Discipleship Pathway: Defining A Disciple

The Way: Discovering Christ Pathway for Discipleship

Objective
To understand and explore the process of growing and maturing as a disciple of Jesus through 5 central points:

1. The Definition of a Disciple: A central point is defining what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. A disciple is someone who chooses to follow Jesus. This involves basing one’s identity on Him, recognizing oneself as a child of God, an alien in this world, and an ambassador for Christ. The term “disciple” defines who we are as Christians and also what we do. (15 mins)
2. Surrender and Reliance on God: Following Jesus requires surrendering control of one’s life to Him, recognizing Him as both Savior and Master. Discipleship depends on God’s strength and resources, not one’s own. This involves submitting to Him and trusting in His power to produce fruit in one’s life.
3. Participation in God’s Mission: Disciples are called to actively participate in God’s redemptive mission for the world. This participation involves sharing the gospel and working with other believers to advance God’s purposes. Disciples do not engage in this mission as isolated individuals but rather in community.
4.  Community and Relationships: The document highlights the importance of community in the discipleship process. Following Jesus is not an individual activity but one that is done within a community of Christians. Disciples are encouraged to support and encourage each other in their faith. They should live within a community, which includes their local church and fellow disciples.

Opening Scripture- John 1:29-42

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ ³¹ I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” ³² And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. ³³ I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on—he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”^,

³⁵ The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷ The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. ³⁸ When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?”

They said to him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. ⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah”^, (which is translated “the Christ”), ⁴² and he brought Simon to Jesus.

When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter”). ^[1]

What does the verses teach us about being a disciple of Jesus?

A disciple follows Jesus: A disciple is someone who chooses to follow Jesus. This involves learning from Jesus, imitating His life, and obeying His teachings.

     Following Jesus means to:

• Imitate Jesus: Follow Jesus by obeying his teachings, imitating his example, and living out his values.
• Transform: Leave behind old habits and ways of thinking, and embrace Jesus’s teachings and example
• Surrender: Give up what you thought your life could be and submit to Jesus’s call
• Die to self: Make a commitment to Jesus and say “no” to self
• Take up the cross: Be willing to go to the end for Jesus’s sake
• Be steadfast: Commit to following Jesus with devotion

1. A disciple finds their identity fully in Christ: Disciples are to base their identities on Jesus, seeing themselves as children of God, aliens in this world, and ambassadors for Christ.

• “In Christ”: This phrase is central to understanding identity in Jesus, signifying a deep union with Christ where believers partake in his righteousness and new life.
• New Creation: According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, when one accepts Jesus, they are considered a “new creation,” signifying a complete transformation from their old self.
• Adopted Sonship: The Bible describes believers as adopted children of God, granting them access to all the privileges and inheritance that comes with being part of God’s family.
• Righteousness: Through Jesus’ sacrifice, believers are considered righteous in God’s sight, despite their past sins.

Bible verses to study:

• 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

• Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

• Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

• Romans 8:15-16: “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

    2. A disciple of fully and intently surrender their heart, mind, and soul to Jesus:

A “surrender to Jesus”signifies a complete yielding of one’s own will and control to the will of Jesus Christ, essentially placing one’s life fully in His hands,   trusting in His guidance and plan, and accepting His authority as the ultimate leader in all aspects of life; it’s a conscious decision to prioritize God’s desires  above personal desires and to rely on His grace to navigate life’s challenges.

• Submission: The act of surrendering implies a complete submission to Jesus, acknowledging His power and sovereignty over one’s life.
• Trust: A core element of surrender is placing absolute trust in Jesus’ goodness, love, and ability to guide one towards the best path.
• Letting go: Surrendering involves releasing control over one’s circumstances and choices, allowing Jesus to take the lead.
• Transformation: The process of surrendering to Jesus is often seen as a transformative journey, leading to personal growth and a deeper relationship with God.
• Daily Confession + Repentance: The process of acknowledging one’s sin, turning from that sin, and committing to intentional sanctification

Bible verses to study:

Galatians 2:20

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Luke 9:23-24

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

Job 22:21-22

“21 Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you. 22 Listen to his instructions, and store them in your heart.”

     3. A disciple actively participates in God’s redemptive mission for the world.

Jesus has a redemptive mission for the world. This mission involves fixing the problem of sin through his death and resurrection, which opens the door for redemption and allows people to experience forgiveness and a restored relationship with God.

To be a disciple of Jesus means to participate in his mission. This involves not just understanding his mission, but also acting on it by sharing the good news, as exemplified by John the Baptist and Andrew, who brought others to follow Jesus.

^[1] Christian Standard Bible (Jn 1:29–42). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.