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 Family
resemblance is a natural thing caused by the inherited DNA from our
parents. But, growth does not just rely on natural traits.
Rather, parents also train their children during their various stages of
natural growth so
that the result is a mature adult.
After one becomes a Christian by believing
in Jesus Christ, they become children of God and begin to have godly
traits. But, they are like new-born babies. They have a new
life - The old is gone, the new has come. Just as a new-born baby
needs to be nurtured and trained, so too the new Christian.
| Like newborn babies,
crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in
your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is
good. - 1 PETER 2:2, 3 |
Discipleship is a life-long process for
every Christian, and not just for the new believer. Prayer is
like breathing. Studying and memorizing the Bible is like eating
and drinking. And there are other disciplines one must learn to
think and act like Jesus.
 CAUTION!
Don't believe that you can grow to
be a healthy Christian by yourself. That is a kind of pride that
will lead to your downfall. Instead, learning to be a member
within God's family, the church, and accepting the bumps and bruises to
your ego that relationships bring, will help to make you more
compassionate. In addition, God has a special place for you to fit
into the church body. Don't deny the body your presence.
Just as you need us, we need you.
In this part of our share pages, we will
share recommend training methods, resources, churches and small groups you can join.
All of these resources will help you in your spiritual formation.
Definitions
Discipleship: Strategic training
that enables an individual to become a complete and competent follower
of Christ (Barna).
Disciple: One who
accepts and assists in spreading the doctrine of another (Webster) or
someone who is a learner/follower who serves as an apprentice under the
tutelage of a master (Barna).
Connotes being prepared for a particular lifestyle.
Spiritual Formation: The
process by which Christians are being conformed into the image of Christ
for the sake of others (Mulholland).
How Spiritual Formation & Discipleship fit together:
Discipleship is the intentional process by
which one individual works with another to promote Spiritual Formation.
Biblical Examples of Disciples &
Disciplers
Joshua: Learned from
Moses’ example.
Elisha: Learned from
Elijah.
John the Baptist: Led
many followers toward Christ.
The Apostles: Followed
Christ, learned His example, mirrored His teachings, then
spiritually reproduced.
Paul: Acted boldly
while training others. “Follow me as I follow Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1)
A Disciple of Christ is one who…
-
Has accepted grace by faith—not works—through Christ.
- ROMANS
3:10-24
-
Is dedicated to the principles of faith (You can’t pass on
what you don’t have).
-MATTHEW 6:33, 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3
-
Obeys God’s laws and commands. Become both hearers and doers.
- ACTS 5:29
-
Reflects light in darkness as God’s ambassadors.
- MARK 5:18-19
-
Lives to serve others.
- MATTHEW 16:24-28
-
Manifests a changed lifestyle in goals, choices, and
relationships. - 2
CORINTHIANS 5:17
-
Grows and reproduces (Spiritual Fruit).
- MATTHEW 28:19
A Disciple does NOT…
-
Lose one’s identity and individuality. There is great value in
diversity!
-
Force one’s views and convictions on others.
-
Isolates oneself from the world. (In the world, not of it.)
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