Cell Study—The Ancient Path of Discipleship

The prophet Jeremiah lived and ministered in a time of growing spiritual apathy
and moral decline. Despite repeated warnings, God's people were drifting away
from Him. As a result, instead of being a positive influence on the surrounding
nations, they were becoming just like them. They had already fallen from the
height and splendor of David and Solomon's time, now long forgotten. Little did
they know that they were very close to seeing the complete destruction of the
city of Jerusalem. Before long the cruel Babylonians would carry away them into
captivity. Jeremiah prophesied words of warning and also words of hope. He
called the people back to God: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the
ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for
your souls (Jeremiah 6:16).” The “ancient paths” were paths that were well
trodden by people of faith throughout the generations. Instead, the people were
taking detours, new paths that ended up causing them to become lost.
Unfortunately, God’s people didn't listen. They continued on their own way ...
and suffered the consequences.

Discipleship is one of those ancient paths. When Jesus was on earth, he spent 30
years in anonymity and only three and a half years in ministry. He spent most of
those years in ministry discipling and developing his twelve disciples and before
he departed from this earth, he left us with the same mandate “go and make
disciples of all nations”

What is discipleship? The word “disciple” "occurs 269 times in the New
Testament, while the term "Christian" only occurs three times. To be a disciple is
to be an apprentice, a learner. The disciples have it as their goal to become like
their master and in this case, Jesus Christ.

Discipleship capitalises on the power of multiplication and produces a domino

effect that can be felt for many generations.

Jesus gave his disciples three challenges:

a. Come and see

b. Come and follow and I will make you fisher of men—which requires
relationship (following) and intentional training ( I will make you)

c. Come and die—which requires passion and character transformation

(dying to self)

Discussion:
Discuss Jeremiah’s call to God’s people to return to the “ancient paths
(Jer.6:16).” In what way is this relevant to the church today in our generation?
What do you think of when you hear the word “disciple?” Is there a difference
between a “Christian” and a “disciple?”
What level of discipleship are you at: come and see, come and follow or come
and die? What can you do to go to next level?
Which spiritual practices have been most beneficial to your development as a
disciple of Jesus? What ones have been difficult or least beneficial?
How can we as a Cell Group be more effective as a “disciple-making group?”
What are some of the challenges in discipling others e.g. time, sense of
inadequacy, etc?