All New Testament Churches Must Disciple Believers Pt. 2 Discipleship Takes Time, Energy and Commitment

In our last post, we learned about what it means to disciple believers in the things of God. We studied many references to what it means when we edify one another in the church. 

Strength to endure hardship from God's grace. 

2 Timothy 2:1  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

Timothy was saved under the preaching of the apostle Paul. The apostle loved young Timothy like a son and gave him much discipleship in preparation for gospel ministry. 

He exhorted Timothy to stand strong in the mighty grace of God. Paul knew that God's grace would sustain him through any hard times and challenges connected with preaching the Word. 

The words "my son" were used by Paul to encourage Timothy to follow his example, just as a son tends to emulate his earthly father. 

Glory in gospel truth and don't be ashamed. 

2 Timothy 1:8  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 

Timothy was saved at a young age. He had a tender heart and at times, a timid spirit. Therefore, Paul worked diligently to prepare Tim for ministry, knowing that he would die a martyrs death at some point. 

Timothy needed to be properly equipped to carry on gospel ministry in Paul's absence. 

All believers in Christ need to make sure we are never ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for this is the greatest news any person will ever hear.  

Suffering is part of the Christian life.  

2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

Jesus said we must count up the cost of following Him, before we take up our cross. Many people are drawn to the idea of Christianity, or will readily embrace Christian morality and ethics. 

However, when it comes to living according to Christ's commands and persecution comes, then many people stop following Christ. 

This is why Paul warned Timothy that believers will suffer for the sake of the gospel. Suffering for Christ is to be endured with joy, because God will keep His promise to each believer concerning eternal life. 

Commit God's truth to other faithful men. 

2 Timothy 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

Paul taught many people the pure apostolic truth as Christ Jesus spoke through His apostles. Timothy heard Paul preach this pure truth in many places to multitudes of people. 

Paul made Timothy responsible to retain the pure doctrines of our faith for himself, and to be ready to teach truth to other men.

The word "commit" means to set the scriptures out on a table in the open, like excellent food set on a banquet table (See Psalm 23). 

Paul gave Timothy the inspired, sound words which he was to teach. He told Timothy to commit those truths to faithful men, in the same way that Paul committed truth to him. 

In this manner, other faithful men would also reach more believers and to anchor them to the truth. 

Teach truth so that others taste God's Word and discover His goodness.

Psalm 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 

Timothy would clearly explain God's Word to faithful men, so that they could taste and see that the Lord is good. We find great blessing and rest when we learn of God from His Word. 

We taste the scriptures and see that Jehovah is good. We taste the scriptures and find nourishment for our souls and a place of refuge. 

Teach God's pure Word so that others may grow in grace. 

1 Peter 2:2,3  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3)  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 

Not any man could receive God's truth; only men who were faithful to God and holy in conduct (See 1 Peter 1:16-21). 

Peter reminds us to crave the sincere milk of God's word. The word "sincere" pure truth, unadulterated, unmixed. 

Faithful men were to be spiritually trained by Timothy, so that they could teach or disciple other churches and believers. 

In this manner, God's truth is preserved in the Church, and holy men are still called to preach it. 

Hold fast the precious Word that is free from error. 

2 Timothy 1:13,14  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14)  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 

This instruction to Timothy from Paul came in chapter one, and it is connected with teaching faithful men the same apostolic truth. 

The words "hold fast" mean to have it stored in the mind, to know it so well as to possess it and to live by its teaching. 

The word "pattern" refers to a plan of a building, and here refers to the plan of salvation which Timothy learned from Paul. 

God gave the form of sound words or doctrines. He gave us a perfect plan and outlines of all spiritual truth. He gave us truth about our present condition, His offer of salvation, and His eternal glory.

Inspired truth was committed to young Timothy and the apostles, by the indwelling Spirit of God.

Never stop preaching and teaching the gospel truth. 

Acts 5:40-42  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41)  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42)  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 

The apostles were verbally and physically assaulted by the Jew's ruling council. Yet, they counted it worthy of rejoicing because they suffered shame for the blessed name of Jesus Christ. 

This text is a great example of holding fast the form of sound words. They never stopped teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Teach the same body of truth to each believer. 

