Kingdom Principle: Discipleship is investing in others. Jesus gives us the ultimate model of discipleship by committing to 12, investing in 3, and confiding in 1.
Discipleship: Each one of us, taking responsibility for another’s joy and progress in Christ.
__________________ to 12
Matthew 10:1–5 (ESV) — 1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction… 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them…
Instruction is a vital aspect of effective discipleship. We have to learn what it looks like to be a disciple. But hear this, instruction is more than just information, instruction is also practice. Instruction is in the truth and the practice, the doctrine and the doing.
Commitment to a small group of disciples is essential to our growth in the gospel and the gospel’s growth in the world around us.
___________________ in 3
Matthew 17:1–2 (ESV) — 1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them…
Matthew 26:36–38 (ESV) — 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (that is James and John), he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
These three men saw Jesus at the highest and the lowest part of his ministry. They saw him glorified on the Mount and humiliated in the Garden. It was to these three men alone that Jesus exposes the fullest display of his nature as the Son of God and reveals his God-given purpose.
Galatians 2:6–9 (ESV) — 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me… 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Who are you investing in as you fulfill your roles and responsibilities in the church, home, and world?
We will only be as strong as those in whom we invest.
________________________ in 1
John 13:21–25 (ESV) — 21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?”
That disciple is also identified by his place at the supper as lying or reclining in the bosom (en tō kolpō) of Jesus. The implication is obvious that just as the Son was in the bosom of the Father (1:18), so the beloved disciple was in the bosom of Jesus (13:23).
Question to Consider
To whom are you Committed? In whom are you Investing? With whom do you confide?
