DISCIPLESHIP – WEEK 1

• John has a singular focus: Jesus Christ the Messiah, and he wants his disciples to have the same singular focus.
• John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
• John 1:35-37 35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
• John the Baptizer’s life revolves around the proclamation of the coming Messiah who has now arrived and has begun his earthly ministry.

What is a disciple? A follower and a student

• At Cielo Vista Church, we define a disciple this way: “A disciple follows the word of Jesus, learns the ways of Jesus, and reproduces the works of Christ in others.”
• John the Baptizer, who is so well known for his countercultural ways of living and his bold proclamations about the Christ, was an effective disciple maker because he pointed his disciples towards Christ.
• John stewards the relationships he is given; he sees the potential, he sees the opportunity.

• • the opportunity to introduce them to Christ
  • the opportunity to deepen their faith
  • the opportunity to carry the faith further and deeper
• John points them to Christ, and they begin to shift from following John to becoming Christ followers.
• John 1:38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
• What are their motives? What is it that they hope to gain from following Christ?
• John 1:39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
• The disciples were concerned with what following Christ would look like.
• Jesus’ desire is for his disciples to have a relationship with him.
• John 1:40-41 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).

The goal of discipleship is not ONLY to spend time abiding, and learning. Discipleship is also about being so enthralled with Christ that you can’t help but tell others.

• Sitting under the best teaching doesn’t have any effect unless you are transformed by it.
• Discipleship is not a program, its about abiding with Christ, being transformed and then helping others to do the same.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.