Discipling Friends and Acquaintances
Teacher
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Lesson 11
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
John 4.1-7, 16, 28-30, 39
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
John 4.1-7
1Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.3So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.4Now he had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
John 4.16, 28-30, 39
16He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”
GOLDEN TEXT
2 Corinthians 2.15
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
AIMS
Understand that discipleship is an order of Jesus Christ to all the Christians;
Recognize the importance of discipleship in fulfilling the “go” of Jesus;
Practice discipleship in a effective way with friends and acquaintances.
INTRODUCTION
The act of making disciples has become something that can happen in formal and informal environments, both in the context of Bible teaching in Sunday schools and in services teaching the word of God, as well as among friends and acquaintances in different scenarios.
1. THE PECULIARITIES OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
Discipleship is not a modern idea; it is a biblical principle. Moses was Joshua's teacher (Num 27.18), Naomi was Ruth’s discipler (Ruth 3. 1-5), Elijah discipled Elisha (1 Rs 19.19-21).
1.1. The meaning of the order of Christ
Making disciples is influencing, is mentoring, is walking together with someone until he understands the type of conduct that God expects of him and what he can expect from God. Every Christian is called to make disciples.
The discipler guides and accompanies the person until he really recognizes himself as a sinner, believes in the Word of God and decides to follow the Lord throughout his life. The goal is to win people to Christ, but the work will only be completed when the born-again person is consolidated in Christ and is ready to reach others for the gospel of grace as well.
1.2. Who are responsible for
Making disciples is a job for every believer in Christ. As such, every Christian must put this ordinance into practice.
Friend is that person with whom one is committed to share the unspeakable blessing of salvation.
One cannot be indifferent or neglect the bonds of friendship (1 Sam 20. 41,42).
2. THE DISCIPULATOR AS SALT IN THEIR FRIENDSHIP RELATIONSHIPS
2.1 An Influencer
Jesus used salt to describe the influence a Christian should exert on those around him. Salt gives flavor and preserves. A Christian cannot be passive agent in his relationships, rather, he must be an influencer.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer stated that the earth can only be conserved by salt if the salt never ceases to be salt and preserves its purifying and tempering power.
2.2. A relationship builder
It is an undisputed point that human beings cannot live alone. Certainly, the discipler is a person with different personality, ideas, culture and social position, however, nothing prevents a relationship between him and the people he knows around him.
From his bond with God and his way of life, he will show his friends and acquaintances that salvation in Christ is the greatest good that can be acquired, with repercussions in this and in the next life (Mat 19. 27-29).
3. THE DISCIPULATOR AS LIGHT BETWEEN FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES
3.1 A reference
Being light means being a reference. People observe the Christian all the time, looking for coherence between his speech and his life practice. If the discipler's light consistently shines before their friends and acquaintances, they will be drawn to the wonderful person of Christ and will glorify the Father who is in heaven (Mat 5. 13-16).
4. THE REQUIREMENTS OF DISCIPLESHIP BETWEEN FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES
To be successful in evangelism and discipleship in friendship relationships, it is necessary to develop some characteristics, which will be discussed below.
Discipleship is as visible as the light in the night, as the hill that rises on the plain. (Bonhoeffer, 2016, p. 89)
4.1. Agape love
Agape love is love that is not self-interested. The true disciple of Christ carries out his mission of evangelizing and discipling moved by love. The apostle Paul, passionate about the work of evangelization, declared: Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well (1 Tes 2.8).
4.2. Sincere friendship
Discipleship based on sincere friendship must occur spontaneously and naturally. Timely instruction and
teaching can be used by the Holy Spirit to touch the heart of the listening friend and convince him of his condition as a sinner in need of forgiveness in Christ.
4.3 Favorable environment
There is no environment more favorable to evangelization and discipleship than a friendship based on trust, loyalty and maturity. The true friend will always find the opportunity to communicate the Word of God to the other. In biblical instruction, there is course correction, character transformation, emotional healing, and personal growth.
4.4. Common objectives
There are several groups of friends that relate to each other based on common goals, for example: entertainment, studies, business, leisure, sports, tourism, social activities, among others.
These environments are very conducive for the saved in Christ to share their experiences with others.
CONCLUSION
Each discipler, as a representative of the church of Christ among friends and acquaintances, needs to understand that much more than a technique or formula, discipleship is a way of being and living. Discipleship is a way of being church, it is a way of life that aims to build healthy relationships, which will naturally draw many lives to Jesus and his kingdom.
GOD BLESS YOU!
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