The Learner I - Becoming A Disciple

From the start of His ministry Jesus began to select people to follow him and be assistants to the work of God. As he called them to follow he taught them and shared with them a close relationship, enabling them to become mature and to be used by God for the kingdom’s glory.

In some cases we can see that it was a hard walk requiring much commitment and sacrifice on their part and in some cases we can find that a few fell away and no longer walked with Jesus.

The purpose of calling others to be Disciples is to mature them and to equip them with the tools necessary to take Jesus’ message of salvation to the world, to bring forth fruit that remains, and to strengthen them to endure and keep the faith to the very end. There are critical steps to take that will ensure success. We will start with one word that we find in our Bibles, it may be one of the most important words of action that we can take as Christians and one of the hardest words to do.

Turn with me to John chapter 15 and begin to read until you find the word “abide” Yes this is a critical word. As the sheep that are abiding beneath the tree soaking up the shade on a hot summer day, we also must be abiding in his presence, at His feet. Get this word into your soul and daily exercise it. This will bring many blessings to you. Now that we have started as sheep that are simply abiding, let us go on to our first lesson.

Who is Jesus? John 1:1-14

1. “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.

2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. 4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shined in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe.

8. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of the light.

9. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him and the world knew him not.

11. He came unto his own and his own received him not.

12. But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13. Which were born not of blood, nor the will of flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.

14. And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,full of grace and truth.

Wow! Jesus is the same word that we read today in our Holy Bible! The word was in the beginning of all things, the word created all things, and the word lives among us even today! God has never changed! Accepting God at His word is to accept Jesus, God’s son and accept that Jesus was sent to us as God’s word for man. God has always had a word with a purpose and a teaching that is meant for man. God loves us and He wants all that is good for us, but we must accept this truth and to accept this starts with accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Jesus is what God has determined to be good for us and we must accept this knowing that Jesus is God’s son and our Savior and His words are life. After reading these verses what questions do you have?

Have you ever been taught that everything began another way such as “The Big Bang” or “Evolution?” Do you feel that these ideas of how the world began would prefer to leave Jesus out of the history of the world? Who is Jesus to you? Where did he come from? Why did he come? Why should we follow him? These questions might strike you as very simple, but I have been surprised to find the many different beliefs about whom Jesus is by asking who people say he is. One of the most important questions, I believe, in life is “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked this question to Peter and He continues to ask each of us who come to Him today. Who do you say Jesus is? After Jesus was announced by John The Baptist He began to select a group of students or learners that would be later known as the twelve Disciples. Let's read about the first people that followed Jesus. They had to answer this question also because their choice to follow was soon to tell what they believed. They believed that Jesus was the son of God.

John 1:35-51

35. “again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36. And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, “Behold the lamb of God!”

37. And the two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus.

38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, what seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, which is to say, being interpreted, Master, where dwellest thou?

39. He saith unto them Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

40. One of the two, which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

41. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, we have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

43. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, “Follow me.”

44. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, we have found him, of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46. And Nathanael said unto him, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, “Come and see.”

47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith unto him, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.”

48. Nathanael saith unto him, “Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.”

49. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the son of God; thou art the king of Israel.”

50. Jesus answered and said unto him, “Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these.”

51. And he saith unto them, “Verily, verily I say unto you, Hererafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man.” After reading these verses what questions do you have?

John says; “Behold the lamb of God” and others begin to follow. This is the domino effect that we have on others around us. Imagine for a moment if John had not spoken. It could be possible that only John would have followed. However, it’s important to note that because John spoke to others about who Christ is, many others believed and followed Christ. This is the Domino effect! Telling others or evangelizing is the way that we can have a great impact on our world.

Without fear of what others would think, John spoke out about who Jesus is! Have you ever witnessed a Domino chain reaction as you told others about Christ?

Answer the following questions:

Who were the 1st disciples?

How were they selected? (vs. 44,48)

Disciples or Learners of Christ have one thing in common, a desire for truth. Jesus chose those believers who had a great desire to learn the truth and to follow it. How much do you desire to know the truth about something? Do you search for it?

John 8:31, 32

31. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.”

32. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” After reading these verses what questions do you have?

What is TRUTH?

