Discipleship Series
Personal Evangelism & Discipleship
The purpose of this lesson is three-fold. First, to show you the verses that you can use to lead someone else to Christ; second, to show you practical ways in which you can use them so that your message is clearly understood; third, to acquaint the new Christian with the principles and importance of biblical discipleship.
Revival, evangelism, discipleship and missions, all energized by effectual, fervent prayer, done in a spirit of charity, are the lifeblood of the church.
Evangelism
I. The Word of God
A. It is important that you realize that you yourself cannot save an other person's soul, nor can you by your own power thaw that person to the point of salvation.
[1]. The Holy Spirit must convict them of them of their sin. John 16:8,9
[2]. The Father must draw them to the point of salvation. John 6:44
[3]. It took the sacrifice of the Son in order to pay for their sins. II Corinthians 5:21
II. The Work of the Christian
A. While the supernatural act of salvation can be done by God and God alone, it is the Christian that God uses as his tool to bring
about that salvation.
[1]. We are farmers that must plow, sow the seed, and water the ground. Matthew 13:3-8; Isaiah 28:24; Doth the plowman plow all day to sow?... I Corinthians 3:6 - I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
[2]. We are preachers that must proclaim the Word. Romans 10:13-15
[3]. We are ambassadors that help lead sinners to be reconciled to Christ. II Corinthians 5:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 2:4
III. The Commandment To Evangelize
A. We must take the gospel to all the world. Matthew 28:19,20
B. In the power of the Holy Spirit we must be witnesses to all the world. Acts 1:8
C. We must preach the gospel everywhere. Acts 8:]
D. We must speak the words of life. Acts 5:20
IV. The Presentation of the Gospel
A. Man must realize that he is a sinner. Romans 3:10,23
B. Man must understand that Clod died for him while he was still a sinner, not after he cleaned up his life. Romans 5:8
C. Man must come to God with genuine, godly repentance. Romans 2:4; Acts 20:21; II Corinthians 7:10
D. Man must believe that he is justified by the blood of Christ. Romans 5:9
E. Man should see that the payment of blood saves us from the wrath of God which is hell. Romans 5:9
F. Man must above all understand that it is his faith in the blood of Christ without any additional good works that saves him.
Romans 3:28
G. Man must call upon the Lord to save him. Romans 10:9-13
V. Discipleship's Purpose
A. As you know, all Christians are not disciples! Discipleship involves a conscious decision to follow the Savior, no matter what the cost. You became a Christian when someone who cared, told you about the gospel. Becoming a disciple of Jesus was the next step for you after you got saved. But now the Lord wants to extend His word through you to reach others, and disciple them.
B. There are five primary goals that serve to fulfill the biblical command of what we call "The Great Commission" of Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 1:8. They are as follows:
[1]. To evangelize the world. Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15
[2]. To establish churches. Acts 11:19-26
[3]. To build individual disciples. Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; II Timothy 2:2; II Peter 3:18
[4]. To bring churches and disciples to Christ-likeness. Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19
[5]. To bring glory to God. Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36; I Corinthians 10:31
VI. Discipleship's Place
A. Although Christ certainly evangelized and established His church, He never built what we would call a "big" church during His ministry. It was not His immediate intention to do so. His goal was to leave behind twelve men that could do what He had done, and reproduce it on a world-wide scale until He returned.
B. In the establishment of New Testament churches, Paul the apostle understood and taught this principle when he said, '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." (II Timothy 2:2). The command being that, what you have learned and lived, now must be taught to someone else!!!
C. Jesus said, "teaching them to observe all things... "This is not primarily to be from the pulpit, but rather by way of a personal, people-oriented process, one on one! It is an attitude, a biblical precept and a way of life.
VII. Discipleship's Accomplishment
A. Discipleship establishes the new Christian in the foundational truths of Biblical Christianity. I Thessalonians 3:2
B. Provides the new Christians with a caring, comforting friend to help through the difficulties of spiritual growth. I Thessalonians 3:2
C. Discipleship affords the new Christian additional spiritual protection through the counsel and prayer support of a mature Christian, I Thessalonians 3:5
D. Discipleship provides mutual accountability both to the disciple and discipler. The accountability factor affords both with motivation to grow in Christ and walk in faith. I Thessalonians 3:6
E. Discipleship provides fellowship, which is so important for a new Christian to have. I Thessalonians 3:6
F. Discipleship provides encouragement while the world goes out of its way to attack and discourage the young disciple in the Lord.
I Thessalonians 3:8
G. Discipleship brings the new Christian to "perfection" or maturity in Christ, so that he too becomes a discipler of the Lord Jesus. Ephesians 4:11,12; I Thessalonians 3:10
H. Discipleship therefore, in accomplishing all of these purposes, must bring fourth glory to God. I Thessalonians 3:13
VII. Discipleship's Challenge
A. The Lord Jesus Christ stated what some call "The Disciple's Oath" in Luke 9:23, "...if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. "This biblical commitment to discipleship involves at least these five things:
[1]. Desire - "If any man..."
[2]. Decision "will come after me..."
[3]. Denial - "let him deny himself.."
[4]. Dedication - "take up his cross daily..."
[5]. Determination - "and follow me..." "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever have commanded you..." Matthew 28;20
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Questions & Answers
(Please answer on a separate sheet)
Lesson 7- Evangelism/Discipleship
[1]. What part does the Holy Spirit play in evangelism?
[2]. What part does the Father play in evangelism?
[3]. What part did the Son play in evangelism?
[4]. What tool does God use to do his work of evangelism?
[5]. Who did God use to lead you to Christ?
[6]. What three things might a Christian be likened unto in his effort to evangelize the world?
[7]. How far are we to take the gospel?
[8]. Who will empower us to be witnesses for Christ?
[9]. Memorize the simple presentation of the gospel as found in the lesson and then write the seven steps without having to rely upon the notes.
[10]. Are all Christians disciples?
[11]. What are the five primary goals of the local church?
[12]. Briefly explain what Biblical Discipleship is not.
[13]. Biblical Discipleship accomplishes several things in the life of the new believer in Christ. List some of them.
[14]. The personal challenge to discipleship can be summed up in the words of Christ in Luke 9:23. These five commitment principles are:
Key Memory Verses:
Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8,9; Romans 3:28; Romans 10:9; Romans 10:13
NOTE: These heresies concerning evangelism should be avoided:
[1]. God is a God of love and therefore would not send anyone to hell.
[2]. Man can save himself by simply being a good person.
[3]. Living the gospel without preaching the gospel is sufficient to convince others to trust Christ.
Write any questions you may have concerning the lesson.
Key Memory Verse for Discipleship -
II Timothy 2:2
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