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What is discipleship? I once heard “disciple” defined as a learning follower. This is shown in the Bible as the twelve disciples lived, worked, and followed Jesus. He taught by example. That is what discipleship is all about––teaching by example as you live life. Most of us concentrate on the “go” part of The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, but what it literally means in the Greek is “as you go.” Like Ken Oosting says in the film as he and Pastor Rico train the new house parents and staff of Christians’ Haven,

“We take our cue from Jesus. He didn’t confine His teaching to sterile classrooms and churches. He took His disciples to the streets . . . the markets . . . into the homes of ‘sinners’ . . . He dealt with real issues the people were dealing with. They listened because He spoke about the things they were interested in––and He didn’t just talk, He fed the hungry and healed the sick. All the while, He had His disciples at His side, so when it was their turn, they didn’t talk theory––they ministered and made disciples. That is how Paul and Peter discipled Barnabas, Timothy, Mark, Titus, and I’m sure many more.”

We see this type of discipleship at work all throughout the movie All Things New. The guys who were discipled in the movie didn’t just go on with their lives, happy to be saved themselves, they also discipled others. They went out into their community and worked among prisoners and other street kids that were left in the same situations they were saved from.

How about you? How were you discipled? If you are like me, you were blessed enough to be discipled by your parents and a loving church family. However, I’m not naïve enough to think that that’s how it was for all of you. How we were discipled is not nearly as important as the fact that we ARE disciples. And, to go hand in hand with that, are you (are we) discipling others?!

Search the Scriptures:

Read Matthew 5:13-16

For Discussion:

1. How were you discipled?
2. How does that differ from how the guys in All Things New were discipled?
3. What do you think biblical discipleship would look like today?
4. Are you discipling others? If not, what’s stopping you?
5. Do you believe that you have something worth sharing?
6. Do people see your good deeds and glorify God in heaven?
7. Have you lost your saltiness?
8. I think sometimes we don’t think that we have a testimony when we compare it to the powerful testimonies we’ve heard others share. Do you think you have a testimony?
9. Brainstorm some ways that you can begin discipling the non-Christians that you come in contact with. (If you don’t know any non-Christians, that could be your first problem.)

Here are some ideas:

• Begin praying for non-believers. Also, pray for an opportunity to share your faith with them, as well as for God to give you the words to say when the time comes.
• Ask a parent, youth minister, minister, or elder in your church to mentor you in discipleship by allowing you to make visits and have Bible studies with new believers or church visitors with them.
• Get involved in community or school activities where non-Christians are present. Warning: You are to influence them positively, not allow them to influence you negatively!
• Keep up-to-date on current events, etc. so that you have things to discuss with nonbelievers.
• Have your testimony ready to share. If you aren’t sure how to give your testimony, ask a spiritual mentor how to get yours ready. (I Peter 3:15)

In Conclusion:

Discipleship was obviously very important to Jesus––it’s the last thing He spoke about before He ascended to heaven. If it was that important to Him, it should be to us as well! He chose to involve us, just like His disciples, to bring the people of the world to Him. Remember, you are the light of the world and the salt of the earth––so go change the world!