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What is Discipleship?

Free Bible Study Materials for
Christian Discipleship
June 2009

footrprints in snow




Dear Fellow Disciple-makers,

What is discipleship? It's simply following Christ in obedience. A disciple maker is one who invests time and energy into the spiritual growth of another person. But where you do begin? What does a discipling relationship look like? We will go into greater detail in future newsletters. For now, here are some simple guidelines to get started.





photo courtesy of foxypar4

Desperate to be like Christ

First, select a person that has a strong desire to become like Christ. When someone feels the need to grow spiritually they possess an open, receptive and willing spirit. This kind of spiritual desire borders on desperation. The more desperate the person is the better. Try to avoid spending lots of time with a person who does not desperately need Christ. The old axiom is true: you can’t rescue someone that does not need to be rescued.

Decide upon time and place

Second, agree upon when and how often you will meet. I meet with some people weekly, with others bi-weekly and with others once per month. These formal meetings are usually breakfast or lunch meetings held in restaurants. Between meetings I call them just to see how things are going.

Truth, relationships, mission

Third, follow the pattern Jesus gave us when he discipled the twelve. Disciple-making is merely transmitting the DNA of Jesus to a person who is ready to receive it. In his book, Organic Church, Neil Cole notes that the DNA of Jesus is truth, relationships, and mission. Spiritually speaking, Jesus embodied this genetic code and he passed it on to his disciples.

Divine Truth takes root in human hearts by reading the Scriptures and listening for the voice of God’s Spirit. Relationships grow closer when there is a safe and open environment that allows people to be real. Struggles are shared and sins are confessed. Mission means reproduction. This begins when growing disciples begin to pray for lost souls.

Get and spread the DNA of Jesus

Intrigued by the DNA of Jesus?
The steady intake of Scripture, confessing struggles and sins and praying for those who do not know Christ are the three foundational disciplines of following Jesus. Every effective discipling relationship integrates these basic practices. Practicing these three disciplines is the key to getting and spreading the DNA of Jesus.

To learn more about "what is discipleship" in the 21st century, check out
Kingdom-Driven Discipleship.



Do you want to challenge your small group or class to develop a personal ministry? Teach this Sunday school lesson from Luke 9.




Author:Paul Schlieker www.bible-study-lesson-plans.com

For any reuse or distribution of our free Bible study materials author credit and web address is required.

Please email us with questions or comments

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