Introduction to Discipleshipbmbda.org/images/documents/congress/SPIRITUALDISCIPLESHIP.pdfSPIRITUAL...

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLESHIP

By William L. “Jimi” Gwynn III Instructor [email protected] March -20th -24th 2017 Revised 3/8/2017 6:03 PM 1

Introduction to Discipleship

Rev. William L. “Jimi” Gwynn III Instructor # 16325T

March 20th-24th 2017

Berean Missionary Baptist District Association Christian Leadership School

Union Tabernacle M.B. Church

626 N. Newstead St. Louis, MO. 63138

Rev. James Nicks, Host Pastor

Deacon Allen Bluiett Berean Congress President

Sis. Alcurtis Franks Berean Congress Dean

Rev. Keith Pendilton Berean District Moderator

mailto:[email protected]



CLASS SCHEDULE

GOAL OF CLASS:

Disciple one person a year with this or other material in or out of church.

MONDAY

1. Intro of Teacher/students---Form Groups/Icebreaker- note card writing

2. Review syllabus.

3. Recommend book

a. Each night a volunteer student will read/song poem from book

b. Each night class will end with prayer for courage to disciple someone

3. Begin Lesson One

4. Do Group Work

5. Read Disciples Pledge. ( Not to be read aloud in class again until Friday).

6. Song/poem by student

Homework Assignment: Compile list of discipleship definitions from various sources.

Bibles, bible dictionary,Thesaurus,dictionary, internet etc,.

Tuesday Review definitions students have brought in.

1. Begin Lesson Two

2. Group Work


Homework Assignment: Read Luke 9:51-62 at least ten times in as many versions as

are available to you. Tell us Wednesday night which was your favorite reading and why.

Wednesday Share favorite reading from last night

1. Group work:

3. Begin Lesson Three





Homework Assignment: Give your pastor a heart attack this Sunday by telling him you

want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Thursday Discussion and or review of material covered so far by fielding of questions on

discipleship by instructor or students.

1. Begin Lesson Four

Homework Assignment: Prayerfully write one name of someone you will begin a disciple

relationship with. Bring name to class Friday. We will not read names in class we will just put

them together and pray over them.

Friday Wrap up: Begin Lesson Five

a. Students asked to give major observations of DISCIPLESHIP they have gleaned from

this course.

b. Name a specific doctrine they have seen in these LESSONS.

c. Choose one DISCIPLESHIP book for year long study

d. Read Discipleship pledge

e. Close with prayer




INTRODUCTION

Mark 1:16-17 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother

casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Definition of discipleship. The word disciple occurs in the NT 269 times. Christian only 3 times and

believers 2 times. If then we look at the conditions of discipleship (Lk. 14:25-33) it is clear that a

disciple must be a believer but that not all believers are disciples.

(Lk. 14:25-33)

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren,

and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he

have [sufficient] to finish [it]?

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to

mock him,

Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether

he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of

peace.

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

The word disciple means “a learner”, but heightened by what Jesus says the word takes on a

profound new meaning. It means “ a learner or pupil who accepts the teaching of Christ, not only in

belief but in lifestyle”. It is learning with the purpose in mind of obeying. Peter has a telltale

statement in Mark 10:28 which highlights for us the level of commitment needed for this journey.




1

THE IDEAL DISCIPLE

Ӂ

Blessed are you…

Matthew 5:11

Mt. 5:3-12

[Mat 5:3 KJV] "Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

[Mat 5:4 KJV] "Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."

[Mat 5:5 KJV] "Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."

[Mat 5:6 KJV] "Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be

filled."

[Mat 5:7 KJV] "Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

[Mat 5:8 KJV] "Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

[Mat 5:9 KJV] "Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

[Mat 5:10 KJV] "Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the

kingdom of heaven."

[Mat 5:11 KJV] "Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all

manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."

[Mat 5:12 KJV] "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so

persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

FOUR PASSIVE PERSONAL QUALITIES

Spiritual Inadequacy v.3




Spiritual Contrition v.4

Spiritual Humility v.5

Spiritual Aspiration v.6

FOUR ACTIVE SOCIAL QUALITIES

The ideal disciple will have four active social characteristics.

Compassionate in Spirit v.7

Pure in Heart v.8

Conciliatory in Spirit v.9




Unswerving in Loyalty vv.10-11

FOR REFLECTION

A. What does it mean to you that the OT delivers a message of “curses” while the NT delivers a

message of “blessing”?.

