Teaching Notes 1

On Discipleship

ON DISCIPLESHIP

By

Mark McGee
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On Discipleship

Chapters
Introduction 3
What Is Discipleship? 4
The Disciple’s Basic Eight 7
The Disciple’s Right Doctrine and
Practice 9
The Disciple’s Work 14
The Disciple’s Secret 16
God’s Purpose For The Disciple 19
God’s Work For The Disciple 27
A Trinity For Disciples 35
Parents As Disciples 39
Discipling Steps 43
All Nations Discipleship 50
Dynamic Discipleship 55
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Introduction
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given
unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

The resurrected Jesus stood before His disciples just before He ascended
to Heaven. He had their attention. Jesus told His disciples to “go” and
“make disciples” in the knowledge that He had “all authority” in heaven and
on earth. The disciples knew what Jesus meant by “make disciples”
because they were His disciples. They understood the process of
becoming a “disciple” of Jesus Christ because He had done that with them.
They knew it meant obeying (observing) everything Jesus had commanded
them.

In this next section of Teaching Notes we will look at several parts of a

discipleship seminar taught at churches during the mid-1970’s. I hope it will
help you in your walk with Christ and invite you to share the notes with
others who have a desire to be “committed followers” of Jesus.

[These notes are from a seminar series taught more than 40 years ago.
The notes are in outline form.]
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What Is Discipleship?

In the simplest form, discipleship is the “following of any teacher or school

of thought.”

The word “disciple” in the Scriptures has an added meaning – “a learner

who endeavors to obey what he has learned.”

The Center of Discipleship

“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we
die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the
Lord’s.” Romans 14:8

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For
ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in
your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The Goals of Discipleship

1. Loving God with our whole being (Matthew 22:37)

2. Loving our families and neighbors (Matthew 22:39)
3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
4. Being holy and pure (Ephesians 1:4)
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5. Bearing spiritual fruit (John 15:16)

6. Hungering and thirsting after God (Matthew 5:6)
7. Being righteous (1 Corinthians 15:34)
8. Being obedient (James 1:25)
9. Being unified with the brethren (1 Corinthians 1:10)
10. Being prepared for spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-20)
11. Having the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8)
12. Being wise and understanding (Ephesians 5:17)
13. Being set apart (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
14. Being thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
15. Walking worthy (Colossians 1:9-12)Being steadfast (Philippians 1:27)
16. Being rooted and built up in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7)

The Outline of Discipleship

1. A disciple puts Christ first place in every area of their life and is taking
steps to separate from sin.
2. A disciple has a daily devotional time and is constantly developing their
prayer life.
3. A disciple demonstrates faithfulness and has a desire to learn and
apply the Word of God through regular Bible study, Scripture
memory, reading and meditation of the Scriptures.
4. A disciple manifests a heart for witnessing, gives out the truth and
presents the Gospel regularly with increasing skill.
5. A disciple attends a local church and maintains close ties with its
fellowship, displaying love and unity.
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On Discipleship

6. A disciple demonstrates a servant’s heart by a sincere interest in

helping others.
7. A disciple is a learner – open and teachable.
8. A disciple is giving regularly and honoring God with their finances.
9. A disciple demonstrates the fruits of the Spirit by an attractive walk and
relationship to Christ and their neighbor.
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On Discipleship

The Disciple’s Basic Eight

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I
have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know
that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John
13:34-35

1. Love – 1 Corinthians 13
2. Obedience – John 14:23-24
3. Sacrifice – Matthew 16:24-25
4. Servitude – Mark 10:42-45
5. Bible Study – Read, Study, Memorize, Meditate, Apply
6. Prayer – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication
7. Witnessing – Testimony, Witness, Evangelism
8. Fellowship – Hebrews 10:24-25

“And let us constantly be giving careful attention to one another for

the purpose of stimulating one another to divine and self-sacrificial
love and good works, not letting down on the assembling of ourselves
together, even as the custom of certain is, but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you are seeing the day drawing near.”

Becoming a disciple of Christ includes –

1. Salvation
2. Assurance of Salvation
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3. Lordship of Christ
4. Friendship of Christ
5. Daily Devotions
6. Church Involvement
7. Developing Right Doctrine*
8. Developing Right Practice*

* We’ll share more about developing right doctrine and right practice in our
next Teaching Notes.
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On Discipleship

The Disciple’s Right Doctrine and Practice

[A reminder that these are “notes” from a seminar taught more

than 40 years ago. We encourage you to study well in
determining Right Doctrine and Practice. You can read other
GraceLife Ebooks on most of these topics.]

Developing Right Doctrine

God –

• Nature
• Unity and Trinity
• Decrees
• Works

Jesus Christ –

• The Person of Christ (Humanity and Deity)

• The Character of Christ (Holiness, Love, Humility, Meekness,
Balance)
• The Works of Christ (Ministry, Death, Resurrection, Ascension)
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Holy Spirit –

• His Deity
• His Personality
• His Work
• His Gifts

Man –

• Origin
• Life
• Fall

Sin –

• Origin
• Effect
• Extent
• Penalty

Salvation –

• The Purpose
• The Plan
• The Method
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On Discipleship

Satan –

• Origin
• Nature
• Fall
• Work
• Destiny

Angels –

• Origin
• Nature
• Fall
• Work
• Destiny

Heaven –

• Its Reality
• Its Location

Hell –

• Its Reality
• Its Location
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On Discipleship

Second Coming of Christ –

• The Rapture
• The Bema Judgement
• The Marriage Supper
• The Tribulation
• The Battle
• The Kingdom
• The Conspiracy
• The White Throne Judgment
• The Separation
• The New Heaven and Earth

Developing Right Practice

• Spirit Control
• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Longsuffering
• Gentleness
• Goodness
• Faith
• Meekness
• Temperance
• Obedience
• Sacrifice
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• Service
• Transparency
• Openness
• Honesty
• Unity
• Witnessing
• Holiness
• God’s Will
• Godly Habits
• Clear Conscience
• Stewardship
• Faith Defense
• Dealing with Temptation
• Dealing with Discipline
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The Disciple’s Work

THE WHAT

• Matthew 28:19-20
• Luke 4:18
• 2 Corinthians 5:18

THE WHERE

• Mark 16:15

THE WHEN

• Acts 2:46-47

THE WHY

• Luke 24:46-48

THE HOW
• Acts 1:8
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Let me share with you the potential of God’s program as found in Matthew
28:19-20. I am basing these figures on each disciple winning and discipling
one person per year.

Year Saved and Discipled

1 2
2 4
3 8
4 16
5 32
6 64
7 128
8 256
9 512
10 1,024
15 32,768
20 1,048,576
25 33,554,432
30 1,073,741,904
33 8,589,935,232 (more people than are currently alive on Earth)
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The Disciple’s Secret

Ezra was an excellent example of a disciple. Let’s see what we can learn
from him and several disciples of Jesus Christ about being a committed
follower of our Lord and God.

Ezra 7:9-10

“For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from
Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem,
according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had
prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to
teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

Ezra prepared his heart before the Lord

1. The preparation of prayer – John 15:5

2. The preparation of confession – 1 John 1:9
3. The preparation of purity – Ephesians 1:4
4. The preparation of love – 1 John 4:7-8
5. The preparation of joy – Psalm 51:12-13
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Ezra sought out the Word of the Lord

1. It endures forever – 1 Peter 1:25

2. It feeds the soul – 1 Peter 2:2
3. It gives light – 2 Peter 1:19
4. It gives hope – Romans 15:4
5. It gives knowledge – 1 John 5:13
6. It devours – Jeremiah 5:14
7. It crushes – Jeremiah 23:29
8. It saves – Romans 1:16
9. It defends – Ephesians 6:17
10. It probes – Hebrews 4:12
11. It purifies – 1 Peter 1:22

Ezra obeyed the Word of the Lord

1. Obedience brings blessing – Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 4:30; 5:29;

7:12-13; 28:1-6; Joshua 1:8; Matthew 7:21; 1 John 3:22; James
1:25
2. Disobedience brings conflict – Deuteronomy 11:28; 28:15-19; 1 Samuel
12:15; 28:18; 1 Kings 13:21-26; Jeremiah 12:17
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Ezra taught others to obey the Lord

2 Timothy 2:2

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses,
the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also.”

Paul —> Timothy —> Faithful men —> Others also

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On Discipleship

God’s Purpose For The Disciple

Session One

Webster’s Dictionary says that a disciple is a “pupil or follower of any

teacher or school.”

The Greek word for disciple translates as “a learner” and indicates thought
accompanied by endeavor. In other words, a disciple of Christ is not only a
listener and pupil, but also an adherent. A disciple obeys what he or she
hears.

Turn to John 8:31 — “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on
him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” One
commentator has put it this way – “If we are faithful to what Jesus says,
then we are truly His disciples.” The Amplified Bible reads – “If you abide in
My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you
are truly My disciples.”

[Teach on obeying the Word]

In John 15:8, Jesus said – “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much
fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

[Teach on personal life fruit and ministry fruit]

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On Discipleship

Jesus called us to discipleship – powerful and revived living. During our

conference time together I am going to share with you the dynamics of
being a disciple and making a disciple.

First, let’s look into where discipleship begins.

1. When a person realizes he is sinful, lost, blind, naked and wretched

before God.
2. When she acknowledges she cannot save herself by good character or
good works.
3. When he believes that the Lord Jesus Christ died as his substitute on
the Cross.
4. When by a definite decision of faith they acknowledges Jesus Christ as
their only Lord and Savior.

[Teach on the need for personal salvation]

Let me read to you a short portion from William MacDonald’s book, “True
Discipleship.”

“True Christianity is an all-out commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. The

Savior is not looking for men and women who will give their spare
evenings to Him — or their weekends — or their years of retirement.
Rather He seeks those who will give Him first place in their lives.
Nothing less than unconditional surrender could ever be a fitting
response to His sacrifice at Calvary. Love so amazing, so divine, could
never be satisfied with less than our souls, our lives, our all. The Lord
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On Discipleship

Jesus made stringent demands that are all but overlooked in this day of
luxury-living. Too often we look upon Christianity as an escape from hell
and a guarantee of Heaven. Beyond that, we feel that we have every
right to enjoy the best that this life has to offer. We know that there are
those strong verses on discipleship in the Bible, but we have difficulty
reconciling them with our ideas of what Christianity should be. We can
accept the fact that soldiers gives their lives for patriotic reasons. We do
not think it strange that communists give their lives for political reasons.
But that ‘blood, sweat and tears” should characterize the life of a
follower of Christ somehow seems remote and hard to grasp. And yet
the words of the Lord Jesus are clear enough. There is scarcely any
room for misunderstanding if we accept them at their face value.”

