CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST

Purpose Statement:         The purpose of this session is to communicate who a disciple of Jesus is and to motivate you to live as His disciple.

Learning Objectives:      This session is designed to help you:

  1. Understand some essential biblical characteristics of Jesus' disciples.
  2. Evaluate your life in light of these characteristics.
  3. Make a commitment to be Jesus' disciple.

Scripture References:      Matthew 22:36-40; Luke 9:57-62; 14:26-33

INTRODUCTION

            When we receive Christ many things happen.  Our sins are forgiven, we become children of God and joint-heirs with Christ.  We begin the great adventure of following Jesus.  In the gospels, those following Jesus are called "disciples."  This session considers what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

I.       WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DISCIPLE

          Come up with a ten word definition of a disciple.

                "The essence of discipleship is our right response to God's call on our lives.  Discipleship is a matter of being willing to become all that God wants us to be."

          A.      Disciples are learners.

                                "The Greek word for `disciple' is mathetes, which means `learner.'  Disciples are those with a heart for God and a teachable attitude.  Disciples are ready to receive whatever Jesus has to offer; His forgiveness, love, direction and commandments."

                                [Have the class individually come up with at least two key traits of a disciple from Matthew 11:28-30.  Have a few students share their findings.]

                             1.         They follow Jesus and learn from Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

                                                                                                                                                28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30

                                                "Disciples come to Jesus as the one who will meet their every need. He is the one who will give them `rest' in the midst of life's burdens (v. 28).  Disciples are those who take Jesus' yoke upon them, linking their direction and priorities in life with those of Jesus, sharing in His life and ministry (v. 29).  Disciples are those who `learn from Jesus.'  Disciples' entire lives revolve around learning, growing and changing more and more into the image of Jesus Christ (v. 29).

                        2.         Discipleship is a life-long process (Philippians 3:12-14).

                                                                                                                                                12"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:12-14

                                                "Disciples are learners for a lifetime.  We will never fully arrive as people who are complete reflections of Jesus Christ.  But, disciples keep moving in that direction, learning from Jesus throughout their lives."

          B.       Disciples are in the process of becoming like their Master.

                        1.         When fully trained, disciples are like their Master (Luke 6:40).

                                                "Just as students desire to be like their teacher, so disciples want to become like their Master, the Lord Jesus.  Toward this end we are to strive as we grow and are trained.  Jesus' ultimate desire for His disciples is that they be like Him."

                        2.         Disciples of Jesus increasingly reflect His character, conduct and commitments (Ephesians 4:13).

                                                "As we become more and more like our Master, we will increasingly reflect the Lord Jesus in all that we are and do.  Discipleship is a commitment of our entire lives toward the end of becoming entirely like Jesus."

II.      SOME ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCIPLES OF JESUS

                "There are many things that disciples do by way of activities.  We will look at these in detail in a later message.  In this point we want to discuss only essential characteristics of disciples--traits which distinguish disciples of Jesus from those who are not serious about following Him.  These essential characteristics are the foundation for all we do by way of discipleship activities.  Who we are is the basis for all we do."

          A.      Disciples of Jesus are growing in their love for God and others (Matthew 22:36-40).

                                                36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  37Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  38This is the first and greatest commandment.  39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."   Matthew 22:36

                        1.         God calls us to love Him with our whole heart, soul and mind (v. 37).

                                                "The aspiration, pursuit and compelling commitment of disciples is to love God with their entire being.  Our love for God determines the question of the lordship of Christ.  To love God is to submit our entire life to Him.  We do this not out of obligation, but in response to His great love for us.  Our love for God is the source out of which flows all our specific acts of obedience under the lordship of Christ."

                        2.         God calls us to love others as ourselves (v. 39).

                                                "1 John 4:19-21 says that our love for God is manifested in our love for others.  In fact, we cannot say that we love God unless we love others also."

