Discipleship 101
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Realizing the Lord’s Plan of Discipleship
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Assurance of Salvation
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Experiencing and Knowing Jesus
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Keeping a Journal – Choosing a Bible translation
Disciple is a “learner”. This is an important concept in the New Testament. This word is used 269 times in the New Testament which makes it a highly emphasized concept. The Lord said the church were to make and become disciples:
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the ends of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
Application:
This is God’s plan for every believer. We are to personally become “learners” of Jesus, and help others to become “learners”. This is a different concept then our modern day “students” because of the emphasis not only being on knowledge, but knowing the person of Jesus experientially, and cooperating with the life that He directs for His children. So, to know, experience, and become are the elements of life change for disciple. Dwell on this and review until you are convinced and can make a commitment to Jesus” lifestyle for you. Exciting new change is in the making. Actually, it has already begun!
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone: a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
The modern way to say this is: He is now changing our core: Thinking, Feeling, and Behavior.
One of the challenges in the growth process after receiving Jesus is the changes that the Lord begins after our confession of Jesus Christ and acceptance of Him and the resurrection. This transformation is a life longlife style. The Bible gives us this direction in the book of Romans:
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NLT