There are a number of steppingstones between a believer's conversion and a mature, fruitful life. We enumerate here 13 steps, with explanatory notes and suggestions on the road to being what Jesus called, a "true disciple."
Believers are called to be disciples. How can this be accomplished? There are 13 things that should be laid before each believer who aspires to be a true disciple. Those who assist them should touch on each point. Here is an outline of each of these points.
1. Follow-up. Initial assistance given new or untaught believers who never received it following a profession of faith. It is not God's purpose to allow new believers to remain immature "babes in Christ."
2. Disciple-Making is the process of moving a convert from initial follow-up to being a mature follower of the Lord Jesus.
3. Improving Disciple-Making - Part I. This teaches them to be a
strong finisher, how to claim
God's resources for victorious living,
how to
make needed
life changes, responding to the Lordship of Christ, and the example of the Lord Jesus as
the True Disciple Preeminently.
4. Improving Disciple-Making - Part II. This teaches the
proper goals for a true disciple, unacceptable
characteristics, problem
areas at their roots, the
necessities of effective discipling meetings, and both dos and don'ts to keep in mind. There is also an evaluation sheet which the discipler should learn to use positively with the person being helped.
5. Improving Disciple-Making - Part III. This will review "time-wasters" and "time-savers" so the disciple can be "redeeming the time because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:6). Suggestions are given to achieve this purpose.
6. Multiplication in Discipleship. This calls for specific steps to help someone become a "spiritual reproducer," one who trains others to do what he or she has been trained to do. Eight steps are given in this process, each essential for a "multiplier" and the candidate.
7. Commitment to Servanthood. This teaches disciples to serve others for Christ's sake, just as He, the Perfect Servant, did in His earthly ministry. It outlines the meaning of both servant (
diakonos in Greek) and bond slave (
doulos in Greek). It provides examples of faithful and unfaithful servants and shows the
benefits to all concerned.
8. Effective Use of Spiritual Gifts. This shows the meaning of a "spiritual gift," as distinguished from human talents, and its God-given purpose for the individual and the local church. It
classifies gifts and shows how they are to be utilized.
9. The Disciple's Vision for the Church. This shows the importance of the church as a divine institution, both universal and local. It shows what is needed for effective function and notes hindrances to its development. It is intended as a family-gathering center, a workplace, a help station for the needy, and an outreach center. It is
not set up to be simply
an auditorium to hear sermons by preachers.
10. Spiritual Goals, Purposes with Eternity's Values on View. All successful endeavors, divine or human, require definitive,
long-term goals, as well as short-term, to achieve lasting purposes. They must be pursued with a "single eye," Christ being always the center. There must be a plan, priorities to achieve in order of importance. Suggestions are given for things we
need to do or
stop doing or
study more deeply. Hindrances must be recognized.
11. World Vision and God's Eternal Plan. This lesson lays before the disciple that God thinks "world wide." "He loved the world and gave His only begotten Son" to save
people (John 3:16). He is "not willing that any should perish" (II Pet. 3:19), but that all should "come to repentance." This lesson explains the nature of real vision, beyond the immediate scope of time and sense. Suggestions are given for achieving this vision.
12. Worship on a Regular Basis, Remembering that God Seeks Worshippers (John 4:23)! The lesson
defines worship (speaking
to God,
about Himself). It is personal and corporate (with other believers). The Scriptures ring with
doxologies (praise to God), for Himself, His wonderful works and His salvation. Disciples must learn to be
better worshippers, frequently, fervently.
13. Watching for His Coming and Preparing for His evaluation of our lives here on earth when it's all done. We
do not know the day or hour (Matt. 25:13). It is imminent and might be at any time. The true disciple yearns for this. It is the last prayer of the Bible (Rev. 22:20). We will then be judged for our lives and service here at the Judgment Seat of Christ (II Cor. 5:10). We will
not be judged for our sins for Christ paid our debt (Rom. 8:1).
Appendix A - Deals with the "School of God" for Disciples.
Appendix B - Deals with "Spiritual Warfare" by Disciples.