DISCIPLESHIP WHAT WHO WHY HOW NT 1604

To emphasize the concept of discipleship. To call us back to God’s pattern of raising his army. To ensure that FGBMFI members are prepared for heaven

Act 11:26 “… And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Today, it has become popular to be called Christian students, Businessmen, Professionals, Politicians, etc. Unfortunately, not many are disciples of the Master nor see a need to. The truth however is that it is not possible to be a Christian without first becoming a disciple.

Act 11:26 “… And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” It was the early Church’s passionate focus on raising disciples that produced the Christ-like life that the unbelievers saw and nick-named them “Christ-ian”. If our Christianity will not be a mere fashion or just a following of the popular trend, then we need to find out from the Bible, the what, the who, the how and the why of discipleship? Only disciples are real Christians and only real Christians have a hope of going to heaven.

Discipleship is a process of reproducing or imparting the life of one (a master) in another. It is a widespread age-long practice, even before Christ. (John 1:35; Matt. 23:15; Acts 5:34-39). It is a life-long process, a systematic (methodical) and cumulative (progressive) way of making someone (a student, a pupil, a trainee, an apprentice, a disciple) to become like his master, i.e. to be conformed or transformed into the full personality of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 8:29; Matt. 4:19-22; Luke 6:40; Matt. 11:28-30

Note: Everyone is a disciple of some sort. We are a disciple of whosoever’s philosophy or lifestyle we follow. Discipleship can be likened to a “Master -Apprentice” or “Teacher-Pupil” relationship, with a predetermined curriculum and behavioural objective, between the Christian and the LORD Jesus Christ. Lk 6:40; Matt. 4:19. In our own case, the Master/Teacher is Jesus Christ  Are you like Jesus?  Who do your resemble in life? – (character & behaviour)? Whose disciple are you? Your boss at work? Parents? Friends? Or that popular politician/musician/artiste/footballer?

Discipleship is the foundation upon which every correct work in the kingdom of God securely rests, especially soul winning. (Matt 28:18-20, ‘go’ ---- make disciples of all nations.., Matt 7:21-23). It is a well defined, systematic, lifelong process of transformation into the image and life of Jesus Christ In Matt11:28-30, the three critical components of the Great Invitation to all men are: i. Come as you are ii. Take my yoke upon you iii. Learn of me Whereas being born again saves a man from sin, it is his subsisting discipleship relationship with the Lord Jesus that sustains the salvation and equips him for use by the master ( Luke 9:23-26; 2Tim 2:20-21; John 15:5).

God aims to achieve His eternal purpose for calling any man to Himself. Matt. 4:19 To conform men to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 8: To help believers to grow spiritually unto maturity/ perfection. Eph. 4: To become one with Christ (one family), so that He is not ashamed or shrink to call us brethren. Heb. 2:10-11 To bond a man for God’s use. Mark 3:13-15; 11:1-8; Compare Matt. 4:21-22 with Luke 18: To bring men into an intimate relationship with God. Mark 3:13-15; John 21:20-22; 1Kings 19: To help believers to be fruitful. Jn 15:5,16; 2 Tim 2:21

 Discipleship is the essential process for fulfilling the Vision and Mission of FGBMFI : Dead men become Alive, grow spiritually, equipped for service and follow Christ intimately into eternity in heaven.  God has not changed His standard for life and Godliness - Conformity to the image of Jesus is still the only yardstick (Ephe 4:13). Moreover, entry qualification into heaven will not be lowered for FGBMFI members. (Heb 12:1-2, Matt 7:21-23).  Only Christians can make heaven and only disciples can become Christians, therefore, we must all embrace God’s preparatory school for eternity in heaven (Acts 11:26)  You can only be an effective member of FGBMFI when you are a committed disciple of Jesus. Furthermore, “In FGBMFI, the greatest leaders are the closest followers of Jesus” (How to Increase your Leadership Effectiveness)

