DISCIPLESHIP

In its simplest form, discipleship is the "following of any teacher or school of thought." The word "disciple" in the Scriptures has an added meaning: "a learner who endeavours to obey what he has learned."

Christians belong to God!

"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."

Romans 14:8

"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

1 Corinthians 6:19

Christians must recognize what's happened to them. We get so caught up in our own thoughts and wants and wishes and dreams, that we forget we are not our own. Whether we live or die, "we are the Lord's." Jesus Christ "redeemed" us from spiritual death and the wrath of Almighty God. Jesus Christ "cleansed" us from all sin and gave us new life. Jesus Christ "seated" us in the heavenly realms with Him. Jesus Christ "shared" His Glory with us.

We owe Christ everything. We owe Him our lives, our hearts, our money, our time, our hopes, our dreams, our present, and our future. We belong to Christ. He is our Lord!

Goals of Discipleship

1. Love God with our whole being -- Matthew 22:37

2. Love our families and neighbors -- Matthew 22:39

3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit -- Ephesians 5:18

4. Be holy and pure -- Ephesians 1:4

5. Bear spiritual fruit -- Galatians 5:22-23

6. Hunger and thirst after God -- Matthew 5:6

7. Be righteous -- 1 Corinthians 15:34

8. Be obedient -- Romans 6:16-18

9. Be unified with other Christians -- 1 Corinthians 1:10

10. Be prepared for spiritual battle -- Ephesians 6:10-20

11. Have the mind of Christ -- Philippians 2:5-8

12. Be wise and understanding -- Ephesians 5:17

13. Be set apart for holy living -- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

14. Be thankful in all circumstances -- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

15. Live a life worthy of the Lord -- Colossians 1:9-12

16. Behave in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ -- Philippians 1:27

17. Stand firm in one spirit -- Philippians 1:28

18. Be rooted and built up in Christ -- Colossians 2:6-7

What a Disciple Does

1. Puts Christ first place in every area of life and takes steps to separate from sin

2. Has a consistent time of prayer and Bible study to develop a deeper walk with Christ

3. Demonstrates faithfulness and has a desire to learn and apply the Word of God

4. Manifests a heart for sharing Christ with unsaved people

5. Fellowships with other Christians and helps them deepen their walk with Christ

6. Imitates Christ's Love and Service to God and others

7. Demonstrates the fruits of the Holy Spirit in every situation of life

Discipleship Basics

1. Love -- 1 Corinthians 13

2. Obedience -- Romans 6

3. Sacrifice -- Romans 12

4. Servitude -- Philippians 2

5. Knowledge -- 2 Timothy 2

6. Prayer -- Colossians 4

7. Witnessing -- 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

8. Fellowship -- Colossians 3:12-17

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is the most amazing adventure on Earth! If you are a disciple of Christ, rejoice and enjoy it every day of your life. Study all the Scriptures in this study and ask God for wisdom and guidance.

If you are not a disciple of Jesus Christ, pray to Him now. Here are some verses from the New Testament that will help you.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

If you prayed to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, write to us and let us know about your decision. We'd like to communicate with you about the new life God has just given you. Our prayers are with you all!