DISCIPLESHIP 103

Manthano mathetes

FOCUS: DISCIPLESHIP VISITS, NEW CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

DISCIPLESHIP: The Christian’s lifelong commitment to the person, teaching, and spirit of
Jesus Christ. Life under Jesus’ lordship involves progressive learning, growth in Christlikeness,
application of Biblical truth, responsibility for sharing the Christian faith, and responsible church
membership.

DISCIPLING: The training process by which a church, small group, and individuals equip
disciples to be more like Christ, to master the basic disciplines of the Christian life, and to make
disciples.

WHY DO WE DISCIPLE?
 To help prevent the problem of the “backslidden” Christian
 To assimilate the new Christians into the church body
 To bring the new Christian to the point in his pilgrimage where he is totally prepared
(academically and spiritually) to evangelize and disciple others

FOLLOW-UP: The nurturing of a new Christian from the time of spiritual birth until he can
begin to take care of himself spiritually. The spiritual parent should do the following:
1. Pray for the new Christian (Colossians 1:9-10)
2. Protect the new Christian (1 Peter 5:8; 1 Corinthians 10:13)
3. Teach the new Christian (Colossians 2:6-7)
4. Be a model for the new Christian (Philippians 4:9)
5. Work with the new Christian until he can present him to Christ as a mature Christian
(Colossians 1:28-29)

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES for continued follow-up:

1. Tell the person why (2 Timothy 2:2)
2. Show the person how (Philippians 4:9)
3. Get the person started. Help the new Christian set spiritual goals and stick to them
(Acts 20:32)
4. Keep the person going. Hold the new Christian accountable by checking on his progress
(2 Peter 1:12-15)
5. Help the person reproduce his faith. Give the new Christian assignments and teach him
how to do them (John 15:16)