 To realize the objective of calling men back to God, training and equipping them to fulfill the great commission i.e. to ‘go’ and ‘make disciples of all nations’. (Matt 28:19). (Mission Statement Nos.1, 2 & 4)  The FGBMFI cardinal objective of spiritual growth and maturity of believers can only be attained through discipleship (FGBMFI Mission Statement No.3).  Genuine Christian fellowship can only take place amongst disciples. I Jn 1:3, 6-7 (FGBMFI Mission Statement No.5 and 6).  The primary focus of discipleship in FGBMFI is the building of the life through which effective ministry can flow. Rom 12:2)

WHO IS A DISCIPLE? A disciple is one who has been BORN-AGAIN. Except a man is born anew by the spirit… he has no potential to become like Jesus. Even if all the principles of Discipleship are applied, a sinner cannot develop by training to become a saint. (John 3:7; 1Cor. 2:13-15; Matt. 11:28; Titus 3:5). ARE YOU REALLY BORN AGAIN? (John 1:12-13) If not, you have no ticket to get on board DISCIPLESHIP; but you can obtain it today. Having had rest from sin and the devil, the disciple voluntarily yields his neck under the yoke of his master, so as to be taught and nurtured by Him until he (the disciple) becomes like Him. (Matt. 11:29-30, Mark 3:13-14, Gal. 4:1-3).

WHO IS A DISCIPLE? A disciple is a pupil who has voluntarily surrendered his will to the authority of his master. Matt. 4:19-22; Matt. 11:28-30; John 6:68-69; Job 13:15.  A disciple is not choosy.  He has come to accept the wisdom/will of the master as the best ever possible for his own.  He sees & accepts everything permitted in his life as God’s way of conforming him to the image of Christ.  He loves and highly esteems his master, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Rm 8:28-29

 Who made you?  To whom are you responsible?  Who are you deliberately watching to help you become like Christ?  Are you in a yoke? Discipleship is not just a “teaching” but a “making”; a “life yoking” that affords the disciple an opportunity to learn the Master by hearing, watching as well as questioning. Mat. 11:28-30; Mat. 5:1-3; Luke 11:1-4. Discipleship is not a single time experience or a short course of study. It is a comprehensive process consisting of a systematic set of steps carefully arranged in order, until God’s goal is achieved. Ps. 37:23-24, 1Pet. 2:21; Matt. 24:13; Rom. 8:28-30.

Discipleship may involve falling and rising, correction and whipping. You may sometimes weep and bleed. It can be painful to bend to a new shape and focus, a man who is set on his old ways of living. Heb. 12:6; Ps. 118:18; Job 5:17-18, Prov. 3:12, John 14:15-24; 15:15. This process has a beginning, an entrance and a definite starting point (which is not unconscious, but deliberate) when the pupil voluntarily yields his neck to the yoke of the Master to learn of him. Matt. 11:29-30; 4: It involves direct encounters and interactions with the Master Himself in prayer, in His word, in service and in following in His footsteps. (1Pet. 2:21; John 8:31-32; 15:8-10).

Discipleship for each person is unique and peculiar to the individual in pace, instrument, arrangement of lessons and dealings as determined by the Master. No Disciple should compare Christ’s dealings with him with another disciple’s. John 21:15-25; John 20:19- 20, 24-29; Compare with Matt. 20:1-16. When the disciple has made real progress in his discipleship program with the LORD, his Character, deeds, manner of life and speech show obviously to those around, that he had been with Jesus”.(Matt. 26:69-73 Compare with Act. 4:13; 11:26.)

Biblical pattern of discipleship – the unending chain. Moses discipled Joshua Jesus discipled Peter and the others Paul discipled Timothy and others And the chain continued (II Tim 2:2) God expects all to link into this chain for continuity. Each believer needs to be discipled and should make Disciples. This is our pattern in FGBMFI. Each member submits to be discipled in order to disciple others, thereby enlisting in an effective army of God’s Apostles, manning the gates of the Marketplace.. Mark 3:13-15.

