God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10 NLT
You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19 NLT
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 John 3:1 NLT
‘But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. Hebrews 3:6 NLT
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5 NLT
The scriptures are very clear that church is not something you are intended just to attend and receive from, but something you are designed to contribute to for the well-being of others!
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. Hebrews 5:12 NLT
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT
Physical needs.
Safety needs.
Love needs.
Esteem needs.
Cognitive needs.
Aesthetic needs.
Self-actualization needs.
So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last. Matthew 20:16 NLT
Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant… Matthew 20:20 NLT
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 NLT
‘I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. John 13:15,17 NLT
‘Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
1. Self-Centered Discipleship
“It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3:3-6 NLT
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God. ” John 6:66-69 NLT
According to Jesus, discipleship is not about self-actualization or self-preservation; it is about self-denial.
‘Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Matthew 16:24-25 NLT
2. Spiritual Apathy
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT
Ministry is the pathway to maturity and many Christians will never obtain maturity until they travel the path of ministry.
How Do I Make A Disciple?
Discipleship is not difficult; it’s just proximity over an extended period of time with a purpose.
And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach…Mark 3:14 (NASB)
“There is simply NO substitute for getting with people and it is ridiculous to imagine that anything less, short of a miracle, can develop strong Christian leadership. After all, if Jesus, the Son of God, found it necessary to stay almost constantly with his few disciples for 3 yrs, and even one of them was lost, how can a church expect to do this job on an assembly line basis a few days out of the year?” Quote from The Master Plan Evangelism
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit…John 15:16 (NLT)
“When will we realize that evangelism is not done by something, but by someone? . . . It’s not better methods, but better men and women who know their Redeemer from personal experience…who see his vision and feel his passion for the world…who are willing to be nothing so that he might be everything.” Quote from The Master Plan Evangelism