Dynamics of Discipleship, Part 2
Matthew 11:28-30
Introduction
- Opening Question: What is discipleship?
- Primary Question: What is a disciple?
Defining Discipleship
- Importance of Definition:
- Charles Kettering quote: "A problem well defined is a problem half solved."
- Threefold Approach to Understanding a Disciple:
- Etymology of the word "disciple"
- Usage of the term "disciple" in the New Testament
- Our Lord's teaching about a disciple
Etymology of "Disciple"
- Definition: A disciple is a learner
- Key Passage:
- Matthew 11:25-30 – Learn from Jesus
- Teachable Spirit:
- Importance of being teachable
- Personal anecdotes about teaching at Dallas Seminary
Usage of "Disciple" in the New Testament
- Key Passages:
- Mark 1:16-18: Jesus calls Simon and Andrew
- Mark 2:14: Jesus calls Levi
- Characteristics of a Disciple:
- A disciple is a learner
- A disciple is a follower
- Importance of perpetuating the learning process
Our Lord's Teaching on Discipleship
- Key Characteristics of a Disciple:
- Obedience: John 8:31-32: Holding to Jesus’ teaching
- Love: John 13:34-35: Loving one another as Jesus loved
- Fruitfulness: John 15:8, 16: Bearing fruit that will last
- Model of the New Testament:
- Not perfection but progression
- Importance of growing in grace and knowledge
Practical Application
- Realistic Model:
- Following or imitating the life and teaching of Jesus
- The evangelical community’s challenges
- Importance of Reproduction:
- Disciples as reproducing servants
- Personal responsibility to disciple others
- Examples of Effective Discipleship:
- Personal anecdotes about discipling students and laymen
- Long-term impact of discipleship efforts
Conclusion
- Prayer for Renewal:
- Seeking a new vision and power from the Holy Spirit
- Building into the lives of others to bear the marks of Jesus Christ
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors
Howard G. Hendricks
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.
His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”
Contributors
