Discipleship Teaching Part 1
By Pastor Shana Wise
Luke 9:18-27 (NIV)
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”
20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”
· Jesus is still asking the same question to us today, “who do you say I am”? We know Peter’s response. But what is your response? You may ask why is that question being raised to me, but it is important to know who is Jesus to you today? We studied the various names of Jesus, and each attribute of these names is to help us with our daily walk. Name some of the names of Jesus.
· Notice the text starts by saying that Jesus was praying in private, and he asked the disciples this question. By this fact, we should know that Christ is always interceding for us. Romans 8:34(b), "is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us”. Jesus prays for his disciples daily and this fact alone should give us hope on our daily walk.
· As a disciple of Christ, how do you personally know that Jesus prays for you daily?
21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
· Jesus is telling his disciples what’s about to happen to him. Notice he refers to himself as the Son of Man. In the book, Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler, states, “Though Jesus was the Son of God, he was also the Son of Man, a title that emphasizes both his lowliness and his eventual dominion” …. When you pray to Jesus as Son of God and Son of Man, you are praying to the One who is your Brother and your Lord”. As disciples of Christ, why do you think it is important that we grasp this concept?
· “… and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” This statement alone separates Jesus’ disciples from any other disciples. One of the requirements of being a disciple of Christ is believing that Jesus died for our sins and rose on the third day.
· John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If we want to see our Father, God in Heaven, we must believe in His son Jesus Christ. If you want to be a disciple of Christ, you must accept these basic truths of Christianity.
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
· Luke 9:23 is the WCM theme scripture for January 2022. I feel that it is important that all believers understand what it is to be a disciple. We can say we are followers of Christ, but our actions will reflect what we believe.
· What does it look like to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus?
· Verse 24: For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Being a disciple of Christ looks like giving and living your life for the Lord. We cannot save ourselves only God can save us through His Son. When we give our lives to Christ, we gain abundant life here on earth and eternal life afterward. John 10:10, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.
· NKJV of verse 25 states: For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost (or lose his soul)? Give some real-life examples of how you see this verse playing out in other people's lives.
· Read verse 26. Being a disciple requires us not to be ashamed of Christ. However, our daily actions will reflect if this is a true statement or not. Reflect on this past week, month, or year; have you done things that Christ would be ashamed of you for? Have you repented for them yet?
· Read verse 27. What do you think Jesus was trying to relay to his disciples then and now through this verse?
Being a disciple of Christ is an honor and a privilege. However, some requirements must be followed regularly to grow in Him. Christ knows His disciples and He is constantly challenging them to be more like Him.
Study and Meditate on the Great Commission scripture. This week I challenge you to not only be a disciple but also to make disciples.
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:16-20, 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor and CEO of Wise Choice Ministries (est. 2016). She is the founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network formally known as Christian Women Preachers United. Dr. Wise is the author of women’s devotional, Acts of Intercession, The Impact of Your Election, and co-author of Basic Ministry Training Manual (available on Amazon) and Chief Women Arise. She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist that appears on social media outlets. Shana is married to Deacon Ron Wise and is the mother of four children.
For speaking engagements email: wisechoiceministries512@gmail.com.
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Acts of Intercession
The Impact of Your Election
Basic Ministry Training Manual
Chief Women Arise
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