DISCIPLESHIP

 

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​We believe at His Church, Christ has called every believer to make disciples. Discipleship is not optional but fundamental to the Christian life. It is the God-ordained means by which believers grow in faith, maturity, obedience, and Christlikeness. In Acts 14:19–22, 28, Paul provides a model for biblical discipleship by leading through personal example, remaining obedient and committed to God's mission, keeping the gospel at the center, strengthening and encouraging believers in their faith, preparing them for trials, and investing significant time in their spiritual growth. Following this pattern, we seek to make disciples through gospel-centered relationships that equip believers to faithfully follow Christ and help others do the same

                                                              

Acts 14:19-22; 28

 

V19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

 

I. The Model of Discipleship: Leading by example

• Discipleship is best demonstrated through actions rather than words.

• Paul actions showed that he would share the gospel no matter the cost.

• He was doing the very thing he would teach others to do…to share, no matter the cost.

• Paul was willing to endure the stones, hoping God would remove their heart of stone.

 

 

V20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day, he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

 

II. The Fundamental Traits of a Discipler: Obedience and Commitment

• Discipleship must be rooted in obedience and commitment to the gospel call.

• Paul got up and went right back into the city to finish what he was called to do (obedience).

• Paul completed his mission in Lystra and then moved on to the next town to share the gospel (commitment).

 

 

V21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

 

III. The Heart of Making Disciples: The Gospel

• The gospel must be the foundation for effective discipleship.

• The gospel is what produced many disciples.

• The gospel must be the foundation for making disciples and not our methods.

 

 

V22 Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

 

IV. The Keys to Successful Discipleship: SET

• For discipleship to be effective, it must be built on several key principles:

• Strengthening the souls of the disciples.

• Encouraging the disciples to continue in the faith.

• Teaching that a disciple’s life will involve trials, sufferings, and persecution.

 

 

V28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.

 

V. The Cost of Discipleship: Time

• One must count the cost to be a disciple/discipler of Christ

• They spent a long time with the disciples.

• Paul gave up time, resources, freedom, and, at times, endured physical abuse to teach, empower, and edify the disciples in the things of God.

• Being a disciple of Christ is and always has been costly.