Ray of the CorE Teaching Series January 22, 2013 i Equip

Disciple making is our primary Business – Matthew 28:19-20

Isaiah 53:5 KJV

Disciple – making is the vision that God has for reaching the world.

Disciple-making starts with evangelism.

As Disciples, we are to disciple others.

What is a Disciple? A Disciple was once lost but now is found. A Disciple has made Jesus Savior and Lord. A Disciple has been changed by Christ. A Disciple is committed to His teachings and to living for Him in loving obedience. A Disciple makes disciples. A Disciple was once lost but now is found. A Disciple has made Jesus Savior and Lord. A Disciple has been changed by Christ. A Disciple is committed to His teachings and to living for Him in loving obedience. A Disciple makes disciples.

iEvangelize and iEquip

Christ has given us authority for the work.

“All authority in heaven and on earth had been given to me.”

Through his shed blood, He purchased men and women for God from every tribe, and language and people and nation. Revelations 5:9

I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven, whatever you bind on earth, will be bound in heaven, whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16: 19

As Disciples of Christ, we have authority.

Go and make disciples

Every Christian, every member has a responsibility to make disciples.

To Disciple others is to Equip them.

Ephesians 4:11-16

Primary Points As members of the Body of Christ, we are one! We are not to manufacture the unity; we are to maintain the unity that has already been given us in Christ. Romans 12:4-5; I Corinthians 12:12-26 We maintain this unity by being completely humble and gentle; being patient, bearing with one another in love. As members of the Body of Christ, we are one! We are not to manufacture the unity; we are to maintain the unity that has already been given us in Christ. Romans 12:4-5; I Corinthians 12:12-26 We maintain this unity by being completely humble and gentle; being patient, bearing with one another in love.

Primary Points The grounds for unity are given in verses 4-6. “ There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” The gifts for unity in the church are given in verses The grounds for unity are given in verses 4-6. “ There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” The gifts for unity in the church are given in verses 7-11.

A spiritual gift is a special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the Body of Christ, according to God’s grace, for use within the context of the Body.

Christ has given gifts to members of the local church for the purpose of “Equipping” the saints.

The word “equip” in the KJV and “prepare” in the NIV is “katartismo, which comes from the verb “katartizein”.

The goal of the church is to disciple persons helping them to become all Christ is. Romans 8:28-30

A church must see itself as a Disciple making church and operate accordingly, if it is to fulfill its mission in the world.

Equipping must be at the core of who we are.

How do we effectively Equip or Disciple those who are saved?

The initial way that a person is equipped is through the preaching and teaching of the Word.

Preach and teach people what God wants you to become through regular and consistent impartation.

They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching… Acts 2:42

Teaching (what is right), rebuking (what is not right), correcting(showing us how to get right) and then training in righteousness (how to stay right) and equipping persons for every good work. II Timothy 3:16

People are equipped through fellowship – Small Groups

The intimate connection.

“Relationships aren’t optional in a church. Relationships are the church. Christ’s followers enter into the community of believers so that they can grow in Christ likeness, experience and receive love and carry out the ministry of the church.” Bill Hybels

Equipping others in the congregation requires the participation of every member.

iEquip through my fellowship with others, particularly in small groups.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Uniting us as Disciples of Christ Worshipping Christ as Savior and Lord Ministering to one another Facilitating the spiritual growth of the newly saved and indeed all believers Preparing us for our mission to the world around us Uniting us as Disciples of Christ Worshipping Christ as Savior and Lord Ministering to one another Facilitating the spiritual growth of the newly saved and indeed all believers Preparing us for our mission to the world around us

This is how Jesus did it. He personally discipled 12 men and then expected them to disciple others.

iEquip others through my relationship with them!

The apostle Paul shared this same vision for he wrote to his young son in the ministry in II Timothy 2:2, And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others.

Paul equipped or discipled Timothy.

You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas (which, when translated is Peter). What he was literally saying to him was, you are a little stone, but you will become a rock. John 1:42

Discipleship happens as persons develop a personal relationship based on mutual confidence and trust built up through working together.

Timothy was now to disciple others by “entrusting”, which suggests transmitting something from one person to another. It is the deposit of a sacred trust.

You however know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings…yet the Lord rescued me from them all. II Timothy 3:10-1 1

When we invest in the lives of persons, we transmit not only what we know, but more importantly, who we are.

Disciple makers are called to be faithful men and women. We reproduce after our own kind.

Faithful men and women who would be disciple makers: Have Jesus as Lord Have as their core values, the same core values Christ sets forth in scripture – Matthew 6:33 Are willing to pay any price to have the will of God fulfilled in his/her life – II Timothy 2:3,4 Have Jesus as Lord Have as their core values, the same core values Christ sets forth in scripture – Matthew 6:33 Are willing to pay any price to have the will of God fulfilled in his/her life – II Timothy 2:3,4

Faithful men and women who would be disciple makers: Have a love for the Word of God – Jeremiah 15:16, “when your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.” Have a servant’s heart – Matthew 20:24-28 Serve to Lead! Have a love for the Word of God – Jeremiah 15:16, “when your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.” Have a servant’s heart – Matthew 20:24-28 Serve to Lead!

Faithful men and women who would be disciple makers: Put no confidence in the flesh – II Cor. 1:9, Romans 7:18 Do not have an independent spirit – I Cor. 12:12-21 Have a love for people – John 13:34-35 Put no confidence in the flesh – II Cor. 1:9, Romans 7:18 Do not have an independent spirit – I Cor. 12:12-21 Have a love for people – John 13:34-35

Faithful men and women who would be disciple makers: Do not allow himself/herself to be trapped in bitterness – Heb. 12:15, See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to trouble you and defile you. Have learned to discipline his/her own life – I Cor. 9:24-27 Do not allow himself/herself to be trapped in bitterness – Heb. 12:15, See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to trouble you and defile you. Have learned to discipline his/her own life – I Cor. 9:24-27

How do we help new Christians/members grow and mature into the likeness of Christ? Give them proper care and deal with trouble areas. a.Make sure they are saved and understand what that means. – I John 5:11-12 b.Pray for him/her – Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-20 c.Encourage him/her in their Christian walk Give them proper care and deal with trouble areas. a.Make sure they are saved and understand what that means. – I John 5:11-12 b.Pray for him/her – Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-20 c.Encourage him/her in their Christian walk

How do we help new Christians/members grow and mature into the likeness of Christ? Help them develop a proper diet d.A Consistent Quiet Time – Mark 1:35 ACTS e.Bible reading – I Peter 2:2 f.Bible Study g.Worship Help them develop a proper diet d.A Consistent Quiet Time – Mark 1:35 ACTS e.Bible reading – I Peter 2:2 f.Bible Study g.Worship

How do we help new Christians/members grow and mature into the likeness of Christ? Give them love and affection h.Include them in your life in meaningful ways – Proverbs 27:17 i.Encourage them to be a vital part of the fellowship – Heb. 10:25 j.Accept them unconditionally – Romans 15:7 Give them love and affection h.Include them in your life in meaningful ways – Proverbs 27:17 i.Encourage them to be a vital part of the fellowship – Heb. 10:25 j.Accept them unconditionally – Romans 15:7

How do we help new Christians/members grow and mature into the likeness of Christ? Invite them to join you in using your time, talent and treasure through the church! k. Evangelizing the Seeker l. Equipping the Saint m. Empower through Stewardship n. Elevating Society Invite them to join you in using your time, talent and treasure through the church! k. Evangelizing the Seeker l. Equipping the Saint m. Empower through Stewardship n. Elevating Society