To help the student understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and for them to make the decision to become one.

WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?

Matthew 28:18-20
-What is Jesus’ vision and purpose for everyone in the world?

-What is the definition of a disciple?

-What should a person do after he or she becomes a disciple, according to this passage?

-What should the church do for a person after he or she becomes a disciple?

-What is the difference between teaching knowledge and teaching obedience?

Illustrate the difference between knowing the truth and living the truth.
Share with them about your own discipling relationship in the church.

-What is the last thing Jesus taught before he went back to heaven?

-God wants everyone to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and then to help others become His disciples.

THEY WERE CALLED CHRISTIANS

Acts 11:25-26
-In this passage, is there a difference between the terms “disciple” and “Christian?”

-Here, shortly after Jesus’ life on earth, people used the terms interchangeably.  Why do you think these terms eventually developed different meanings in people’s minds?

-We will study what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. In doing so, we will also study what it means to be a Christian.

MAKING THE DECISION TO CRUCIFY YOUR OLD SELF

Galatians 2:20-21
-What does Paul mean when he says that he has been crucified with Christ and that he no longer lives?

-It means he put to death his old life – giving up his sin, plan, and self-will – and started living in full devotion and obedience to Jesus. He was willing to go anywhere, do anything and give up everything for God.

Luke 9:23-26
-According to this passage, is the decision that Paul made only necessary for him, or is it a decision that anyone who wants to be Jesus Christ’s disciple needs to be make?

-What does it mean to take up your cross daily?

-What does it mean to lose your life for Jesus in order to save it?

-Why does God want us to crucify our old self and instead live for Christ?

-What would happen if you tried to follow Jesus but did not stop living for yourself?

*Share with the student some personal experiences of when you have crucified your old self.

-Personally, what would you have to give up to be a follower of Jesus?

-What are the benefits of a life with Christ?

*Some answers: True life, life to the full, eternal life.

THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE

Luke 14:25-33
-Jesus wants unrivaled love.  Do you love Jesus more than you love anyone else? (Matthew. 10:37)

-Jesus doesn’t want you to make an emotional or rash decision. He wants you to think through all of the implications that this decision will have on your life and in the lives of those around you. (2 Timothy 3:12)

-God is the bigger army. You are the smaller army. The battle represents Judgment Day. There is no way you can win this battle, so you must ask for terms of a peace agreement long before the battle occurs. You must then fulfill every term of peace that God establishes.

-In ancient Israel, if one nation surrendered to another they became that nation’s slaves. God’s terms of peace are total, unconditional surrender. You must give up everything you have to become Jesus’ disciple. What do you think He means by “everything?”

-Are you willing to crucify your old self every day and give up everything to be Jesus’ disciple?

A NEW MISSION IN LIFE

Mark 1:16-20
-What new mission did Jesus give His new disciples?

-Why do you think Jesus want His disciples to be involved in making more disciples?

-What would you say is your mission in life right now?

-Are you ready to take on Jesus’ mission to make other disciples? (Luke 19:10)

PRODUCING SEEDS

John 12:23-26
-What does this passage say will happen when your old self dies?

-What does that mean?

-What seeds can you produce?

CHALLENGE

-Make the decision to die to yourself and to become a disciple of Jesus Christ.