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Introduction. Happy to be asked to teach on discipleship 12 weeks adequate to cover subject Clear misconceptions Discipleship is simple and wonderful!. Lesson 1: The Challenges of Making Disciples Lesson 2: The Considerations of Discipleship Lesson 3: The Cultivation of a new Disciple
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Introduction Happy to be asked to teach on discipleship 12 weeks adequate to cover subject Clear misconceptions Discipleship is simple and wonderful!
Lesson 1: The Challenges of Making Disciples Lesson 2: The Considerations of Discipleship Lesson 3: The Cultivation of a new Disciple Lesson 4: The Care of a new Disciple Lesson 5: The Comfort Zone of a new Disciple Lesson 6: The Cost Effectiveness of Teaching a New Disciple Lesson 7: The Christian's Stewardship Lesson 8: The Christian's Spiritual Walk Lesson 9: The Christian's Service (Fitly Framed Together) Lesson 10: The Church's Doorkeepers Lesson 11: The Church's Spiritual Fathers Lesson 12: The Continuous Discipleship
1. The Danger • Old Chinese saying • Judges 2:10-19 – The Cycle of Revival and Decline • Church is one generation away from extinction • The Urgency – churches are on the decline
3. The State of Affairs • 1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. • Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Panjang, Bishan • North West, CitiVision • Moulmein, Geylang, Bedok • PP • The Danger • The Status
4. Five Reasons for Decline • 1) New Christians are baptized, but not taught to share their faith • Many converts stay Learners all their lives • Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. • Routine, not passionate faith • In the end, form, rather than the fire of first generation, is passed on 1. The Danger 2. The Status 3. The State of Affairs
4. Five Reasons for Decline • 2) Christians have not passed on their faith, even zealous ones • Parents do not teach and model their faith, e.g. of 2nd generation missionaries • 1 Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. • Must intentionally model the way by talking up the church 1. The Danger 2. The Status 3. The State of Affairs
4. Five Reasons for Decline • 3) Members are not trained or placed in the work of the church • Use them or lose them • Ephesians 2:21-22 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 1. The Danger 2. The Status 3. The State of Affairs
4. Five Reasons for Decline • 4) Members do not see the big picture of the whole church • Only little groups • 1 Corinthians 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 1. The Danger 2. The Status 3. The State of Affairs
4. Five Reasons for Decline • 5) Members are not forthcoming especially for full-time ministry • Do not want to carry the weight or devote time • Psalms 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 1. The Danger 2. The Status 3. The State of Affairs
5. The Discipleship Plan Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. 1. The Danger 2. The Status 3. The State of Affairs 4. Five Reasons for the Decline Make Disciples
5. The Discipleship Plan Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. 1. The Danger 2. The Status 3. The State of Affairs 4. Five Reasons for the Decline Make Disciples Teaching All Things
2 Timothy 2:1-3 • Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. • And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. • Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
5. The Discipleship Plan 1. Content of the Gospel - "And the things" (2 Timothy 2:2) 2. Training of Others - "which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses," 3. Teachability of our Hearts - "these entrust to faithful men," 4. Reproduction of Disciples - "who will be able to teach others also." 1. The Danger 2. The Status 3. The State of Affairs 4. Five Reasons for the Decline
Summary • Why do churches and Christian families die out? 2. The answer lies in how intentionally we pass our faith to our children and train members to teach another the gospel. 3. It is later than we think – Filipino Fellowship. 4. Elder Winston’s recent sermon: If it is so important, why is it so neglected? 5. Is it not time for Christ’s command to compel us to be those 'faithful men'? This week: model the way, pass your faith and teach another.