Christianity is Discipleship!

To be a Christian is to be a disciple.

Chapter 1 - Foundational discipleship principles

1. Pursue Discipleship

• Who are you discipling?

• Who is discipling you?

2. Know the Gospel

Build reminders into your daily rhythm & routine

The more you rehearse the gospel, the easier it will be to share.

3. Pursue Relationships

You can’t just come Sunday mornings and think you’re on the path of discipleship. True discipleship requires deepening relationships. One of the best ways to pursue relationships here at Fellowship is Home Groups

4. Get a Leaf Blower/Stoke the Fire

If you’re a believer, there’s a fire in you that came in when you were saved.

What will you do this week to Stoke the fire?

5. Accept Suffering 

Suffering is part of the picture of being a disciple of Jesus.

1 Peter 4:12-16

6. Remember Your Calling

He began a good work in you

He will sustain you through every trial

And He will complete His work in you

7. Remember You’re Secure!

He saved you - He is sanctifying you - and He will glorify you when He returns. 

He is a faithful God

8. Theology Matters

Don’t shy away from learning theology

You cannot know Jesus better if you’re not growing in what you know about Jesus

9. Your Community Matters

Who you associate with matters.

The group of people you spend time with will influence you greatly (Proverbs 13:20, 1 Corinthians 15:33).

10. Be Strong in Grace

Timothy didn’t need more grace. He needed to be committed to and have full confidence in the grace that had already been poured out [on him] richly through Jesus Christ

(#11-14 are how to be strong in grace)

11. A Disciple Disciples.

One of the things a pastor does is systematic, careful, intentional theological training. 

Raising up & training pastors/elders & deacons is in view here. It’s one of the things a pastor does

It’s also the pattern of all believers

Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and 

admonishing one another…

12. A Dedicated Soldier

A soldier is focused, willing to suffer, and prepared for endurance.

13. A Disciplined Athlete

To be a great disciple, you must have great spiritual  discipline. You must train with great determination. 

14. Hard Working Farmer

Farmers work hard. They have to toil every day.

It’s difficult, often thankless work.

Discipleship is not some great mystery that you just can’t figure out. 

It takes thought, hard work, discipline, and commitment. 

A radical obedience to a passionate pursuit of knowing God and making Him known.

The final four elements speak to

–– The Disciple’s Motivation

15. The Preeminent Christ

Remember Jesus Christ and what He did for you in salvation. Keep him in first place. He must always be THE priority

16. The Powerful Word

God’s truth goes forth in God’s power. 

Paul is in chains - the gospel is still going forth.

He is chained - God’s powerful Word is not.

17. The Purpose Eternal

God’s plan to save us stretches from eternity past to eternity future. Paul has full confidence in the proclamation of the gospel.

18. The Promise in Jesus

Salvation is dying to self

Suffering for His sake

Remembering that God is faithful in salvation

He is faithful to save those who trust Him.

He is faithful to His promise of condemnation for those who do not trust Him.

Spurgeon: “The same sun which melts wax hardens clay. And the same gospel which melts some persons to repentance hardens others in their sins.”

In Conclusion

2 Peter 1:10-11 – Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and choosing sure; for in doing these things, you will never stumble; ¹¹ for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

These elements must be every Christian’s daily pursuit!

Think on these things

Pursue these elements of faithful discipleship.

May God’s Word bring deeper sanctification to your life as you pursue Him in faithful, obedient discipleship.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob