This is part 1 of 2 of Lesson 2: Discipleship Then and Now. Click here to go back to the introduction to this lesson.
The disciples showed the power of modelling your life on Jesus. Early in their walk with Jesus, the disciples exhibited the following characteristics:
-
Proud & Power-seeking – think of James and John and their quest to be Jesus’ right hand men!
- Anger & Revenge – think of James and John wanting to call down fire on a town that rejected them. Thankfully Jesus showed them His true nature:
And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them. Luke 9:52-56 (NKJV)
- Weakness – think of all the disciples forsaking Jesus when he’s arrested
- Fear to proclaim their connection with Jesus – think of Peter when he denies Jesus.
And what about after they had spent a lot of time with Jesus? The disciples exhibited the following:
They were ready to preach the word boldly:
The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NLT)
The disciples were now ready and willing to suffer for the cause of Christ:
The council accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message: “The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.” Acts 5:40-41 (NLT)
Instead of revenge, they were ready to forgive their enemies:
And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died. Acts 7:59-60 (NLT)
John the Baptist exhibited one of the more wonderful and Spirit led characteristics of a true disciple. He had a big profile with his ministry and had his own disciples, but he could see that his time had peaked and now he had to recede into the background. How many of us would have been able to have the graceful attitude to this that John displayed?
John’s disciples came to him and said, “Teacher, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you said was the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going over there instead of coming here to us.”John replied, “God in heaven appoints each person’s work. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him-that is all. The bride will go where the bridegroom is. A bridegroom’s friend rejoices with him. I am the bridegroom’s friend, and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:26-30 (NLT)
I think this is one of the reasons that Jesus paid John this wonderful compliment:
For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist… Luke 7:28 (NKJV)
What a challenge to us, to make sure that in any ministry we have, that it is Jesus that becomes greater and greater, and us less and less.
So a few discussion starters. Remember that it’s easy to add a comment below. For those that need instructions, see the ‘about this project’ section:
- Like the disciples, as we behold Jesus, we will be changed. How has following Jesus led to a change in your own character?
- Do you think the disciples power in proclaiming Jesus was from their words, or their actions, or both?
Click here to go to the last section for this week Discipleship ‘Now’
5 Comments
January 11, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I certainly think that actions speak louder than words. We really have to think about how we justify our actions and even our thoughts sometimes. It is ironic that Jesus says that we are to be like children to enter the kingdom of heaven and it is through our children that our actions are often pointed out. They make you think alot more about what you do and say!!
January 11, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I agree – especially in the long term where our actions can really demonstrate what is in our heart.
I derive a lot of comfort though from the transformation of the disciples into amazing men of faith. Even after 3 years with Jesus, their actions were still not what we would expect – yet having that valley experience, seeing the risen Jesus, and spending more time with Him, it all seems to have come together. It just shows how much we are all works in progress…
January 14, 2008 at 9:29 am
It is so true that our children are our biggest teachers. I think that I often war against things in them that are really isues with me! I heard someone say the other day that we really only see others as a projection of ourselves- so that what is inside we project out whether it be positive or negative. From what I understand from the Bible, I think that this is consistent. For instance, God is love and Jesus only had love and kindness for others. We see many examples of the opposite also.
In that way, often when I think thoughts about someone else, ie. that they should be doing something (classic example is with our children), there is usually a turn-around statement in those thoughts that it is us that should be doing that particular thing. This has had me thinking lately and I haven’t exactly worked this out in practice with my children.
Coming back to the lesson, when I am conscious of the Holy Spirit in my life I am much more willing to be a disciple of Christ and to learn about myself from what I am seeing in others. When I love Christ and the Holy Spirit’s leading in my life then I end up loving the others in my life who Christ is using to be my teachers. Then, through the Holy Spirit they are not enemies but friends.
Caz
January 17, 2008 at 9:25 am
Hi All
Do you think that discipleship is a pathway that always leads us continually to a higher spiritual plane? Do we have relapses? Why?
Craig
January 18, 2008 at 11:05 am
I think that Jesus says it all when he was talking to the Jews who were claiming to be accepted by God because they were son’s of Abraham.
He says (John 8:31, 32):
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.”
Freedom is something that is repeated over and over again, as is the “light of life” (Vs 12 of Ch 8). They are more than just experiences as a result of following Jesus (the Truth). It would seem that we become increasingly more free the longer we remain in Christ. Is spirituality this awareness of freedom that Jesus speaks of?
It sounds true then that if we leave Jesus we become enslaved again and not free… a relapse. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness” (Vs 12).
I don’t know that we would be aware of being more spiritual as Paul found that his estimation of himself grew worse (without Christ) as He continued on this walk. Perhaps it is simply this state of being in freedom, light and love as opposed to darkness and oppression?
Caz