Based upon

Making
Disciples by
Tony Pullin
What have we learned so far?
Lessons from Jesus and Peter in how to
make disciples:
1. The Importance of the Great Commission,
Peter is selected
2. The potential of Peter, the example of
Jesus
3.How Peter learned and grew
4. Peter’s failure and restoration
5. Peter shows that he is an anointed
servant
6. Can we follow the example today?
MAKING
DISCIPLES #8
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I
have commanded you. And behold, I am with you
always, to the end of the age.”
#8 CAN WE FOLLOW
JESUS’ MODEL
TODAY?
LOOKING AT THE MODEL OF
JESUS MIGHT LEAD US TO
ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT
WHETHER WE CAN USE THE
SAME MODEL TODAY.
WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU
HAVE ABOUT THE MODEL
JESUS USED IN MAKING
DISCIPLES AND THE 21ST
CENTURY?
1.“WASN’T THE
DISCIPLING OF THE
TWELVE A SPECIAL
CASE?
1.“Wasn’t the discipling of the Twelve a special
case and not typical, an example, of what was
to follow?”
How would you reply to someone who
said this?
The Twelve had the special blessing /
advantage of being discipled directly by Jesus.
What do you think were:
- the blessings
- the challenges
…that the first disciples faced because they
were discipled by Jesus?
“The old cross is a symbol of death. It stands for
the abrupt, violent end of a human being. In
Roman times, the man who took up his cross and
started down the road was not coming back. He
was not going out to have his life re-directed. He
was going out to have it ended.”
A.W. Tozer
But this also meant they had the responsibility
of leading the newly formed church after his
return to heaven.
Acts 2:42, John 13:35
So, if we want to see every single believer in
Jesus equipped to reach their full maturity and
ministry, doesn’t the same idea apply to us
today?
The Great Commission is commanded until the
end of the age—discipleship and training as a
process are part of it.
So surely the same importance is attached to
Jesus’ example today as it was in the first
century?!
2. DISCIPLESHIP IN
THIS WAY NEEDS A LOT
OF TIME
2. “Discipleship in this way needs a lot of
time. Can we give such a commitment in our
modern, fast-paced world?”
The obvious reply:
If we look at Jesus’ own strategy and its
results, the answer must be, “Can we
choose not to follow it in our time?”
Jesus’ training of the Twelve produced stable
and inspired leadership in the church at
Jerusalem and beyond.
Their presence and ministry was
foundational to the establishing of the
Jerusalem church and the rapid increase in
the number of disciples.
Jesus’ model shows that spending time in
discipleship leads to rapid growth.
Do you / does your church have a week full of
activities and meetings? Do you need to stop
and reflect on what you are doing, and take
the disciple making road?
WHAT MIGHT YOU WANT TO
CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE, IN
YOUR CHURCH (IF YOU HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY?
3. “IS DISCIPLESHIP OF
THIS KIND POSSIBLE IN
OUR CHURCH?”
This is a very practical and challenging
question. Churches have different traditions
and structures. How can we approach the
challenge of discipleship in differing
settings?
Different structures can be more or less
helpful, but really structure isn’t the issue.
At the heart of discipleship is the nature of the
kingdom of God—what does the Kingdom of
God look like in your life or church?
The practice of Jesus-style discipleship, is
mostly about the values and atmosphere
practiced and shown in a church.
‘Is it possible to identify a kingdom culture in
which discipleship can grow and quickly
produce fruit?’
• Values inform the choices you make;
• Values inform the choices you make;
• Choices lead to behaviour of / in the church;
 • Values inform the choices you make;
• Choices lead to behaviour of / in the church;
• Behaviour creates culture—what do you
like / value.
WHAT VALUES HELP PERSONAL
DISCIPLESHIP (REGARDLESS OF
THE CHURCH SETTING) AND
ENCOURAGE US IN IT?
DISCIPLESHIP TAKES
PLACE IN THE
CHURCH
In discipleship teaching is important, church
programmes help.
The best discipleship takes place in
relationships.
Relationships that are within the security of the
body of Christ.
THE CHURCH IS FULL OF
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE.
NAME SOME FROM YOUR
EXPERIENCE…E.G. YOUNG
THE CHURCH IS FULL OF
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE.
NAME SOME FROM YOUR
EXPERIENCE…E.G. YOUNG
What “types’ of people do you have in your
church?
• People from different generations,
• Men and women
• With different types of jobs,
 • Some of whom have walked with God for
many years;
• Different levels of experience and maturity
• With a variety of gifts and calling.
The body is a big resource, full of potential: this
makes discipleship possible for all.
Leaders set an example by helping to encourage
and support good and meaningful relationships
between disciples.
We have seen Jesus’ example in discipling and
commissioning the Twelve.
We may be think this is the best way and want to
develop it further in our own church situation.
But discipleship is only one part to think about in
the kingdom of God.
We must think about other key aspects before
taking it up.
IN THE NEXT SESSIONS WE
SHALL START TO LOOK AT THE
FACTORS IN CHURCH LIFE THAT
AFFECT DISCIPLE MAKING
The End