The Mentor's Discipleship Handbook

By D.D. Evans

Born in McCook, Nebraska in 1950, I have spent the last 60 years walking with the Lord. The last thirty eight years have been in ministry, as teacher, music minister, clinic devotional leader, and hospital Chaplin. I received my ordination in 1989 and have served as a church bishop for twenty years.

The College of Biblical Studies in Houston Texas has provided me with formal education in teaching. I have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues, in 1987, and experienced signs and wonders confirming God's word in my own life, since that time.

In my 60 year walk with the Lord, I have experienced the ups and downs, in and outs, along with the doubts, of the Christian life. I know what it is to be redeemed, healed, and delivered by a gracious loving heavenly Father who loved us so much that he sent Jesus to come, dwell among us, and take our place in judgment.

I hope to give you the things that I have learned out of my experience, as one who gives testimony of Jesus' workmanship in his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.D.Evans
• Release date: Sep 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386530848

D.D. Evans

D.D.Evans has been in ministry and counseling for over 38 years and currently serves as a hospital chaplain in the Houston, Texas area. Married for 48 years he is the father of two daughters and the grandfather of three granddaughters and one grandson.

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Prologue

Mentoring is very much like parenting. There are times for instruction, other times for empathy, and sometimes for a good kick, in the rear-assurance. The latter being, to give rebuke to the disciple, while reassuring them that they are not hopeless. Remember, you cannot take by force that which comes by grace. In other words, the mentor has nothing to prove, whereas, the disciple is required to demonstrate his progress. So, in the words of Proverbs, soft answers turn away wrath (Prov 15:1), and let patience have her perfect work that the disciple may be perfect, complete, and entire lacking nothing. Be patient. (Jas 1:4)

This book is focused upon providing the mentor with concrete bench marks that need to be accomplished, in a disciple’s growth and development. All scripture references are from the King James Bible.

CHAPTER ONE: Growth and Development

Growth is the evidence of life.

When it comes to Christian growth, it has been my experience that God leads us through three phases of development: conviction, certification, and conversion.

It is conventional to think that conversion happens first, however, to leave behind our original character and pursue a new one, takes more than simply confessing that I agree, to become someone that I am not. Conversion is a process. In other words, our character does not change, just because our status has changed.

Joh 16:7 ¶ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin (conviction), and of righteousness (certification), and of judgment (conversion).

The result of confessing Jesus as our savior changes our eternal destiny or status, with God; however, we have not, yet, changed our character from rebellious to compliant. Let’s define terms.

In conviction, we judge ourselves and experience guilt; which is the sense that we are responsible for our sins. When Adam and Eve sinned, they immediately felt guilt and tried to hide themselves from the holy God. When we are ready to accept responsibility for our sin, then we can be forgiven, which is the second part of salvation. So, guilt is followed by acceptance of responsibility, followed by confession, followed by forgiveness. To recognize, acknowledge, ask, and receive is the process known as confession.

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Paul writes in Ro 10:9, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. The Apostle John wrote, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  And finally, Jesus stated, And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. (Lu 5:20)

The antidote for guilt is to: repent, acknowledge our sin, and seek forgiveness. Forgiveness fortifies our relationship, with justification; just as though we had never sinned and transfers our guilt to our innocent savior. That being done, we no longer have a right to feel guilty or condemn ourselves for that which was forgiven. To do so, would call Jesus a liar and make his sacrifice ineffective.

Ro 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

In certification, we experience enlightenment. We judge everything that we know about God. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Therefore, as we draw near to God in repentance (Jas 4:8); he draws near to us in compassion; and then he opens our understanding of the right way (righteousness), to live with him.

In this part of a disciple’s walk, they are questioning everything, including God. Although God is the standard, a new believer needs some reassurance that their choice of God is valid. Like choosing what college to attend, the college does not loose its accreditation because a person decides not to attend there. God’s character is not in question, because of our ignorance or unbelief; but a seeking heart will find him.

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Mt 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

This child like inquisitiveness is required, before conversion can take place. Jesus spent three and a half years satisfying this part of the apostle’s growth and development; yet, conversion still did not occur until after his resurrection.

In conversion, we experience intimacy, make judgements, and have discernment between good and evil.

In Psalms 82:6 we read, I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Jesus quoted this verse, in John 10:34. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

The term gods means judges. We are to choose or judge between good and evil. The Apostle Paul wrote, Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? [3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Co 6:1-3) and, in 1Co 2:15 he writes, "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man (because he has been justified. -author).

It has been my observation that judgment is where most believers fail. They continue, in a cycle of: guilt, repentance, and meditation; without realizing that the Holy Spirit is attempting to get them to agree with Him, in judging sin. He strives to help us identify the character and nature of sin, so, that God can empower us, to overcome it.

The mentor needs to understand and work, with these three steps of a disciple’s development.

The witness of baptisms

Upon repentance and acceptance, we are baptized, into the blood covenant of Jesus, known as the baptism of blood, by simple faith and trust in Him, to save us from our sins.

Heb 6:1 ¶ Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, [2 ]Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Conviction: The baptism of blood is to bring us from spiritual death to everlasting life. Without the shedding of blood, there is no expunging of sin.

Certification: The baptism of water is for the answer of a good conscience, toward God through obedience. (1 Peter 3:21; Deut. 8:16; Ro 12:12)

Conversion: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is to empower us, to live a sanctified, sacrificial, life without fear. (Heb 13:6)

The baptism of blood:

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water (water of the womb; physical birth – author) and of the Spirit (spiritual birth, through the Holy Spirit – author), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. [24] For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: [25] Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; [26] For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Ac 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The baptism of water:

1Pe 3:21 ¶ The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ac 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (conversion).

