DiscipleMaker Pathway Orientation

DISCIPLESHIP ORIENTATION CLASS I

Following the Model of Jesus

Objective
To understand what true discipleship is by examining Jesus’ model and learning how to apply His principles in our lives and church community.

Opening Scripture

Mat 4:18  As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He noticed two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

Mat 4:19  And He said to them, “Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.”

Mat 4:20  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].

CHRIST CULTURE

CARING, COMPASSIONATE, CONNECTED, COMMITTED, COMMUNITY OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS. 

  1. What is Discipleship?
    Discipleship is the intentional process of following Jesus, being transformed by Him, and leading others to do the same.

Key Elements of Discipleship

  • Following Jesus (Relationship) – A disciple commits to following Christ wholeheartedly.
  • Being Transformed (Spiritual Growth) – A disciple is continually growing in Christlikeness.
  • Making Disciples (Multiplication) – A disciple teaches and models Christ for others.

Luk 9:23  And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me[believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]

  1. Jesus as the Model Disciple
    Jesus not only made disciples but was Himself the perfect example of a disciple—fully submitted to the Father.
  • Jesus Followed the Father’s Will
    John 5:19– “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.”
  • Jhn 6:37 All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me].

Jhn 6:38  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

Jhn 6:39  This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but that I [give new life and] raise it up at the last day.

  • Mat 26:38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me.”

Mat 26:39  And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Mat 26:40  And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour?

Mat 26:41  Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

  • Philippians 2:8 – “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
  • Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
  • Hebrews 10:7 – “Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God.’”
  1. Jesus Walked in Close Relationship with His Disciples

Jesus exemplified true discipleship by living in close fellowship with those He called. Discipleship was not merely about instruction but about deep, personal relationships.

  • He Called Them Personally – “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.’” (Matthew 4:19, AMP)
    • Jesus’ call was personal and transformative, inviting His disciples into a life-changing journey.
    • He saw potential in ordinary men and called them to an extraordinary purpose.
  • He Did Life with Them – “And He appointed [the twelve] so that they would be with Him [for instruction] and so that He could send them out to preach.” (Mark 3:14, AMP)
    • Jesus didn’t just teach from a distance—He lived alongside His disciples, sharing meals, traveling together, and engaging in daily life.
    • Discipleship requires proximity, not just teaching, but demonstrating faith in everyday circumstances.
  • He Taught Them in Private and Public – The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) provides extensive teaching in a public setting, while in private, Jesus explained deeper truths to His disciples:
    • “Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant. And He said, ‘To you [who have been chosen] it has been granted to know and recognize the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that though they may look, they may not see [and hear, they may not understand].’” (Luke 8:9-10, AMP)
    • Jesus taught in public to reach the masses but gave deeper, more personal explanations to His disciples.

Key Takeaway: True discipleship happens in the context of relationships, not just classrooms. Jesus lived among His disciples, showing that spiritual growth occurs through close fellowship and shared life experiences.

  1. Jesus Modeled Before He Taught / He Was Willing to Answer Questions

Jesus didn’t just tell His disciples what to do—He showed them first, setting an example before giving instruction.

  • He Modeled Prayer Before Teaching About It – “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.’”(Luke 11:1, AMP)
    • The disciples saw Jesus’ consistent and intimate prayer life and were moved to ask Him to teach them how to pray.
    • He then gave them the model prayer (Luke 11:2-4).
  • He Demonstrated Servanthood – “So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well. For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you.” (John 13:14-15, AMP)
    • Instead of merely teaching about humility, Jesus took the role of a servant, washing His disciples’ feet.
    • This act taught them the heart of servant leadership.
  • He Answered Their Questions and Engaged in Discussion – “Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father and then we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?’” (John 14:8-9, AMP)
    • Jesus welcomed questions, even those that reflected doubt or misunderstanding, and responded with patience and truth.

Key Takeaway: Discipleship is more than words—it’s about living out faith in front of others. Jesus showed His disciples how to follow God before instructing them, demonstrating that faith is “caught” as much as it is taught.

  1. Jesus Empowered and Sent Them

Jesus didn’t just teach His disciples; He equipped and commissioned them for ministry.

  • He Trained Them Through Teaching and Experience – “Now Jesus called together the twelve [disciples] and gave them [the right to exercise] power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. Then He sent them out [on a brief journey] to preach the kingdom of God and to perform healing.” (Luke 9:1-2, AMP)
    • Jesus did not keep His disciples as passive learners but actively involved them in ministry.
    • He entrusted them with His authority to preach and heal.
  • He Sent Them with Purpose and Power – “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority and power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.” (Matthew 10:1, AMP)
    • The disciples were not just students—they were ambassadors of Christ, carrying His mission forward.
  • He Commissioned Them to Make Disciples of All Nations – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, AMP)
    • The Great Commission extends beyond the original twelve disciples to all believers.
    • Jesus empowered His followers to spread the gospel worldwide.

