New Beginnings in Discipleship
Romans 12:2-3
INTRODUCTION
What is a disciple? Do I have to be a disciple to believe in Jesus? Isn’t discipleship for the really committed, like the twelve disciples of Jesus? What if I am not ready for “discipleship”? All fair questions. Questions that deserve clear answers.
First we need to define what it means to be a disciple. Simply, a disciple is a follower and a learner. A disciple is one who intentionally learns from another and seeks to apply that knowledge to their life. For example, an apprentice at the auto mechanics shop is a disciple of the lead mechanic. A student in a computer programming class is a disciple of the instructor. It is important to recognize that a disciple is more than a learner, he or she is someone who then uses the knowledge that they have gained, in practical ways.
Discipleship to Jesus is not some higher calling for the really committed. Discipleship is the normal pathway for all people who genuinely put their faith in Christ. When a person receives the free gift of salvation through faith in Christ, they enter the pathway of discipleship. That pathway does not look the same for every disciple, but it is the norm. It is the process of allowing Jesus to take control of your life and direct your path. As Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”Discipleship is not optional, it is the essence of following Jesus.
Discipleship is a process of spiritual growth and affects every aspect of our lives. Just as each of us grows physically, mentally and emotionally at a different pace, so we each grow spiritually at our own pace. As we learn more about Jesus and the kind of life He desires for us, we grow in our practical application of those truths. Our specific path is guided by the gifts, talents and passions that God has placed within each of us. But the end goal is the same for all of us; that we would become more and more like Christ.
Rather than something to be apprehensive about, discipleship is an exciting adventure of discovery. We discover more about God’s love for us. We discover more about God’s character. We discover more about who God created us to be. We discover more about what it means to live in a relationship with Jesus.
Discipleship is not a straitjacket imposed upon us by God. It is the path to genuine freedom and to a fulfilling life. Discipleship refines us as people. Discipleship gives us a sense of security that can never be taken away from us. Discipleship is the exciting experience of becoming all that we can be.
Study 1: Romans 12:2
Whether we realize it or not, we are all disciples of someone or something. None of us create our own path is life. We learn from our parents, our friends, our community, and our culture. All of these influences, and more, shape who we become. As we mature, we refine our focus and begin filtering the input we receive based on who or what we choose to follow. Paul challenges us to choose wisely.
1. What does it mean to conform to the pattern of this world?
2. How would you define the pattern of this world?
3. What is implied by Paul’s statement, do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world?
4. What is the difference between conforming and being transformed?
5. Where does genuine discipleship with Christ begin?
6. What is the outcome of having a transformed mind?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.What kinds of pressures do you face to conform to the patterns of this world?
2. In what ways does the pattern of this world lead us away from God?
3. As you were growing up, what influences transformed the way you looked at your world?
4. Spiritually speaking, having a transformed mind is both passive and active. Consider Philippians 2:12-13
a. In what ways is the process passive?
b. In what ways is the process active?
5. In what ways has your thinking changed since you put your faith in Christ?
6. In what ways is knowing God’s will an essential part of being a genuine disciple of Jesus?
Study 2: Romans 12:3
We live in the age of artificially induced self-esteem. For some people the goal of education is not to help students deal with their strengths and weaknesses, but to help them feel good about themselves. This often sets young people up for a rude awakening when they emerge into the adult world. Paul challenges us to take a more realistic approach to life.
1. On what authority is Paul speaking?
2. What does it mean to think of yourself too highly?
3. What does it mean to think of yourself with sober judgment?
4. What does Paul mean by the measure of grace God has given you?
5. How does the rest of this paragraph help clarify what Paul is getting at?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. Why is it important to recognize the authority of the Bible as a guide to our discipleship? What is the danger of downplaying or ignoring it’s authority?
2. What influences have you experienced that caused you to have an inflated view of yourself?
3. What things have happened in your life that have caused you to develop a more realistic view of yourself?
4. What are some practical things you can do to maintain a realistic view of yourself; both your strengths and your weakness?
5. Why is both inflating your strengths and exaggerating your weaknesses displeasing to God?
6. What kind of an attitude do we need to keep these two sides of our reality in balance?
Study 3: Matthew 16:24-26
Many people today live under the illusion that they are free to direct the course of their life. Yet everyone must, in one way or another, align their life with those influences that are in authority over them, such as job, family, and community. Jesus makes it clear what it means to live as a disciple under his authority.
1. What does Jesus say are the requirements of following Him?
2. How would the first disciples have understood what Jesus was saying?
3. What does Jesus say is the outcome of trying to hang onto one’s life?
4. What does Jesus say is the outcome of giving one’s life to Him?
5. Ultimately, what is at stake regarding discipleship and who we will follow?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. Jesus made it clear that, if we were to be His disciple, we would have to come on His terms.
a. What does it mean for you to deny yourself?
b. What does it mean for you to take up your cross?
c. What does it mean for you to follow Jesus?
2. In what ways does a person lose their life by trying to tightly hold onto it?
3. In what ways does a person gain their life by giving it away?
4. Discipleship can sometimes seem demanding and require of us sacrifice. Why is this better than chasing all that the world has to offer?
5. How does Jesus stress the importance of genuine discipleship?
Study 4:Mark 1:14-20
Mark records the time when Jesus called His first disciples to follow him. In the culture of that day, it was a great honor to be invited to be the disciple of a Rabbi. Usually only the cream of the crop of young men were given the opportunity.
1. What would it have meant to Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John to be invited to follow Jesus?
2. How much information did Jesus give them about what was involved?
3. What was their response to Jesus’ invitation?
4. What did it cost them to follow Jesus?
5. What did these disciples gain by accepting Jesus’ invitation?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. If we consider all of the Gospel accounts of Jesus first followers, we know that the incident in Mark was not the first time these men had encountered Jesus. Look at John 1:35-50
a. What was the catalyst for Andrew and the other disciple to encounter Jesus?
b. How does this passage add depth to the Mark account?
2. How does following Jesus change the routine of our lives?
3. Do you see following Jesus as a burden or a blessing? Why?
4. There was cost involved for the first disciples to follow Jesus. What has it cost you to follow Jesus?
5. Jesus changed the entire direction of the disciples’ lives. How has following Jesus changed the direction of your life?
-1-