Notes
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
As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.
2 Corinthians 6:1
As followers of Jesus, we are His disciples - His ambassadors in the world. Let’s look at what it means to be a disciple and to make disciples:
1) Understand The Heart Of A Disciple
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
God is love. A disciple needs to remember who God is and how God has touched their life. It’s easy for us to remember the things of the past and forget the love of Christ in our lives. Don’t lose the heart of who God is and the purpose of why Jesus came to Earth. Keep track of the things He has done for you and look back on them during difficult moments. He blesses us so that we can be a blessing to every tribe, tongue, and nation.
2) A Disciple Uses The Resources God Has Given Them
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
John 16:13
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
1 Corinthians 12:7
Scripture helps us prepare for the situations we’ll encounter in life. The Holy Spirit is our instructor. He is the one who guides, teaches, and helps us learn to discern right from wrong. He helps us apply what we learn in the Bible, and He helps us use our gifts to bring up there down here. God brings His people together into local churches to provide encouragement, growth, and connection, and a place to use our gifts for His glory.
3) Disciples Have A Strong Work Ethic
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:12-13
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:1-2
God works through His people. It’s more than just being inspired; it takes real work to make disciples. God calls us to be people who work hard. It’s not working for our salvation, but working for the mission He has set before us. Our faith is built by helping introduce people to Jesus. There will be eternal rewards given to believers in Jesus - a payday for hard work. There will be two judgments: one separating believers from unbelievers, and one to reveal what each believer has done with what God has given them.
Work for the kingdom. Life with Jesus is about more than just getting to heaven one day; it’s about bringing up there down here, working hard to be a disciple who makes disciples.
Group Questions
- What is a disciple?
- How can we take God’s love for us and let it influence all that we say and do?
- What are the resources God has given to us?
- What might a disciple’s work ethic look like?
Prayer
You love us so much that not only have you offered us salvation from our sins but also a purpose in your kingdom. Thank you for making us disciples, and help us to make more disciples.