Why the church?
A Biblical Study
Study 9
Being a Disciple
Interestingly, the Greek word for ‘disciple’ is 'mathetes' NASB; a disciple:— disciple(26), disciples(233), disciples’(1), pupil(1) which is only used in the Gospels and Acts. This word is linked to the verb mathano, NASB ; to learn:— educated(1), find(1), learn(12), learned(9), learning(1), receive instruction(1) which has as a basic meaning, to learn.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary from 1897 (WS 5) summarizes the idea of a disciple this way, DISCIPLE a scholar, sometimes applied to the followers of John the Baptist (Matthew 9:14), and of the Pharisees (Matthew 22:16), but principally to the followers of Christ. A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example (Matthew 10:24; Luke 14:26-27, 33; John 6:69).
Sometimes the term is used specifically for those men who were selected as the twelve apostles (Mat.26:17 ff.; Mar. 14:12 ff.; Luk. 6:13 ff.; Joh. 18:15 ff.) (Renn’s Expository Dictionary software)
The question that needs to be asked is, how are you living as a disciple of Jesus Christ?
1. Read Matthew 4:20, 4:22, 4:25, 8:1. How do these verses describe the people who were with Jesus?
2. Read Matthew 8:19-22 and the parallel passage in Luke 9:57-60. When people expressed a desire to follow Jesus how did He deal with them in these two situations? Does anything surprise you about Jesus’ response?
3. How would you have responded if you were the first man? the second man?
4. Read Matthew 10:24,25. What is Jesus point in His teaching about a disciple and his teacher?
5. Read Matthew 11:1. How does this verse summarize the main idea of a disciple?
6. In Matthew 13:10 there is a practical illustration of the basic attitude of a disciple. What is it?
7. There is another example of discipleship in Matthew 14:15-20. How do these disciples show their willingness to learn?
8. Read Matthew 16:20,21. Jesus modelled a principle of disciple-making in these verses? Explain the principle.
9. Read Matthew 17:19, 18:1, 19:10. Here are additional verses that illustrate what it means to be a disciple. Do you ask the Lord questions about issues that are confusing, upsetting or seem contradictory?
10. Read Matthew 19:16-26. What does this passage reveal about being a disciple?
11. Read Matthew 11:28-30. How does this passage sum up what it means to be a disciple?
12. In Jesus extended teaching in John 6 He mentioned how people became disciples.
Read John 6:45. What did He say?
13. How does Acts 14:21 explain the way people became disciples?1
13. Read Ephesians 4:17-32. How is the life of a disciple shown in these verses?
14. Read Philippians 4:9-13. What can you discover about discipleship from the life of Paul?
15. Read 2 Timothy 3:6,7 and 2 Timothy 3:10-17. There are two groups of people described here. Who are they and what can you learn about discipleship from each of them?
16. Read Hebrews 5:8. Does this verse surprise you? Explain.
17. What is a specific example of suffering that you experienced that helped you understand what it means to learn to obey the Lord ?
18. Looking through the material we have covered, write out one thing you learned during this study.
1 matheteo, NASB to be a disciple, to make a disciple:— become a disciple(2), made...disciples(1), make disciples(1).