Effective Discipleship?

Today the message is entitled “Effective Discipleship!”

We started this look at Discipleship two weeks ago when we discovered the “OIKOS Initiative”, going house to house sharing the Gospel message of Jesus.
Last week we looked at “Defining Discipleship,” finding out what the term meant and finding another term for it is “Follow-up.”
Today we look at how we disciple someone in their walk of faith in God.

We start by remembering how we became disciples. Jesus made it very clear that to follow Him required a change in our lifestyles and characters. We only gain these changes by dropping our pursuit of success in the world and taking up the pursuit of life with Christ.

Matthew 16: 24-26 NIV
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

Eternal life with God starts by committing this earthly life to God and daily growing closer to Him all the while helping others to remain true to the faith we have in God.

Acts 14: 21-22 NIV Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch in Syria.
21 They preached the good news (Gospel) in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,
22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Last week I quoted from Gary W. Kuhne’s book, “The Dynamics of Personal Follow-up.” I read about grounding a new believer in basic truths and said today we would look at the: “five basic areas of spiritual truth in follow-up” that Gary presents.

Now, as we look at these five areas, I want those who have a relationship with Jesus to hear what you need to do to help those who are just starting out in their walk with Christ.

For those of you here today or watching this recording on our website, who do not have a relationship with the Lord Jesus, I encourage you to consider these five areas as a plan towards receiving that relationship to become a new believer.

Helping the new believer receive assurance of salvation and acceptance with God.

Helping the new believer develop a consistent devotional life.

Helping the new believer understand the basics of abundant Christian living.

Helping the new believer become integrated into the life of a local church.

Helping the new believer learn to share his (her) faith with others.

Col 1: 28-29 NIV
28 We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29 To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.

NIV Study Bible notes say “perfect” means “possessors of the secrets or knowledge of the faith.”

To be perfect in this world is to understand and stand for the truth and wisdom of God. It means letting God’s truths rule in every aspect of our lives.
Matthew makes a bold statement about what kind of perfect we should be.

Matthew 5:48 NIV
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

This is what we are to strive for and to teach others about. This is an ongoing struggle that we face while we are here, alive on earth. The desire to know God, to live the way God has instructed us to live and to pass this knowledge and commitment on to all people.

Col 2: 1-3 NIV Paul states this in these three verses.
1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Gary Kuhne defined personal Follow-up this way:
“It is the assuming of a one-to-one relationship by a mature believer with a new Christian for the purpose of aiding the new Christian’s nurture and growth.”

1 Cor 2: 6-10 NIV
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard, [Isaiah 64:4] no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
Today we looked at how we disciple someone in their walk of faith in God.
We discovered or were reminded how to be an effective disciple. We start by being sure of our faith, being confident in the knowledge of God and being bold in teaching others to grow in knowledge and character of Jesus Christ.

It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we remain true to God and have the ability and desire to disciple new believers. Next week, we will look at “Tools for Discipleship.” What gifts and abilities do we each have to aid in discipleship?

How can we achieve “Effective Discipleship?” Just start! Take a bold step and talk to people about what you believe. You might be surprised by who will listen and respond. Remember the Holy Spirit is right here with you to protect and encourage you. All things are possible with God!

Have a great week!
Let’s pray.