Ac 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Ac 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Ac 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. [5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The baptism of the Spirit:

Mt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

Ac 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. [3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. [6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Working the process

The process was defined, by Jesus, in Matthew 5:3-12.

Conviction: Recognition of our need (poor),

Repentance from our ways (morn), and

Relinquish our will (meek). (vs 3-5)

Certification:Replenish our mind (hunger/thirst),

Receive divine help (merciful), and

Replace our ways with God’s ways (pure).

Conversion:Reconcile others to God (peacemaker), and

Resist evil (persecuted).

Step One: Conviction (a spiritual response to the Holy Spirit)   

Conviction usually happens on the heels of a traumatic event, when we recognize our mortality, helplessness, and bankruptcy. You find shelters and ministries located among the impoverished and derelicts; not among the rich and famous.

The first step, in spiritual growth, is to recognize our spiritual poverty. This is why Jesus stated that it is difficult for a rich man to be saved; he does not recognize that he is in need for salvation.

Mt 19:23 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Re 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

Conviction is to have our eyes opened to our great need of repentance and salvation; but we do not, yet, understand all the ramifications of following our savior; neither do we trust him, with our hands off the controls of life.

Lu 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Step two: Certification: (a mental response to tangible evidence, in our lives.) 

Those who do recognize their need and turn from their sin of independence are still not converted. The people saw the miracles that Jesus did and believed, as did Israel in Egypt and in the wilderness; but they were not converted. This fact is evident in that the Jews had to be forced out of Egypt; they complained about leaving, and did not have enough faith, to enter into the promised land. Therefore, they proved conclusively that seeing is NOT believing; miracles do not produce faith. Faith comes forth, by words empowered with love.

Nu 11:5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: [6] But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna (miracle bread from heaven every day for forty years.), before our eyes.

Joh 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, this is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. (they believed what they saw; but they were not converted.) [15] ¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Believing comes through the spirit; not, the head. The mind is a portal through which we process words that settle, into our spirit where faith is developed. What we see evokes a verbal response, within ourselves, that produces faith; that is confidence, in what we hope for or surrender, to what we fear.

It is this self-talk that will be destructive or constructive, in our lives, based upon what we choose to believe. The spirit that we are born with will determine what we choose to believe. That is why we must be born again. (John 3:3)

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Lu 9:53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. [54] And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? [55] But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Fear will cause us to do terrible things. If we continue, to meditate on what we fear, faith will develop, in our fears, and destruction could follow. Remember, fear is temporary; faith is eternal. Even though you may be intellectually convinced that your faith is unfounded; you will, always come back to what you believe, in your spirit.

Pr 22:6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Words are, so, important because they are eternal. Placing our faith, in God’s eternal word, transfers liability for the outcome, to His shoulders; thereby, liberating us from that burden.

Mt 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Heb 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? [18] And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? [19] So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (they were not converted, therefore, seeing is NOT believing.)

Mt 12:38 ¶ Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. [39] But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.

Heb 4:1 ¶ Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. [2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Ro 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Ro 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Hope is the focal point of faith. It is a spiritual condition that is empowered by the love and passion, in our spirit (heart), that leads to conversion.

Certification is, to be convinced. It is when we receive unrefutable and credible evidence, in our lives that we cannot or do not want to deny. In other words, we may not fully understand what we believe; but we are willing to wait, until understanding comes, to us. This over whelming evidence brings about repentance or turning from one direction and causing us to go another direction.

Ac 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; [20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.

Ac 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.

I thought that the Holy Spirit was the one to be sent to us? (Jhn 14:16-17) I draw your attention to the scripture, which reveals to us that Jesus, being omnipresent, is the Holy Spirit.

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] ¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The president of the United States lives and works in Washington D.C.; however, we can turn on a receiver and he can appear in our living rooms across the country. How is that possible? Perception is reality. We are a spiritual receiver and God appears everywhere, at the same time; but he adds substance to the broadcast and allows us to have intercommunication, through prayer.

God is: omni-present, omni-potent, and omniscient. Why should it be strange to think that God could be all three? God did not leave heaven to come to earth; but brought heaven to earth. As Jesus stated, The kingdom is within you.

Lu 17:20 ¶ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  [21] Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

It is Jesus, as the Holy Spirit, who confirms or provides certification to the word of God, with signs following. But even obedience is NOT conversion; it is only the answer of a good conscience toward God. Conversion is more than being convinced and obedient; it is life changing.

Step Three Conversion: (a spiritual condition that produces an act of self-sacrifice and obedience to God’s will.) In our day and time, conversion is referred to as, being sold out or drinking the cool-aid. It is the idea of not being able to turn back, to the old life or previous position. 

Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he (the Holy Spirit) will reprove the world of:

sin (conviction – a spiritual event), and of

righteousness (certification of the truth – establish credibility; a mental event), and of

judgment (conversion – conformation to the image of Christ – a physical event, evident in a lifestyle change).

Joh 14:15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

The expression of our love is in our obedience; not because we have to; but because we want the approval of the one, we love. In speaking on behalf of God, the prophet Jeremiah put it this way:

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. - Jer 29:13

We see Jesus address life in the same way, in Matthew 7:7

Mt 7:7 ¶

ask (a mental choice), and it shall be given you;

seek (a spiritual desire), and ye shall find;

knock (a physical action), and it shall be opened unto you: [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Here are some examples:

Peter was convicted. Lu 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Peter was convinced. Lu 8:24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. [25] And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Philip was convinced. Joh 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. [9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

Thomas certified the Messiah. Joh 20:6 ¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. [27] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. [28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Peter was with Jesus for 3 1/2 years and, yet, Jesus promised conversion would come later.

Lu 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

The disciples were converted. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Obeying the command to wait in Jerusalem -author) [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a