Three Key Components of Discipleship
1. Life Investment
2 Timothy 1:1-4 (AMP):
PAUL, AN apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, [my] beloved child: Grace (favor and spiritual blessing), mercy, and [heart] peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!
I thank God Whom I worship with a pure conscience, in the spirit of my fathers, when without ceasing I remember you night and day in my prayers,
And when, as I recall your tears, I yearn to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
Paul’s discipleship of Timothy was clearly based on a relationship, on that was “rooted and grounded in love”. Not impersonal teaching, but a deep intentional, relationship.
Mutual love (John 13:35), transparency and accountability.
Customized to the unique needs of individual people. - Be flexible
Walk alongside each other - running the race together (Hebrews 12:1)
Corinthians 3:3 (AMP):
You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2. Multiplication
2 Timothy 2:2 (AMP):
And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust [as a deposit] to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also.
Disciple a person in a way that they will be able to reproduce themselves.
This is why it is important to seek out faithful and teachable people to disciple.
This was Jesus’ plan for discipleship.
3. Transformation
Romans 12:2:
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Transparent trust - be real and open with each other
Encouragement (Hebrews 11:24-25)
Walking through the tough times together (1 Corinthians 12:26, 1 Thessalonians 3:10)
Knowing the truth of God’s word and making it a priority! (Psalm 19:7-11)
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP):
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),
So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
But I don’t feel capable to do this…
Matthew 4:19-20 (AMP):
And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples--letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!
At once they left their nets and became His disciples [sided with His party and followed Him].
Jesus doesn’t call people who are already qualified and ready to “make fishers of men”…instead, He is is the one who made them fishers of men. Jesus was their adequacy, and He is our adequacy too (2 Corinthians 3:5). He isn’t looking for people who think they know what they are doing, who think they can handle this on their own; He is simply looking for our humble obedience and submission to His will. If God calls you to disciple someone, he will provide you with the strength to do it!
It’s true; we aren’t capable of doing this…in our own strength
Ephesians 3:20 (AMP):
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]–
Before we ever get started, we have to come to the realization that we will never be effective disciples according to our own strength and ability. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit in us that we will be able to disciple others. Humble yourself before the Lord and surrender this over to Him.
