Page 49 - Ecclesiology revised short_Neat

Chapter 6: Second Assignment: Discipleship New Believers

Connect…

In Africa, when a new believer experiences salvation, it will not be long before the Jehovah’s Witnesses
come to their village and begin to share with them their pernicious doctrines. It is Satan seeking to take
away the fruit of the Gospel and mislead the saints of Christ. It is extremely important that the mature
believers in the church immediately initiate the process of discipleship with all new believers. Matthew
28 says we are to “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.” They need to know Jesus
and grow in the faith in Him. They need to get into God’s Word. They need guidance! That is why the
emphasis of Matthew 28 is to “make disciples.” It is assumed that they are brought to a saving
knowledge of Christ, but of great importance is that they receive guidance in their fellowship with
Christ. The church should prioritize this aspect of their ministry.

Today we are going to look at ways a church can initiate a discipleship program to help new believers
grow in Christ.

Objectives…

1. The student should be able clarify the first aspect of a discipleship ministry.

2. The student should be able discuss how Jesus discipled others as an example of how we should
disciple others.

3. The student should be able to explain the principles of discipleship that can be incorporated in the
local church.

4. The student should be able to discuss ways the church can disciple others.

The Lesson ...

Discipling Others

Shortly before Jesus departed from his disciples, he left one final and important message to them. It is
found in Matthew 28 and is entitled, the Great Commission.

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has
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been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
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[b]
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching

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