Discipleship: 101, 201, 301, 401, 501 & 601

Jesus made it clear that being one of His disciples would require discipline.  In fact, the words disciple and discipline come from the same root word.  Jesus taught that following Him would require…

Self Denial
“Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.'” (Luke 9:23-24) “'In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.'” (Luke 14:33)

Staying in the Word
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” (John 8:31-32)

Obedience
“Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.  These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.'" (John 14:23-24)

Jesus never promised an easy, convenient route to spiritual maturity. Question: Are you looking for a convenient way to Christian maturity? Or, have you embraced the convictions necessary to grow in Christlikeness? This discipleship series affords you the opportunity to continue your spiritual growth or to start it. Either way, opportunity lies is only in the present – yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised. As Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4)

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.