Introduction
Good Morning Everyone!
Today is Discipleship Sunday so I would like to begin our time with some facts and fictions about discipleship.
#. 1: Discipleship is something I can do by myself—just Jesus and me.
Fact 1: Discipleship is relational. To be obedient to the Great Commission, we need to be disciples who are making disciples of Jesus.
#. 2: Discipling others is too complicated—let the professionals do it.
Fact 2: Discipling others is actually not so complicated. Fishermen and tax collectors who had no formal theology training did it.
#. 3: Discipleship is a program of the church.
Fact 3: Discipleship is not a program, it’s a lifestyle. Every Christian should live a lifestyle of discipleship – all the time.
#. 4: Making disciples is fine if you find it fulfilling.
Fact 4: It’s not all about self-fulfillment. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
#. 5: Seriously, I’m so busy, I don’t see any way to add more into my life.
Fact 5: If we totally buy in to our cultural value of “busyness,” discipleship will not take place. We must value the things of God and make room for discipleship.
#. 6: Discipleship can be accomplished through Christian fellowship.
Fact 6: Discipleship is intentional. It’s time invested in a few people, on purpose. That’s how Jesus did it.
This morning, we will look at the way how Jesus made disciples and learn three key components of discipleship. First component is…
Relationship
In Matthew 4:18-20, we see that as Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake as they were fishermen. Jesus said, “Come, follow me.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him. Jesus invited them to be in a relationship with Him. This simple invitation changed their lives, the lives of other disciples, and later the world. This invitation, “Come, follow me” is rooted in a simple and often overlooked truth - Discipleship happens in the context of relationship.
In the three years following their initial call to follow Jesus, the disciples grew in their relationship with Him and, as well as their relationship with one another. He poured into twelve disciples during those three years. The number one thing that Jesus did was to get involved in their lives. He was intentional in relating to them as a group and also individually. Jesus knew their personalities, weaknesses, strength and areas for development. Jesus was intentional in building relationship with His disciples. Everything He did with them and for them was intentionally geared toward helping them in their maturity.
In addition to being intentional, Jesus made Himself available to His disciples. He met with His disciples in a regular basis. In fact, He was with them almost 24/7. His availability to His disciples shows that they are His priority. For Jesus, discipleship was not just a program or a Bible study, it was a relationship. And it was not just a casual relationship, it was a close relationship.
Application
Brothers and sisters, discipleship happens in the context of relationship! Whether you are discipling someone or being discipled , you need to make yourself available. No matter how spiritually gifted we are and how much theology we know, “People won’t care what we know, until they know that we care.” Our availability communicates that we care about the relationship.
In addition, our discipleship should include more than just weekly meetings and Bible studies. Eat out together, play sports together, and do things that they would enjoy. This way they see our life outside a discipleship setting. And we need to demonstrate our vulnerability with our small group. If share our own struggles and challenges, it’s going to be easier for others in the group to be open too.
But, if we come across as a perfect discipler who doesn’t have any issues or problems, then they will not be open and vulnerable about their issues and struggles. It takes time to reach that point in our relationship, but we need to move toward that direction. Openness and vulnerability strengthens our relationship with each other. Brothers and sisters, when we disciple someone, we are not taking on a project, we are investing in a person. Therefore, building relationship should be the key component of our discipleship.
Another key component of discipleship is…
2. God’s Word
In Matthew chapter 24 we see Jesus teaching His disciples on the Mount of Olives. He was teaching them regarding His Second Coming. And we see Him quoting the Old Testament scripture as He teaches His disciples. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus commissions His disciples saying, “And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Likewise, we read in Romans 12:2 – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” The process of transformation begins by getting the Word of God in our life, and by the renewing our mind with it. God’s Word produces life transformation! People don’t change unless the Word of God changes their perspective and their way of life.
Brothers and sisters, God’s Word is a non-negotiable aspect of discipleship. We can not make disciples without using God’s Word as the basis. Since we are discipling people to be more like Christ, our discipleship must involve this life transforming word of God. Sadly, many people have made discipleship all about increased knowledge of the Bible. Indeed, discipleship requires knowledge of Jesus and His ways, but it should be more than just increasing head knowledge. Our knowledge of God’s word must result in our love for God and our passion for the lost.
In addition to that, discipleship is more than materials and methods. They are helpful tools in communicating the word of God, but materials and methods won’t transform lives. Only the word of God has the power to transform lives! Therefore, God’s word must be the foundation of our discipleship!
Application
Our small group meeting will be no different than any other social gathering if we don’t take time to study, share and reflect on God’s word. If you are wondering how to study the Bible, S.O.A.P. is one of the methods you can use. S.O.A.P. is an acronym for:
S - Scripture
Write down or type the Bible passage/s you’ll be studying as a group (NOT copy and paste). This can be one verse or a passage. It helps you focus on each word and on the passage as a whole. I’m sure you will be amazed God will reveal to you as you take the time to slow down and actually write or type out what you are reading.
