Discipleship

1. Discipleship Not a program, not a course but a godly lifestyle

2. The Critical Components of Discipleship • A clear biblical context and framework for lifelong motivation and perspective. • Discipleship integrating into all of life’s issues • Discipleship is for all, all the time. • Discipleship needs practical tools fit for young to old.

3. A clear biblical context and framework • The Savior calls the redeemed to inherit the coming Kingdom (the pearl of great price) through endurance and perseverance by faith through grace. (that Messiah will return to rule and he grants co-rulership to the faithful) • Matthew 6:33 - seek first His Kingdom and righteousness. • 2 Timothy 2:8-13 - if we endure, we will reign with Him. • Hebrews 3:12-18 - We share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence to the end.

4. A clear biblical context and framework • Romans 8:17 - and if children, then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. • Hebrews 10:35-39 - Do not throw away your confidence which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised. • 1 Corinthians 9:26 - but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

5. A clear biblical context and framework • 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he had done, whether good or bad. • Key Aspects (received through faith and grace) • Endurance • Faithfulness • Discipline • Confidence

6. A clear biblical context and framework • To seek the Kingdom is to take on Christ. His truth and values must seep into every corner of our thought and life. Discipleship is the process to see this happen! • Luke 9:23-25 - “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the Holy angels.”

7. A clear biblical context and framework • Colossians 2:6-7 - Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. • Galatians 5:16-26 - ..I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God…..and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

8. A clear biblical context and framework • Key Points • Lose your life • Rooted in Christ • Walk in the Spirit

9. Discipleship integrating into all of life’s issues • It is not just a “spiritual” or “church” thing, but all of a disciples domains (inner and outer) are to be brought under Christ’s lordship. • Genesis 1:26-27 - Man to have dominion. We are therefore lords of the earth and mistresses of our domains. We are viceroys under God’s authority, but with clear responsibility. • Colossians 3:17 - Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Therefore, all aspects of our life are to be brought under Christlike control.

10. Discipleship integrating into all of life’s issues • Key Issues: • The dominion responsibility and command puts us in active gear! • Each and every aspect (domain) of our lives is an area to bring under Christ control. This is not a “church’ thing, but a godly lifestyle.

11. Discipleship is for all, all the time. • The call of discipleship is open to all, all the time. However, why do few continue? The parable of the Sower gives indication of who will continue. Matthew 13:18-23 • Prerequisite is: When anyone hears the words of the Kingdom (that Messiah will return to rule and he grants co-rulership to the faithful) • Disciple #1: does not understand and the evil one snatches away what has been sown in his heart. (cannot see beyond his justification) • Disciple #2: receives the word with joy, but since there is no root in himself (sown on rocky soil) endures for a while, but when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

12. Discipleship is for all, all the time. • Disciple #3: One hears the word, but it is sown among thorns. The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches chokes the word and it proves unfruitful.

13. Discipleship is for all, all the time. • Disciple #4: The good soil. He hears the word of the Kingdom and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. Therefore…………….

14. Discipleship is for all, all the time. • All opportunities are open to all, all the time. Yet many will aspire, but few will attain. Our expectations need to be in align with the parable of the Sower. “Bless the bunch, train a few.” • The goal is fruit bearing for a lifetime, therefore discipleship is not just a program, but a lifestyle marked by perseverance - looking to the great gift of inheriting the Kingdom!

15. Discipleship needs practical tools fit for young to old. • With an understanding of the Kingdom and the great privilege it will be to be a servant leader with Christ, the disciple will need tools to gain the discipleship lifestyle. All domains of life, relationship and work must come under His Word and authority.

16. Discipleship needs practical tools fit for young to old. • Each domain must be thought through and tools developed by those with experience and know-how in that area. • What tools are needed? The church is a place of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. • Tools for personal submission to Christ • Tools for family relationships • Tools for godly behavior in the world.

17. Where to start? For discipleship to become a core distinctive of NWBC the first step is essential. • Step 1: Leadership must embrace and model the vision through conviction, instruction and example. Luke 6: 39 And He also spoke a parable to them: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. To do this………………….

18. Where to start? • Conviction of the Biblical framework. • Learned tools that are being personally practiced. • Ready to teach others. • At the same time the congregation is being taught the framework. • A strategy is being prepared to bring all classes and activities into the the vision. Discipleship begins to take root as a godly lifestyle as conviction grows and it is practiced in all domains.

19. Where to start? • Ultimately, things will narrow down to “blessing the bunch, but training the few.” (parable of the Sower) However, the power of a life is unbelievable. One committed disciple is better than a room full of the half-hearted. (not measured by activities, but by a godly lifestyle)

20. What to expect • People who are zealous for good works. • Healthy and growing families who are standing against the world’s culture. • Hospitality expanding to meet the needs of the church. • Proclamation of the Good News by families and individuals. • Impact in the job place.