[Comment about the quote]

1. That we have a supreme love for Jesus. Luke 14:26 – “If any man
come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and
children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he
cannot be my disciple.”
2. That we deny self. Matthew 16:24 – “Then said Jesus unto his
disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me.” The Amplified Bible reads –
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My
disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget
himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow
Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in
living and, if need be, in dying, also].” One Christian wrote –
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“Lord, let me have no will of my own, or consider my true

happiness as depending in the smallest degree on anything that
can befall me outwardly, but as consisting altogether in conformity
to thy will.” (Henry Martyn, English missionary to India and Persia)
3. That we would deliberately choose the cross. Matthew 16:24. “… and
take up his cross” speaks of personal sacrifice. What are some of
the sacrifices we can make as children of God? (Ask audience).
Time, rights, reputation, goals, finances, possessions
4. That we spend our life following Christ. Matthew 16:24. “… and follow
me”. What does it mean to follow Jesus? (ask audience). It
speaks here of being united in likeness in going the same way.
We are to be fashioned into the likeness of Christ. What is Christ
like? (ask audience)

• Jesus was obedient to God’s will

• Jesus lived in the power of the Spirit
• Jesus served others unselfishly
• Jesus was patient and long-suffering in the face of the gravest wrongs
• Jesus was zealous
• Jesus was loving
• Jesus had self-control
• Jesus was meek and humble
• Jesus was kind
• Jesus was faithful
• Jesus was devoted to His Heavenly Father
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5. That we fervently love all who belong to Christ. John 13:35. “By this
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

• Love is known by the action it prompts

• Love esteems others better than oneself
• Love covers a multitude of sins
• Love suffers longs and is kind
• Love is not possessive
• Love is neither anxious to impress or does it cherish inflated ideas of its
own importance
• Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage
• Love does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other
people
• Love is glad with all good men when truth prevails
• Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its
hope
• Love can outlast anything … in fact, it is the one thing that still stands
when all else has fallen

This is what Jesus was talking about when He said that the lost world
would know that we were His obedient disciples by our fervent love for one
another.

6. That we would have an unswerving continuance in God’s Word. John

8:31. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue
in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” The Amplified Bible reads –
“ So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My
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word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are
truly My disciples.”

The key here is faithfulness to the teachings of Christ.

[Teach about being faithful to the little things as well as large.]

7. That we would forsake all to follow Christ. Luke 14:33. “So likewise,
whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my
disciple.”

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you love Jesus more than anyone or anything?

• Have you completely denied self?
• Is your life being moment by moment fashioned into the likeness of
Christ?
• Do you love all Christians with a deep and fervent love?
• Are you enduring in your walk with God?
• Are you faithful in all things?
• Are you willing to forsake everything for Jesus?

This is what our Lord requires of us as disciples. “Teaching them to observe

all things whatsoever I have commanded you …”
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Session Two

How is a disciple supposed to live?

What steps must he or she take to achieve God’s fullest expectations?

In this session, we are going to look at two areas of the disciple’s life:

1. The Life of Discipleship

2. Steps to Living Out Discipleship

The Life of Discipleship

1. He has adopted as his objective in life the same objective God sets
forth in the Scriptures
2. She is willing to pay any price to have the will of God fulfilled in her life
3. He has a love for the Word of God
4. She has a servant’s heart and is available to God at all times
5. He puts no confidence in the flesh
6. She does not have an independent spirit
7. He has a love for all people
8. She does not allow herself to become trapped in bitterness
9. He has learned to discipline his life
10. She is a Christian…who is growing in conformity to Jesus Christ…is
achieving fruit in evangelism…and is working in followup to
conserve the fruit
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Steps to Living Out Discipleship

1. Practice the presence of Christ moment by moment

2. Read, study, memorize, meditate and apply a passage of God’s Word
everyday
3. Pray throughout the day
4. Witness daily as God gives opportunity
5. Fellowship with other Christians every day possible

Invitation

Are you living the life of discipleship? Are the ten things shared with you
about a disciple’s life true in your life today?

1. Let’s take a few moments to practice the presence of Christ.

2. How many of you will say that you will take a portion of God’s Word and
read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it to your
life everyday?
3. How many of you will pray through the day as the Spirit prompts you?
4. How many of you will ask God for a daily opportunity to witness and
then take the opportunities as God gives them to you?
5. How many of you will seek daily fellowship with other Christians?

[Pray for those who respond.]

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God’s Work For The Disciple

Session One

What has God called us to do while we remain on the earth?

When your life is over, will you have been successful in the work God gave
you to do?

What are your long-range goals in life? What are your short-range goals in
life?

Are you meeting your goals?

