What Is Discipleship?
Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." -Matthew 4:19
What Makes You A Disciple?
Being changed by Jesus takes time and a daily choice to die to ourselves. It also takes discipleship and walking with others as we grow. Much like the wheat, that Jesus so often referenced, we must grow into mature disciple-making disciples.
Process of Discipleship
People in this stage have not accepted Jesus as Lord.
Traits:
- Broken
- Unaware
- Living on feelings and emotions
Common Thoughts:
“There are many ways to Heaven.”
“I’m a good person.”
“I think there is probably a higher power.”
“I am too busy for church or LifeGroup.”
This stage happens when you accept Jesus, but haven’t moved past that point.
Traits:
- Lord of their life
- Confused about what is truth
- Need guidance
Common Thoughts:
“Christians are hypocrites.”
“A loving God would never send good people to Hell.”
“The church just wants my money.”
“I am too busy for church or LifeGroup.
In this stage, people are growing in their relationship with God and others. They are applying God’s Word to their life and walking with others.
Traits:
- Growing relationship with God
- Building relationships with others
- Developing a habit of prayer and Bible study
- Attends LifeGroup regularly
- Gives their time, talent, and treasure joyfully
Common Thoughts:
“I love my church because I belong.”
“LifeGroups are great! They make me feel welcome.”
“I don’t want to branch out, I just started making friends.”
In this stage, people are making a big shift in focus. It goes from self-centered to others-centered. They are changing from a taker to a giver and putting others first.
Traits:
- Less self-centered
- More others-centered
- Starting to have a Kingdom focus
- Still needs lots of guidance
Common Thoughts:
“I am going to check on someone who needs a visit rather than going to the movies.”
“I will serve in nursery so parents can attend service.”
“I want to see my LifeGroup multiply”
In this stage, the parent has a solid understanding of God’s Word, deep abiding relationship with God, and are serving others regularly. They are making disciples and focused on God’s Kingdom. They are bearing Fruit!
Traits:
- Mature disciple of Jesus
- Skilled in assessing where others are at in the discipleship process
- Intentionally invests in others
- Helps to develop others into leaders
Common Thoughts:
“Next time I go visit with someone, I will take Bob with me.”
“I have some potential leaders in my LifeGroup that I am going to invest in.”
“I want to help others become leaders in the church.”
This stage happens when a parent has created disciples who are making disciples who are making disciples. Focused on Kingdom growth and seeing a large harvest!
Traits:
- Deep relationships with God and others
- Dedicated to Bible study and prayer time
- Equips and releases disciples regularly.
- Makes disciples who make disciples
Common Thoughts:
“What else can I do to help others see Jesus better.”
“I want to see disciple-makers change our community.”
“All for HIS Kingdom.”
“I want to help multiply LifeGroups as often as possible.”
Next Steps In Becoming A Disciple
The first step in walking with Jesus, is to admit that you are spiritually dead because of sin and to recognize that you need someone outside of yourself to save you. You must fully surrender to King Jesus and accept that he died inplace of you on the cross.
You must believe that when Jesus died on the cross, that somehow that counted for you. This is a gift, not something that you can earn by “being a good person.” You must confess to God that you need him to save you, and repent of the sin that holds you even now. Repentance simply means to turn away from a life of sin, and to run towards Jesus with every fiber of your being.
Publicly confessing that Jesus is Lord, and joining him in his death and burial, and being raised to a new life in Christ. Get Baptized!
You will never do the Christian life alone well. We all need others who will pray for us, hold us accountable, and encourage us. We have lots of ways to get connected at Harvest, join a group today!
Use your time, talents, and treasure to help build the Kingdom of God! Take the 1st step of joining a team, and see what fire God lights in your heart!
Join a Grow Group and start keeping your faith. Our Grow Groups are gender specific groups of 3-6 people who meet weekly with the goal of becoming disciples who make disciples, by learning to actually DO what Jesus says!