Discipleship: The Basics

Discipleship: The Basics
8 Jan by Ps Renny Khoo
Text: Matthew 28:18-20

I. Crisis of Discipleship
- we are facing a crisis of discipleship
- size ≠ health
- opposite of maturity is not immaturity but apathy
- goal of discipleship is Christlikeness

II. Clarifying terms in Discipleship
a) - Disciple - a follower of a master; primary term used in the Gospels to refer to Jesus' followers; false separation of "Christian" and "disciple"
- Discipleship - the state of being discipled; two important elements of understanding discipleship are Journey and Obedience (see III)
- Disciple-making - making disciples beyond the 4 walls of church; does not occur with Christians only but non-Christians also; multiplying our lives and inviting others to follow Christ

b) The premise - Matt 28:18-20; Jesus said it; Jesus modeled it

III. Clarion call to Discipleship
Participating in the Great Commission requires one thing - a transformed person . To experience this, there must be two ingredients:

a) Journey - a journey is marked by progress rather than perfection; becoming a disciple is a process, and failure is part of this process; belonging to a Connect Group sustains us along our journey.

b) Just do it (obedience) - obedience leads to encounters and experiences that can produce transformation from within; agreement with what the church believes in is not the same as having faith.

To be a disciple of Christ is to submit ourselves to the transforming power of Christ.

To Journey and to Obey is a call to persevere.
- (video of baby bear running away from lion)
- don't give up in our journey
- God will always enable us and empower us; we go through a roller-coaster of emotions but He is with us
- Let us: continue to deepen in Word and prayer; join Connect Group; cultivate safe space for each other's journeys; respond positively to God's call to us as disciples!

Questions:
1. How do you understand Discipleship?

2. A disciple refers to Jesus' follower. Share your experiences as Jesus' follower, especially the journey on living the transformed life.

3. Share your experiences on how belonging to your Connect group is part of discipleship. Think of who you might like to invite to be part of your Connect group.