Over the next few posts, I will be sharing the basic outline of a series of lessons on discipleship.  These are the lessons were are studying together at Central Church of Christ.  Our aim is that we grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

• Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
• Acts 11:26, “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
• John 15:8, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

Often we ask people if they are Christians. Often we try to teach people to be Christians. But why do we seldom ask if someone is a DISCIPLE of Jesus? To make my case stronger consider that the New Covenant uses the words Christian or Christians three (3) times and uses the words Disciple or Disciples 268 times. Here is the point: I cannot be a Christian if I am not first a Disciple.

1. We become Christians by the new birth of baptism (John 3:5), but discipleship is a process of discipline – of education and training. “Go make disciples.” Many want to be a Christian but never become a disciple. Many want a Savior, nut not a Lord and Master.
2. A disciple is a spectacle to the world.  Jesus calls His followers light. “”You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:14-16). People will notice our faith. We cannot hide our true nature of discipleship. You cannot hide a lighthouse! Like the moon reflects the sun, we should reflect the light of the Son.
3. A disciple endures.  “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22). Our race is one of endurance, not to beat any competition, but to run until the end.
4. Disciples sacrifice for the Teacher. The bottom line is to ” . . . seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness . . .” (Matthew 6:33). Do I truly seek Him first? Do I give God and His people my best?

Be a disciple. Be a sacrificing, enduring, spectacle, made in the image of Christ.

– Scott