Discipleship & Disciple Making

DISCIPLESHIP & DISCIPLE MAKING

Presented by

Dr. Steve D. Cassimy

Ministerial Secretary

Senior Pastor Shalom SDA Church

Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventist

The Vision Of Becoming A Disciple

The cost of Discipleship – Written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer was of the books that awakened the 20th century Christian world to a better understanding of Discipleship and Disciple making.

This famous statement has been quoted around the world, “When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die,” it is true that this sentence summarizes the depth of discipleship.

The vision for becoming a disciple is often referred to as The Great Commission - Matt. 28:18 – 20.

The same invitation that Jesus gave to Levi, The son of Alphaeus, when He said, “Follow me” (Mark 2: 14) is the exact proposition that He has made to every person since that time.

Observe Jesus’ strategy before He declared the words of the Direct Commission

Jesus assures those who will feel powerless that He has all power.

 Those who are thinking about it - that He has all power.

 Those who are timid - that He has all power.

Those who need some assurance - that He has all power.

Those who are afraid - that He has all power.

Those who have doubts (v. 17) - that He has all power.

The Power That He Has Is Twofold

•Heaven and Earth (place)

•Authority and Dynamite (extent)

Disciple Will Be Empowered And Receive Power

The Word Disciple

Many Christians refer to themselves as members rather than disciples. For them disciples were the twelve who spent intimate and quality time with Jesus during His earthly ministry. Disciple comes from the Greek word “mathates” meaning “learner”. Another extraction of the word “mantha” “model”. So there cannot be a learner without an instructor. In addition, there cannot be a model without an original. In the New Testament the word “disciple” is used primarily in reference to Jesus.

The Call

To become a disciple one must answer the call of Jesus. The same call that was extended to the “twelve” – his early disciples - is offered to us today.

•Mark 2:14 – Levi – The call and response.

“And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.”

•Mark 3: 13 – Such as he wanted

“And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.”

•John 1:43-51 – Philip and Nathanael

“The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.”

Response

•Disciples always respond to a call given by Jesus Christ. When Jesus calls a response is imperative.

•Sometimes that response involves leaving everything to follow Jesus.

•The call to discipleship always involves telling others.

•Andrew told his brother Peter (John1:40, 41).

•Discipleship calls for making more disciples

Matt. 28:19 “Go and make disciples of others”

•Discipleship is an action word. It calls for a response.

Discipleship vs Membership

There is a great difference between being a disciple and being a church member.

•Discipleship is an experience.

•It takes more than a mere one time belief.

•It is a life long commitment.

•It has to be practiced for a lifetime.

•It calls for following Jesus.

•It calls for spreading the gospel.

•It calls for responding to the needs of others.

•It calls for making other disciples.

•It calls for going.

In organize religion church membership is a part of the discipleship process. Even Jesus had a little band of disciples (organized). Discipleship is the goal; baptism is part of the process.

Membership

When one is baptized into the Adventist church one becomes a member.

•Membership is joining in. Discipleship is reaching out.

•Membership is passive and safe. Discipleship is involved and risky.

•Membership is Coasting. Discipleship is sailing.

•Membership is present at Divine Worship. Discipleship is present when Personal Ministry Department calls for us to go out into the Community to make more disciples.

•Membership pays tithe. Disciples return tithe.

•Membership is an invitation. Discipleship is a lifestyle.

The Rich Young Ruler and MembershipMatt. 19:16-21

When this young ruler came to Jesus, his sincerity and earnestness won the Saviour's heart. He "beholding him loved him." In this young man He saw one who might do service as a preacher of righteousness. He would have received this talented and noble youth as readily as He received the poor fishermen who followed Him. Had the young man devoted his ability to the work of saving souls, he might have become a diligent and successful laborer for Christ. (COL 392.2)

But first he must accept the conditions of discipleship. He must give himself unreservedly to God. At the Saviour's call, John, Peter, Matthew, and their companions "left all, rose up, and followed Him." Luke 5:28. The same consecration was required of the young ruler. And in this Christ did not ask a greater sacrifice than He Himself had made. "He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:9. The young man had only to follow where Christ led the way. (COL 393.1)

Christ looked upon the young man and longed after his soul. He longed to send him forth as a messenger of blessing to men. In the place of that which He called upon him to surrender, Christ offered him the privilege of companionship with Himself. "Follow Me," He said. This privilege had been counted a joy by Peter, James, and John. The young man himself looked upon Christ with admiration. His heart was drawn toward the Saviour. But he was not ready to accept the Saviour's principle of self-sacrifice. He chose his riches before Jesus. He wanted eternal life, but would not receive into the soul that unselfish love which alone is life, and with a sorrowful heart he turned away from Christ. (COL 393.2)

•He was a good member.

•He did not want to be a disciple.

•He did not want to follow Jesus.

•The result is sad – Membership only.

Understanding Membership

•The Mirror (Surprised).

•Have not been inside the gym for years.

•Still a paying, bonified member.

•No commitment except financial.

•Do not work out.

•Membership in the gym vs membership in the church – no different if that is what membership means to you.

•Membership may not call for involvement.

Contrast

•Membership may cost money.

•Membership gives money to support others in ministry.

•Membership gives out of obligation.

•Membership believes the Mission field is Overseas.

•Discipleship may cost you your life.

•Disciples give themselves.

•Discipleship gives as part of a growing relationship with Jesus.

•Discipleship believes that the Mission Field is right here.

Transformational Understanding of Discipleship

•This calls for a metamorphosis not maintenance.

•This calls for intentionality not luck.

•This calls for connection with Jesus not Isolation from Him.

•This calls for process not a program.

•This calls for a marathon not a sprint.

•Therefore Transformational Ministry is the pursuit to move God’s people from Membership to Discipleship.

•The church has many members but few disciples.

•Membership is confirmed by baptism.

•Discipleship is observed by lifestyle.

Moving from Membership to Discipleship

•Begin a class for new members in understanding discipleship.

•Train and nurture new members into disciples.

•Teach them the science of making new disciples.

• Formulate plans, programs and methods for instructing discipleship.

•Conduct a demographic study of your community.

•Conduct a spiritual - gifts discovery seminar.

•Provide models for new disciples.

•Provide avenues for the new “learners” to demonstrate their skills in the local church.

•Give them their credentials (Matt. 28:18-20).

•Remind them of God’s promise (Matt. 28:18)

•Remind them of their territory (Matt. 28:19)

•Remind them of the command (Matt. 28:19).

•Remind them of His presence (Matt. 28:19).

•Remind them of their responsibility (Matt. 28:20).

•Remind them of their proof of discipleship – making more disciples.

Conclusion

Pastor Del Dunavant, in his book “From membership to Discipleship states that, “Too many of our members come into the church’s front door and out the back door because “we” failed to train them as disciples. It is possible that Seventh-day Adventists see themselves as members of a denomination rather than first being disciples of Jesus Christ.” p. 51.

If That is True

•We must create a new culture.

•We need a new paradigm.

•We need to help churches make that shift.

•We need to change our voculabury.

•We need to talk more about discipleship.

•We need to make a mental transition first.

•We need to preach more on discipleship.

•We need a closer attachment to Jesus, the model, not the denomination.

Three Disciples Testimonies

•Peter

–Matt. 19:27 “Forsake all to follow you”.

•John

–John 19:26 Last at the cross.

–John 20:8 First at the tomb.

•Mary Magdalene

–Luke 10:38-42 - Gave all to follow Jesus.