Discipleship

This blog entry is on my notes from my Walk to Emmaus. I was on Walk #32 in the Great Smoky Mountain Emmaus Community in 1998. This is from Talk #10 about Discipleship. This Talk was given by Ron Rader.

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. – (Mark 1:16-18)

The above Bible verses state that Jesus said … Follow me and I will make you fisher of men. This was the first calling of Jesus making his disciples. Just like these men, Jesus calls us to be fisher of men (to be disciples). We are to spread the Word about God and How Jesus saved our lives.

If Peter 2:1-22 it tells us to be aware of false teachers and disciples.

To be a Christian is to be a Minister.
To be a Minster is to be a Disciple.
To be a  Disciple is to be a Servant.
(Available & Venerable)

Are you willing to be a disciple? If so Join a group! Help spread the Word to the World!

 Disciples are believers and followers of Jesus Christ. They believe we have to spread the news about Jesus Christ and they spread the Word. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. – James 1:22 KJV We are to follow Christ no matter the cost. Without thinking of ourselves, but thinking of His will. (Center our life on Christ, not our own). As Disciples of Jesus we represent Jesus to others. We are to be Christlike.

Read Isaiah 55:1-13 about an Invitation for the Thirsty.

As growing Christians we are to love all people faithfully. Even our enemies.

Do you help others carry the cross? Help them when they are down? Lift them up? Encourage them? As Christians we are to help other people and even allow others to help us as well. We need to show support through Christ’s unconditional love. The Church should be able to help! The church is made up of many to help form one purpose. Are you treating the church like a buffet? Only getting what you want or as much of what you want, but not taking in other parts? It should be all! The church is the bridegroom of Jesus. We have to accept it all.

Anyone who follows Jesus, must take up their own cross daily.

When you miss prayer, study, etc. People will notice. You will often notice too. When you separate from God, you can feel the separation. We are to stay tuned with God. Stay Close, Trust in Him.

What does Follow me mean that Jesus said? It means leave something, someone or some place behind and do His will. What ever God calls you to do. DO IT!

Based on servanthood, not by power of position.

You can look at discipleship as one beggar looking for bread. The beggar of course would be a lost person. Bread of course as we know we have been told in the Bible is the Body of Christ. So we are to tell the lost World about Jesus.

We won’t always be successful at discipleship. It is just everyday business with everyday Christians and people.

God called us to be obedient and love others just as Christ has loved us. Jesus meant what He said and what Jesus did.

Being a disciple you commit your life to Christ! (eternity)

As disciples are to go out and …

  • Teach
  • Baptize
  • Heal

We are to deny ourselves and follow Christ. Take up our Cross. We have a purpose, a direction and a goal.

So now go out and make disciples of all Nations! Spread the word about Jesus Christ.

Scriptures

  • Mark 1:16-18 (Fishers of Men)
  • Ephesians 4:13 (Grow in likeness of Christ)
  • Acts 1:22 (Disciples as living witnesses of God’s grace)
  • Matthew 5:13-14 (We as salt and light
  • John 13:12-16 (Leadership is servanthood)
  • Luke 22:36 (Leadership is servanthood)
  • Philippians 2:1-11 (Humility comes from our relationship with Christ)
  • Psalm 39:7 (God begins where hope ends)
  • Romans 4:18 (God begins where hope ends)
  • Matthew 19:26 (Disciple perseveres “with God all things are possible”)
  • 1 Peter 1:3 (Disciple displays/gives hope to others)
  • Matthew 6:10 (Motivated by Christian vision for the world)
  • Philippians 3:14 (each person’s possibilities of a life in Christ)
  • Mark 16:24 (“follow me”)
  • John 21:17 (“feed my sheep”)

Natural Qualities
  • Knows his/her priorities 
  • Has discipline
  • Knows reality
  • Shows empathy
  • Takes initiative
  • Generous
Spiritual Qualities 
  • Faith
  • Humility
  • Hope
  • Love
John Henry Cardinal Newman stated …

God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have a mission – I may never know it in this life, but I shall know it in the next. Somehow, I am necessary for His purposes. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for nothing. I shall do good. I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place and the market place. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never ben thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He may prolong my life, He may shorten it. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends, He may throw me among strangers, He may make me feel desolate, make my spirit sink, hide my future from me – still He knows what He is about. Therefore, I will trust Him … Love Him … and obey Him.

Again the above quote is an adaptation from John Henry Cardinal Newman. This was told to us on this Talk.

 


About the Author

Author: Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

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