Discipleship 101
A Ministry of
Rochester First Assembly
4435 S Rochester Rd
Rochester, MI 48306
248-652-3353
This web site has as one simple task - assisting those endeavoring to become disciples of Jesus Christ, and offering a tool for those who are discipl-ers to mentor new disciples. To the self-led, or to the mentors, I pray this site will be anointed by the Spirit of Christ, and that His power will prevail upon follower and mentor alike.
Oswald Chambers said this about discipleship:
"If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all noble things are difficult. The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but the difficulty of it does not make us faint and cave in, it rouses us up to overcome. Do we so appreciate the marvelous salvation of Jesus Christ that we are our utmost for His highest?
"Thank God He does give us difficult things to do! His salvation is a glad thing, but it is also a heroic, holy thing. It tests us for all we are worth. Jesus is bringing many “sons unto glory,” and God will not shield us from the requirements of a son. God’s grace turns out men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not milksops (weak men). It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the noble life of a disciple of Jesus in actual things. It is always necessary to make an effort to be noble."
To those undertaking these lessons, heed the words just quoted; you are beginning a noble journey. It may be difficult at times, but nothing of value is easy to obtain. A solid foundation is the key to everything built on it.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. (1 Corinthians 3:11-13 NIV)
Material that is costly, precious, and valuable (gold, silver, costly stones) takes effort to obtain and shape, often requiring getting dirty digging and scrounging with great effort, but the end result is admirable. Other cheaper material is easier to find, laying around in plain sight, but it yields little, and everyone can see it's inferiority as a building material.
Becoming and making disciples requires difficulty, digging with your hands and getting dirty, but the results are truly eternal, and the effort is as noble as the command given by our Lord.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)
These lessons are in three general categories: New believer discipleship lessons, new church member discipleship lessons, and biblical worldview discipleship lessons. At the end of each lesson are Word and PDF files you can download and print. Please share them liberally with friends, co-workers, classmates, and family members. If you have any questions, please contact your mentor, or get in touch with me, Andy Madonio, through the Rochester First church office (links below and at top), or send me a note via this web site.
In Christ,
Andy Madonio, July 8, 2010
