Research shows that it takes ten positive reinforcers to balance one negative.

• Church Leaders – this seems to be a forgotten practice

• Parents need to be aware of this with their kids.• Youth workers need to keep this in mind. May be the

key you need to win the heart of youth. They are not used to hearing praise. They love it and crave it.

Be careful!

• The scripture warns in many places about false praise or unearned praise.

• It is the out flow of a loving heart.• Song 1:1-4 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's.

"May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. "Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like purified oil; Therefore the maidens love you. "Draw me after you and let us run together! The king has brought me into his chambers." "We will rejoice in you and be glad; We will extol your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you."

Back to Love

• When you deeply love someone you have no problem praising them.

Correction

• Redirecting the walk. • Example of Christ. The road to Emmaus. Luke 24:

25-27 And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

• "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"

• And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

Rebuke

• Firm challenge with a tone of harshness.• Example of Christ Matthew 16: 21-23 From that time Jesus

Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You. “But He turned and said to Peter, Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."

• Note: this was the third time He had given training about His death. Peter refused to believe Him and failed to respond in a proper manner. Hence the rebuke.

Punishment/Restoration

• Inflicting a painful reminder of the wrong done for the sole purpose of bringing them to restoration.

• Example of Christ. Peter’s denial Luke 22 :60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, a cock crowed.

• And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a cock crows today, you will deny Me three times."

• And he went out and wept bitterly

You must incorporate the following in discipleship.

• You yourself must be disciplined. This is not short term but a lifetime experience. You cannot lead someone further than you have been yourself. At that point you start pushing. We need the accountability, challenge and tutelage.

Catch the vision of discipleship. This includes:

• Bridging the Gap. A disciple should be led to understand what is expected of a follower of Christ. At the same time they need to be given a clear view of who they are. This will expose a huge gap between these two ideas.

• Promote Accountability. We live in a society that has very effectively removed accountability to anyone.

Catch the vision of discipleship. This includes:

• Create a lifestyle of commitment and service.

• Develop a sense of responsibility to pass on the truth to others.

• II Timothy 2: 2 And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Catch the vision of discipleship

• Investment– Time– Money– Blood, Sweat, and Tears

• Example

• Trainer/Teacher– Get a good study book– Dvd’s, Cd’s U-Tube (with care)

Catch the vision of discipleship

• 1-2-1

• Small Groups

• Meetings of the Church

• Get them training someone else

• Keep in touch with the Elders with success and failure

• Pray

The Cost

• Matthew 16:24  Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me

• Matthew 10:16-42