DEFINING DISCIPLESHIP

DEFINING DISCIPLESHIP
Matthew 28:18-20

I. Mentoring People – Discipleship involves two people under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
A. Mentor – Experienced adviser and supporter: somebody, usually older and more experienced, who provides
advice and support to, and watches over and fosters the progress of, a younger, less experienced person.
“Mentor” = teacher and protector of Telemachus: in Homer’s Odyssey, the friend whom Odysseus left in
charge of the household while he was at Troy and who was the teacher and protector of Telemachus,
Odysseus’ son. In Greek mythology, elderly friend and counselor of the hero Odysseus and tutor of his son
Telemachus. In modern English the tutor's name has become an eponym for a wise, trustworthy counselor or
teacher.
1. Relationships – We are called to build a network of relationships so we can build one another up in the
faith through friendship and mentoring! (fishers of men) Most people are intimidated by discipleship out
of ignorance, fear, unawareness, or just not wanting to be bothered out of their “comfort zone.”
a. The term, discipleship, has been viewed as something only for the spiritually mature, or just for certain
people, such as Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders.
b. What we need to see is Barnabus and Paul, and, later, Paul and Timothy, where the elder, more
experienced Christian takes the inexperienced Christian under his wing, and helps him to become a
better, deeper, more effective Christian for God’s glory. Keep in mind that Paul was highly educated
and an experienced leader, and although Barnabus may have not been educated formally as Paul was,
or at Paul’s level in the world, Barnabus was Paul’s superior in the experience and knowledge of the
Word. Friendship, knowledge, experience combined into mentoring, and the quality of the relationship
are the keys for this spiritual growth to have happened.
c. Discipleship equals friendship with a Christ-centered focus. However, it is very important that we
make disciples in His image, not ours!
d. I Cor 4:14,15 “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though
ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have
begotten you through the gospel.”
2. Teaching – The focus must be to teach the basics first – how to study the Bible, how to pray, how to
worship, essential doctrine, etc And, as we grow, how to be a Christian family, how to find God’s will,
our conduct in the work place, discovering our spiritual gifts, leadership, and so forth.
a. Jesus commanded His disciples in Matt. 28:20, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you.”
b. Mark 6:34 “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward
them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”
They had no direction, no leadership, no one to care for them – What was His response? He began to
to disciple them. How can we turn a blind eye to those who have no one to shepherd them?
Discipleship is shepherding!
b. Acts 18:8,11 “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house;
and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.. And he continued there a year and
six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Notice that he taught “among” them – that is
discipleship!
B. Disciple – A student, learner, or pupil. In the Bible the word is used most often to refer to a follower of Jesus.
1. It means the pupil of someone, in contrast to the master or teacher (didaskalos). See Matt 10:24; Luke
6:40. In all cases it implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he is also in
practice an adherent.
2. Luke 6:40 “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” The
state of completion, perfect passive participle, is noted in kateertismenos. The word is common for
mending broken things or nets (Matt 4:21) or men (Gal 6:1). So it is a long process to get the pupil
patched up to the plane of his teacher.
II. Multiplying PRINCIPLE – Church in acts experienced divine mathematics: additions, multiplication,
subtraction and division. As we share the gospel, it is God’s responsibility to add to the church – Acts 2:47
“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” As God adds to the church, it is our
responsibility to multiply – Acts 6:1 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied”
Acts 6:7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly”
A. Four generations – A biblical model of multiplying disciples. The gospel and the Christian life are shared
simply with others so that they can easily be passed on from the first to the fourth generation.
1. II Tim 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to
faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” The illustration of the two seas: The Dead Sea –
does not support life because it doesn't give, only takes in water. (Christians who just receive and don't
share the gospel and the Christian life with others.) The Sea of Galilee – supports life because water
comes in and goes out (Christians who share Christ with others.)
1st generation: Paul
2nd generation: Timothy
3rd generation: faithful people
4th generation: others
2. Four generation principle in O. T.
a. Ps 78:5,6 “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of
the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a
testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should
make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children
which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children”
b. Joel 1:3 “Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another
generation.”
B. Examples
1. Andrew calls Simon Peter – John 1:40-42
2. Philip and Nathanael – John 1:43-45
3. Jesus and His disciples – Mark 3:14. He chose them to be with him first and then to send them out
Information is 10% of the discipling effort. Formation is 90% of the discipling effort.
C. Multiplication Table
If every believer followed this pattern, the church could reach the entire world in one generation. For the church, spiritual multiplication is the essential key for fulfilling Christ's missionary mandate (Matthew 28:19-20).
In one major study, a church discovered that 90 percent of its new members successfully completed their several month follow-up and mentoring process. The reason for this success was attributed to the fact that every new member was personally assigned to a trained Discipler within 72 hours after making their spiritual decision.

III. MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL – Potential is defined as existing in possibility, not in actuality.
A. Potential Followers – Jesus chose twelve to personally disciple.
1. They had potential collectively – Though some of them were simple fishermen, one a tax collector, and
most of them unlearned.
a. They had the potential of doing greater works than Jesus had done – John 14:12 “Verily, verily, I say
unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these
shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
b. They had potential to impact many lives – Matt. 10:1 “And when he had called unto him his twelve
disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of
sickness and all manner of disease.” Think of the potential!
2. They had Potential Individually
a. The most well known of the disciples was Simon Peter. John 1:42 “And he brought him to Jesus. And
when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is
by interpretation, A stone.” If you know anything of his nature you know he was anything but a stone.
But the Lord saw what he could be and what he eventually became. He said “thou art...thou shalt be”.
b. Later Jesus affirming his potential in Luke 22:31-32 said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired
to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when
thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
B. Potential Failures – In every group there are potential failures. Jesus did not spend his time running after
those who turned away (John 6:66), He focused on the one’s He could help. And even they failed Him at
times!
1. Not but a few verses after Peter made that great confession of faith Peter rebukes Jesus and is full of the
devil!
2. In Matt. 20:17-19 Jesus reveals truths concerning His betrayal and the cruel treatment that awaited Him.
In vs. 20 He is approached by James and John’s mother concerning who should sit on His left and right
hand in His kingdom.
3. Jesus revealed in Mark 9:31, “The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him;
and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.” Not two verses later in vs.33-34, “And he came to
Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the
way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the
greatest .” If we are going to disciple we must deal with failure and frustration!

The Example of Christ
1. He selected a few potentially responsible men (Mark 3:13,14).
a. Jesus realized that to accomplish the task of world evangelization, He needed to concentrate on a few men.
He devoted Himself primarily to a few men, rather than to the masses, in order that the masses be saved
through multiplication.
b. He desired to build into them a depth of maturity and conviction so that they would be able to carry on the
task after He physically left the earth.
c. Further, He chose men on the basis of what they would become, not on the basis of what they were (a great
principle for us to remember).
d. NOTE: Jesus evangelized widely and involved many in the ministry before ever selecting His men. See the
filter process in the next chapter.
Remember the filter process that Jesus used in His ministry.


Jesus evangelized widely before selecting His men. Jesus then took the initiative to gather or involve many interested followers in His ministry allowing them an opportunity to demonstrate faithfulness and a desire to grow. Only then did Jesus select and challenge certain ones to be His key disciples.


Like Jesus, we should not be too hasty in establishing our group by settling on the first few people that come our way. We need to keep in mind that discipleship is not the end but rather a means to the end of seeing the world reached for Christ. See Appendix, "How to Achieve a Balance Between Evangelism and Discipleship."


Jesus said, "Go ... and make disciples." As we enjoy being involved in a life-style of sharing our faith, we can trust God to lift up others who will want to come along with us to help reach the world for Him.'

As Jesus chose His men, he looked for particular qualities in their lives. Two important ones were a desire to know God and availability. After Jesus called Simon and Andrew, they immediately left the net, and followed Him (Matthew 4:20). The fact that these men followed Him shows that they had a desire to know Him. The word immediately emphasizes their availability to the Lord.
Two other qualities Christ looked for in His disciples were faithfulness and teachability. Jesus often mentioned the value of faithfulness, as in the parable of the faithful servant (Matthew 25:21).
The disciples demonstrated their teachability by taking the initiative to go to Jesus to be taught (Matthew 5:1,2). We need to remember that a disciple is a learner. That's what the word means. Whether we are following or leading, we are co-learners in the discipleship process (Matthew 23:811). Ultimately it is the Holy Spirit who produces disciples and disciplers. Discipleship is exciting because we're seeing God at work as we're obedient to Him.
We need to look for people who not only have these four qualities, but also have the potential ability to lead others. Our disciples need to have a potential for leadership that can be developed, even if it is not already evident. To discern if people have leadership abilities, observe their present involvement in leadership as well as their relationships with their peers.