God’s Work for His Children

These are some basic and important questions for us to answer as God’s
children. We can get our best direction for our lives from the Word of God.
Look with me to the following portions of Scripture as we seek to discover
God’s work for the disciple.

• Matthew 28:19-20
• Mark 16:15
• Luke 4:18
• Luke 24:46-48
• Acts 1:8
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• 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

God has given to us the ministry of proclaiming the good news of Christ to
very person possible, reconciling men and women, boys and girls, to God
through Christ, and making disciples out of rebellious sinners. God’s work
goes much further than just witnessing, winning, baptizing and churching.
We have been called by God to disciple those we win!

Why should we spend our time discipling new Christians?

1. A new Christian is vulnerable to the wiles of the devil.

2. A new Christian has the potential for change and needs direction from a
more mature Christian who has already experienced change in
his or her life.

What is the best way to disciple a new Christian? (ask audience)

1. Church meetings?
2. New believers class?
3. Home Bible studies?
4. Discussion groups?
5. Personal follow-up?

While all of these are good to do, personal follow-up is the most effective
way of making disciples and achieving spiritual multiplication. (Draw chart
that explains the multiplication power of discipling.)
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Spiritual Multiplication

Let me share with you how this spiritual principle of multiplication can affect
the world during your life. Remember, this is based on your winning and
discipling one person a year, while each of your disciples do the same.

• 5th year — 32 saved and discipled

• 10th year — 1,024 saved and discipled
• 15th year — 32,768 saved and discipled
• 20th year — 1,048,576 saved and discipled
• 25th year — 33,554,432 saved and discipled
• 30th year — 1,073,741,904 saved and discipled
• 33rd year — 8,589,935,232 saved and discipled (more people than
currently live on earth)

Let’s look at the prerequisites for making a disciple. Since this is God’s
work for us while we remain on earth, we might as well get down to it.

• Be open and involved

• Believe in the importance of personal follow-up
• Desire to be used
• Be available
• Lead a consistent life
• Grow in Christ
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Invitation: How many of you will covenant with God to witness to at least
one person each week and by God’s grace to lead at least one person to
Christ each year and disciple them so that they will disciple others?
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Session Two

Making Disciples

Within one of year of my leading a person to Christ, there are six things I
want to be true about that person. I have six goals I’m aiming towards in
that person’s life as his personal mentor, counselor and friend.

[This is based on men discipling men and women discipling women. I will
use the pronoun “he”.]

1. That he will have total assurance of his salvation.

2. That he will be consistent in the fundamentals of Christian living –
including Bible study, prayer, church attendance, fellowship with
other believers, and learning how to share Christian truth with
others.
3. That he will have strength in understanding basic Bible doctrine –
including God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), man and sin,
salvation, church, angels, Satan, Heaven, hell, return of Christ
(second coming).
4. That he will develop Christlikeness in character.
5. That he will develop both independence and dependence.
6. That he will become a reproducer and spiritual multiplier.
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Motivating Disciples

1. Pray for them

2. Love them
3. Be a consistent example for them
4. Give them recognition
5. Rebuke them when necessary
6. Communicate with them effectively – carefully prepare materials,
personalize applications, learn to discern feedback, give specific
and workable assignments
7. Expect results
8. Be clear on goals
9. Do what you ask him to do
10. Be excited
11. Be transparent

Marking Disciples

How will I know when the person I’m discipling has reached an
independent level of maturity?

1. When there are no doubts concerning his salvation

2. When he has developed a daily and consistent devotional life
3. When he is actively involved in a Bible believing local assembly
4. When he is consistently filled with the Holy Spirit
5. When he is consistently communicating with God through prayer
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6. When he is obedient to what God’s Word teaches

7. When he has learned to spiritually deal with temptation, trials and
testings
8. When he has learned how to discern God’s will and daily guidance
9. When he has developed a powerful testimony and is unashamedly
sharing it with others
10. When he lives a victorious life day after day

Invitation

Even as we have marked the true disciple of Jesus Christ, are you meeting
up to all of God’s standards for initial Christian maturity? Are you marked by
God and others as a disciple of Christ?

1. How many of you would say, “I still have doubts about my salvation?”
2. How many of you would say, “I have not yet developed a daily and
consistent devotional life with God?”
3. How many of you would say, ‘I am not actively involved in a Bible
believing local assembly?”
4. How many of you would say, “I am not consistently filled and controlled
with the Holy Spirit?”
5. How many of you would say, “I am not communicating with God every
day through prayer?”
6. How many of you would say, “I am not obedient to what God’s Word
teaches?”
7. How many of you would say, “I have not learned to spiritually deal with
temptation, trials and testings?”
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8. How many of you would say, “I have not learned how to discern God’s
will and daily guidance?”
9. How many of you would say, “I have not developed a powerful
testimony and is unashamedly sharing it with others?”
10. How many of you would say, “I am not living a victorious life day after
day?”

Let’s go to God together in prayer and address each of the areas His Spirit
has shown us tonight.
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A Trinity For Disciples

This “trinity” is not specifically about the Godhead Trinity (Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit), but about three vital foundational truths for a Christian
disciple’s life.

In John 13, Jesus moved from His public ministry to the last moments with
His disciples before He went to the Cross.