This might have been a question that you asked! Well, if you asked that question you have asked the question that many people have asked and are still asking today.

It is a “free-thinking” attitude about the world that questions truth today. Many are saying “our truth is our reality”. What this means is, whatever we feel is truth to us, is truth, therefore this makes our reality. The problem is we cannot make up our own truth, call it truth, and expect that it is the truth. In fact, this type of truth is a lie indeed! A lie straight from the devil! The same one who deceives us into believing that we have the answers and that we have the power to create our own truth. The truth is Jesus, Jesus is the truth!

Answer the following questions:

What was Jesus saying to continue in?

What did he promise to those who continued?

The truth will set you free! The real truth is that we need our savior, we need to have Jesus, and we need to escape the lies of this world and to cling to truth.

John 15: 8-17

8. “Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11. These things have I spoken unto you, that joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13. Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down hislife for his friends.

14. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: and whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it unto you.

17. These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

After reading these verses what questions do you have?

The book of James comes to mind when thinking about bearing fruit. It is not possible to bear fruit by saying we do, but we must do as we say! Do we do what we say and say to others what we do as a witness for Jesus? We must say and do love, we must say and do commandments, and we must say and do God’s word.

When you think of fruit what comes to mind? Is it things that are profitable to the Kingdom of God? If so, then shall ye be called Disciples of Christ! Answer the following questions:

What is a disciple of Jesus as described here?

What is in it for us if we choose to become a disciple?

One character trait of a true Christian and Disciple of Christ is that they abide in Christ and He in them. The way to abide in Christ is to abide in His word daily.

John 15:18-27

18. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. But all of these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

22. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23. He that hateth me hates my Father also.

24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not sin: but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.

25. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated me without a cause.

26. But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which procedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.

27. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.”

After reading these verses what questions do you have? It is a fact that when you follow Jesus many of those that you once knew have joined the crowd that hates Jesus. If you are hated because of your love for Jesus, do not be surprised.

The reason why the world hates Jesus is because He exposes their sin. His word brings their wicked deeds to the light and as it is written in John 1 “they loved their darkness more than His light.”

Answer the following questions:

What warnings does Jesus give to us when we choose? Why does Jesus warn us of these things?

It is one thing to be saved; it is another to answer this call. Jesus gives us all a mission that expects to take us from the early stages of salvation unto maturity in faith that will bring forth fruit for His kingdom. What is the mission of a disciple?

Mark 6:7-13

7. “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

8. And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse;

9. But be shod with sandals, and not put on two coats.

10. And he said unto them, In what place so ever ye enter into a house, there abide until ye depart from that place.

11. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them.

12. And they went out and preached that men should repent.

13. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”

It’s very difficult to take nothing to this task! I have gone out many times and always it seems that I have to take my Bible, some tracts, some money etc. The thought to take nothing might leave us with a feeling of lack wondering what to say or what we should do! This part of scripture really is a test of our preparation. Are we prepared to tell others? In short, are we filled with the words of Christ for any possible situation that we might be confronted with? These twelve that Jesus has selected must have been fully depending on Jesus, the spirit of God and their training that they learned by following Jesus all this time. Now they are ready! Now it’s time to put to action all that they have believed and learned. Now it’s time to trust God!

After reading these verses what questions do you have?

Answer the following questions:

What did they go out to do?

What did they need for this work?

If you answered preach the word to any of these questions you are absolutely right, but you might not feel that preaching His word is important so please read the following previously written on our Daily Devotion page:

"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

Sometimes I wonder why this wasn't included in the Ten Commandments or the Golden Rule, if we would say "Love God and keep His commandments" with this instruction that has been left to us it might be easier to tell those that continue to speak of the separation of church and state, that to preach the gospel is much like "thou shalt not lie" or "thou shalt not kill" or "do not commit adultery" because God says, then it might be different? At any rate, we teach our children to obey their parents and those that are in authority, yet we despise many of the things that our Father has instructed us to do. Preaching the gospel is vital, "How shall they believe?" is what Romans 10 asks. Without the spreading of God's word the world continues on in darkness without having truth, and because of this many around you shall not make into the Kingdom of Heaven. While believing that they are ok and that a loving God would not be so harsh that He would let someone perish, they are at risk of going straight to hell! God's word is true! "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing of the word of God!" "Man cannot live by bread and water alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God!" If someone stands with their hands out begging food, will we not feed them because of this separation of church and state? Without those who take His message into the world, the world continues to tumble into darkness and shall die of famine. The famine of His truth.

