Dedicated to Discipleship

Introduction

Review of last week: We are Dedicated to...

• The Gospel

• The Word of God

• Evangelism/Missions

Matthew 28:19-20

1. Jesus on Discipleship

• Deny yourself - Luke 9:23

• Take up your cross - Luke 9:23

• Follow Me (Jesus) - Luke 9:23

• Continue/Remain/Obey My Word - John 8:31

• Love Me (Jesus) above anything - Luke 14:26

• Make more disciples - Matthew 28:19-20

2. Paul on Discipleship

• Follow the pattern of Christ and those before you. - 2 Timothy 1:13-14

• Invest/deposit what you have learned in others. - 2 Timothy 2:2

3. A Disciple of Jesus is...

• Following

  • Hebrew - halak = to walk in the way of someone.  Halak is the OT backbone of discipleship. To follow YHWH was to pattern your whole life after His character

    • Deuteronomy 13:4

  • Greek - opisō - behind, in the footsteps of. Following is positional, habitual, and visible.

    • Matthew 4:19

    • Matthew 16:24

• Training

  • Greek - gymnazo = from which we get "gymnasium". Paul's word choice is deliberately athletic. Training implies discipline, repetition, coaching, and failure along the way. This is not passive — it is the sanctifying work of the Spirit meeting human effort

    • 1 Timothy 4:7-8

    • 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    • 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

• Investing

  • Greek - parathou = a banking/stewardship term. It involves transferring assets to someone else for safe keeping.

    • 2 Timothy 2:2

    • Matthew 28:19-20

Application

If Jesus came this afternoon to give you a personal review of how you are following, training, and investing what would He say?

Discipleship Pathway Opportunities Available at HPC!

• Exploring

• Following

• Training

• Investing

Warm-Up

If someone watched your life for one week, what would they say you are most dedicated to?

Sermon Questions

Matthew 28:19-20

Transition: Over the past weeks we have talked about being dedicated to The Gospel, The Word of God, and Evangelism and Missions. Jesus never intended these things to stand alone. They all lead to one central purpose: making disciples. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His followers one primary mission "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19-20, CSB) The question is not simply, "Am I a Christian, but am I living as a disciple of Jesus?"

1. Jesus on Discipleship

Read Luke 9:23

Which part of Jesus' command is hardest for people today dnying self? Taking up your cross? Following Him? Other?

What is the difference between believing in Jesus and following Jesus?

What are some practical examples of denying ourselves for Christ?

Read John 8:31

Why do you think Jesus connects discipleship with remaining in His Word?

What habits help us stay connected to God's Word consistently?

Read Luke 14:26

What do you think Jesus means when He says our love for Him must be greater than our love for anyone else?

Key Insight: Jesus describes discipleship as complete surrender, faithful obedience, and supreme devotion to Him.

2. Paul on Discipleship

Read 2 Timothy 1:13-14 and 2 Timothy 2:2

Who has invested spiritually in your life?

What lessons or truths have shaped your walk with Christ the most?

Is there anyone you are intentionally helping grow spiritually right now?

Key Insight: Notice that Paul referred to four generations of disciples here (Paul, Timothy, faitfhful people, others). Discipleship is not just receiving truth—it is passing truth on to others.

3. A Disciple of Jesus Is...

Following

Read Deuteronomy 13:4 and Matthew 4:19

What areas of life are easiest to follow Jesus in?

What areas are most difficult?

What does it look like to walk in His footsteps this week?

Key Insight: In the Old and New Testaments following God means ordering your entire life around His ways. A disciple doesn't merely admire Jesus; a disciple follows Jesus.

Training

Read 1 Timothy 4:7-8

What spiritual disciplines have helped you grow the most?

Why do many Christians desire growth but avoid training?

What is one spiritual habit you need to strengthen?

Key Insight: Training implies discipline, repetition, coaching, and growth over time. No athlete becomes strong accidentally, neither does a disciple. Spiritual maturity is developed through intentional training empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Investing

Read 2 Timothy 2:2

Who are the people God has placed in your life to influence?

What keeps us from investing in others spiritually?

How can we begin discipling someone without feeling like an expert?

Key Insight: Disciples do not merely consume truth; they invest truth into others. The Gospel is a treasure that must be passed onl.

Application

If Jesus came this afternoon to give you a personal review, what would He say about your following? Are you walking behind Jesus in daily life?

Training? Are you intentionally growing in godliness?

Investing? Are you helping someone else follow Christ?

Which of these three areas needs the most attention in your life right now?

Allow each person an opportunity to share.

Challenge for the Week

Choose one action in each category:

Following: What is one area where you need to obey Jesus more fully this week?

Training: What spiritual discipline will you intentionally practice this week?

Investing: Who is one person you can encourage, mentor, invite to church, or share Scripture with this week?

Closing Prayer

"Father, thank You for calling us not merely to believe in Jesus, but to follow Him. Help us deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and walk faithfully behind our Savior. Train us through Your Word and Spirit to become mature disciples. Give us courage to invest what You have entrusted to us into the lives of others. May our church and our families be known as people who make disciples who make disciples. In Jesus' name, Amen."