• In less than 24 hours He will be dead!

• In three days He will be raised from the dead!
• In 43 days He will ascend back to His Heavenly Father!
• Ten days later His disciples (apostles) will be teaching the
foundational doctrine for the Church of Jesus Christ!

We know very little about the training that the disciples received between
the resurrection and the ascension, which is a period of 40 days. But the
Holy Spirit has given us great detail about those last few hours between the
Passover Supper and Jesus’ arrests. This is the insight on discipleship that
God wanted us to know as the Spirit inspired John to record it.
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Here’s what happened from the Supper until Jesus and His disciples went
to the garden:

1. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.

2. Jesus predicted His betrayal by Judas.
3. Jesus gave the disciples a “new” commandment.
4. Jesus predicted Peter’s denial.
5. Jesus comforted the disciples and promised them the Holy Spirit.
6. Jesus instructed the disciples to continue in Him and bear much fruit.
7. Jesus instructed the disciples that they would be hated and persecuted
by the world.
8. Jesus explained the “work” of the Holy Spirit.
9. Jesus told them that their grief would turn to joy.
10. Jesus prayed for Him, the disciples and all believers.

There are so many exciting truths that will be gained by any disciple who
takes the time to read and practice.

As I studied this, I came across a “trinity” for disciples: three foundational

truths that are absolutely necessary for a full and effective life.

1. Jesus loves us and that is the foundation of our discipleship! Our love
and devotion to Him is our proper response to His great love for
us.
2. If we love Jesus, we will do what He commands! His new
commandment is that we love one another as He loves us.
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3. Jesus has told us these things so that His joy may be in us and that our
joy may be complete!

Love —> Obedience —> Joy

Here, then, is a beautiful trinity for disciples! A life of love — a live of

obedience — a life of joy.

Scripture References

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I

have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men
know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John
13:34-35

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that

loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I
will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep
my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him,
and make our abode with him.” John 14:23

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my
love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even
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On Discipleship

as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his

love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain
in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That
ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man
than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my
friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:9-14

“These things I command you, that ye love one another.” John 15:17

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If
ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye
are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore
the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The
servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they
will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep
yours also.” John 15:18-20
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On Discipleship

Parents As Disciples

Our next study is about Parents As Disciples. This is where discipleship

begins.

A. Four Types of Parents

1. Neglectful — low in love, low in discipline

2. Permissive — high in love, low in discipline
3. Authoritarian — low in love, high in discipline
4. Authoritative — high in love, high in discipline

B. Four Types of Children

1. Neglected — undisciplined and unloved: will often become lazy and a

burden to society. No goals or purpose to life.
2. Insecure — from a permissive home: often have bad self image and
need others to give them security and direction in life.
3. Rebellious — from an authoritarian home with emphasis on forced
discipline and little love. The child often rejects the parents, their
authority, their religion and lifestyle. Often transfers their
bitterness to other authorities.
4. Obedient — from an authoritative home with love and motivated
obedience. Child has a good self image and accepts parents’
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On Discipleship

authority, religion and lifestyle. Usually obedient to other

authorities.

C. Does My Child Have a Self-Image Problem?

1. Do they give undue attention to physical appearance?

2. Do they have difficulty in trusting God?
3. Do they wish there were like someone else?
4. Do they lack concentration (day dreaming)?
5. Do they demand excessive attention through disobedience?
6. Are they usually unresponsive to authority?
7. Do they lack self-confidence?

D. What Are The Consequences of Self-Rejection?

1. They will fear the will of God.

2. They will resist more authority.
3. They will have difficulty building genuine friendships.
4. They will over-emphasize materialism and fads.

E. How Does a Parent Build Self-Rejection in a Child?

Questions to ask myself:

1. Do I speak my child’s name with pleasure?

2. Do I use my child’s real name rather than a nickname?
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On Discipleship

3. Do I use words like “stupid, naughty, messy, selfish, etc” with my

children?
4. Do I frequently yell at my children when I want them to do something?
5. Do I talk with my child in positive ways when he/she is listening?
6. Do I communicate to my child with eye contact?
7. Do I communicate with my child through facial expression?
8. Do I cause my child to feel loved by me?
9. Do I make my child think I think his/her work is juvenile, childish or
unimportant?
10. Do I compare my child with other children in a negative way?
11. Do I feel self-conscious about something unchangeable about my
child?
12. Do I use my child to satisfy my own unfulfilled ambitions?
13. Do I praise my child for positive inner qualities or actions I appreciate?
14. Do I make only positive comments about my child when he/she is
listening?
15. Do I fail in my example of responsibility by making promises to my child
and forgetting to keep them?
16. Does my child have assigned within our home?
17. Do I make sure she/he follows through this her/his responsibilities?
18. Do I treat my child with courtesy?
19. Do I express an interest in things my child wants to share with me?

REMEMBER — You represent Jesus Christ’s leadership and authority to

your child. Your child will formulate confidence in God and himself/herself
based in part on your success in instilling a healthy concept of Christ.
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On Discipleship

F. How Do I Begin to Rebuild a Healthy Acceptance of Self in My

Child?

