Solving the Puzzle of Discipleship | Disciple | Pastor Tim Bennett
DISCIPLE
Solving the Puzzle of Discipleship
Soul Tattoo – Discipleship can seem like a confusing daunting puzzle, but there is a solution!
1) What I Know From the Start
a. They are all solveable – No one is too far gone
- 1 Timothy 1:15–16 – This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” — and I am the worst of them. 16But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. – HCSB
- Example: thief on the cross
b. I know the color of each side – the core never changes
- Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. – HCSB
- Psalm 139:13 – For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. – HCSB
2) I Know What I Need to Get To – Disciple is the Goal
a. What is a disciple?
Someone who is discipling others.
b. Key Verse:
2 Timothy 2:2 – And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3) The Foundation Has to Be Right – the cross is the Start
a. John 14:6 – I am the way, the truth, and the life…
b. In Christ, we are made new
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 – He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. – HCSB
- Hebrews 8:12 – For I will be merciful to their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins. – HCSB
5) Alignment is Key – Parent, Church, Community
We need to be aligned with people who are pushing us toward Christ.
Parents are the primary disciplers of their kids.
The church partners to help equip and support your discipleship efforts.
6) Healthy habits Built on the Foundation
Habits like:
- Bible Study
- Prayer
- Rest
- Community
7) Where Many of Us Stop
We do good things but keep parts of our lives Hidden.
We compare and become complacent.
- Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. — HCSB
8) It Is Gonna Shake things up!
- James 1:2–4 – Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. – HCSB
- 1 Corinthians 2:14–16 – But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
- Discipleship brings change that won’t always make sense to other people.