Discipleship

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope

 [There will be no additional class notes for this week nor for June 13 due totravel and  other responsibilities.   There will, however, be a reflective quiz for next week, June 13] 

June 6, 2009
Larry R Evans 

Introductory Reflections

Christian discipleship calls for an allegiance that is not distracted.  Disciples see the world differently (2 Cor. 5:16) because “Christ’s love compels us” to do so (v.14).  This commitment is both rewarding and costly.  It is rewarding because the selfishness of self is replaced with the unconditional love of God. The joy and fulfillment found in being an “imitator of God” (Eph. 5:1) surpasses a life of self-centeredness.  It is costly in the first place because serving self is so natural and often offers immediate gratification.  Unfortunately selfishness moves us away from the source of life.  It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote, “How can you hope to enter into communion with him when at some point in your life you are running away from him?  The man who disobeys cannot believe, for only he who obeys can believe.”  (Cost of Discipleship, p.73)  The invitation of Jesus to “Follow me” is far richer than becoming associated with a mere institutional system.  Following suggests becoming.  The disciple reflects a different worldview than the world around him or her. The disciples make a difference because their influence is not their own but Christ’s.  

Reflective Quiz 

1.   When delegating, leaders should choose those who are most willing to serve.  [Ex. 18:13-27; Mk 3:13-16; Matt. 4:19-22; Lk. 6:12,13]  True or False? 

2.   It is costly to be a disciple of Christ’s.  [Jn. 6:60-70; Mk 8:34]  True or False?

 3.  Self-serving is an inherited trait.  [Isa.14:12-14; Mk. 10:35-37]  True or False? 

4.  When Christ told His disciples that they must be willing to “take up His cross” he was referring to the necessity to be willing to die for His sake.  [Mk. 8:31-38]  True or False? 

5.  Suffering and hardships when following Jesus can be a blessing even on this earth. [Rom. 5:1-5]  True or False? 

6.  Becoming a disciple means that by denying pleasures in this life we will appreciate life with Christ in heaven even more.  [Jn. 10:10; Rom. 8:28-39]  True or False? 

7.  All are unworthy but all need only to appeal to the authority of Jesus to be saved. [Matt. 76:21-23; Lk 6:46-49]  True or False? 

8.  The greatest responsibility of a true spiritual teacher is to help each student to discern right from wrong. [Matt. 18:1-4; Lk. 18:15-30; Rom. 10:5-13]  True or False? 

9.  The biggest challenge for a disciple of Christ is not facing persecution but denying self.  [Rom. 7:5-11] True or False? 

Concluding Reflections 

This notion Jesus gave, “Follow Me,” changes lives from the inside out.  The disciple who follows thinks and lives differently but it means more than being labeled “a disciple.”  

“ No matter how high the profession, he whose heart is not filled with love for God and his fellowmen is not a true disciple of Christ. Though he should possess great faith and have power even to work miracles, yet without love his faith would be worthless. He might display great liberality; but should he, from some other motive than genuine love, bestow all his goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend him to the favor of God. In his zeal he might even meet a martyr's death, yet   not actuated by love, he would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite. . . . The strongest and noblest characters are built on the foundation of patience, love, and submission to God’s will.”—Ellen White in Acts of the Apostles, pp. 318, 319 (1911). 

There are many would be disciples today but to be a disciple of Christ we must love as He did.  The only way for that to be is for us to accept His invitation. 

 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20 (NIV)

 True discipleship begins and ends by being with Him.

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