B. Where do you rate on a scale of 1- 10 for each of the four passive qualities of discipleship?

C. Which of the four social qualities have you ignored all of your dadgum Christian life and why?




2

CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Ӂ

Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple

Luke 14:27

There are three indispensable conditions for true discipleship. Lk. 14:25-33

An Unrivaled Love v.26 (Mt. 10:37)

An Unceasing Cross-Bearing v. 27. (Mt. 10:38) "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth

after me, is not worthy of me."

An Unreserved Surrender v.33




3

EVIDENCES OF DISCIPLESHIP

Ӂ

By this all men will know that you are my disciples,

If you love one another.

John. 13:35

In the course of His teaching ministry, Jesus enunciated three fundamental principles to guide His

disciples in their service.

The Continuance Principle Jn. 8:31-32

The Love Principle Jn. 13:34-35

The Fruit Principle Jn. 15: 7-8




FOR REFLECTION

A. Have you made at least one disciple yet? How has Jesus’ commission shaped the way you

treat others? [believers and unbelievers]

B. What does it mean to You to “continue” (abide) in Christ’s Word?

C. In which of the three principles (inward, outward, upward) are you currently making the most

progress? Why?




4

TESTS OF

DISCIPLESHIP

Ӂ

I will follow you, Lord;but…

Luke 9:61

Three men encountered Christ and heard His demands for service. We see

that each had diverting influences that emerge from this passage.

Lk. 9:57-61

"57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain [man] said

unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus

said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air [have] nests; but the

Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head. 59 And he said unto another,

Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60

Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach

the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but

let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And

Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and

looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

The Impassive Volunteer v.57

The Reluctant Conscript v.59




The Halfhearted Volunteer v.61

FOR REFLECTION

A. Based on the three aspects above where are you in your current discipleship status?

B. What does an impulsive disciple need to learn on the way to authentic discipleship?

C. What happens to disciples who never commit?




5

THE DISCIPLE’S MASTER

Ӂ

Ye call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am.

John 13: 13

Jesus Christ…is Lord of all.

Acts 10:36

“ I am Captain of my own soul” or am I? The crucial question to answer is, “In whose hands does

the final authority rest?

Lordship Salvation

What Is Involved in Christ’s Lordship?Let us examine what submitting to Christ’s lordship really

means.

Full submission to His Authority 1 Pt. 3:15

Recognition of His Ownership Acts 10:36




Unquestioning Obedience Lk. 6:46

FOR REFLECTION

A. How do you acknowledge Jesus’ authority in your daily life?

B. Now that you’ve heard Sanders argument that lordship and salvation are separate decisions

how would you make a case to someone who says they are the same?

BREAKOUT GROUPS

During this week we will have group exercises built off the Study Guide in the back of the book.

Discussion and hammering out the concepts contained in the lesson will help to solidify the

elements in your heart and allow you to enjoy and even greater benefit derived from the class. The

study guidelines have been modified because the time we have together here each night is

considerably shorter than an optimum class time frame.

Each session is divided into three parts.




Get Started starts with common life experiences and helps all group members get involved in

the discussion. 5 minutes.

Get the Point focuses on the main point of each lesson and provides further discussion on key

bible passages. 10 minutes.

Get Going moves group members into the action phase with suggestions for life application. 5

minutes.

*If you had the book or the syllabus prior to class then you are in a position to enhance your

groups direction with each one of these parts.

Get Started

1. When was a time you were recognized as a good learner? Who was teaching you: a friend,

parent, teacher, coach, or boss? What motivated you to learn?

Get the Point

2. How are the Beatitudes helpful for defining discipleship?




3. Which of the Beatitudes makes you uncomfortable or is seemingly unattainable?

4. What does it mean for a disciple to “take up his cross”?

5. Which discipleship element gives you the most trouble; loving family, loving the world, or

loving possessions?

6. Why should you continue in the Word?

7. Why is the term “fruitless disciple” a contradiction in terms?




8. Why does true discipleship require evidences?

9. In your own words, what is a disciple? What is discipleship?

Get Going

10. Where do you see yourself falling short as a disciple?

11. What would motivate you to be a better disciple?




Get Started

1. Have you ever seen a business run out of money?. As far as you know, what caused the

financial shortage?

Get the Point

2. Do you tend to be more like the impulsive volunteer, reluctant volunteer, or the halfhearted

volunteer?

3. What “pulls you back in” from being a disciple? ( Think of the scene with Michael Corleone in

Godfather III before the death of his daughter).




4. What does it mean for Christ to be lord of a person’s life?

Get Going

5. What is the most important step you can take this week to follow Jesus more

wholeheartedly?

Material excerpted from the book,


Principles of Following Christ for Every Believer

By J. Oswald Sanders

Moody Press Chicago, ILL 1990, 1994

INSERT SANDERS PDF

INSERT DISCIPLESHIP PLEDGE.


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