English Lesson
A Discipleship Paradigm
REACHING OTHERS with the gospel of Jesus and inviting them to follow Him is central to the church’s mission. However, evangelism involves much more than just bringing people into the church; it also includes nurturing and discipleship.
The word disciple is a translation of the Koine Greek word, mathetes. It refers to a pupil of a teacher or an apprentice to a craftsman. It carries the connotation of one who follows another. If we look at Jesus’ ministry, we will see that His relationship with His disciples transcended the normal pupil-teacher relationship with which we are acquainted.
It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come” (ibid., chap. 1, p. 13).
We use the word discipleship very frequently in our churches, but sometimes one must wonder if we clearly understand what we are saying. Many people see discipleship merely as a program, a set of initiatives, or a series of tasks to be accomplished. Such a concept could lead us to perform all kinds of checklist assessments to determine how well we are doing. This could involve investigating how many times we pray and how many passages of Scripture we read each day, how many Bible texts we have memorized, how many pages of devotional material we read per week, how many pieces of literature we distribute, how many people we have been kind to, and how often we meet with our accountability partners. While all of these 302
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are useful as empirical information to quantify organizational effectiveness, in themselves they are not discipleship.
Yes, discipleship includes all of the above and more. However, it has more to do with attitudes or motives than actions. If our motives are not right, all the activities that we produce become an end unto themselves. Discipleship is a genuine lifestyle of faithfully imitating Christ’s example. It gives us a sense that we are not the most important mortals on earth; we are simply followers of the most important Being in the universe.
In the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 Jesus commanded His disciples to (1) go and make disciples, (2) baptize them, and (3) teach them. Furthermore, in Matthew 4:19 He said, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people” (NRSV). This is an actual command that came directly from His lips. It was and still is a command that all of His believers must apply to their personal life experience. When church members faithfully carry out this command, the result is the dynamic and sustained growth of the kingdom of God here on earth and the preparation of believers to live in the kingdom of glory.
In His discourse on love in John 15, Jesus reinforced His call to making disciples with the use of the metaphor of a fruit-bearing tree: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another” (v. 16, 17). When Jesus said: “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people,” those words referred to far more than just walking in His physical presence. Rather, Christ intended that by following Him, believers would become like Him in their lifestyle and influence others to follow His example. As He thus reproduces His teachings among believers, the church achieves sustained growth as its members demonstrate a genuine, kingdom-focused attitude.
His disciples are like Him in their lifestyle, attitude, conduct and vocation and bear like passion for the redemptive mission. “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow me, and I will make you 303
fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed Him Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him” Matthew 4:18-22. Those who actually followed Him were from varied circumstances and included more than the twelve. All those who are sympathetic and committed to Him, accept His teaching and embrace His lifestyle are His disciples. They acknowledge Him as their personal Savior and are members of the community of faith. “To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples” John 8:31.
A Disciple is a Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group or organization that is involved in missions. The Latin missionem, which is the “act of sending” signifies “mission” in the English language. Before 1598 when the word “mission” originated among the Jesuits, Jesus had already instituted principle. He sent His followers to accomplish specific activities that would result in the transformation of life and the conditions of life for human beings (Luke 10: 1-12). Missionaries are sent with a specific mandate to proselytize and perform ministries of service. Spiritual and secular education, social justice, health care, economic development and literacy are just a few of the services that missionaries perform.
Since every member of the body of Christ is His disciple, every disciple is a missionary sent as active agents in advancing the kingdom of God. In this context, the terms disciple and missionary are synonymous. Ellen White said’ “Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life”.—The Desire of Ages, 195. In Matthew 25:35, 36 Jesus described the missionary function of a disciple: “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your 304
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home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me” (NLT).
Some Specific Activities of Missionaries
Christs’ disciples fulfill the five core values through varying missionary activities. Some are listed below.
• Missionaries engage in intercessory prayers on behalf of others and in the name of Jesus, pray for healing of the sick. They also teach others how to pray.
• They actively participate in initiatives to evangelize people of villages, towns and cities.
• They study the scriptures with people and teach them varying methods to study the word of God and apply it to their personal lives.
• They are involved in compassionate activities that touch the lives of people who suffer socially, emotionally, physically and are otherwise in need of help.
• They encourage others to accept Christ as their Savior and become members of the body of Christ.
• They help people to accomplish personal feats and develop relevant skills to become independent.
“Were every one of you a living missionary, the message for this time would speedily be proclaimed in all countries, to every people and nation and tongue”.—Testimonies for the Church 6:438.
The Five Core Values of a Disciple
True disciples of Jesus enjoy worshipping and spiritually communing with the Lord and other members of the church. We call that devotion. This takes place in both personal and corporate settings. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, disciples share the gospel of Jesus— the good news of salvation—with others. We call that evangelism. They engage in various forms of social interaction within the community of faith. We call that fellowship. They also address material, social, and other needs of individuals in the surrounding community. We call that outreach. They consider all the gifts, talents, and other 305
resources in their possession to be a trust that belongs to God, which is to be used wisely and appropriately to meet personal necessities, to further the cause of Christ, and to bless others. We call that stewardship. All five of these core values of discipleship can be seen in Jesus’ relationship with the twelve disciples. He invested Himself in them as He taught them; spent precious, relational time with them; and sent them to proclaim the gospel. He equipped them so that through their example, He could lead others to Himself.
