DISCIPLE OR SPECTATOR 

 

Introduction: 

Following Jesus is more than a spectator sport. There 2 kinds of Christians: (1) spectators - people who love Jesus and are loyal fans followers but do not conform to his standard for living (2) disciples - people love Jesus and are completely committed to conforming their lives to the stars of His word. 

 

 Matthew 4:17-22 (NIV)

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

 

DEFINITION 

The Greek word translated as disciple comes from a verb that means “to learn.” A disciple attached himself to another to gain practical or theoretical knowledge by instruction or experience. It was a word used of apprentices learning a trade as well as students learning a teacher’s philosophy. Customarily, disciples left home and moved in with their teacher, who provided their food and lodging. The disciples became his servants and were under his total authority.

 

DISCUSS

How did these four fishermen respond to Jesus’ call?

 

Thinking about  Jesus’ call and the men’s responses, do you think it was a call to just accompany Him that day, or did He call them to something else?

 

Based on what we have learned thus far, describe the call of a

disciple.

 

Is being a DISCIPLE the automatic result of believing in Jesus or receiving Jesus?

 

John 8:30-32 (NKJV) 

30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

 

What is it about His Word that makes people a ‘disciple’?

 

But this raises the question: In order to follow Christ, How do you follow Christ?

You follow Christ by following His Word - what He said and taught.

 

Prerequisite for following Jesus: 

A disciple knows his teacher (rabbi). Have a personal relationship with Jesus. 

A disciple knows and studies the bible. You can't know everything before you commit to being His disciple but a disciple must be devoted to studying his word daily. 

A disciple is known by his/her fruits. When you are studying His word and obeying its teachings, Godliness will automatically flow from your life. 

A disciple doesn't cause others to stumble in their faith. A disciple want to lead others to follow Christ and not prevent them from following Him. Therefore, a disciple's lifestyle choices, words, actions and reputation are always under examination. The mark or standard of a disciple is holiness. 

A disciple displays great love for others. People who don't follow Jesus tear others down, gossip, exclude, slander, make fun, hurt, etc. Why is this true? People who follow Jesus want to please Him and amplify His name, but people who don't follow Jesus want to please themselves and amplify their own name. A disciple will have a genuine desire to show people love because they want others to see Jesus not themselves. 

 

Are you a disciple of Jesus or a spectator of Jesus?

 

DISCIPLE OR SPECTATOR 

 

Introduction: 

Following Jesus is more than a spectator sport. There 2 kinds of Christians: (1) spectators - people who love Jesus and are loyal fans followers but do not conform to his standard for living (2) disciples - people love Jesus and are completely committed to conforming their lives to the stars of His word. 

 

 Matthew 4:17-22 (NIV)

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

 

DEFINITION 

The Greek word translated as disciple comes from a verb that means “to learn.” A disciple attached himself to another to gain practical or theoretical knowledge by instruction or experience. It was a word used of apprentices learning a trade as well as students learning a teacher’s philosophy. Customarily, disciples left home and moved in with their teacher, who provided their food and lodging. The disciples became his servants and were under his total authority.

 

DISCUSS

How did these four fishermen respond to Jesus’ call?

 

Thinking about  Jesus’ call and the men’s responses, do you think it was a call to just accompany Him that day, or did He call them to something else?

 

Based on what we have learned thus far, describe the call of a

disciple.

 

Is being a DISCIPLE the automatic result of believing in Jesus or receiving Jesus?

 

John 8:30-32 (NKJV) 

30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

 

What is it about His Word that makes people a ‘disciple’?

 

But this raises the question: In order to follow Christ, How do you follow Christ?

You follow Christ by following His Word - what He said and taught.

 

Prerequisite for following Jesus: 

A disciple knows his teacher (rabbi). Have a personal relationship with Jesus. 

A disciple knows and studies the bible. You can't know everything before you commit to being His disciple but a disciple must be devoted to studying his word daily. 

A disciple is known by his/her fruits. When you are studying His word and obeying its teachings, Godliness will automatically flow from your life. 

A disciple doesn't cause others to stumble in their faith. A disciple want to lead others to follow Christ and not prevent them from following Him. Therefore, a disciple's lifestyle choices, words, actions and reputation are always under examination. The mark or standard of a disciple is holiness. 

A disciple displays great love for others. People who don't follow Jesus tear others down, gossip, exclude, slander, make fun, hurt, etc. Why is this true? People who follow Jesus want to please Him and amplify His name, but people who don't follow Jesus want to please themselves and amplify their own name. A disciple will have a genuine desire to show people love because they want others to see Jesus not themselves. 

 

Are you a disciple of Jesus or a spectator of Jesus?