8/8/2019 Cell Study05112010 Ancient Path

1/2

Cell StudyThe Ancient Path of Discipleship

The prophet Jeremiah lived and ministered in a time of growing spiritual apathyand moral decline. Despite repeated warnings, God's people were drifting awayfrom Him. As a result, instead of being a positive influence on the surroundingnations, they were becoming just like them. They had already fallen from theheight and splendor of David and Solomon's time, now long forgotten. Little didthey know that they were very close to seeing the complete destruction of thecity of Jerusalem. Before long the cruel Babylonians would carry away them intocaptivity. Jeremiah prophesied words of warning and also words of hope. Hecalled the people back to God: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for theancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest foryour souls (Jeremiah 6:16). The ancient paths were paths that were welltrodden by people of faith throughout the generations. Instead, the people weretaking detours, new paths that ended up causing them to become lost.Unfortunately, Gods people didn't listen. They continued on their own way ...and suffered the consequences.

Discipleship is one of those ancient paths. When Jesus was on earth, he spent 30years in anonymity and only three and a half years in ministry. He spent most of

those years in ministry discipling and developing his twelve disciples and before

he departed from this earth, he left us with the same mandate go and make

disciples of all nations

What is discipleship? The word disciple "occurs 269 times in the New

Testament, while the term "Christian" only occurs three times. To be a disciple is

to be an apprentice, a learner. The disciples have it as their goal to become like

their master and in this case, Jesus Christ.

Discipleship capitalises on the power of multiplication and produces a domino

effect that can be felt for many generations.

Jesus gave his disciples three challenges:

a. Come and see

b. Come and follow and I will make you fisher of menwhich requires

relationship (following) and intentional training ( I will make you)

c. Come and diewhich requires passion and character transformation

(dying to self)

Discussion:Discuss Jeremiahs call to Gods people to return to the ancient paths(Jer.6:16). In what way is this relevant to the church today in our generation?What do you think of when you hear the word disciple? Is there a differencebetween a Christian and a disciple?What level of discipleship are you at: come and see, come and follow or comeand die? What can you do to go to next level?Which spiritual practices have been most beneficial to your development as adisciple of Jesus? What ones have been difficult or least beneficial?How can we as a Cell Group be more effective as a disciple-making group?

8/8/2019 Cell Study05112010 Ancient Path

2/2

What are some of the challenges in discipling others e.g. time, sense ofinadequacy, etc?