1. Establish in your child’s mind that a change in your operation is taking

place.
2. Express gratitude that she/he is your child.
3. Acknowledge your failure in not accepting your child as God’s unique
design.
4. Begin immediately to apply the 19 guidelines listed above.

G. How Do I Disciple My Child?

By saying what is right and doing what is right!

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine
heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt
talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest
by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And
thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as
frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the
posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-19
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On Discipleship

Discipling Steps

I want us to look now at the second step in discipling. Unfortunately, many

soul-winners stop at evangelizing and expect someone else to pick up the
responsibility for the new Christian. Let me tell you something … you are
responsible to God for that convert and if he or she fails in their Christian
life, you may share some responsibility for that failure. If the new Christian
succeeds in his or her life as a Christian, you may share some
responsibility for that success.

For a moment think back to all of the people you have led to Christ. How
many have gone on with the Lord and are successful in their Christian
lives? How many have either turned their backs on the Lord or have failed
in their Christian lives? I looked at that some time ago and God broke my
heart and showed me how I had failed Him in carrying out His great
commission. I was winning people to Christ, but was not following up with
them as I should. That realization led me to make some changes. Here’s
what God showed me from His Word.
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Step One

After you win someone to the Lord, go over again carefully with them the
plan of salvation.

Make sure they fully understand what they have done. Help them have full
assurance about their salvation. I might mention that many Christians have
difficulty assuring others because they are not sure themselves. Before you
can show someone from the Bible that God has saved them and they will
not lose that salvation, you must know in your own heart that you have a
salvation that cannot be lost. You must be sure that you really are a child of
God. If you’re not sure, your presentation to a new Christian won’t be
convincing.

Step Two

Pray for them daily.

You need to spend time each day praying for every person you’ve led to
Christ. How would you feel if a friend had a child and brought that new
bundle of joy home from the hospital and then left it on its own? If the baby
ate, it would be because they got up and made something to eat. If the
baby were to be dressed, it would be because they got up and dressed
themself. You would probably tell your friend that he or she was a neglectful
parent.
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Well, that’s God is telling us today. If we bring someone into the spiritual
world and then neglect that person, we would be bad spiritual parents. If we
want the privilege of introducing a person to Christ, we need to also be
ready to take the responsibility of making sure the new Christian is fed and
clothed. We need to pray every day that God will bless them, protect them
and provide for their every need. We need to pray often and specifically.
Remember, Satan is like a lion who wants to devour us and the people we
lead to Christ.

Step Three

Write, call or visit the new Christian frequently.

Don’t just give him up to whatever happens. So often I’ve seen where
someone will pray month after month for someone to be saved, then after
the person becomes a Christian we never heard about them again. That’s
not right! That’s not how God wants us to treat new believers. Physical
parents know that once a child is born the hard work really begins.

I remember the joy I felt as my wife and I waited for our two sons to be
born. What a pleasure it was to think about who God would give us. What a
joy it was to see those little baby boys and call all of our friends and family
to tell them that our little Nathan and Stephen had been born. But let me tell
you something else … taking those two boys home and raising them is a
story of hard work.
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On Discipleship

Making disciples is also hard work. Remember the joy you had in sharing
the Gospel with someone and seeing them pray and place their faith in
Christ? Remember when you saw them follow Christ in baptism and join
the church? Those were great moments, weren’t they? But what you been
doing since that time? How many hours have you spent with them in Bible
study, tutoring, sharing your heart, counseling them about challenges in
their life? How many hours a week have you prayed for them? How often
have you visited them in their home to pray with them and share the love of
Christ for them? How many letters or cards have you dropped in the mail
recently to a new Christian to be a regular reminder of their commitment to
Christ? In other words, how well are you following up with them?

Step Four

Ensure a proper diet.

A. A new Christian needs a consistent quiet time

They need a time each day to be alone with the Lord. We need to teach
them the importance of doing that and how to do it. A good way to help
teach them is invite them to join you for your quiet time for a week or two so
they can see what’s involved and how wonderful it can be:

1. Adoration … spend time adoring the Lord

2. Confession … make a daily habit of confessing sins to God and
rejoicing in His forgiveness.
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On Discipleship

3. Thanksgiving … thank God for His love and mercy and gift of grace in
bringing us to salvation.
4. Supplication … learn how to pray for specific personal needs and the
deep needs of others.

B. Bible reading

A new Christian should be taught how to study the Bible. I suggest they
read one chapter from the Psalms, one chapter from the Proverbs, one
chapter from a Gospel account, one chapter from the Book of Acts, and
one chapter from an apostle’s letter to get started. Whether they read those
in one day or one week is not as much concern to me as they do it. Just
like new babies, they need a balanced diet. If I fed a child nothing but milk
until they were 12 years old, they would not be healthy. They would have
serious physical deficiencies because the human body needs more
ingredients than what’s available in milk alone. The same is true about any
other type of food. Just as you must eat a well-rounded grouping of foods,
so you must spiritually eat a well-rounded grouping of Scriptures.

