»» The disciples were called Christians – The people of Antioch identified the disciples of Jesus with a new term, “Christian” or Christ’s disciples.
In the Bible, being a Christian and being a disciple are the same thing. Jesus never used the word “Christian.”
Mark 1:16-18 | CALLED TO FOLLOW JESUS
»» Come follow me – Jesus called them to be his disciples. In the ancient world, being someone’s disciple was an intimate relationship, not just learning facts but imitating conduct and character.
definition of disciple = pupil or learner, apprentice
»» I will send you out to fish – Jesus gave purpose to these men as he called them. His disciples were to have the same purpose that he had.
QQ: How would you describe their response?
QQ: Is this the purpose of your life?
Matthew 22:35-38 | CALLED TO LOVE GOD
»» Which is the greatest commandment – If we get this right, everything will follow.
»» Love the Lord your God…with all of your being – As disciples of Jesus, our life’s priority is loving God emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually.
Luke 9:23-26 | CALLED TO CARRY A CROSS
»» If anyone – The call of discipleship is the same for all of us.
»» Deny themselves – Disciples live a life of absolute self-denial.
»» Take up their cross – Being a disciple is incredibly challenging but worth it!
»» Follow me – We learn how to live by imitation of Jesus.
»» Whoever loses their life for me will save it – The only way to gain salvation is to give up our lives to God while we are on earth. This is the great paradox!
QQ: What will you need to deny to become a disciple of Jesus?
Luke 14:25-27 | CALLED TO PUT JESUS FIRST
»» If anyone comes to me and does not hate – Jesus comes before everything; our family, friends, careers, and personal ambitions. In order to be his disciple, Jesus must be first.
Luke 14:28-30 | CALLED TO COUNT THE COSTS
»» Won’t you first sit down and estimate – Soberly consider the costs of following Jesus.
»» Being a disciple is difficult and life-long (a marathon, not a sprint).
Luke 14:31-33 | CALLED TO SURRENDER
»» Suppose a king is about to go to war – We are not in a position to bargain with God.
He created us. We cannot get to heaven without his intercession.
»» Ask for terms of peace – God sets the terms of peace. We surrender to his will.
QQ: What would you need to give up to be a disciple of Jesus?
John 13:34-35 | CALLED TO LOVE AS JESUS LOVED
»» A new command I give you – This is the night before Jesus died…he had spent about
three years with his disciples already.
»» As I have loved you, you must love one another – Jesus calls his disciples to model
their relationships after how he loved them.
QQ: How did Jesus love these men over those three years?
»» By this all men will know that you are my disciples – the defining characteristic of Jesus’ followers would be this type of relationship with each other.
–– Genuine, involved, and self-sacrificing love is a distinguishing trait of a true follower of Jesus!
Matthew 28:18-20 | CALLED TO MAKE OTHER DISCIPLES
»» Go and make disciples – After we become disciples of Jesus, we make others.
»» Baptise them – Disciples of Jesus are candidates for baptism.
»» Teach them to obey everything – We need to continue to be trained.
QQ: Are you a true disciple of Jesus?
QQ: Would you like to become one?
QQ: Would you be willing to come to a church that believes in making disciples?
FURTHER STUDY
Matthew 7:21-23 We must do the will of God to go to heaven.
Luke 5:1-11 Simon Peter being called to be a disciple.
Luke 11:1-4 We learn how to live our spiritual life from imitating Jesus.
1 Corinthians 11:1 We imitate Christ-like characteristics in other disciples around us.
1 John 2:3-6 We must walk as Jesus did.