TOPIC – Intentional Disciple-Making
OPENING PRAYER: Father as I grow in you, help me to consciously make disciples for your
kingdom.
MEMORY VERSE: “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.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 3:10-15
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Discipleship process requires a teacher-student relationship. Hence, there is no discipleship where the convert is not taken through a definite process of intentional learning. The goal of discipleship is to produce an individual who has come to the realization of living on daily basis with Christ and experiencing consistent growth through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
TEXT REVIEW: 2 TIMOTHY 3:10-15 – “MASTER AND HIS STUDENT”.
(i) The following phrases point to the fact that a master-student relationship existed between Apostle Paul and Timothy:
“thou hast fully known my doctrine” (verse 10).”knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (verse 15) and “from whom hast thou learned them” (verse 15).
(ii) Apostle Paul must have spent quality time with Timothy before Timothy could master the nine (9) “faith courses” in three (3) different countries of Antioch, lconium and at Lystra. Verses 10-11
(iii) These courses were: doctrines, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions and afflictions. Verses 10-11.
(iv) These scripture-based subjects, Apostle Paul declared, were able to make the learners, Timothy,wise and produce good workieffect. Verses 14-16.
(v) The Apostle delivered the final key note instruction to Timothy (in verse 14) when he said, “continue thou in the things which thou has learned and has been assured of …”
He stated that doing this, Timothy would become perfect and thoroughly furnished unto ALL good work. Verse 17.
The above illustration demonstrates DELIBERATE/CONSCIOUS EFFORT of a master to produce quality and approved student, in this case a disciple proven and tested.
LESSON OUTLINE 1: REASONS FOR INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
(i) Intentional discipleship is a conscious, deliberate and purposeful effort of the teacher to reproduce himself/herself in the student
(ii) The Lord Jesus commended it. Matt. 28:18-20.
(iii) Intentional discipleship will ensure the continuity of the gospel. Acts 2:42.
(iv) It will enable the disciple to do a greater work in the ministry. John 14:12.
(v) It will eradicate the sacred/secular dichotomy in which the church-life and work-life of the disciples are different (being holy only in the church and becoming the opposite outside the church) 2Cor. 5:20.
(vi) It will help to raise new generations of kingdom believers and world-changers. 2 Tim. 1:5.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Mention those activities of a teacher to produce a student like himself/herself.
LESSON OUTLINE 2: HOW TO DISCIPLE OTHERS
(i) The Lord Jesus recruited, reshaped and renewed his disciples to change the world through the gospel. The Lord also did the following:
(ii) Living an exemplary life. 1 Cor. 11:1; Titus 2:7; 1Tim. 4:12.
(iii) Spiritual parenting. 1 Tim. 1:2; 6:20; Gal. 4:19.
(iv) Giving of instruction. Matt. 28:20; 1 Tim. 1:1-19.
(v) Letting your disciples observe what you do. Luke 11:1 and committing them to do what you would have done. 2 Tim. 2:2.
(vi) Giving allowance for mistakes and correction. Matt. 16:22- 24; 2Tim. 4:2.
(vii) Giving room for progress report/feedback. Luke 10:17.
(viii) Making recommendation for subsequent endeavours. Matt. 17:19-21 and being able to recommend such individual to others. Romans 16:1-2; Phil. 4:3.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Teacher to discuss how to strengthen the teacher-students relationship
SUMMARY: Disciples are made not born.
CONCLUSION: You are not successful until your successor has succeeded. Intentional discipleship does not just prepare the disciples for heaven but makes them relevant on earth. Therefore, make conscious effort to disciple others for Christ.
EVALUATION: What benefits does intentional discipleship propose to achieve?
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help all pastors, teachers and students to engage in intentional discipleship.
Click to read previous RCCG Weekly Sunday School Manuals here
ASSIGNMENT: Identify and explain five (5) errors which could hinder intentional discipleship. 2 marks for each point.
RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?