Day 3: Are You a Disciple?

Are You a Christian?

If I were to ask you, “are you a Christian?” I’m certain you’d give a resounding, “yes!” It wasn’t until Antioch that the apostles were said to be first called “Christian.” Those in Antioch saw something in their actions that was Christ-like. We may identify with the life of Christ and desire to be like him, but would others say we are Christ-like as a result of our actions?

Are You a Disciple?

What if I asked you, “are you a disciple?” How many people in the Gospels did Jesus ask to follow him? A few followed his call, but many walked away. How many people did Jesus ask to be Christian? None, not a single one.

Becoming a Disciple.

We will begin to identify with being not just Christian, but a disciple of Christ. There are two key thoughts that help us in becoming a disciple.

1. Hebrews 12 talks about how God molds us into being his disciple. The translators use a pretty harsh word to describe it, “chastises,” however, this word is more akin to training up a child (we are the child of God after all!), instruction, disciplinary correction, and nurturing.
2. The other side of becoming a disciple is to become a disciple-maker.

Final Thoughts

• Where have you allowed God to nurture, instruct, and even chastise you? These may be very personal areas of your life, or it may be areas you would like to share with your group because it’s a part of your testimony and may encourage others.

• Consider the changes you would need in your life so you can say, “Yes! I am a disciple!”?

• On a scale of 1-10, how do your daily actions lead you to be a disciple? What are some changes you can make to be more of a disciple of Christ and disciple-maker?

Consider how the following verses help you become a disciple and a disciple-maker. Pay attention to the scripture that give you clues about what you can do everyday (hint: put on the armor of God), as well as how God can work on you by nurturing you, giving you endurance, chastisement, reproof, restoration, and being made straight.

Biblical Devotion

Ephesians 6:1-20  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  (2)  “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),  (3)  “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”  (4)  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  (5)  Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,  (6)  not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,  (7)  rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,  (8)  knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.  (9)  Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.  (10)  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  (11)  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  (12)  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  (13)  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  (14)  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  (15)  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  (16)  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  (17)  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  (18)  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,  (19)  and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,  (20)  for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Hebrews 12:6-14  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  (7)  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  (8)  If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  (9)  Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  (10)  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  (11)  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  (12)  Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,  (13)  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.  (14)  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Proverbs 1:23  If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

Acts 15:16-18  “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins,  and I will restore it,  (17)  that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,  says the Lord, who makes these things  (18)  known from of old.’

Luke 13:10-13  Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.  (11)  And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.  (12)  When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” (13)  And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.