Written by Claudio and Pamela Consuegra Department of Family Ministries North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Church Columbia, Maryland, USA

Introduction Pastors and church members are intricately related to disciple-making and disciple-growing. We have the common goal of working together until we all reach the stature of the fullness of Christ at His return.

Introduction “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18 NKJV).

Discipleship in the Old Testament In the English King James version of the bible, the word disciple is only found once in the Old Testament: “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples” (Isaiah 8:16).

Group Experience Read the following texts and state what discipleship relationships you find in each: Num. 13; 14:6-9; 34:16-19; Josh 14:6-11 1 Sam. 3 1 Sam. 9-15 1 Sam. 16; 19:18-24 1 Kgs. 19:16-21 2 Kgs 2:1-16; 3:11 Can you think of who might have been Moses’ mentor(s)? Did Moses mentor anyone?

Discipleship in the New Testament Moses, in his role as God’s chosen leader of His people, was not only a prophet, that is, God’s spokesman, but also their teacher and trainer so that they in turn would become God’s disciples. At the end of Moses’ life, God transferred the leadership of Israel from Moses to Joshua

Discipleship in the New Testament The disciple had now become the leader, the disciple-maker. Even as Moses’ life waned, he spoke of how Joshua was chosen to replace him (Deut. 3:28), and he continued to encourage Joshua as he began his leadership role (Deut. 31:7-8).

Group Discussion Can you think of other discipleship relationships in the Old Testament? (Examples: Elijah-Elisha, Samuel-David, David-Solomon).

Discipleship in the New Testament As Jesus began His Messianic ministry, He surrounded Himself with a group of men whom He would train to be His disciples. Ellen White writes that the …time had come for the disciples who had been most closely associated with Christ to unite more directly in His work, that these vast throngs might not be left uncared for, as sheep without a shepherd…A great work was yet to be accomplished for these disciples before they would be prepared for the sacred trust that would be theirs when Jesus should ascend to heaven…Jesus saw in them those whom He could train and discipline for His great work. (E.G.W. Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing. p. 3,4)

Group Discussion Matt. 10:1ff; Luke 10:1ff. Matt. 10:5, 21:2. Matt. 13, 17:14-21,18; Luke 9:46, 22:24 Luke 10:1ff. Matt. 28:18-20. Luke 12:12; John 14:26; Acts 1:8.

Discipleship in the New Testament Church The best description of the early Christian church is that found in Luke’s writings (Acts 2:42-47).

Group Discussion Read Acts 2:42-47 and list what the early church believers did which helped disciple new believers as they joined their ranks:

Read the following texts and list other discipleship relationships found in the New Testament: Acts 9:10-19 Acts 9:26-27; 11:25-26; 13:2-3, 43 Acts 11:22-24 Acts 12:25; 15:36ff Acts 15:40 6. Gal. 2:1 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 2:1-4

The Role of Family Relationships in Discipleship God established the family as the place where discipling begins. The early childhood education which takes places at home plants the seeds of discipleship that will eventually bear fruit as the children grow.

Group Discussion What do the following texts teach about how disciple-making within the context of the family? Deut. 6:1-7 Prov. 22:6 Prov. 27:17 Prov.13:20

The Role of the Church Discipleship It is clear in the New Testament that God intended for the church to be a center for discipleship.

Group Discussion According to the following texts, what is the role of the church in the process of making disciples? 1 Corinthians. 1:9 Ephesians 4:19 Philippians 2:2-4

The Role of the Church Discipleship Yet another reason for developing good, healthy, strong personal relationships among church members is that these relationships demonstrate what it means to live a life worthy of the calling God has extended to us as His children and disciples of Jesus. That is the reason Paul urged the Ephesians to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3 NKJV)

Maturity the Goal of Discipleship One question to ask is how do Christians become mature? Colossians 1:28 provides us with an answer: “we proclaim [Christ] . . . so that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Col. 1:28 NRSV)

Maturity the Goal of Discipleship Three texts in the New Testament show that discipling is not a one-time event but rather a process and that it is God’s plan for His children. Romans 8:29 2 Corinthians 3:18 1 John 3:2

Group Discussion Several passages from the New Testament speak about the process of growth. In a few words, describe how the passage illustrates this process: Ephesians 2:19-22 1 Peter 2:5 Romans 12:2

Nurturing in the Process of Growth The first method for discipleship growth is nurturing. Nurture can be defined as the activity of caring for others and nourishing them in the life of faith. The early Christian church is a clear model of the nurture that should take place in today’s church.

Mentoring in the Process for Growth A second method of discipleship growth is mentoring. Mentoring is usually a formal or informal relationship between two people—a senior mentor, usually older and more experienced who helps and guides a junior protégés growth and development. In the gospels we see how Jesus spent His ministry with a small group of men, mentoring them since they would be the pillars of the church (Eph. 2:20).

Group Discussion What other mentoring relationships do the following New Testament texts describe: Acts 15:36-39; 2 Timothy 4:11 Acts 18:1-3; 24-28 Acts 16:1-3; Philippians 2:19-23; 1 and 2 Timothy 2 Corinthians 7:6; 13-15; 8:17; Titus

Group Discussion From what we have learned, what specific steps can we as a church take to disciple members. And more specifically, what should the church do to disciple children, youth, and new members of the church. Make a list of the action steps and how it will be accomplished.