1 Corinthians 4:17  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. 

Paul sent young Timothy to the church at Corinth so that he could refresh their memories regarding Paul's teaching. Notice, the pattern of Paul's ministry. He taught the same truth in every church. He did not alter it or water it down so that God's truth was more palatable to the hearers. 

Teach others to hear and heed what Christ says to us. 

Matthew 7:24,25  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 

The word "catechism" refers to teaching a broad overview of doctrinal truth to new believers in Christ. 

This ensures that the teaching of God's Word to all believers is standardized, so that each believer begins with the same, good foundation to build upon.

Take note of what Jesus Christ taught. He said that all those who hear and heed what He says to us, are like a wise man building his home on a proper foundation. 

This means that his home will endure the storms of life and protect those who are inside. It is a beautiful picture of a believer being "in Christ" safe within the firm grasp of the Father's almighty hand. 

Teach truth and live by it as a good example. 

1 Timothy 4:11-13  These things command and teach. 12)  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13)  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 

Paul reminded Timothy to command others to obey the apostolic instruction and to teach truth to others. He also reminded Timothy (and us) to be living examples of what it means to be converted to Christ. 

All believers must pay attention to reading and studying the scriptures. We must give attention to hearing and heeding God's Word when it is preached and taught. We must pay attention to sound doctrine so that we can confront and expose doctrinal error.

Seek Jehovah's teaching for He will help us. 

Psalm 25:4,5  Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5)He   Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 

Believers can confidently pray for Jehovah to show us His ways. He will reveal His ways to us and He wants to open our eyes to see and understand His truth. He will train us to walk in His paths which are righteous and holy. 

The Psalmist wishes to know God’s way, to be taught in His path, and to be led into His truth. He cannot discern this way unless God shows it to him. He cannot learn the holy path unless God teaches him. He cannot walk in God’s truth unless God leads him. 

Even then, unless God continues to teach him, he shall never fully learn the lessons of his salvation. Therefore he adds, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me.”

God is good and He will teach sinners to bring them to salvation. 

Psalm 25:8,9  Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9)  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Jehovah is always good and upright in all that He does. Jehovah always reflects His goodness and upright nature in all that He does. 

Because He is good, He will teach sinners, though they deserve nothing but destruction. Because He is right, He will teach them the true way. His love is unconditional and His grace is plentiful. His mercy reaches the heavens.

Therefore, believers can safely trust Him. He will teach sinners how to be saved. He will bring conviction into their souls, so that sinners repent and turn to Jesus Christ for deliverance from sin. 

He will give each repentant believer a new heart and a new spirit so that He might transform their lives. The peace of God and the fruit of the Spirit will be manifest in each believer and our lives will be marked by longsuffering, meekness and humility. 

Teaching and learning God's truth is necessary for spiritual growth. 

1 Corinthians 11:2  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 

1 Corinthians 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 

The Greek word translated "keep" has the idea of being carefully taught and instructed in the truth of God's Word. 

It is diligently teaching others so that they retain truth from God, firmly possessing and securely keeping it, so that His truth will never slip away. 

This Greek word is found in the word "catechism" which is asking questions of new believers, concerning the doctrines of the Christian faith.  

It means to instruct believers, by asking questions, receiving answers, and offering explanations and corrections. It is giving instruction in the principles of God's truth.

Thoughts to Ponder...

Jude 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 

Discipleship takes time, energy and commitment from each pastor, teacher or lay leader. 

The goal is passing on the true faith in Jesus Christ that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). 

Jude tells us that we must be diligent in this task. The word "diligent" means teaching others with a sense of urgency.

Discipling believers is necessary, especially for new converts to Christ, to help them understand the fullness of faith in Christ. We want them to adhere to sound doctrine and follow hard after our Lord. 

Discipling believers in the foundational truths of God's word will not come easy. We must contend for the faith. 

We must not allow fatigue to make us slack in sharing His word with those who need instruction. 

We must not allow personal circumstances to derail our commitment to deliver the truth about Jesus Christ to the next generation of Christians. 

We must be good examples of godly living, so that those we instruct see the reality of Christ in us.

May Jesus Christ be praised by our response to His Word. May those of us who have been believers in Christ for a long time, be used of God to reach and teach others about Jesus. 

Bob