📝 Wed Bible Study on Discipleship Notes

Key Points - (More detail after this section)

• Recent internet predictions about the rapture caused real harm including suicides and people selling possessions, demonstrating the need for believers to pray rather than mock such situations since the Bible clearly states no one knows the time or hour.
• Acts 11:26 was referenced to show that "Christian" was a term first given by the world to describe disciples in Antioch, but Jesus commanded to make disciples, not Christians.
• Matthew 12:36-37 was discussed to explain that believers will give account for every idle word spoken, as words carry weight and can either edify or destroy.
• A testimony about a woman who spent 31 minutes in hell revealed that many Christians were there for dishonoring their marriages with their words, showing that God takes covenants seriously.
• Proverbs 6:16-19 was examined to demonstrate that God views gossip as equally serious as abortion, considering both as abominations that destroy lives and reputations.
• Ephesians 5:4 was cited to address how obscene stories, foolish talk, and exaggeration are forms of lying that believers must avoid as part of their spiritual discipline.
• Matthew 7:19-23 was analyzed to show that many who prophesy, cast out demons, and perform miracles will be rejected by Jesus for being workers of lawlessness who don't truly know Him.
• True discipleship requires bearing fruit and allowing fellow believers to check and prune each other in love, rather than throwing people under the bus when they make mistakes.
• Workers of lawlessness are habitual and intentional in their disobedience, such as married couples who create tension at home instead of bringing peace as wise believers should.
• Matthew 16:24 was referenced to explain that following Jesus requires denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and surrendering all areas of life to God's divine plan rather than personal desires.
• Matthew 28:19-20 contains Jesus' final command to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all His commandments as the blueprint for ministry.
• Key differences were outlined between disciples and Christians: disciples are intercessors while Christians are instigators, disciples seek opportunities while Christians get offended.
• Disciples read their Bible daily and live with purpose, while Christians read occasionally and live for moments, with disciples making the most while Christians complain the most.
• Bad Bunny was used as an example of someone who may do charitable works but whose music causes spiritual harm, illustrating that you cannot serve God while promoting ungodly content.

Summary

Difference Between Disciples and Christians

• Pastor explains that there is a fundamental difference between a disciple and a Christian, with everything taught being backed up by Biblical scripture

• Christians are people labeled by the world as followers of Christ, with the term first appearing in Acts 11:26 when disciples were called Christians in Antioch
• Jesus commanded his followers to make disciples, not Christians, which is why there are issues in the body of Christ today
• Disciples are people who dedicate their lives to learning and following their teacher, committing to learning from Jesus Christ and embodying his teachings through actions, words, worship, and lifestyle
• Christians are people who believe and follow Jesus but do not discipline themselves, failing at self-discipline unlike true disciples

Spiritual Warfare and Accountability

• Believers are fighting spiritual warfare against spirits that influence people, not against physical people themselves

• Everyone will stand before God one day to give account for their life on earth, including believers, unbelievers, atheists, and worshipers
• Jesus explained in Matthew 12:36-37 that people will give account for every idle word they have spoken, as words carry weight and can either edify or destroy
• Idle words are defined as careless, pointless, unproductive, negative words that cause harm
• God sees everything and judges people based on their hearts, with those in hell having their sins exposed and being constantly reminded of why they are there

God's Standards Versus Human Perspective

• Believers must live according to God's standards rather than their own perspective, as many people claim to serve Christ but do so on their own terms

• Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things that are abominations to God, including gossip, which God judges as severely as abortion since both destroy reputations and lives
• Exaggeration is considered lying in God's eyes, and believers must retrain their minds to align with God's expectations
• Ephesians 5:4 warns against obscene stories and foolish talk, emphasizing the need for thankfulness instead
• Being a disciple requires discipline and daily checking with God to identify and correct anything that is not pleasing to Him

False Believers and Workers of Lawlessness

• Matthew 7:19-23 describes how many people who prophesy, cast out demons, and perform miracles in Jesus' name will be rejected by God on judgment day

• These individuals are Christians who use their gifts and talents to deceive people while living differently at home than they do in public
• Workers of lawlessness are people who habitually and intentionally engage in behavior contrary to God's will and law
• Examples include believers who receive biblical teaching but deliberately choose to ignore it, such as watching inappropriate content or listening to ungodly music despite being corrected
• God will declare to these people "depart from me, I never knew you" because they were not completely dedicated but were inconsistent like the weather

Biblical Requirements for Discipleship

• Jesus instructed in Matthew 16:24 that anyone who desires to follow Him must deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow Him

• Denying oneself means surrendering personal dreams, goals, and visions to allow God to run one's life completely
• God wants the whole person, not just one area of life, and does not want believers to micromanage their relationship with Him
• Divine planning means God knows each person's spouse, number of children, living location, career, and every other aspect of life
• Human beings naturally love to manipulate and control, but the more believers let go, the more they see of God in their lives

The Great Commission and Making Disciples

• Jesus' last command in Matthew 28:19-20 was to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all His commandments

• This serves as the blueprint for Christian ministry and evangelism
• Disciples are intercessors while Christians are instigators who exaggerate situations and create problems
• Disciples seek opportunities when faced with challenges, while Christians get offended and see only the immediate offense
• True disciples see situations the way God sees them, looking for long-term opportunities rather than momentary problems

Characteristics of Disciples Versus Christians

• Disciples read their Bible every day while Christians read occasionally, with disciples living with purpose while Christians live for moments

• Disciples make the most of situations while Christians complain the most about their circumstances
• True disciples wake up with gratitude and purpose, thanking God for each day, while Christians complain about their living situations, transportation, and food
• Disciples love humanity without picking sides when they truly love God, demonstrating consistency in their character
• Workplace testimony shows how disciples maintain the same character at work as they do at church, earning respect and trust from colleagues

Practical Application of Discipleship

• True disciples must make conscious efforts to seek God for themselves, similar to how one researches health information to make better choices

• Believers must be conscious of what they consume mentally and spiritually, including music, entertainment, and social influences
• Discipleship requires watching what one hears, sees, and who one associates with to maintain spiritual growth
• Christians typically compromise their standards in social situations, such as being around smoking or other ungodly activities, while disciples maintain their convictions
• The difference is evident in how each responds to peer pressure and maintains their testimony in various environments

Next Steps

• The church needs to focus on developing true discipleship rather than just creating Christians who lack discipline

• Believers must take accountability for their actions and stop blaming external forces for their poor choices
• Members should support and correct each other in love, covering for one another while providing guidance and protection within the body of Christ