Today we will be continuing with our look at 5 foundational purposes of the church. You will also find that these principles should become foundational purposes of each of our lives.
Last week we looked at the purpose of evangelism. Today we will be exploring the purpose of discipleship. You might call this the process of moving a new believer towards full maturity in Christ.
Let’s start off with two background scriptures. The first is Matthew 28:19-20.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.”
The second background passage this morning comes from 2 Timothy:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.”
You may already be seeing that God is outlining a process for each of us. A process of transformation. But before we get into the process, we should probably answer the first question. So What Is A Disciple?
For starters a disciple is a student. One who studies the teachings of another. God has given us clear direction that we are to be students of His word.
Joshua 1:8
“…Never stop reading the book of the law he gave you. Day and night you must think about what it says.”
Psalm 119:15
“I will study your teachings and follow Your footsteps.”
Now look at the last few words in that last verse. "...and follow Your footsteps." Not only is a disciple a student, but a disciple must also be a follower.
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to His disciples:
‘If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me.’”
Luke 14:26
“You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life.”
Lastly, a disciple is an imitator. One who takes the example and teachings of another and utilizes those things in their own life.
1 Corinthians 11:1
“You must follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
A disciple is literally one who becomes like Jesus. Their words, their actions, their thoughts and their passions all mirror the same attributes as those revealed in Christ.
So now that we know what a disciple is, let’s talk about the process. Discipleship is the transformation process leading us to be true disciples. Discipleship in the church and in our personal lives is expressed in 5 distinct areas:
Inspiration
Motivation
Education
Participation
Activation
Let’s start with inspiration, or what we might call "The Idea." Discipleship paints a picture of what could be. For a Christian the idea is our complete transformation from inside out. This inspiration is the source of our internal motivation. Inspiration instills within us a desire for change. Inspiration has a clearly defined end result. Our inspiration is to become Christ-like.
The second factor in discipleship is motivation. Let’s call motivation – “The Encouragement.” The motivation of discipleship keeps us going when we want to give up. Look at some of the motivation found in scripture.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day.”
Philippians 4:13
“Christ gives me the strength to face anything.”
Discipleship keeps the end result of the process in front of us. I think of athletes that keep a picture of their goal in front of them daily. To keep them motivated in their efforts.
Hebrews 12:2
“We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete…”
Discipleship holds us accountable in our efforts. Have any of you ever gotten involved in a weight training program. I know back in my serious weight lifting days, my greatest accomplishments came when I was accountable to someone else. Look at what the Bible tells us about accountability to one another.
Proverbs 27:17
“Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.”
The next part of the discipleship process is education. Let’s call this “The Tools” of discipleship. I can have an inspiration, and even be motivated, but if I have no knowledge of the subject it is merely a dream. Discipleship teaches the process. Look at the uses for the scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16
“Everything in the scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.”
Not only does education teach the process, but it lays a foundation. It is from this foundation that the active construction of discipleship is most readily seen. The foundation gives us a starting point to build upon and evaluate from.
Ephesians 2:20
“You are like a building with the apostles and prophets as the foundation and with Christ as the most important stone.”
1 Timothy 6:3 (NLT)
“…but these are the sound, wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they are the foundation for a godly life."
Education expands your horizons. It is through God’s educational process that your giftings and passions for ministry will become evident.
1 Corinthians 12:28
“First, God chose some people to be apostles and prophets and teachers for the church. But He also chose some to work miracles or heal the sick or help others or be leaders or speak different kinds of languages.”
The next function of discipleship is participation. Let’s think of participation as “On The Job Training.”
Some of our greatest learning takes place through interaction. Look at the following verse:
Joel 3:10 (NLT)
“Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Train even your weaklings to be warriors.”
Participation puts knowledge into practice. This is the difference between book knowledge and "street smarts." Discipleship also allows us to learn through observation. We might more easily understand this as mentoring or coaching. Look at this exhortation to participate in Titus:
Titus 2:3-4, 7
“Tell the older women to behave as those who love the Lord should… They must teach what is proper, so the younger women will be loving wives and mothers…Always set a good example for others…”
A second benefit of participation is ongoing encouragement from others. Even professional athletes have coaches to encourage and challenge them, so that they will reach even greater heights in their performance and skill. I have chosen a couple of scriptures to illustrate the issue of encouragement.
Deuteronomy 3:28
“But commission Joshua and encourage him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan.”
Isaiah 35:3 (NLT)
“With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
“We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is near.”
The final stage of the discipleship process is activation. We will call this being “Empowered.” In my police days, my rookie officers became empowered the day they got the keys to the car and didn’t have to check me out with the shotgun. Empowerment occurs when we are able to go out and duplicate that which we have been taught and seen. In fact Jesus tells us that He already has work lined up. Look at Matthew 28:38.
Matthew 28:38
“Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.”
Discipleship seeks for each of us to be transformed for ministry. God never intended for any of us to sit and soak. He intended for us to serve and bring glory to His name. As a church it is our obligation to transform each member into a minister. Serving to the fullness of God’s glory.
Acts 6:6-7
“...Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on the men to show that they had been chosen to do this work. God’s message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers.”
Ultimately we will be transformed to the image of Christ. Jesus has called each of us to enter into His process of transformation. Called to serve and molded to His image.
Ephesians 4:11-13
“Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors and teachers, so that His people would learn to serve and His body would grow strong…Then we will be mature just as Christ is, and we will be completely likely Him.”
It’s time to move from spectator to participant, will you allow God to begin His transformation process in you today?
