“Discipleship Explored”
through
(Matthew’s Gospel)
By
Rev. Martyn Travers
For
Lifegroups at OBC
(Jan – May 2015)
Contents
Introduction
1. Called to Multiply – Matthew 28: 16 - 20 (Jan 4)
2. Called to Follow – Matthew 4: 12 - 22 (Jan 25)
3. Called to Fulfilment – Matthew 5: 1 - 12 (Feb 1)
4. Called to Wisdom – Matthew 7: 24 - 29 (Feb 15)
5. Called to Commitment – Matthew 8: 18 - 22 (Mar 1)
6. Called to Trust – Matthew 14: 22 - 36 (Mar 15)
7. Called to Christ – Matthew16: 13 - 20 (Mar 22)
8. Called to Community – Matthew 18: 15 - 20 (April 12)
9. Called to Ministry – Matthew 25: 14 - 30 (April 19)
10. Called to Prayer – Matthew 26: 36 - 46 ( May 3)
11. Called to Bear Witness – Matthew 26: 69 - 75 ( May 17)
12. Called to Discipleship – Matthew 28: 16 - 20 ( May 31)
Introduction
Our new church text for 2015 is the Great Commission from
Matthew 28: 9 – 20.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The focus on the call to be disciples and make disciples emerged as a strong theme from a Leaders’ Awayday at the Emmaus Centre last September. Since then I have been thinking about how we can encourage one another to be Christ’s disciples the more. This new LIFEgroup series is one part of a response to the challenge that the Leadership team has felt.
Through our LIFEgroups we have a great opportunity to share, care and pray with one another in a way that can be so helpful for our personal discipleship. Written by one of Christ’s own disciples, Matthew’s Gospel is an ideal context to encourage and develop commitment to being disciples ourselves. I hope that it will not only teach us new things and remind us of old truths, but also challenge us to practical application in daily living. The questions and notes that follow are simply tools to use if they are helpful. Don’t be afraid to ski off piste, as it were, as long as you come back to the authority of God’s word. Some of you will enjoy digging a little deeper into the text and there are many good commentaries on Matthew’s Gospel. One that I have found helpful is “The Message of Matthew” by Michael Green (I.V.P Bible Speaks Today). The dates in brackets on the contents page, after each reading, are the Sundays I hope we will focus on this passage. May you inherit the promise of the Great Commission that He will be with us always as we make this challenge to discipleship real.
Session One – Called to Multiply
Reading: Matthew 28: 16 - 20
Understanding ...
Matthew’s Gospel records for us that after the resurrection and before the ascension Christ gives his disciples what is known as the Great Commission. It’s interesting to hear that even given the physical evidence of sight, still some doubted. The Commission is given on the basis that Jesus Christ is Lord. His resurrection has given him authority over all things. So “therefore” go ...
He assures them of his power before sending them out to make disciples. He promises them his never failing presence, but it is in the context of fulfilling the Commission. The Commission includes making disciples, marking disciples (baptism) and maturing disciples (teaching). John Stott reminds us: “We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God”
Cross referencing...
Acts 1: 8
Romans 10: 14 – 15
2 Corinthians 5: 20
1 Peter 3: 15
Application...
1.Imagine yourself standing alongside the disciples as Jesus gives this Great Commission. What are your thoughts? How do you feel?
2. People have sometimes said that the Church has too often succeeded in turning the “Go” to “Come” and the “Commission” to “Omission”. Do you think that’s fair? How do you see the Great Commission being applied for us today?
3. It’s often pointed out that discipling is not the same as converting or being a church attendee. What is the difference? How do we see the scope of this personally – locally – nationally and globally?
4. What correlation is there between the promise of His presence and the challenge of the Commission? How do you see it working for yourself?
Praying...
Would you pray for someone you know who is not yet a Christian? Pray also for local, national and global mission.
Session Two – Called to Follow
Reading: Matthew 4: 12 - 22
Understanding ...
As Jesus begins to preach, the heart of his message is summarised - Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Matthew’s Gospel is particularly interested in seeing the prophetic fulfilment of Jesus’ ministry. Writing as he first was to a Jewish readership, the fulfilment of Isaiah 9: 1- 2 is even more significant. In this same area around Galilee Jesus calls his first disciples to follow him. Simon, Andrew, James and John are all Galilean fishermen. Jesus invites them to follow him and become fishers of men. It was common practice for Rabbis to seek apprentices who would follow and learn from them. There was clearly something stunningly attractive about the Rabbi Jesus that compelled these first disciples to leave their livelihoods and to become apprenticed to Christ.
Cross referencing...
John 1: 35 – 42
Acts 11: 25 – 26
Philippians 4: 9
1 Corinthians 1 : 26 – 29
Application...
(1 ) How do you understand what Jesus is doing in calling people to be disciples? What is meant by being a “disciple” today?
(2) In David Watson’s classic book “Discipleship” he writes: “The great tragedy of modern evangelism is in calling many to belief but few to obedience!” Do you agree with that? How might you put it to someone thinking about becoming a Christian?