The Necessity of Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a key component in order for these core values to become a reality in the life of the disciple. The multitude of tasks that we have to get done and the various interests that beckon for our attention day and night are more than sufficient to eclipse our attention and deter us from finding time for devotion. We must be intentional in making it a priority, and this requires sacrifice. Likewise, to share the gospel with others through evangelism, we must find time to study the Word, to learn the art of explaining it, and to go out and meet individuals and 306
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share with them. We must sacrifice in order to budget time for these activities; and, irrespective of other attractions and urgencies, we must go forward and make evangelism happen.
God created us as social beings with a need for community and interpersonal contact through fellowship. Studies have shown that sharing with others on a social level significantly lowers stress levels, maximizing joy and minimizing or even eliminating pain, disappointments, and sorrow. Rates of suicide, mental illness, and alcoholism decrease significantly when people feel a sense of belonging. People who are socially involved may even have fewer colds, lower blood pressure, lower heart rates, and longer life expectancy. However, we can easily become so preoccupied with our careers, responsibilities, and ambitions that we neglect time for social interaction. In order to experience the benefits of fellowship, we must make a sacrifice, putting aside the distractions that vie for our attention so that we can dedicate time and energy to connect with others.
In Matthew 25:35 and 36 Jesus described the outreach ministry of a disciple: “For I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was thirsty, and you gave Me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited Me into your home. I was naked, and you gave Me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for Me. I was in prison, and you visited Me” (NLT). Outreach includes all these compassionate services along with other activities that relieve human suffering and satisfy human needs. Thus, Christ’s disciples must make intentional sacrifices in order to perform outreach.
All human beings are endowed with time, talents, spiritual gifts, and other resources. God is the Owner who commits this trust to our stewardship, and we are to administer these resources wisely for Him.
Time is our most valuable asset, which God gave to us as a special endowment. All of His disciples are expected to serve Him faithfully through the proper use of their allotted time (John 9:4; Eph. 5:15, 16). “Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, chap. 25, p. 342).
Talents and abilities are God’s gifts to His children, which are to be used for His glory and to fulfill His mission (1 Pet 4:10). Each disciple 307
is expected to use these gifts and talents to perform a unique function in the body of Christ and society in general. God has also given various resources to each person that He intends for them to manage faithfully for Him. These resources include the body temple (Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 6:19–20) and finances. Faithfulness in stewardship requires sacrifice.
Implementing a Discipleship Program in the Local Church
First, the church should develop a discipleship vision statement, identifying exactly what is desired at the end of each discipleship-training period. An example of such a vision statement could be: “For every believer to live a consistent Christian life; attend church services regularly; support the cause of the Lord with time, talents, gifts, influence, and other resources; and seek opportunities to share their faith.” A primary objective of every discipleship-training program should be to help new members assimilate into the life of the community of believers.
After formulating the vision statement, it is time to choose discipleship leaders. These leaders should be individuals who love the Lord deeply and have demonstrated genuine growth in their personal relationship with Him. They should have a desire to see transformation in the lives of believers and be willing to use their spiritual gifts to work for others. They must demonstrate a positive Christ-like attitude characterized by patience, kindness, and nonjudgmental acceptance. It is also important for them to enjoy working with people and be flexible and trainable. These leaders will receive training in how to assist members in the development of the core values of discipleship.
Organize the church members into discipleship teams or small groups, and determine the necessary growth areas for group members. Give special attention to the growth needs of new believers, and be sure to provide them with the necessary resources to develop all of the core values of discipleship. Establish a time frame for developing competencies in these values among the group members. Each member, particularly new believers, should have a coach who helps them to expand their vision, build confidence, and take practical steps to 308
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establish a lifestyle in which devotion, evangelism, stewardship, fellowship, and outreach become instinctive. This coaching focuses on personal growth; it concentrates on developing skills and strengths rather than on overcoming weaknesses.
Ultimately, discipleship depends on personal commitment and self-discipline. It is therefore essential for each disciple to develop and follow their own personal spiritual-growth plan. The following principles provide orientation for developing such a plan:
1. Make room for God to fill and transform your life through the Holy Spirit.
2. Be attentive to the sacred Word of God.
3. Recognize the value of edifying music.
4. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).
5. Spend time alone with God.
6. Be conscious of your personal spiritual-growth needs.
7. Strive to be like Christ.
8. Go and make disciples for Him.
Review and Discussion
• Who is a disciple? Name four biblical and three extrabiblical disciples that you are familiar with.
• What are four Bible texts that extend a call to discipleship?
• Identify and define the five core values of discipleship.
• Explain how sacrifice is a key component of each core value of discipleship.
• What are some of the necessary steps to effectively implement a discipleship program in the local church?
• List six elements that you consider important in the lifestyle of a disciple.
• Develop a complete, ready-to-implement spiritual-growth plan for discipleship.