1. A Growing Fellowship January 29, 2012

2. Disciple Defined: A Disciple of Christ is someone who responds in faith and obedience to the gracious call to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and who within a community of believers has submitted to the lifelong process of dying to self while allowing Christ to be formed in them through the power of God’s Spirit, and who has committed to pouring themselves into replicating that Christ-likeness into others.

3. Requirements of True Discipleship 1)True discipleship first requires new birth. “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:5-7)

4. Requirements of True Discipleship 2) True discipleship requires perseverance, commitment, and cost.

5. Requirements of True Discipleship 3) True discipleship requires denial of self. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

6. Requirements of True Discipleship 4) True discipleship requires biblical community – your church body.

7. Disciples in CommUnity “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34- 35) “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one is a part of it.” (1 Cor. 12:27)

8. Requirements of True Discipleship 4) True discipleship requires biblical community – your church body. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:22-23)

9. Requirements of True Discipleship 5) True discipleship requires getting your hands dirty – it’s messy!

10. Requirements of True Discipleship 6) True discipleship requires reproducing other disciples. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. (Jesus Your Lord) Matthew 28:19

11. Requirements of True Discipleship 7) True discipleship results in your Lord and Savior Jesus being honored and glorified. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:18

12. A Growing Fellowship January 29, 2012