(3) As you think about what Jesus was calling his first disciples to be and do, how do you see those challenges paralleled in our calling now? What do you think we might need to leave behind in order to fulfil the calling?
(4) Discipleship means committing ourselves unreservedly to him. What does that look like for you? Can it really work for us in life on our frontline?
Praying...
Pray for one another and for the whole church at OBC that we might understand and embrace the challenges of discipleship.
Session Three – Called to Fulfilment
Reading: Matthew 5: 1 - 12
Understanding ...
As Jesus begins his famous Sermon on the Mount it is the disciples that are being taught by him. The Beatitudes are Christ’s own specification of what every Christian ought to be. All these qualities of character are meant to characterise all his followers. The blessings promised describe how living under God’s rule will bring fulfilment now and for eternity.
Poor in spirit – Acknowledging our spiritual poverty
Mourning – Not so much the sorrow of bereavement, as the sorrow of repentance
Meekness – Humility before God and others
Hunger and thirsty – Deep desire for righteousness
Merciful – Compassion for people in need
Pure in heart – Includes moral purity but extends to transparency of spirit
Peacemakers – God loves reconciliation
Persecuted – Experience hostility
Cross Referencing ...
Galatians 5: 22 - 23
Romans 12: 1 – 2
Philippians 2: 1 – 5
Psalm 24: 3 – 5
Application
(1) Can you describe the kind of Christian disciple that the Beatitudes portray? What would a Christian identikit of this person inwardly look like?
(2) Can we not only face the challenges but claim the promises that are attached? Do you think we can want the promises without facing the challenges?
(3) “Christians in the West” claims David Watson, “have largely neglected what it means to be a disciple of Christ”. Do you think this is true? Why do you think (if you do) that commitment is not a popular concept today?
(4) How do you think people in our society view committed Christians today? Would they be more or less sceptical if they saw “Beatitude like Christians”?
Praying ...
Pray for one another and the whole church that we might reflect the character of Christ in our discipleship.
Session Four – Called to Wisdom
Reading: Matthew 7: 24 - 29
Understanding ...
At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus challenges us not just to be hearers of his Word but doers. It’s noteworthy that the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with authority, unlike their Pharisees. In this well known mini parable of the two builders, a casual observer would not have noticed any difference between the two foundations. Only when a storm broke was the fundamental and fatal difference revealed. Immediately before this, Jesus warns of the danger of false teaching, sheep in wolves’ clothing and then also of the danger of a mere verbal profession “Lord, Lord”. The Apostles never forgot this.
Cross referencing...
1 John 1:6
James 2: 14 – 20
Hebrews 4: 12
Revelation 3: 15 – 16
Application...
(1) If we are going to discern true from false teaching and then also build on firm foundations we need to read and learn from the word of God. Can you encourage one another by sharing what you have found helpful in this? How can we let God’s word shape our lives more?
(2) The Bible is a dangerous book to read in that it lays upon us the sermon’s responsibility of ensuring that what we know is translated into what we do. How relevant is this distinction for us between “hearers” and “doers” today? Can you give some specific examples?
(3) In your experience what do the storms consist of that beat against the house? Do you think it might also include the judgement of God?
(4) How important is it today to be able to discern true from false teaching? Do you also think that there are many who claim to be Christians but are simply not?
Praying...
Pray especially for our children and young people in the Church, asking that we might really help them build on solid foundations.
Session Five – Called to Commitment
Reading: Matthew 8: 18 - 22 & 9: 35 - 38
Understanding ...
Jesus never promised an easy life to those who followed him. Matthew’s Gospel, in particular, records a whole number of occasions when Christ’s call to the cost of discipleship was quite brutal. His call to wholehearted commitment includes hard words that we might find difficult or even distasteful. The emphasis is that our love for Jesus must be our first priority. The Lordship of Christ means that nothing else can have the first place in our lives. It is the way of the Cross. He tells us bluntly that if anyone is to follow him we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. This was a lesson that the Apostles learned in painful experience. The cost of discipleship was real for them and should be for us.
Cross referencing...
Romans 6: 2 – 8
Galatians 2: 20
Acts 5: 29 – 32
Philippians 3: 7 – 11
Application...
(1) Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously put it: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”. What do you think that walking the way of the Cross involves? What might denying yourself mean today?
(2) If Jesus must take first place in our lives what does this mean for our other priorities including family, work and interests? How do we practise whole life discipleship?
(3) With such a call to a life of uncompromising obedience are we tempted to qualify Christ’s call? In the light of modern culture can we take a more “reasonable” line?
(4) It’s often said that the true disciple should be in the world but not of the world. What do you think is involved in that? Can you give some examples from life?
Praying...
Pray for those who are persecuted for their faith around the world.
Session Six – Called to Trust
Reading: Matthew 14: 22 - 36
Understanding ...
Jesus had fed the 5,000 and now he retreats up a mountain to pray. With the wind against them, in the middle of the night Jesus catches up with his disciples by walking on water. In their fear he encourages them to faith. Matthew wants his readers to understand that Jesus may sometimes come when least expected – 3am in the middle of a storm. It was a divine appointment for Peter especially who wanted to test his faith by coming to Jesus on the water himself. The whole story is about trust and obedience, extreme discipleship that invites us to step out of the boat ourselves. In John Ortberg’s famous book “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat” he comments: “Peter failed. But I think there were eleven bigger failures sitting in the boat”
Cross referencing...
