Discipleship

B3

Disciple

• Student, learner• Those who followed Jesus while he was on

earth.• Those who continue to follow Jesus and his

teachings today• Someone who seeks to learn from Christianity.

First Disciples

• Jesus Christ hand selected his first followers the day after he was baptised by John the Baptist.

• Andrew and John heard John the Baptist declare that Jesus was the Lamb of God and believed what they heard and followed Jesus.

• They told others about Jesus

• Andrew

• John

• Simon (Peter)

• Philip

• Nathaniel

• Not everyone came easily or willingly at first but soon there were many others

• Jesus invited Jews and Gentiles to be his disciples– this did not please Jews who thought that

they were God’s chosen people.

The Great Commission

• When Jesus ascended into heaven he delivered the Great Commission to the disciples

• “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Apostles

• The 12 men, who had previously been disciples, were now to become apostles, or messengers.

• Their intention was to spread the Word.• This began at Pentecost when the Holy

Spirit came to them.• Christian discipleship continued to grow.• The band of disciples soon became the

Church – the forefathers of all Christians worldwide.

Why 12?

• Jesus called unto him his disciples and he chose twelve of them (whom he named apostles (Luke 6:13)

• For the Jews 12 was symbolic– 12 tribes of Israel from the sons of Jacob

• The Apostles became outstanding leaders of the Church

Discipleship today

• Being a disciple today is more than being a believer – it’s about being a follower!

• Have you chosen to follow Christ? If so then you are a modern day disciple.

How can you learn personally from Jesus like the apostles did?

• The apostles gave us the Gospels• St Paul gave us his letters• These became the New Testament – Christ’s

instructions at your fingertips!

• “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35)

How to become a disciple

• Study His Word, • Spend time alone with Him in prayer,• Be with other Christians,• Participate in ministry,• Share what you have learned about Christ

with others.• The Beatitudes show us the way of

discipleship – i.e. how to ‘be’ disciples of Jesus. (Matthew 5:3-12)

Task

• Do you know anyone who you would consider a modern day disciple?

• How do they live their life?

• Explain how their actions show that they are a follower of Christ.