Discipleship - Part 2 Series

Last time we looked at “The Root of Discipleship” – Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations. Discipleship happens when Christians obey the Word of God and pass on their godly heritage to the next generation of Christians.

We’ve discussed “The Resources of Discipleship” – Our resource for discipleship is the Word of God. The Scriptures are given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The “Routine of Discipleship” is how discipleship gets done. Discipleship includes the responsibility that Christians have for taking other Christians “under their wing” and mentoring them in the things of God.

Last time we were introduced to the concept in 2 Timothy chapter two where the older women and the older men are given the responsibility for teaching the younger women and the younger men the things of God.

I will be saying a little more on the Routine of Discipleship next time but for today I want to talk briefly on some of the barriers or distractions to discipleship.

Jesus commands His followers…

Mat 28:19 "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,

Mat 28:20 "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.

The main verb is “make disciples.” There are three supporting participles which instruct us in how we are to make disciples: “go,” “baptize” and teach.

Discipleship occurs when Christians go forth with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 that the Gospel is the truth of God’s Word that says, “Christ died for our sins, was buried and raised from the dead three days later.”

Jesus tells His church to go forth and preach the Gospel—to tell every man, woman, boy and girl the “good news” of God’s gift of forgiveness in Christ.

As we go forth with the “good news” someone will inevitably get saved. When someone comes to Christ they are commanded to be “water baptized.” When a person is baptized they are identifying with Christ in His death burial and resurrection. They are also communicating to the world that they are dead to their own ways and alive in obedience to Christ and His Word.

Water baptism (which does not save) is the way that a new believer is brought into the fellowship with other Christians. When you are baptized you are saying along with other believers that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.

The problem with the church today is not that we remain unconvinced of Jesus’ command to “make disciples”…our problem is that we just have a hard time doing it.

Not does Jesus in His Great Commission tell us to “make disciples” by going and baptizing, He tells us that we make disciples by “teaching…believers to obey His commands.”

This is why we preach the Word on Sundays. This is why we meet during the week in our LIFE Groups.

This is what the church is to be doing until the Lord’s return. We are supposed to be “making disciples.”

Today the church is distracted from obey the commands of Christ. Of all the things in our lives that divert or sidetrack us from fulfilling the Great Commission, we can narrow them down to four categories. These categories of distractions or preoccupations are not unique to GraceWay Church. The Body of Christ at large is challenged in these areas as well:

Marriage, Children, Job, Personal Pursuits.

Marriage – It takes great commitment to maintain a healthy marriage. This is the very reason that Paul encouraged his readers in 1 Corinthians 7 to remain single as he was. If you are single, you will have more time to spend serving the Lord.

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife--and his interests are divided.

An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. (1 Cor. 7:32 –34)

Children – Raising your children is demanding. There are challenges and difficulties for parents who are committed to meeting their child’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs.

* Adults living in households with children under 6 spent an average of 2.0 hours per day providing “primary childcare” to household children. Primary childcare is childcare that is done as a main activity, such as physical care of children and reading to or talking with children.