Stone 6
DISCIPLESHIP and SERVITUDE
Opening Scripture:
Luke 5:27-28
27 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.”
28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.
Matthew 28:19
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 11:1
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
Mark 10:43-44
43 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be
your servant.”
44 “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.”
Make Disciples
Jesus commands us to “go make disciples of all nations.” This charge propelled the early Christians into a strategic mission that turned the world upside down, not just by preaching, doing miracle signs and wonders, but by training and equipping the new believers as well. A true Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ.
1) Jesus commands us
Matthew 28:19-20
2) The early church
Acts 2:41-42 and Acts 6:7
3) Paul on discipleship
2 Timothy 2:2-13 and 2 Timothy 3:16
4) True discipleship
John 8:31, Luke 6:40 and 46-49
Absolute Surrender
Taking up your cross is the ultimate act of surrender, a conscious choice to deny yourself and live for Christ. It means a willingness to follow and obey Christ with all your heart and to whatever end. Because of Christ’s victory on the cross, we have the power to pick up our cross and follow Him.
1) Take up your cross
Matthew 16:24-26, Mark 8:34-36 and Luke 9:23-25
2) Count the cost
Luke 14:25-33
3) The cross of Christ
Colossians 2:13-15, 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 1 Corinthians 2:1-2
4) Not I but Christ
Galatians 6:14 and Galatians 2:20
Godly Character
The most important mark of a disciple of Jesus Christ is a Godly character. Jesus declared “by their fruits you will know them,” it is the “fruit of the Spirit” that identifies the true follower of Jesus. Godliness, holiness and righteousness are the foundation of a true believer’s heart and desire.
1) Divine power2
Peter 1:3-11
2) Trials and suffering
James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-4
Servitude
Jesus’ original disciples learned to become great servants. Their lives and message impacted the world. They understood that the key to showing true discipleship is to serve. “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.”
1) The greatest
Mark 10:35-45 and Luke 22:24-30
2) Disciples are called to serve
Matthew 4:19-20, Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7-13 and Matthew 28:18-20
STUDY NOTES
1) What has Christ called us to? Why?
2 Timothy 1:9
2) What did Paul mean when he said, “I have been crucified with Christ”?
Galatians 2:20
3) What is the promised result of having these qualities in increasing measure?
2 Peter 1:8
4) What must happen before we serve?
Acts 1:4
