Discipleship is like a mountain climbing expedition. The guide knows the way, therefore they lead by modeling each step for their fellow climber. This discipleship guide is designed to help the discipler model each step of the disciple’s spiritual growth. In this way the disciple learns to practice obedience to the Great Commission rather than just retain Bible knowledge. James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (NIV)

Start by marking all of the flags that represent the steps you’ve already taken in your spiritual life. You will proceed up the climb, following in each step of obedience as your discipler guides you. The ultimate goal is to accomplish the entire climb, find someone you can disciple and take them on the expedition, this time as their guide. The more times you guide an expedition the more you will become proficient at living out the Great Commission in your own life.

Matthew 28:18-20, Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commended you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV)

------------------------------------------------------

Many people are intimidated by discipleship because they don’t feel worthy or smart enough to disciple someone. Others don’t want to be discipled by just anyone. They want to be discipled by someone whom they perceive as a "giant in the faith". It may help us to better understand the expectations of discipleship if we first understand the definition of discipleship!

Let’s start with what discipleship is not.

1. Discipleship is not primarily the gaining of head knowledge. It is not a guru teaching his vast wisdom to a know-nothing.

2. It is not simply two people getting together as "iron sharpens iron". That, by itself, is an accountability partnership.

3. It is not merely a weekly scheduled, one-hour appointment where you progress through a bible study book.That is a Bible study.

4. It’s not a surface relationship sustained only by a weekly meeting.

5. Discipleship doesn’t end with the receipt of a certificate.

DISCIPLESHIP:
Examples of mentoring are found in the Old Testament, but the clearest example is that of our Lord Jesus. Jesus modeled effective discipleship for us. His discipleship was highly relational and rich in loving confrontation. He taught and modeled obedience, discipline, submission, humility, integrity, servanthood and faithfulness. His disciples discipled others.

DISCIPLESHIP IS:
1. Relationship: Although Jesus had many followers, He spent the majority of His time with twelve, and an even greater amount of time with an inner circle of three. Jesus built a deep relationship with these few. Your discipleship must be highly relational to be effective. The bonds that you develop through this encounter will last a lifetime and on into eternity. Take it seriously. Go deep.

2. Modeling: Jesus spent enough time with His disciples to really know them. In turn, the disciples were able to watch His every move as He modeled each aspect of the abundant life He taught. Most of Jesus’ teaching was "action based" rather then the classroom theory. Most of what you want your disciple to grasp will be better caught then taught. Live your life before them.

3. Obedience: Jesus’ tested his disciple’s progress by their level of obedience to His Word rather then by how much knowledge they had or by the completion of a curriculum. Your discipleship will stress obedience to God’s Word. Much of your discipleship will involve identifying the commands of the Word and immediately begin to practice obedience to them.

4. Discipline: Obedience and discipline are dirty words in our society today. Yet, they are the foundation to your discipleship. Discipline is simply doing what is right, because it is right. As the old saying goes, "Give a man a fish, you’ve fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you’ve fed him for a life-time". In the same way, if you can teach your disciple the discipline of a daily quiet-time with Jesus, you’ve brought him from dependence on spoon feeding to developing his own relationship with Christ.

5. Reproduction: Jesus’ disciples went on to make other disciples. In 1Timothy 2:2, Paul tells Timothy, "… entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others". The goal of the Discipleship Expedition is to disciple disciplers, to reproduce reproducers. We are lifetime learners and lifetime disciple makers. "Therefore, go and make disciples" Matt. 28:18-20. (NIV)