INTRODUCTION
Acts 11:26 “… And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”
Today, it has become popular to be called a Christian, Student, Politician; Professional, businessman, etc. but not many are disciples of the Master nor see a need to. The truth however is that it is not possible to be a Christian without first becoming a disciple. It was the disciples that were first called Christian in Antioch. It was the early Church’s passionate focus on raising disciples that produced the Christ-like life that the unbelievers outside saw and nick-named “Christ-ian”. Only disciples are real Christians and only real Christians have a hope of going to heaven. If our Christianity will not be a mere fashion or just a following of the popular trend without a sure grasp of what Jesus came and died to achieve in our lives, then we need to settle down and find out for ourselves, from the Bible what discipleship is all about, who can be one, how and why we must be one! In this study therefore we shall trust God to re-introduce to us “again” the concept of Discipleship.
A. DEFINITION.
What is Discipleship?
i. Discipleship is a process of producing or imparting the life of a teacher to another. It is a life-long process, a systematic and cumulative way of making someone (a student, a pupil, a trainee, an apprentice, a raw material, a disciple) to be conformed or transformed into the image, the stature and the full personality of the master, the Lord Jesus Christ.
ii. It is a widespread age-long practice, even before Christ. John 1:35; Matt. 23:15; Acts 5:34-39. Everyone is a disciple of some sort. We are a disciple of whosoever’s philosophy or lifestyle we follow. Whose disciple are you? Your professor at school? Parents or that popular musician?
iii. Discipleship is a systematic and cummulative way of making someone to become like his Master. Rom. 8:28-30; Matt. 4:19-22; Luke 6:40; Matt. 11:28-30. Are you like Jesus? Who do you resemble in life? (character & behaviour)?
iv. Discipleship can be likened to a “Master- Apprentice” or “Teacher-Pupil” relationship, with a predetermined curriculum and behavioural objective, between the Christian and the LORD Jesus Christ. Luke 6:40; Matt. 4:19.
B. OBJECTIVES OF DISCIPLESHIP
Who is a Disciple?
i. A disciple is first and foremost, one who has been BORN-AGAIN. Except a man is born a new by the spirit… he has no potential to become like Jesus. Even if all the principles of Discipleship are applied, a sinner cannot develop by training to become a saint. (John 3:17; ICor. 2:13-15; Matt. 11:28; Titus 3:5)
ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? (John 1:12-15) if not, you have no ticket to get on board DISCIPLESHIP. Having had rest from sin and the devil, the disciple voluntarily yields his neck under the yoke of his master, so as to be taught and nurtured by him until he (the disciple) becomes like Him. Matt. 11:29-30, Mark 3:13-14, Gal.4:1-3
ii. A disciple is a pupil who has voluntarily conceded the pedagogical authority (right arising from superiority) to the teacher as the best ever possible for his own. He sees everything permitted in his life as divine apparatus to get him conformed into the image of his master whom he loves and highly esteems. Rom. 8:28-29, John 6:68-69; Job13:15. Rom. 8:28; Job 19:25-27, 2Cor. 4:16-17; Eccl. 3:1a
CONTENT OF DISCIPLESHIP
How does it happen?
i. Discipleship is not just a “teaching” but a “making”, a “life yoking” that affords the disciple an opportunity to learn the Master by hearing, watching as well as questioning. Matt 11:28-30; Matt 5:1-3; Luke 11:1-4.
Who made you? To whom are you responsible? Who are you deliberately watching to help you become like Christ? Are you in a yoke?
ii. Discipleship is not a single time experience. It is a process consisting of a systematic set of steps carefully arranged in order, until God’s goal is achieved. Ps. 37: 23-24, 1 Pet. 2:21; Matt. 24:13; Rom. 8:28-30.
iii. This process has a beginning, an entrance and a definite starting point (which is not unconscious, but deliberate) when the pupil voluntarily yields his neck to the yoke of the Master to learn of him. Matt. 11:19-30; 4:19-20.
iv. Discipleship involves most of the time, falling and rising, correction and whipping. You may sometimes weep and bleed. It can be painful to bend to a new shape and focus a man who is set on his old ways of living. Heb. 12: 6; Ps. 118:18; Job 5:17-18; Prov. 3:12; John 14:15-24; 15:15.
v. It involves direct encounters and interactions with the Master Himself in prayer, in His word, in service and in following in His footsteps. 1 Pet. 2:21; John 8:31-32; 15:8-10
vi. Discipleship for each person is unique and peculiar to the individual in pace, instrument, arrangement of lessons and dealings as determined by the Master. No Disciple should compare Christ’s dealings with him with another disciple’s. John 21:15-25; John 20:19-20, 24-29; compare with Matt 20:1-16.
vii. When the disciple has made real progress in his discipleship program with the LORD, his character, deeds and manner of life and speech show obviously to those around that he “…had been with Jesus” Acts. 4:13; 11:26; Matt. 26:69-73.
D. GOAL/PURPOSE OF DISCIPLESHIP
Why Discipleship?
i. To conform men to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 8:28-30; Matt. 4:19; Luke 6:40. Discipleship is God’s means of achieving His eternal purpose and central goal of calling any man to Himself to be conformed to the image of His only Son, the Saviour Jesus Christ, in order that Christ be not ashamed or shrink to call us brethren. Rom. 8:28-29; Heb. 2:10-11, Eph. 4:13-15
ii. to bring men into a close intimate and deep relationship with God. Mark 3:13-15; John 21:20-22; I Kings 19:19-21
iii. to tie up a man for God’s use. Mark 3:13-15; 11:1-8; Compare Matt 4:21-22 with Luke 18:22-25.
iv. To save God the ordeal of always starting from scratch each time. 2Tim. 2:2; Judges 2:7-11; Luke 18:8
E. CONCLUSION AND CHALLENGE
Call to Discipleship!!!
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me…” Jesus insists. Matt. 11:28-30. No man can follow Jesus unconsciously. It is a deliberate decision, a personal, individual choice to submit our life to Him in order that it can be specifically fashioned in His will for our lives. Jesus calls to you for such a decision today. He calls you to take the yoke of discipleship, will you? Let uspray…