It’s what we are that is important, not what we call ourselves. Daniel 1:7

What does it mean to be a disciple?  A disciple loves, John 13:34-35  A disciple learns, John 8:31-32

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32 If ---A word of qualification: “only when you do this” You continue ---Dependent upon constancy in a thing In my word ---Not traditions Then are you truly disciples of Mine ---Only if these conditions are met

The first “name” that was attached to believers in Christ was not “Christian” And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:26

DISCIPLE "a learner" (from manthano, "to learn," from a root math--, indicating thought accompanied by endeavor), in contrast to didaskalos, "a teacher"; hence it denotes "one who follows one's teaching,"

A 1st century problem 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Heb. 5:11-14

A 1st century problem 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Heb. 5:11-14 Difficult to teach Dull of hearing They should have been teachers But, they needed to be taught again some basic principles They were infants Unable to discern between good and evil 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. 1 Cor. 3:1-3

A 21st century problem 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Heb. 5:11-14 Difficult to teach Dull of hearing They should have been teachers But, they needed to be taught again some basic principles They were infants Unable to discern between good and evil 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. 1 Cor. 3:1-3

11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Heb. 5:11-14 Why be disciples?  Origin of God’s word (1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:21)

11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Heb. 5:11-14 Why be disciples?  Origin of God’s word (1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:21)  Knowledge is not to be superficial (Col 1:9-10)

11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Heb. 5:11-14 Why be disciples?  Origin of God’s word (1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:21)  Knowledge is not to be superficial (Col 1:9-10)  Intended impact on lives (Ps. 19:7-11, 119:11, 28, 105, 130 )

11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Heb. 5:11-14 Hindrances to being disciples  Traditional interpretations, not thinking for ourselves, relying on others, listening to others preach & teach, reading commentaries, magazines published by brethren, etc. (Acts 17:11; Matt. 15:2,3,6)