Philippians 4: 13
2 Corinthians 12: 9
Ephesians 3: 16
Isaiah 40: 29 – 31
Application...
(1) Do you think we tend to be rather “conservative” in our Christian faith? What might it mean for us to get out of the boat ourselves?
(2) John Ortberg asks the question as to where we are in relation to Jesus –
- Huddled in the boat
- One leg in, one out
- Walking on water
Where does fear or comfort in our lives keep us from trusting God more?
(3) As a result of seeing the wind and giving in to fear, Peter began to sink. When he failed, Jesus was there to pick him up. Have you found this true in failure yourself? In what areas of your life do you need to trust God more?
(4) At what points in your life have you seen the most growth as a Christian? What does the answer tell you about discipleship?
Praying...
Pray for others that you know who need to trust God through what they are facing.
Session Seven – Called to Christ
Reading: Matthew 16: 13- 20
Understanding ...
The call by Jesus is also a call to Jesus. It is wholly personal. By this point, the end was coming near and Jesus spent more time with his disciples. He leads them to the area of Caesarea Philippi approx 25 miles north east of Galilee. In this non-Jewish area temples to other gods dominated, including a huge white marble temple built to the worship of Caesar. Against this background Jesus invites his disciples to confess Him as Lord. People had many opinions, but Peter spoke on behalf of the group: “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God”. Note the play on words as the name of Peter means rock. Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, is the foundation stone of the Church. Special authority is given to Peter and the church which will be established would never be overcome. He warns them not to tell others that He is the Christ – His time had not yet finally come to be revealed to all.
Cross referencing...
John 20: 31
Acts 2: 36
Romans 10: 9
Philippians 2: 11
Application...
(1) Do you think we have the equivalent of the Caesarea Philippi context in our culture today? Who do people say Jesus is?
(2)The importance of confessing belief is a first step in discipleship. What do you think are the most important elements? Is there a danger of just depending on feelings?
(3) The church itself is to be built on the rock of Peter’s confession. What other things does the church sometimes get built on? How can we make sure that Jesus is at the centre?
(4) Jesus’ sense of the spiritual dimension in his ministry and to discipleship is acute. Do you think we could be more aware of the spiritual world around us? In what ways?
Praying...
Pray for OBC and all that goes on within it that Jesus might be the rock on which we build.
Session Eight – Called to Community
Reading: Matthew 18: 15 - 20
Understanding ...
In this whole chapter Matthew brings together teaching from Jesus that refers to our relationships with one another. In particular, he thinks about the church to come. Immediately following this passage is the Parable of the unmerciful servant emphasising the importance of forgiveness. Within my family, not least the Christian one, conflicts sometimes arise. Jesus encourages us not to talk to everyone else about the problem, but to go to the person directly. He also gives authority to the Church, echoing what he gave to Peter, to exercise some form of Church discipline. There is a special power when we come together in unity. He promised to be with us in a particular way. Community as Christians is a fundamental aspect of our call to discipleship.
Cross referencing...
Hebrews 10: 25
Acts 2: 42
1 Corinthians 12: 27
Ephesians 4: 29
Application...
(1) David Watson wrote: “The sense of Christian community for all disciples was so strong and fundamental in the first century that salvation outside the church was considered impossible”. Has that changed? What is the importance of the Church to discipleship?
(2) The basis for being able to have a sense of accountability is a covenanting together of disciples of Christ: Is that sense of accountability still possible for us? What are the benefits or disadvantages?
(3) In any community “Gossip” can be a real problem. Do you think what Jesus suggests here is workable for us personally? Any examples?
(4) Jesus gives authority to the Church and a special empowerment to unity. Do you think that gracious Church discipline could still be a reality? Do you find what Jesus says about His presence in community to be true today?
Praying...
Pray for our church together that our love and commitment to one another might be even stronger.
Session Nine – Called to Ministry
Reading: Matthew 25: 14 - 30
Understanding ...
In a series of Parables about lives lived in the light of God’s judgement, Jesus tells this story of the Talents. In Palestine the talent was not a coin, it was a weight and the value of it depended on whether it was copper, silver or gold. The Parable teaches that whatever talents we have, however many we are given, we must use them in the service of God. The person who buries his talent in the ground, doing nothing with it, is condemned. Some commentators suggest that the useless servant stands for Scribes and Pharisees, who looked to keep things exactly as they were. Whether that was in Jesus’ mind or not, the Parable is relevant for disciples today. He is the giver of every good gift and with those gifts He wants us to grow and serve. Later in the New Testament, following the Day of Pentecost, talents will have been increasingly described as spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit.
Cross referencing...
Romans 12: 4 – 8
1 Corinthians 12: 4 – 7
Ephesians 4: 7 – 13
1 Peter 4: 10 - 11
Application...
(1) Is there a difference between natural talents that all people might have and gifts that the Christian is given? What are some of the gifts you especially see being used at OBC?