Some essential roles of a Discipler: Modeling Christ: 1 Cor 11.1 Audio-Visual example of Christlikeness(1 Tim 4;12) Prayer: Gal. 4:19; Phil 1:4 Teaching: 2Tim 2:2, Matt 5:1-2 Fathering: Num 11:12 Counseling: 2Tim 3:16-17; Matt 17:19-21 Correcting: Gal: 1:6-7; 1 Cor 6:1-3 Encouraging: 2Tim 1:6 Rebuking: Lk 9:54-55; Matt 16:23;

 Each member of FGBMFI is expected to: Grow systematically and become like Jesus. Romans 8:29 Be equipped and mobilized for service. Eph. 4: Be a light ad salt in the city gates and the marketplace.  This will be achieved via consistent and systematic learning and following of Jesus through His example, His word, the Holy Spirit and Human Disciplers, Matt 11:  Each member should prayerfully enter into personal discipleship relationship(s) with people whose lives have manifestly advanced beyond theirs in Christlikeness and interact intimately with his/her Discipler at agreed times.  The chapter is the basic operational unit of the fellowship. As such Discipleship is to be entrenched as a core pursuit in the life of the chapter.

 Healthy Discipleship relationships are to be encouraged across the fellowship.  By default, the structure of the fellowship provides a good relationship ladder: National Director disciples his Field Reps, Field Rep disciples his Chapter Presidents, Chapter President disciples his EXCO, EXCO members disciple their committee members.  Similarly, by default, Husbands ought to disciple their wives and children 1 Cor 11:3; Ephe 6:4  Each chapter, acting individually or collaboratively with other chapters should organise regular Discipleship classes for members.

1.1 st Wednesday of every Month is a Discipleship and Prayer meeting. Exhortation (15-20mins) with Focus on: Personal Sanctification - following Jesus, followed by spirit led prayers and ministrations. 2.3 rd Chapter meeting in the month is a Discipleship Meeting. There shall be a teaching on discipleship (45mins) with focus on: life training i.e. The fundamentals of following and becoming like Jesus, building the Kingdom lifestyle and equipping for personal ministry 3. Regular Discipleship Classes (organised weekly) at Chapter, Zonal or District levels.. 4. Abundant life Seminars (organised monthly) at Chapter, Zonal or District levels..

5. Professional Discipleship – Possessing the Gates.  God told Demos Shakarian to reach men through professional platforms: Farmer to farmer, Plumber to plumber, Teacher to teacher, etc..  The lord also confirmed that FGBMFI is His instrument for reviving Nigeria as a nation and the church in particular. This is to be achieved as FGBMFI members occupy the gates of our nation.  Professional Discipleship (beyond skill acquisition through mentoring & coaching) is the platform for deliberate life-transfer i.e. raising Marketplace Disciples or Gatekeepers who are highly skilled professionals, weaned from worldliness, demonstrating impeccable Integrity and practical Christlikeness, groomed to establish the kingdom of God and who in turn raise other disciples to be the salt and lighthouses in the Gates (Government, Business, Education, Health, the Church, Family etc)

5. Professional Discipleship – Possessing the Gates  Members in good spiritual & professional standing are to prospect for professional “Replacement Children” with the aim of leading them in Christlikeness and grooming them professionally to occupy the gates for Jesus. e.g. Barnabas & Saul Acts 9:26-29; 11:25;  Regular Professional Discipleship Seminars and Workshops are to be held at Chapter meetings, Abundant Life Seminars, Conventions etc to strengthen membership commitment to the strategic purpose of the fellowship in raising “Hushais” in the marketplace.  Membership “Entry Point” Induction Seminars with focus on the vision, mission and purpose of FGBMFI are to be held before formal induction of newly interviewed and qualified membership applicants.

 Foundational Book: The Christian life is Exciting consisting of 12 modules with 5 topics each. Members are to study the designated module personally before the subject is taught in the chapter during the monthly discipleship meeting (by men with manifest grace) with ministrations, question and answer time etc.  Additional Discipleship training materials published by the National Discipleship Committee

 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me…” Jesus insists. Matt. 11:  However, no man can follow Jesus unconsciously. It must be a deliberate decision, a personal choice to submit one’s life to Him in order that it can be specifically fashioned after His will for one’s life. Jesus calls to you for such a decision today. He calls you to take the yoke of discipleship, Will you?