Excerpt: “Our Challenge Today” With this do you see the importance of this mission that you are being called to? You may be saying, "I don't know what to say!" Say: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus loves you and wants to save your soul!

Mathew 10:1, 5-15

Mathew 10:1 “and when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness.

5. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.

6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7. And as ye go, preach saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

8. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,, cast out devils, freely ye have received, freely give.

9. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses.

10. Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

11. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide until ye go thence.

12. And when ye come into a house salute it.

13. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy let your peace return unto you.

14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

15. Verily I say unto you it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that city.

Wow! This is a lot to take in! Things don’t seem to be like this today, in fact if someone were to come to your house, first this would be amazing that they are going from city to city preaching as they did in the day that this was written, and second that someone should desire to stay at your house while they did this work! When is the last time this has happened to you? Actually this is how it is supposed to be, but because fear unknown and reports of evil people taking advantage of the kindness of others, most people’s heart is hardened to this type of Evangelism. Disciples are expected to have a job, money, and a prearranged place to stay in these days, but this directly contradicts the message of faith and the true ways in which Jesus instructed his disciples to act by. Still we are to preach and continue on in this work despite what the world standards would say about it. God’s wisdom opens doors to work around the times and situations that we live in.

After reading these verses what questions do you have?

Answer the following questions:

What did Jesus tell them to preach?

Is the kingdom of heaven at hand?

Mark 16:14-18

Mark 16:14 and they said, some say that thou art John The Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the

prophets.

15. But whom say ye that I am?

16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.

17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Here is the answer to whom Jesus is. Jesus is the Son of God!

Our Savior! Do you know anyone who is saying that Jesus was just a man or just a prophet or like any other man? It is important

that we contend for who Jesus is. The question of “Whom do you say that I am?” is one of the most important questions that the world must answer! How can they answer if they are never asked?

After reading these verses what questions do you have?

Answer the following questions:

Are you able to lay hands on the sick?

What signs followed those who believed?

Give some ideas of how a disciple can prepare themselves for the mission field.

The following message was given at an addiction recovery meeting. The central focus was to recognize who Jesus is and understand that only he has the power to deliver us from all of our difficulties.

RECOGNIZING OUR SAVIOR

To determine, to settle, or to make a resolve about an action is to decide. In Step 3 of addiction recovery we must decide! In our lives we decide will we turn our life over to God or not? Step 3 reads: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of (God as we understood Him). What will save us, how can we know? Who is it that has such power that we should turn our lives over to Him and trust Him that He will care for us?

John 1:15-34

“John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, This was He of whom I spoke, He that cometh after me is preferred before me, for He was before me and of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

John’s understanding came from witnessing and experiencing. John bare witness of Him that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. When we buy a car, a house, or anything, we want the best deal possible, we want to know that we can trust the person that we purchase from and that they dealt with us in truth and in good faith. John is witness to this fact. That Jesus came in truth and in faithfulness.

"NO MAN HAS SEEN GOD AT ANY TIME; THE ONLY

BEGOTTEN SON, WHICH IS IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER,

HE HATH DECLARED HIM."

Since this is true, did John see God when He witnessed Jesus? John 4:24 tells us: “God is spirit.” His son through the incarnation became man and God.” The Father is Spirit. The spirit of God cannot be seen by the natural man, yet it exists. In Genesis 1:2 we read: “The spirit of

God moved about the face of the waters.” The Spirit of God is still with us, living amongst us and moving freely, yet we in our natural human condition cannot see God, but we can witness the effects of God around us. When Jesus, (God’s only born son) (The Word of God) became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), many did not recognize Him as they don’t recognize Him today, people still do not recognize that 1. Jesus is God, 2. Jesus is God’s word to us, and

3. Jesus, God’s Word, and God’s Spirit lives with us today, therefore they say “God doesn’t exist.” This is a lie created by the devil to prevent all of God’s children from accepting God’s truth. Many will say there is a higher power because they realize things are happening that they cannot explain any other way.