O - Observation
This is the time to meditate on your verse or passage. You may want to answer some of these questions to dig deep into God’s word:
What do you see in the verse or the passage that you’re reading?
Who is the audience?
Is there a repetition of words?
What words stand out to you?
What comes before and after the text?
A - Application
This is the part where you apply God’s Word to your life in a practical way. As you read over the text, how does it apply to you today? Is there a specific action step you need to take or a confession you need to make?
P - Prayer
Now, you may respond to God’s Word with your own words. If He has revealed something to you during this time in His Word, pray about it. Confess if He has revealed some sin that is in your life.
It is better if you do S.O.A.P. individually during your MGroup and share it with the rest of the group. This way you and your group will be able to dig deeper into God’s word, and help each other grow.
Third key component of discipleship is…
3. Ministry
Jesus took His disciples with Him during His ministry. His disciples saw Him on the ministry field; speaking to the crowd, healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding the five thousand etc. Let us look at the ‘Feeding of the Five Thousand’ in Luke 9:10-17 where Jesus and His disciples fed more than five thousand hungry people. Indeed, Jesus did the miracle to feed the five thousand, He involved His disciples in the process of the feeding.
Jesus asked them to survey the crowd in terms of the food available. He asked them to have the crowds sit down in groups of 50, so that they could eat. Jesus asked them to distribute the food that was miraculously multiplied. And, He asked the disciples to collect the leftovers. Not only Jesus took His disciples on the ministry field, He involved them in His ministry. In other words, Jesus and His disciples did ministry together.
Likewise, when Paul discipled Timothy, he invited Timothy to join him in His missionary journeys. I’m sure Timothy learned how to do ministry by joining Paul in his ministry trips and seeing him on the actual ministry situations. Going back to Matthew 4:19, “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Jesus made His intentions clear as He gave the invitation to follow Him. His desire for His disciples is that they would go out and make more disciples.
Application
There are many ways how you and your MGroup can do ministry together. You could serve in the feeding program that our Filipino service is doing on Saturdays. You could also serve in Evergreen Fellowship to visit and pray for people who are in hospital, or those not feeling well. For some MGroups, it could be talking with non-believing friends at the basketball court before or after your game. It could also be showing your disciple how to share the Gospel over a cup of coffee with his or her classmate.
Some of you could model to your small group how you share the Gospel in your workplace. Ministry modeling allows your disciple to see your heart for the lost. And as a result, they will also develop compassion for the lost. There are so many ministry opportunities in church that you and your MGroup could serve together. But the question is, is doing ministry together a part of your discipleship process? If not, I would like to encourage everyone to plan for a ministry together with your small group in a regular basis.
Illustration: ISG with Dr. James Huculak
I had the privilege of being discipled by Dr. James Huculak when I came to study at International Graduate School of Leadership 10 years ago. I was part of a small group called ‘Iron-Sharpening Group’ that Dr. James was leading. Pretty soon I noticed that he was so interested in getting to know us; our family, background, struggles, challenges, dreams, and plans etc. We shared our stories, struggles, challenges, tears, and laughters. We did ministry together in a regular basis.
Aside from our weekly small group meeting, which involved sharing, studying God’s word and prayer, he would set aside time to meet with us one-on-one. There were times we did devotion together in his office at 6am. We would have lunch together to update each other. We held each other accountable and we prayed for each other regularly. I was amazed by the level of commitment to make himself available in the midst of his busy schedule.
Later I realised that Dr. James was intentional in knowing me and discipling me. Our relationship did not end when I graduated from IGSL after 3 years. We continued to journey with one another. He became my very first ministry partner when I decided to serve at IGSL. He was one of the Godparents (Ninong) in our wedding. I often go to him for free coaching sessions as he is a certified coach. He still comes to my office regularly to say hi to me and to update each other. I praise God for Dr. James’ commitment to continue to disciple me.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, discipleship is the process of making disciples who make disciples. Jesus invested in the lives of twelve. He was not just interested in transferring knowledge to them, He was interested in them. In other words, Jesus discipled them holistically: He built relationship with them, He taught them God’s word, and He did ministry with them. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissioned His disciples to “Go and make disciples of all the nations…” This command to make disciples applies to all who follow Jesus, not just to pastors and missionaries.
So, discipleship is a mandate for all christians, and we do not have a choice. It should not be so much a program in which some sign up for. It must be the culture of our church where every member is committed to disciple others. So that discipleship becomes our lifestyle, and it results in making more disciples. Brothers and sisters, Jesus did not just mandate us to make disciples, He modelled it for us. Therefore, let us obey the Lord and make disciples who make disciples!
The three key components of discipleship are:
Relationship
God’s Word
Ministry
Let us pray!
