DISCIPLESHIP Part 1
Matthew 4:18-22 & Matt 28:19

Action verse: John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world, He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.

Introduction: Discipleship can be defined as the process of actively following the commands, instructions, directions and protocols of the Kingdom of God. In Christian discipleship, we have a prototype, blueprint and footsteps of the Lord to follow, The Lord Jesus is the captain of our salvation we are His soldiers, and the heirs of Salvation, because we have accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour. Discipleship is the heart of Jesus’ mission. It is more than attending church or believing in God; it is a lifelong journey of following Jesus, becoming like Him, and helping others do the same.

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Lesson Objectives:

1. To teach, prepare and equip believers for the continuity of the work by actively sharing the gospel, and not wait passively.  Matt 28:19, Luke 19:13, John 14:12

2. To lead people to faith in Christ and bring them into a relationship with God (John 3:16 & 1st Tim 2:4)

3. See discipleship as a lifestyle, not a program.

4. Recognize Jesus as the model for discipleship.

5. Multiply more followers for Christ  (2nd  Tim 2:2 ). Teach others who will teach others

 

Lesson Outlines:

1. What is Discipleship

2. What does Discipleship Entails

3. Tools for Discipleship
    

Outline 1 : What is Discipleship: Discipleship is the act or process undertaken in order to reproduce or implant the life of the master into the apprentice.  This involves the transformation of the total man. Discipleship is GOD’s means of raising His children, all over the world until Christ is formed in them and they mature into the very image and full stature of JESUS CHRIST.

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Discipleship is the heart of Jesus’ mission. It is more than attending church or believing in God; it is a lifelong journey of following Jesus, becoming like Him, and helping others do the same

A. Discipleship is Following Jesus

• “Follow Me…” — Matthew 4:19

• Discipleship begins with responding to Jesus’ call.

B. Discipleship is Learning from Jesus: A disciple is a learner and someone that is opned to unlearning things that are not productive spiritually and physically (Matt 11:29)

C. Discipleship is Obeying Jesus: Obedience is the evidence of discipleship(Jhn 8:31-32)

D Discipleship is Becoming Like Jesus: A disciple is not above his teacher… but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.: — Luke 6:40

Outline 2 What Discipleship Entails: Discipleship is not defined by church attendance but by relationship, transformation, mission and most importantly things you are to let go. relinquish, surrender, forgo or give up as well as something one has to do (actions) in order to be a disciple

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Discipleship entails the following:

 

1. Discipline : Discipleship requires us to put our flesh under the dictates of the Spirit to be able to follow the Master, sometimes it’ll impact on our convenience, disciples would need to adjust themselves to fit in the schedule of the Kingdom: 1 Corinthians 9:27, 2 Timothy 4:2

2. Daily Denial: Discipleship requires daily surrendering, commitment and sacrificing our wills and ambitions sometimes our comforts to embrace the Will of God. Matthew 16:24-25.

3. Diligence: Discipleship requires consistency, continuity, steadfastness and excellence to follow the Lord, the obedience or the work of today cannot suffice for tomorrow, we need to keep going, keep doing for the harvest is truly plenty, but the labourers are few. Luke 10:2

4. Devotional: As a disciple, it is highly required that we love the Lord, love the people and love the Work. Also our loyalty is required so we can follow without pain or cause pain for others in the Kingdom. Matthew 22:37-39.

5. Daily Renewal: Disciples are required to always be in the presence of the Lord for their renewal of strength, empowerment and knowledge of God to the Will of God with understanding and graciousness. Psalm 84:7, Isaiah 40:31

6. Determination: Discipleship is a personal call, it requires willingness, readiness and decisiveness to follow without looking back, Elisha had to be well determined to follow. Elijah. Despite all the discouragements and distractions from other sons of the prophets, he made up his mind to follow Elijah, the disciples also had to take their walk serious with

7. Jesus individually when persecutions arose that the church scattered, they never stopped, they went everywhere to preach the gospel. So, to fulfil our callings as disciples, we need to take our walk personal with God and keep at it. Romans 8:35-39

8. Dutifulness: Discipleship requires Work. We have great responsibility to fulfil as disciples, the work of the great commission is for us to do as our Lord Jesus has commissioned us. Matthew 28:19-20
    

 

 

Outline 3:Tools for Discipleship

 

• Spiritual Tools

Be genuinely born again

The Word of God: Joshua 1:8, 2 Timothy 2:15
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:8
The Fellowship of the Anointed: Philippians 3:17, Hebrews 6:11-12
Prayer and Fasting: Luke 18:1
The Communion and Fellowship of the brethren: Hebrews 10:25

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• Relational and Lifestyle Tools

Intentional Relationships ("Life-on-Life"): Jesus discipled by walking, talking, and living with His disciples..

Mentoring/Modeling (2 Timothy 2:2): A mentor helps others grow by demonstrating what a life following Jesus looks like. This involves teaching through life experience—how to handle stress, love enemies, and manage money—not just knowledge transfer.

Love as Motivation: Authentic discipling is rooted in agape love, sacrificial actions—rather than a desire for increased numbers.

Hospitality: Opening your life or your home and using what you are blessed with for the benefit of others is a powerful tool to build trust and show the practical application of making disciple with the Christian community.

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• Practical Training Tools

Teaching Obedience, Not Just Knowledge: Jesus commanded us to teach obedience to everything he commanded (Matthew 28:20)..

Asking Questions: Jesus often used questions to spark reflection (e.g., "Who do you say I am?"). This method engages the heart and forces a deeper personal engagement with truth.

Replication (2 Timothy 2:2): A true disciple is trained to be a disciple-maker, reproducing the process by investing in others.

Accountability: Regular, honest check-ins help disciples to "abide in the word" and remain accountable to growing in obedience, preventing them from being hardened by sin