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Rooted in Christ: What is a Disciple? S1E4
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Rooted in Christ: What is a Disciple? S1E4

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This week we discuss what it means to be a disciple and what discipleship looks like in the life of the believer. We break this concept down into five stages/phases. These phases are not a checklist, but merely a way in which you can identify the progression in your spiritual walk and in those around you. Ethan and Dianne touch on the following topics that make up a disciple of Jesus:

  • Salvation
  • Spiritual Growth
  • Serving
  • Suffering
  • Bearing Much Fruit


NOTEWORTHY QUOTES

I just want an instant fix. I want to be sanctified immediately. I don’t want to have to go through the slow process of growth and yet, what does God do when we’re in that process? He teaches us a lot, He calls us to depend on Him, and He helps us realize that our growth isn’t of our own doing. It’s coming from Him.

We should be striving for our actions, our thoughts, and our minds to be Christ-like.

The thing about service is it’s not something we are doing for accolade or to post about and show people, “Look here at what I am doing.” Because naturally—when we think about self—my natural tendency is I don’t want to serve people above myself. Myself comes first. Service is a natural overflow because of our love for Jesus and the recognition of what He’s done for us. That changes the way that we see other people. Our eyes are opened to needs and we begin to see the importance of loving one another. Service just becomes this act that we’re doing for Jesus.

As we’re serving one another we are serving Jesus.

If God is all-powerful and God controls everything, then God is allowing this [suffering] to happen.

We may not ever know why something has come to pass and it’s not our job to know. Our job is to have the mind of Christ. And as Paul says, we need to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Everyone gets affected differently by different forms of suffering.

Fruit-bearing isn’t just for some Christians and not for others. No, fruit-bearing is the proof for every Christian. It’s our assurance. It’s what proves we are his disciples and the purpose of it is so we can love one another.

One aspect of being a disciple . . . is leadership. If we are truly of Christ and we are serving . . . we are demonstrating [what it means to be a disciple] to other people within the Church, regardless of where they are in their spiritual journey. 

You may think to yourself, “I am not a leader, I am a good follower.” If you bear the brand of Christ, you are a leader.

Our fruit-bearing is not dependent upon our circumstances. It’s not dependent upon what’s happening in the world. Whether there’s a global pandemic or not. Whether things are going really well for you or right now you’re walking a really tough road. Bearing fruit is possible in all seasons. And that’s the beauty of a relationship with Jesus. We have access to joy, peace, and patience .  . . and all we have to do is ask.

Sometimes the best thing as a younger woman is just to go up to an older woman and ask her [to disciple/mentor you].

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

  • Luke 9:23
  • Colossians 1:9
  • 1 Corinthians 9:37
  • John 13:12-17
  • Acts 4:32-35
  • 1 Peter 4:12-13
  • Philippians 4:6-7
  • John 15
  • Galatians 5:22-23
  • Titus 2

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

9 Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever

ESV Study Bible

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ASK ETHAN AND DIANNE

We plan on including a bonus episode with some comments and questions from our listeners! Please send us a voice message (no longer than 30 seconds) with any questions or comments on any topic that you want us to discuss! Send your questions via: https://anchor.fm/deeplyrootedmag/message