                        3.         These two commands are the foundation for the Christian life (v. 40).

                                                "Love for God and others is the motivation for all we do as Jesus' disciples."

          B.       Disciples of Jesus submit to Christ as Lord of their lives (Luke 14:25-33).

                                                26Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said.  26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters‑‑yes, even his own life‑‑he cannot be my disciple.  27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.  28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it.  29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him.  30Saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'  31Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand.  32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.  33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."   Luke 14:25-33

                   Jesus is to be Lord of:

                        1.         Our relationships (v. 26).

                                                "Our love for our family dims in comparison to our love for Jesus.  Jesus demands nothing less than first place in our lives, even taking priority over family relationships."

                        2.         Our possessions (v. 33).

                                                "Jesus calls His disciples to submit all that they own to His lordship."

                        3.         Our total selves (vv. 26,27).

                                                "Jesus wants to be Lord not just of our possessions and relationships, but of our entire lives.  He asks that nothing be held back.  Disciples are people who do what Jesus Christ wants them to do.  You cannot be a disciple if you are not obeying Him as a way of life."

          C.      Disciples of Jesus seek the kingdom of God (Luke 9:57-62).

                        1.         The priority of the kingdom (v. 60).

                                                "Jesus told this man that the kingdom of God laid claim to his life even over the legitimate obligations he had to his family."

                        2.         The necessity of single-mindedness (v. 62).

                                                "Our pursuit of God's kingdom demands our single-minded commitment.  Once again, even the legitimate desire to serve our family must be submitted to Jesus' call to serve Him as disciples."

          D.      Disciples of Jesus are internally motivated to follow and serve God.

                   Why is this true?

                        1.         Because of who God is and what God has done for us (Romans 5:6-8; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Hebrews 12:28-29).

                                                "The more we know Jesus, the more we will have a picture of who God is.  The more we meditate on what Jesus has done for us, the more we will serve Him out of a thankful heart.  Jesus wants us to serve Him out of love for Him."

                        2.         Because of the eternal significance of ministering to others (1 Corinthians 15:58).

                                                "Jesus calls us to a ministry of eternal significance.  Our labor as disciples is never in vain.  We have the opportunity to be used of God to see lives changed for eternity.  As disciples, we are investing our lives in the two things that count, the word of God and people."

III.     EVALUATING YOUR COMMITMENT TO BE JESUS' DISCIPLES

                "As you have read these Scriptures, we would like you to consider what God is saying to you, as those whom He calls to be His disciples.  Here are some questions to help you apply this material personally.  Take a moment now to consider them."

          n       What does it mean for me to be a disciple of Jesus?

          n       What might it cost me to follow Jesus?

          n       How closely are my priorities aligned with God's call to seek His kingdom?

          n       Do I want what Jesus wants for me?

          n       What reservations do I have regarding His call to be His disciple?

IV.     SUMMARY

          A.      Disciples are lifelong followers of Jesus Christ.

          B.       Disciples are in the process of becoming more like Jesus in every aspect of life.

          C.      Disciples are called to love God and others.

          D.      Disciples are called to make Jesus their first priority in life.

V.      APPLICATION

                Some suggested ways to end this session:

                                1.             Have the class take five to ten minutes to consider their commitment to be disciples of Jesus in light of this message.  Have them share their thoughts with their trainer during the next week.

                                2.             Have the class kneel in prayer and express their commitment to God to be lifelong disciples of Jesus.

                                3.             Ask those who so desire to come forward and pray together as they make a commitment to be Jesus' lifelong disciples.

                                4.             If you ask for a specific commitment to become disciples of Jesus, please do the following for those not yet ready.

                                                a.             Encourage them to continue to grow in their knowledge of God's love and grace toward them.

                                                b.             Ask them to read Ephesians 1 and 2 for two weeks and meditate on God's grace and love.

                                                c.             Encourage them to discuss the matter with a staff member, their trainer or their small group leader.]