Key Takeaway: Discipleship is not just about learning—it’s about being equipped and sent out to continue Christ’s mission.

  1. Jesus Held His Disciples Accountable

Jesus lovingly corrected, challenged, and restored His disciples, showing that true discipleship includes both grace and truth.

  • He Rebuked Them When They Lacked Faith – “Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness].” (Matthew 8:26, AMP)
    • Jesus challenged His disciples to grow in faith and trust Him, even in difficult situations.
  • He Corrected Their Worldly Thinking – “But turning around [and looking at His disciples], He rebuked Peter, saying, ‘Get behind Me, Satan; for your mind is not set on God’s will or His values and purposes, but on what pleases man.’” (Mark 8:33, AMP)
    • Peter, though devoted to Jesus, had a human-centered mindset, which Jesus firmly corrected.
  • He Restored Them When They Failed – “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with total commitment and devotion]?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’” (John 21:15, AMP)
    • After Peter’s denial of Christ, Jesus restored him, emphasizing grace and renewed purpose.

Key Takeaway: Discipleship involves accountability—both correction and restoration. Jesus challenged His disciples when necessary but always did so in love, guiding them toward spiritual maturity.

III. How We Can Model Jesus’ Discipleship Today

  1. Be a Disciple First

Discipleship begins with our personal relationship with Jesus. Before we can lead others, we must first follow Christ wholeheartedly.

  • John 15:5-12 (AMP) – “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for otherwise apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples. I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing. This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you.”
    • True discipleship starts with abiding in Christ.
    • We must remain in His love and keep His commandments.
    • Discipleship is not just about knowledge but about bearing fruit through a deep relationship with Jesus.

  1. Build Relationships Like Jesus Did

Discipleship is not a program—it happens in authentic, life-on-life relationships. Jesus modeled this by investing deeply in His disciples.

  • John 15:15 (AMP) – “I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.”
    • Jesus shared His heart and mission with His disciples, calling them friends.
    • Discipleship requires intentional relationships, transparency, and sharing in one another’s lives.
  • Luke 8:1 (AMP) – “Soon afterward, Jesus began going around from one city and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve [disciples] were with Him.”
    • Jesus didn’t disciple from a distance—His disciples traveled with Him and learned through shared experiences.
    • True discipleship happens in community, through walking alongside others.

Key Takeaway: We must be intentional in forming meaningful relationships and investing in others spiritually.

  1. Teach and Model Biblical Truth

Discipleship is not just about teaching—it is about living out the truth of Scripture and leading by example.

  • Matthew 6:9-13 (AMP) – “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’”
    • Jesus didn’t just tell His disciples to pray—He showed them how to pray.
  • Luke 11:1 (AMP) – “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.’”
    • His disciples observed His prayer life and desired to learn from Him.
    • As disciple-makers, we must model a life of prayer and devotion.
  • Mark 1:35 (AMP) – “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there.”
    • Jesus prioritized time with the Father before engaging in ministry.
    • We must lead by example in prayer, studying Scripture, and serving others.

Key Takeaway: Discipleship involves not only teaching biblical truths but also modeling a Christ-centered life through our actions.

  1. Empower and Send Others

Discipleship is about multiplication—equipping others to grow spiritually and lead others.

  • Matthew 28:19-20 (AMP) – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
    • Jesus’ command is clear—discipleship is not optional; it is a calling.
    • We are to help others learn, believe, and obey Christ.
    • This requires training others to lead, not just to attend church.

Key Takeaway: Discipleship is about reproducing leaders who will continue the mission of Christ.

 

  1. Hold Each Other Accountable

True discipleship includes accountability—both encouragement and correction—just as Jesus did with His disciples.

  • Galatians 6:1-2 (AMP) – “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].”
    • Accountability should be done in a spirit of love and gentleness.
    • We must encourage one another to grow spiritually and live righteously.
  • Hebrews 10:24-25 (AMP) – “And let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”
    • Fellowship and accountability are essential for spiritual growth.

Key Takeaway: Discipleship involves both encouragement and challenge, helping one another stay faithful to Christ.

  1. Our Commitment in This Discipleship Journey

As followers of Jesus, we commit to:

  1. Following Jesus as our model
    • “Whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.” (1 John 2:6, AMP)
  2. Walking in authentic relationships with one another
    • “Therefore, encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, AMP)
  3. Making disciples who make disciples
    • “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, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20, AMP)

Key Takeaway: Discipleship is a lifelong journey. As we follow Christ, we commit to helping others do the same, forming a continuous cycle of disciples making disciples.

 

Discussion Questions for Reflection

  • What does discipleship mean to you personally?
  • How has Jesus’ discipleship model challenged your understanding of making disciples?
  • What steps can you take to begin discipling someone in your life?

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