Distinctive Discipleship

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Sermon in NGU Chapel – Jan. 29, 2020

If every Christian is in a unique place surrounded by specific challenges, why do we think that a broad approach will work for every single one of us? It’s time to get back to making disciples – one disciple at a time.

Colossians 1:27-29

Notes

  • If you feel spiritually stuck, it might not be a dedication issue but a discipleship issue.
  • The Great Commission calls us to make disciples – not converts.
  • Salvation isn’t the finish line; it’s the starting line.
  • Jesus called us to follow Him with our lives – not just experience Him at our events.
  • If there is a true profession of faith, there should be a true progression of faith.
  • The Christian life should be marked by gradual yet continual progress (Col. 1:9-11).
  • The more I am who God called me to be, the better chance you have to be who God called you to be (Col. 1:24-25).
  • Jesus doesn’t expect you to be perfect, but He does equip you to make progress (Col. 1:27-29).
  • Each of us has specific issues, yet we inherently rely on generic approaches.
  • The Distinctive Discipleship concept uses a biblical framework to address specific areas:
    • Delight – “Christ in you, the hope of glory”
    • Disobedience – “warning everyone”
    • Doctrine – “teaching everyone with all wisdom”
    • Development – “present everyone mature in Christ”
    • Discipline – “for this I toil”
    • Dependence – “struggling with all His energy”
  • The destination of discipleship is the same for every individual, but each unique journey demands specific directions.
  • This model will be good for an individual, better with a partner, but best with a mentor.
  • Particular people require distinctive discipleship.

Extra Resources

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For those looking for a more in-depth guide, I have developed a book and an 8-week Bible study.