C. Bible study

Not only does the new Christian need to read their Bible, they also need to
study the Bible. There are many excellent Bible study helps that will aid a
new Christian in their understanding of the Scriptures. If you would like a
list of some of the better Bible study helps, we will be glad to send it to you.
 Teaching Notes 48
On Discipleship

D. Good Christian reading

The new Christian needs to begin reading the great classics of the faith.
They need to sink their teeth into the writings of Spurgeon, Moody, Torrey,
Meyer, and Murray. There are many great writers who are alive today who
will thrill the soul of a new Christian. My pastor gave me my first Christian
book a few weeks after I was saved that truly got me interested in the
deeper things of God. The book was called “Calvary Road,” written by Roy
Hession. Since that time my library has built up to contain several hundred
of the best books ever written by God’s people through the ages. One of
the best things you can do for a new Christian is to give them a good Bible,
a good concordance, a good Bible handbook, and a couple of paperback
classics in Christian doctrines and practice.

Step Five

Ensure love, affection and acceptance.

A. Get together with the new Christian for meals, meetings and fun
activities to make them feel part of your family. Let them sit in one of
your family devotions so they can see how it is done. Don’t just tell
them what to do, show them what you do.

B. Involve them in the warmth and fellowship of the church. If you are
attending a church that’s cold or dead, by all means don’t send the new
Christian there. [Unless you believe God wants you there because He’s
going to use you to bring spiritual warmth and life to the church leaders and
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On Discipleship

members, you probably should attend another church.] Send them to a

church that’s fundamental and alive. Notice, I listed two qualifications.
Being fundamental is not enough. It also needs to be alive.

C. Spend time with your new Christian friend. Take them with you where
you go. Do things with them. Show them that Christianity isn’t living in
isolation. It’s fun and exciting! We can swim and hike and play basketball
and tennis and other things that are enjoyable and good exercise. Become
deeply involved in their life and they will repay you a hundredfold by
growing up to be a man or woman desperately in love with Jesus Christ.
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All Nations Discipleship

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Matthew 28:19-20 tells us to do three things in making disciples. If all three

are not done, then we have failed to be obedient to the great commission of
Christ to His Church.

We Are To Teach All Nations

Teach them what?

Our answer is found in Mark 16 where Christ explains that we are to go into
all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.

What is the Gospel?

• It is that Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, came to give His life
as a ransom for many.
• It’s that Jesus Christ, the great Messiah of Israel and the wonderful
Savior of the Gentiles, died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
In doing so Jesus satisfied His Father who said that “the wages of sin
is death.”
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On Discipleship

• It’s that Jesus Christ, the fulness of the Godhead bodily, was buried in
a dark tomb and three days after arose from the dead.
• It’s that the eternal God-Man ascended into the Heaven of God and is
seated at the right hand of the Father above every power and
principality.
• It’s that human beings who repent of sin and confess with their
mouths the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in their hearts that God has
raised Him from the dead, are forgiven by the Father and receive the
gift of eternal life.

That’s the Gospel, the “good news,” and what good news it is!

The song writer wrote:

“We’ve a story to tell to the nations that shall turn hearts to the right, a
story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light. We’ve a song to be
sung to the nations that shall lift their hearts to the Lord, a song that
shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword. We’ve a message to
give to the nations that the Lord who reigneth above, hath sent us His
Son to save us, and show us that God is love. We’ve a Savior to show to
the nations who the path of sorrow hath trod, that all of the world’s great
people might come to the truth of God.” Sterne and Nichol, 1896

Powerful words! The first duty of Christian disciple-making is evangelism.

We must tell others about Jesus Christ, His Cross, His suffering, His death,
His burial, His glorious resurrection, His mighty kingdom, His powerful
coming, His eternal victory.
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On Discipleship

I’m sure that each of us at one time or another has been through a soul-
winning course or has heard messages on soul-sinning and has some idea
of how to approach a person with the Gospel message. Some of you may
have even had the great privilege of leading someone to Jesus Christ.
I want to give you eight insights into evangelism or as it sometimes
called, “spiritual obstetrics.”

1. Love People With All Your Heart

Now this may sound like a strange thing to say, but if you try to win souls
without love, and some do, we know from 1 Corinthians 13 that we are
wasting our time. Evangelism without a love for people and a deep heart
burden for them will “profit you nothing.”

2. Tailor Your Approach To The Individual

We must not approach people with a “canned’ presentation that we use

over and over again. We must carefully prepare each presentation to the
individual’s needs. Find out something about the person and his or her
needs, then ask God for help to present the Gospel to the person to reach
him where they live.

3. Choose The Questions That You Want To Answer And Ignore

The Others

In other words, don’t let the person take you down a rabbit trail. I remember
spending five hours with a man trying to help him understand the Lord’s
 Teaching Notes 53
On Discipleship

love for him. He kept bringing up every objection in the book and I followed
him down many rabbit trails trying to reach him. I try not to do that
anymore. I’ve since learned how to block the objections (or set them aside
for later discussion) and actually use them to help the person consider the
truth of the Gospel.

4. Strike For The “Open Nerve” That Causes The Person To

Express His/Her Need

The key is to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in discovering

each person’s deep spiritual need. Listen closely to words or phrases the
person may repeat. Listen for inconsistencies in their story or answers to
your questions. Ask pointed questions about their life and relationships.
Share from God’s Word their personal responsibility for sin and need to
repent. Don’t make salvation easier or harder than God has made it.

