Adult Bible Study GuideApr • May • Jun 2015

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THEBOOK OFLUKE

The Book of LukeOur Goal

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Luke surveyed the historical

materials, interviewed the eyewitnesses (1:2), and then, with

“perfect understanding of all things,” wrote “an orderly account”

that readers “may know the certainty” of Jesus and His good

news (vss. 3, 4, NKJV).

The Book of LukeContents

1 The Coming of Jesus2 Baptism and the Temptations3 Who Is Jesus Christ?4 The Call to Discipleship5 Christ as the Lord of the Sabbath6 Women in the Ministry of Jesus7 Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Prayer8 The Mission of Jesus9 Jesus, the Master Teacher10 Following Jesus in Everyday Life11 The Kingdom of God12 Jesus in Jerusalem13 Crucified and Risen

The Book of LukeLesson 4, April 25

The Call to Discipleship

The Call to DiscipleshipKey Text

Luke 9:23 NKJV

“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’ ”

The Call to DiscipleshipQuick Look

1. The Call of Discipleship (Luke 5:8-11)2. The Charge of Discipleship(Luke 9:1, 2, 6)3. The Cost of Discipleship(Luke 9:23-26)

The Call to DiscipleshipInitial Words

“Disciple” means a follower, or a pupil. Being a disciple energizes the

spirit, challenges the mind, and demands our utmost in our relation-

ship with God and our fellow humans.Without total allegiance to Christ and the demands of His life and message,

there can be no discipleship.What higher calling could one have?

The Call to Discipleship1. The Call of Discipleship

Luke 5:8-11 NKJV“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell

down at Jesus knees.... For he [was] astonished at the catch of fish which

they have taken; and so also were James and John.... And Jesus said...‘Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.’ So...they forsook all

and followed Him.”

1. The Call of DiscipleshipFishers of Men

The first lesson of discipleship:obedience to Christ’s Word.

Peter fell to his knees and cried out:“ ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man’ ” (vs. 8, NKJV). Recognition of

the holiness of God and the sinfulness of oneself is an essential step in the

call to discipleship. As Isaiah had (Isa. 6:5), Peter had taken that step.

1. The Call of DiscipleshipFishers of Men

The life of a fisherman is uncertain and dangerous, battling ruthless

waves, unsure of a steady income. The life of a fisher of men is no less

so, but the Lord promises, “Fear not.”Discipleship is not an easy road; it has

its ups and downs, but a disciple is not called to walk alone. The One

who said “Fear not” is by their side.

1. The Call of DiscipleshipSelection of the Twelve

Discipleship is not self-made. It is a resultof responding to the call of Jesus.

The Twelve were chosen not because of their education, economic back-ground, social prominence, moral

eminence, or anything that marked them as worthy of selection. They were

ordinary men called for one purpose: to be ambassadors of the King.

Selection of the TwelveThe Desire of Ages 293

“God takes men as they are, with the human elements in their character, and

trains them for His service, if theywill be disciplined and learn of Him.They are...chosen...notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and practice of the truth, through the grace of Christ, they may become transformed into His image.”

The Call to Discipleship2. The Charge of Discipleship

Luke 9:1, 2, 6 NKJV“Then He called the twelve disciples together and gave them power and

authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.So they departed and went through the towns preaching the gospel and

healing everywhere.”

2. The Charge of DiscipleshipThree Steps of Commissioning

1. Called together. The apostles must heed the One who calls, come to Him, and be “together.”

Both the obedience to Him who calls and the surrender of everything to Him are essential to experience the unity that is vital for the mission to succeed.

2. The Charge of DiscipleshipThree Steps of Commissioning

2. Empowered. It is Christ who enables, equips, and empowers.

“As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings.”—Christ’s Object Lessons 333.

2. The Charge of DiscipleshipThree Steps of Commissioning

3. Sent to preach/heal. Preaching and healing go together, and the mission of the disciples is to care for the whole person—body, mind, and soul.

Sin and Satan have captured the whole person, and the whole person must be brought under the sancti-fying power of Jesus.

2. The Charge of DiscipleshipSending the Seventy

During His ministry, more than the Twelve followed Jesus.

At least 500 followers at His ascension (1 Cor. 15:6).

Jesus, as a trainer of leaders for the church, has left a strategy not to

concentrate power and responsibility in a few but to spread it across the

spectrum of disciples.

The Call to Discipleship3. The Cost of Discipleship

Luke 9:23-26 NKJV“ ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his

cross daily and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for

My sake will save it. ... For whoever isashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed....’ ”

3. The Cost of DiscipleshipDeath to Self

Christian discipleship rests not just on Christ’s teachings but also on what He did for human salvation. Hence, Jesus bids all His followers to fully identify

themselves with Him, to takeup their cross, and to follow His

leadings.Without people walking in the

footprints of Calvary, there is no Christian discipleship.

3. The Cost of DiscipleshipDeath to Self

When the call to discipleship demands that I deny myself, I must be able to say

I do not know me; self is dead.In its stead, Christ must live (Gal. 2:20).Second, to take up the cross daily is a call to experience self-crucifixion on a

continual basis. Third, to follow demands that the focus and direction

of life is Christ and Him alone.

The Call to DiscipleshipFinal Words

“Lifting the cross cuts away self from the soul, and places man where he

learns how to bear Christ’s burdens.We cannot follow Christ without

wearing His yoke, without lifting the cross and bearing it after Him. ...We are

to deny our inclinations, give up our darling desires, and step in Christ’s

footsteps.”—EGWhite Sons and Daughters of God 69.