The Making of a Disciple

By Douglas Wiessner

I became a disciple of Jesus Christ when Jesus called me into the mission field while serving in the Air Force in Holland in 1973.
I ministered in Holland, Denmark, North Carolina, and California.
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree at Elon University and my Masters at Southeastern Seminary.
My story of how God moved in my life and the lives of others is found in my book My Journey with God." It is my journey with God which led me to produce my study guide Making of a Disciple."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9781493127603

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Douglas Wiessner.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013920474

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

All verses used in this book is taken from King James Version.

Rev. date: 05/01/2015

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Contents

An Invitation from Jesus

Introduction Matthew 28:18-20

Chapter 1 If my people

Chapter 2 Being a Disciple

Chapter 3 What Is a Church?

Chapter 4 The Purpose of the Church

Chapter 5 Definition of Disciple

Chapter 6 How We Treat Others

Chapter 7 Going Back to Basics

Chapter 8 Gods’ Examples of Discipleship

Chapter 9 Discipling in the Bible

Chapter 10 How to Disciple Others

Chapter 11 The Body of Believers

Chapter 12 The Body of Christ

Chapter 13 Agape in Discipling

Chapter 14 The Heart, Mind, and Soul

Chapter 15 Three Stages of Spiritual Growth

Chapter 16 Discipling in a Church Setting

Chapter 17 The Threefold Cord (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Chapter 18 Threefold Cord Brings Revival

Chapter 19 The Foundation of Discipling

Chapter 20 Discipling Partners

Chapter 21 The River of Blessings

Chapter 22 Approaches to Discipling

Chapter 23 The Levels of Maintenance

Chapter 24 Discipling Young Christians

Chapter 25 Ideas for Discipling Others

Chapter 26 Responsibilities of Discipling

Chapter 27 The Incentives and Hindrances

Chapter 28 Heart and Soul of Discipling

Chapter 29 Discipling Brings Restoration

Chapter 30 Discipling the Unaware

Chapter 31 Standing orders

Chapter 32 In Conclusion, Remember This

AN INVITATION FROM JESUS

Discipleship will not be a duty I will force on My children; it is a statement from the heart of My children.

It is where I say, if you love me, feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17) It is not a duty but a privilege.

It is where the opportunity to be called to leave all, is not a chore but an honor. (Matthew 16:24)

It is where a relationship with Me and My fellow children is not a burden, but a source of renewed hope.

It is where you not only hear My Words in the Bible, but hear and see them in My creation (Psalm19:1-6) that spans from My deepest love that caresses the whole world to the profound miracle of a new born baby.

It is when you hurt, My love reaches down and touches that place.

When you feel lost, My light shines ever so brightly to light your path.

Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. (Romans 5:20)

Discipleship is something not to fear, or hold at a distance, but to embrace.

Discipleship is your way to say to Me, you love Me.

Love,

Jesus

INTRODUCTION

Matthew 28:18-20

The last commandment Jesus gave to us before going to be with His Father is found in Matthew 28:18-20.

And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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, 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.’

Before we can fulfill this commandment that Jesus gave us, we must ask ourselves these four questions:

Douglas Wiessner

1. When do we become a disciple of Jesus?

2. Why is it important to disciple others?

3. How do we fulfill our calling to make disciples of other people as commanded by Jesus Christ? (Matthew 28:18-20)

4. As a disciple of Jesus, what relationship do we have with the church, our families, and the people whom God places in our path?

This book (with the power of the Holy Spirit, the truth of the Bible, and our desire to be a disciple of Jesus and to go out and make disciples of others) will help us accomplish what God wants in our lives.

The materials in this book cannot answer all the questions you might have concerning being and making disciples since almost the whole Bible teaches us either on how to be a disciple of Jesus or going out to make disciples.

Instead, it is geared more toward building a firm spiritual foundation in our relationship with God and our fellow man than developing programs.

Finally, this study is geared to stimulate discussions, helping you in searching through scriptures what it means to be a disciple of Jesus by giving you a firm foundation for you to begin your own personal journey with God.

CHAPTER 1

If my people

I. People of God must turn back to Him!

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

1. Humbling ourselves is to replace self and pride to others and service. Acts 20:17-21

2. Praying from