Listen to what John has recorded: “And this is the record of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask Him, “Who art thou?” John confessed, and denied not, but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked Him, What then? Art thou Elias? He said, "I am not."Art thou that prophet? He answered, "No.” John was not and is not our savior, but he was a witness of God’s gift to us, the Savior of all mankind. The God of John’s understanding, The Savior of the world, and God’s gift to His children was soon to be announced!

“Then they said unto Him, “Who art thou? That we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say thou of thyself?” Here they have heard rumors of a Messiah coming who they would call Christ, so they are asking John if he’s the one that they are watching for. John denies any claim to be Christ the long awaited Messiah, in fact John tells all who the Messiah is, but even John is found to be asking a similar question that suggests he had doubt. Strong in belief at the start, John, through hardship begins to question also. Mathew Chapter 11 records this record of John’s humanity and doubt as he questions if Jesus is the one they have waited for. It is possible to recognize Jesus as the truth and still through hard times wonder about this truth. We are all human as it reads in scripture, “All we like sheep have gone astray” Our faith will be tested and tried as was John’s. Belief comes from hearing and hearing the word of God, how we act upon what we hear and believe is influenced by our motives. Are our motives in line with God’s infallible word? Do we want to believe God? Whether we want to or not does not change the truth, but it does affect our acceptance of the truth.

Our motives and desires affect our ability to recognize Jesus for who He is because our heart often drives our life despite what the actual truth is. For example, our heart may be hurting and tell us that no one cares, but this is a lie, Jesus cares and many others care also, it is God’s word that tells us the truth and our heart can often lie to us. In order to recognize Jesus for who he is our heart must accept the fact that it does not tell us the truth without accepting Jesus to live in it because it does not know the truth apart from Jesus and His word.

If John the Baptist decided that he wanted to be praised and exalted for his great works in Baptism many might not have seen Jesus, but instead his motives and desires showed that he wanted to be in God’s will, God’s plan, and not his own. It was at this time that John made the decision to turn his will and his life over to the care of God. If our motives and desires are the same as what God wants for our life we will recognize that we are not the Christ, that we are powerless apart from Him, and that we must willingly turn everything over to Jesus, our Father who cares for us.

John said: “He it is who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoes latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” Not only does John recognize that he is not the Savior of the world, but he also recognizes that he isn’t even close to being on Christ’s level!

What do you think about yourself? Because John didn’t think more highly of himself than he should have, he was able to see Jesus and to know the truth when it came to him. Many people cannot recognize Jesus and the truth because of what they think about themselves.

“The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.” John saw that Jesus is the one that will work in our lives to help all to live in freedom from sin and will save our soul from perishing. To be able to recognize our Savior we must turn our life over to Jesus who is able to save us and not make ourselves the power to do what only God does. We must not put ourselves in God’s place.

Step 3 reads: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of (God as we understood Him). What we believe about ourselves effects what we believe about God. We must know, like John, we are not the one! Jesus is!

NOW COMES THE TIME OF DECISION:

ARE YOU WILLING TO BELIEVE GOD FOR WHO HE IS AND

THE POWER THAT HE CAN BRING TO YOUR LIFE?

The most important thing in life that anyone will ever do is to decide for themselves who Jesus is and then make the decision to accept Him as Lord and Savior of their life.

Listed below are some Memory verses. It is important to start memorizing scripture as a Disciple of Christ. Jesus is the Word of God and therefore we should make it a point to know His word through memory. Each Chapter will have its own set of memory verses for you to memorize. We encourage you to do so in preparation of taking the Word to the world. Taking this message to the world is everyone’s responsibility!

Memory Verses:

Complete these verses and quote them, repeating them until they are easily repeated. These 7 verses are an exercise in memory meant to prepare the individual for discipleship service. Each lesson will include applicable verses.

Memory Verses:

Romans 3:10 “As it is written, there is none…”

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned…”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin…”

Romans 5:8 “For God hath commended His love toward…”

Romans 10:9,10 “That if thou shall confess…”

John 3:3 “Verily, verily I say unto thee except…”

John 3:5 “Except a man be born of water…”

As Disciples we are called by Jesus to make a choice and to stay the course!

Chapter Two What is Man?