Level: 3, Lesson: 6
DISCIPLESHIP
OUTLINE

"The Hebrew and Greek words for salvation imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing and soundness. Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes."

(The Scofield Reference Bible, p. 1192)

Matthew 28:19-20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (KJV)

Matthew 28:19-20: "Therefore, go and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV)

Greek: "MATHETES, lit., a learner, indicting thought accompanied by endeavor, in contrast to a teacher; hence is denotes ONE WHO FOLLOWS ONE'S TEACHING."

(Vine)

Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

John 8:30-32: "As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

DISCIPLESHIP
Lesson Text

In Matthew 28:19-20 are the words of Jesus, referred to as the Great Commission. He said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." The NIV version says, "Go and make disciples of all nations."

The scripture doesn't say to go and make converts, go and get people converted to Christianity, get them to just accept a belief system or make a one-time commitment. Jesus said, "to make disciples."

I believe that we need to put the focus on becoming a disciple of the Lord. Discipleship (being a follower, becoming like Jesus, growing up in His nature and walking like Him), should be our focus.

Matthew 28:20 states that we should teach others "to observe all things" that Jesus commanded - not just teach them to put faith in Christ. This is the commission that Jesus gave. He never commissioned His church to preach only the forgiveness of sins. Now that's important, but it is not the whole message of the gospel.

A disciple is a person who does more than just believe that Jesus is the Christ. A disciple is a person who goes on and grows to the point that he follows Jesus in all areas of his life. Now, I am not saying that people who confess Jesus as their Lord, but don't mature aren't born again, or won't go to heaven, but I am saying that is not what God intended. He never intended for His church to be people who were just forgiven, but unable to live victorious lives.

I've heard that if most people today who confess the Lord as their savior were arrested for being a Christian, there wouldn't be enough evidence to convict them. You know that's not the way God intended it.

In the New Testament, the people who were believers in the Lord were people who were called Christians. The word "Christian" means "little Christ." This originally was a derogatory term applied to them, saying that these people acted just like Jesus did. They are "little Christs." Most people today who claim the name of "Christian" would not be accused of being "little Christs." The word "Christian" has taken on a connotation different from what it was in the New Testament days. We should be like those in the New Testament, and the only way we can become like that is to become disciples. This is the divine plan. God originally intended for Christians to become disciples.

DISCIPLESHIP
(Additional Information)

The Greek word for "disciple" is "MATHETES" and literally means, "a learner, or follower." A disciple is not only a pupil but also a devoted follower and imitator of his teacher. Jesus said, "a student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40, NIV). A disciple is taught to observe (or do) all the things that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:19-20).

Being a disciple is not taking the easy life. The scriptures state, "Let's please the other fellow, not ourselves, and do what is for his good and thus build him up in the Lord." Christ didn't please himself. As the psalmist said, "He came for the very purpose of suffering under the insults of those who were against the Lord" (Romans 15:2-3, Living Bible).

Jesus said a disciple must love Him more than his closest relatives on earth and even more than his own life (Luke 14:26). One who wants to be a disciple must take up the cross daily and follow the path that Christ followed (Luke 9:23).

A disciple is one who believes Christ's teaching, rests in His sacrifice and imitates His example (Matthew 10:24; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 6:69).

Here are some questions to think about for this lesson

Level 3 Lesson 6 Questions
DISCIPLESHIP

1. According to Acts 11:26, what were Christians originally called?
2. What does Matthew 28:20 say we should teach?
3. Besides being taught, what are the things we should do? (See Luke 6:46, James 1:22 and 27)
4. To be Jesus' disciples, we must do what, according to John 8:31?

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