Ask these questions about a prospective Discipleship Group member:

-Does the person have a heart for God? (Matthew 4:20)
-Does the person demonstrate availability? (Matthew 4:20)
-Does the person demonstrate faithfulness? (Matthew 25:21)
-Does the person demonstrate teachability? (Matthew 5:1,2)
-Does the person demonstrate potential ability to lead others? (2 Timothy 2:2).

e. Some ways to go about gathering people.
1. Witness to others – evangelism.
a. You could use a survey (see chapter 4)
b. Present "Knowing God Personally".
c. Have people read through the Dear Peter letter.
d. Hold informal meetings in your home
2. Talk to Christians who need to get involved.
a. Invite them to a fellowship meeting.
b. Explain the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
c. Invite them to a conference.
d. Follow up new believers whom you helped lead to commitment to Christ.
e. Challenge them to a Bible study or to a Discipleship Group.
f. Invite them to meet other believers socially.
2. He spent time with them (John 15:27).
a. Jesus gave high priority to his group of men, and His spending good time with them was the crux of His
training program. They ate, slept, fished and sailed together. Being together enabled the disciples to get to
know Jesus and to see His heart for people (Matthew 24:37).
b. The disciples witnessed first hand Jesus' miracles and teaching. They learned how to pray and worship from
His example. Such commitment required Jesus' constant attention and personal sacrifice, which He gladly
gave.
3. He required commitment from His disciples (Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:25-35).
a. If the message of reconciliation were to have any chance of continuing through time and space, it would take
men who were willing to go to any length to see that the message was spread. No sacrifice would be too great.
b. Jesus required commitment from His men, and He got it. Most of the disciples died martyr's deaths. In
Matthew 16:24, He told them, "If any one wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow Me."
c. Jesus did not scatter His time among those who wanted to make their own terms of discipleship. Being a
disciple of Christ involved the surrender of one's whole life to the Master.
4. He taught them in the context of real life experiences (Luke 5:17-26).
a. Jesus' lectures were always accompanied by real life situations that illustrated and applied the principles He
taught.
b. For instance:
- He used the calming of the storm on the Sea of Galilee to teach the disciples a lesson of faith (Mark 4:33-41).
- He used His miracles to demonstrate that He was the Son of God (Mark 2:5-12).
- He used their mistakes as an opportunity to teach them the correct way to think and act (Luke 9:46-48).
- He turned His encounters with other people into teaching situations that His disciples could observe (Mark
9:25-29).
5. To fulfill His last command to reach the world we start with our own location and move out from there
(Acts 1:8).
a. The disciples started in Jerusalem and then, guided by the Holy Spirit, moved out in wider concentric circles.
b. Similarly, we can best be a part of reaching the world by starting in "our Jerusalem". That might first be our
family or flatmates.
c. Then it might be expanded to our whole circle of friends or the immediate district where we live.
d. Finally, as the process continues, it could include our whole community - and beyond!
6. To practically help fulfill His last command of building multiplying disciples, we have the small group.
a. If Jesus approached the task of building multiplying disciples by developing a small group of men, it is logical
to assume this same plan works in our day. Small group discipleship is still an effective plan for us today.
b. It should be noted that discipline a small group is not the only means in which the gospel can be preached and
people be built up Jesus did not exclude others from following Him. Nor did He refuse to meet with and
minister to the crowds. God can and does use a variety of ways to build disciples and spread the news of the
kingdom.
But, from observing the ministry of the Lord, it seems that developing a small group of men was a primary
element of His ministry.
c. The Discipleship Group concept will help you develop a significant personal ministry of evangelism and
disciple building. It will allow you to have a vital role in reaching, your community and the world for Christ!
d. Please note that your total spiritual development does not take place in a Discipleship Group. In addition to the
Discipleship Group, you need the influence of your personal study of the Word, earnest consistent prayer and
the input and fellowship of your church in order to develop spiritually.