INTRODUCTION
Christian Discipleship
Though discipleship has been a topic of interest to Christians for centuries, for the first followers of Jesus discipleship was so much more than just that. For them, discipleship was the experience of following the Lord Jesus. At its core, discipleship was a relationship, one that was transforming, liberating, and empowering. And, as it was for them, so must it be for us.
A disciple is a person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, committed himself or herself to a growing relationship with God, and by the Holy Spirit is integrating the Lordship of Jesus into every area of daily life. Disciples are committed to being responsible members of the church through active and consistent participation in mission, and they are moved by the internal motivation of God's Spirit.
Christian Discipleship
Though discipleship has been a topic of interest to Christians for centuries, for the first followers of Jesus discipleship was so much more than just that. For them, discipleship was the experience of following the Lord Jesus. At its core, discipleship was a relationship, one that was transforming, liberating, and empowering. And, as it was for them, so must it be for us.
A disciple is a person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, committed himself or herself to a growing relationship with God, and by the Holy Spirit is integrating the Lordship of Jesus into every area of daily life. Disciples are committed to being responsible members of the church through active and consistent participation in mission, and they are moved by the internal motivation of God's Spirit.
Discipleship can be viewed from varying perspectives. First, it can be examined with respect to the historical situation in which the Master and His disciples interacted. Second, it can be judged from the viewpoint of the nature of the Christian life. In order for us to grasp the character and meaning of Christian discipleship, both these approaches must be captured.
The theme Christian discipleship implies a discipleship different from others. Though the first century had many disciple-gathering teachers who were revered and whose styles of instruction were venerated, Christian discipleship speaks to a specific mode of discipleship. Because a Christian is an imitator of Jesus, and because a disciple is a follower, Christian discipleship is, then, the kind of discipleship that involves following, even imitating, Jesus.
Discipleship also can be viewed from two different levels:
(1) that of the first disciples of Jesus, and
(2) that of His subsequent ones.
When one thinks of discipleship as it relates to Jesus and His followers, several questions arise. What must it have been like to have Jesus call, teach, and train you for discipleship? What must it have been like to watch Jesus in action and to learn from His example?
On the other hand, and in some ways more relevant to us now, what does discipleship entail for Christians living so many centuries removed from the time when Jesus lived and taught? What does discipleship entail for Christ's disciples in the twenty-first century? What does discipleship involve for people who live in a society radically different from where Jesus and His first disciples lived?
In this quarter's Bible study guide, we will look at discipleship as an experience between Jesus and those He called to apprenticeship with Him. We will explore what is involved in discipleship and who is truly a disciple. We will also examine the process of becoming a disciple and the major characteristics of discipleship. We will compare Jesus' discipleship with that of other disciple-gathering teachers. Additionally, we will look at such questions as would-be disciples, gender and discipleship, ethnicity and discipleship, instructions for discipleship, and discipleship under pressure. In short, we will consider what we need to be modern-day disciples living in what we believe is close to the second coming of Jesus.
Betram Melbourne, our principal contributor, is a native of Jamaica. At the time of this writing, he was interim dean of the Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC. He is married and has three grown children.
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LESSON 1
*December 29 - January 4
An Overview of Discipleship
SABBATH AFTERNOON
Memory Text:
"As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fish for people'" (Matthew 4:18, NRSV).
Dwight E. Stevenson tells a story from the days of the conquistadors that illustrates an important aspect of discipleship. "When Cortez disembarked his five hundred conquistadors upon the eastern coast of Mexico, he set fire to the ships."—Charles L. Wallis, ed., Speaker's Illustrations for Special Days (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1975), p. 25. As his warriors watched their means of retreat go up in flames, they knew that they were committing their lives to the conquest of the New World for Spain. They had to be totally dedicated to the mission.
In the same way, those who accept Christ and commit to the task of discipleship are called to burn their ships in the harbor. There is no room for retreat. There is no turning back. The motto of this complete surrender to Christ should be Forward ever, backward never.
This Week at a Glance:
What is discipleship? Who is a disciple? Can one volunteer to be a disciple? What are the requirements of discipleship? What is the essence of discipleship?
*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 5.
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SUNDAY
December 30
Discipleship, Historical and Personal
SUNDAY
December 30
Discipleship, Historical and Personal
In Scripture, the concept of discipleship appears in two ways, historical and personal.
In the historical Christian context it refers to the interaction between Christ, the Master Teacher, and His first followers, known as the disciples. At the core, it referred to those who had a close and special affiliation with the Rabbi from Nazareth, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
On the personal level, discipleship refers to the encounter that occurs between Christ, the transformed individual, and the world. It refers also to the challenges that Christian commitment brings, and to the resultant life of faith. Thus, discipleship involves not only what a Christian does on behalf of Christ but how Christ is represented in the world.
It is here that the two aspects of discipleship, historical and personal, can intersect. Modern discipleship can benefit from the insights offered by the experience of the historical disciples and the Master.
Outline the concepts of discipleship found in Matthew 4:18-22. What did Jesus ask Peter and Andrew to do? Compare the call extended to James and John with that given to Peter and Andrew. What light does the response of these four disciples shed on our understanding of discipleship? See also John 1:40-42. What do these passages teach us as well?
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