5. Tell The Truth Even If It Hurts

If a person asks if they will have to give up things to be a Christian, don’t

cop out and make being a Christian sound easy. Tell them the truth.

6. Agree With The Person As Much As Possible

By this I don’t mean that you agree with their sinful lifestyle or what they
think will get them to Heaven. What you can do is agree on incidental
points of life and use that agreement as an opportunity to present the
Gospel more powerfully.
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On Discipleship

7. Don’t Let The Conversation Get Off The Subject

This is very important! We MUST keep their attention on Christ. They may
try to talk with you about everything under the sun, from religion to politics
to the heathen. Whatever you do, keep them coming back to Jesus. It’s
only as they are confronted with the living Savior that anything can be
accomplished for eternity.

8. Be Sensitive To How The Holy Spirit Is Working In The

Person’s Life

While you are witnessing to them, you should also be praying to God that
He will give you spiritual sensitivity to the person’s deepest needs. If you
are talking with someone and they are hungry, feed them. If you are
sharing the Gospel with someone and they are thirsty, give them water
drink. This is not a “social” Gospel. It is following Christ’s direction and
treating people in the same way you’d want to be treated.

Finally, as you are talking with a person about Christ, be sensitive to

knowing when to ask them to make a commitment to Christ. It’s important
the person understands what you have said about sin and salvation. This is
a spiritual moment that has eternal implications, so let God bring the
person to Himself. Only the Holy Spirit can draw people to Christ. What we
do is present the Gospel and live a life filled with the Spirit of God.
Remember what the Apostle Paul wrote: “I planted, Apollos watered, but
God gave the increase.”
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Dynamic Discipleship

There are four things that will be true of the dynamic disciple –

1. They will love God with their whole heart

2. They will be obedient to every word that proceeds from the mouth of
God
3. They will sacrifice their life and all their possessions for the work of God
4. They will serve God with all of their heart

Where Does Obedience Begin?

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his

commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso
keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby
know we that we are in him.” 1 John 2:3 – 5

Obedience is the key element in victorious Christian living. Webster’s

Dictionary defines obedience as the “state or act of being submissive to the
will of another.”

• In order to be obedient, we must have some external authority as the

object of that obedience.
• Jesus Christ is the authority to whom we direct our obedience.
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On Discipleship

• Real obedience is not just an act, but is an attitude of submission in

the inner man.
• True obedience is the product of an inward determination to be
submissive, not being submissive against our will.

One Christian has defined obedience in the spiritual realm as “the act of
following God’s will for our lives in all respects out of desire from the heart.”
It is often good when trying to understand the meaning of something to look
at what it is not.

• Obedience is not serving God on our own terms.

• Obedience to God will not be a product or, or result in, asceticism.
• We don’t have to abase ourselves to be obedient to God.
• We don’t have to give up fun or possessions in order to be obedient
unless God specifically requires that of us.
• Obedience to God is not simply outward conformity to His rules,
commandments and law.
• True obedience comes from the heart. If we do not have a heartfelt
desire to be obedient, an outward following of the commandments of
God becomes nothing more than legalism.

Scriptural Insights To Obedience

1. We should be obedient because God loves us and is worthy of our love

and obedience in return. 1 John 4:16; 5:20; Revelation 4:11
2. We should be obedient because it is a practical way to prove our love
for God. John 14:21; 1 John 5:3
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On Discipleship

3. We should be obedient because God clearly commands us to be.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 1 Timothy 6:14; James 1:22; 1 John 5:2-3

Now that we looked at the what and why of obedient Christian living, let’s
look at four practical steps to achieving an obedient life.

1. Know God’s command. Psalm 119:11, 105, 130; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2. Look to God for power. Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 1:9;
Acts 1:8; Philippians 4:13
3. Develop the right attitudes. Psalm 40:8; Deuteronomy 26:16; Luke 8:15
4. Know how to deal with temptations. 1 Corinthians 10:13; Satan –
Genesis 3:1-5; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:1-3; Flesh – Romans
8:5-13; Galatians 5:16-26; World – John 16:33; Romans 12:2; 1
Timothy 6:10; 1 John 2:15

Here are six conditions for victory over temptation –

1. Be alert to the possibility of temptation – 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Peter

5:8; Revelation 3:2
2. Be filled with the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18; Philippians
4:13
3. Be quick .. deal with temptation as soon as it begins – James 1:14-15
4. Know Biblical escapes – Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; Matthew
4:1-11; James 4:7
5. Obey by faith – Colossians 2:6
6. Pray for victory – Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:48; Luke 22:40
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Important steps to take –

• Make a list of several areas of definite Biblical commandments from

God to us as His children and find corresponding verses of Scripture
to see if we are living obediently before the Lord. Examples:
witnessing, church involvement, prayer, daily Bible study and
devotions, job, spouse, time management, priorities, etc.
• Honestly evaluate your moment by moment experience of obedience
to God. Are we obedient to everything we know to be true from God’s
Word at this moment in our life.

This is a brief examination of the principles of obedience to Christ, but I

hope it will give you a place to start and some answers to your basic
questions.

[Thank you for reading these teaching notes from more than 40 years ago.
My prayer is they will be a blessing to you and your ministry.]

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