Lesson #2. RECRUITING PEOPLE TO THE DISCIPLE-MAKING PROCESS.

KEY TRUTH: A lesson to recruit prospective disciples to Disciple-Making by explaining what a fully devoted follower of Jesus looks like.

1. RECRUITING TO FOLLOW JESUS NOT JUST TO A PERSON OR FRIEND: People must be challenged to make a commitment to follow Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. Any lesser basis of commitment will not sustain disciples through the tough times.
2. SHARE WHAT A FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF CHRIST LOOKS LIKE: Becoming a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ is the highest honour and privilege. At CRBC-Oakden a devoted follower would demonstrate the following distinctive lifestyle …

PROFILE OF A FULLY DEVOTED DISCIPLE AT CRBC-OAKDEN

I. Toward JESUS CHRIST ➠ Devotion

1. Has publicly declared their identification with Christ and commitment to follow Him through believer’s baptism by immersion. After Peter preached – Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41).
2. Maintains a daily relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, Bible study and worship. Jesus taught – 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples (Jn.15:7-8).
3. Expresses their love for Christ through obedience to His commands. Jesus stated – 9 As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (Jn.15:9-10).

II. Toward SELF ➠ Discipline

1. Denies self, willing to follow Christ despite the cost as – 24 Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? … (Mt.16:24-26).
2. Has a growing understanding and application of Bible principles. As Jesus said – 31 … to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide and continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn.8:31-32).

III. Toward OTHERS ➠ Love

1. Loves others, as Christ loves them, through practical service and prayer support – 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn.15:12-13).
2. Fulfils responsibilities toward family members by example and in daily life – 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged (Col.3:18-21).
3. Seeks out to disciple those who show a desire to be committed to Christ – 1 Timothy, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Tim.2:1-2).
4. Builds relationships and takes opportunities to share their faith and life with unbelievers out of a burden for the lost – 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Col.4:5-6).

IV. Toward the CHURCH ➠ Service

1. Has expressed commitment to the vision, direction, and ministry of our church through membership – 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another (Rom.12:4-5).
2. Maintains close ties with leaders and Disciple-Makers to whom they can be accountable – 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith … 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you (Heb.13:7 & 17).
3. Weekly attends Church services and a midweek small group – 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb.10:24-25).
4. Has discovered and is ministering according to their spiritual gifts and passions – 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever (1 Pet.4:10-11).
5. Generously and joyfully gives financially to the ministry of the church – 3 For the Macedonians gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favour of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us (2 Cor.8:3-5).
6. Expands concern beyond the local church to support missionary friends in other churches both in Australia and overseas. Jesus responded – 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
   • These may be described as: UNAVOIDABLE (Jerusalem) – UNEVENTFUL (Judea) – UNAPPEALING (Samaria) – UNKNOWN (Overseas).

DISCUSSION:

Q.1. Does the above profile express the kind of follower of Jesus you want to become?

Q.2. In what relationship area do you most struggle to follow Jesus: Toward: (i) Jesus Christ – (ii) Self – (iii) Others – (iv) the Church?

Q.3. How do you think committing yourself to a Disciple-Making relationship may help you?