Jesus the Great Discipler (Mid-Week Bible Study)
Series: Becoming Christ-like
Introduction
Jesus is God who manifested in human form. In his earthly ministry, he worked for 3 years and had hundreds of followers across nations without social media. Jesus’ living followers are more than 2 billion today, while several billions of his followers have existed prior to now. He was known as a teacher, a prophet, a Savior, and a healer, but his influencer’s character was legendary; it was his means of expanding the kingdom of God among men, and we are all products of this even after 2000 years of his departure from this side of eternity.
Who is an Influencer?
An influencer is “one who exerts influence: a person who inspires or guides the actions of others”
(Websters Dictionary).
Mention three influencers from the beginning of the world until now.
The Jesus Influencers
- The art of discipleship in Bible times is synonymous with influencers’ activities today. Jesus demonstrated an influencer’s capability beyond that of any mortal man. He gathered the 12; they stayed with him, abandoned their businesses, abandoned their old lifestyle, behaved like him, worked like him, and died like him Mark 3:14.
- He gave the disciples the same key that guaranteed the furtherance of the gospel. If we are truly interested in furthering the gospel, then this tool cannot be ignored Matthew 28:19.
- This act continued among earlier believers. Acts 11:25-26
A disciple is a person whose body and mind have been trained to act, react, think, and live a peculiar lifestyle
(Jesus’s lifestyle). The singular assignment he gave us is not to raise a congregation or crowd but to raise
disciples—people whose lives have been changed or influenced by Him and for Him, who live lives like Jesus.
Pray to be Jesus’ influencer today. Age is not a barrier; children can influence their peers for Christ.
Types of Discipleship
There are three ways believers are being raised or influenced by the kingdom.
- Family Discipleship: This is primarily parental and relatives’ influence on members of the family. This goes beyond instilling Christian values. It is making a royal priesthood out of your dependents with the help of God. Modeling Christ in our family members is our duty.
- Task: Mention examples of believers in the Bible (NT) that are products of family discipleship. Your children and younger ones should be your first-line disciples. This is evidenced in the lives of Abraham’s sons, wife, concubine, slave, cousin, and all that passed through his house, down to the Midianites. They were all known for prayer, righteousness in a corrupt world, and worshiping God. Eli did correct his sons and must have provided some priestly training; he did not disciple them, though. Abraham appeared to have been more assertive, firm, in control, dedicated, and painstakingly commanding his household to worship God. Revert to Galatians 4:19, Galatians 4:19. Malachi 2:15 (CEV), Genesis 18:19.
- Communal Discipleship: This is the training a believer receives from community of believers. Rehab the harlot mixed up with the Israelites and got instructions left, right, and center, unlearning her ungodly ways, then becoming holy like them. Our units, departments, and groups in the church should also focus on becoming a community where the life of Christ is being inculcated, infused, and built into believers, together with their primary aim Titus 2:3-5.
- One-on-one discipleship: Believers should open up for younger ones to learn Christ. (Spiritual adoptions) I Corinthians 11:1, Acts 18:26 (NIV).
Share about the life of an older believer that affected yours.
Highlight the nitty-gritty of one-on-one discipleship
Points of Actions
- Be a Jesus influencer.
- Submit yourself to a trusted leader in this church who can have a say over you and in whom you can have
a sense of belonging to the extent of learning from his personal life.
Remain Blessed!
