“Discipleship and Discipline Second Edition”: “...Making Disciples of All the Nations...”

By Minister William H. Hicks

“Discipleship and Discipline” encourages readers to pursue the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to “go into all the world and make disciples of all the nations.” The book examines the biblical imperative and instructions for becoming and making disciples.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973670780

Minister William H. Hicks

William H. “Bill” Hicks is a graduate of Wesleyan University with a BA in Religion and also holds a Masters in Public Health from the OU Hudson College of Public Health. He has written extensively on Christian topics.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?

STUDY THEME SCRIPTURE: In Matthew 28: 18-20NASB (Lockman), the Word of God says this: And Jesus came up 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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

We are commissioned by our Lord Jesus to go and make disciples, which is accomplished in three steps. First we go. Where? To all the nations. Second, we baptize them- we cause them to identify with/define themselves as belonging to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit- the Triune God. Third, we teach them to observe all that God the Son commanded us. The question arises, Who are ‘we’? Who/what are these disciples and how can we know one when we meet one? If we are charged to make disciples of all the nations, then we must presuppose that we are disciples ourselves, that we know what a disciple is, and how to help a person to transform so that we can be certain that the end result meets the standard and criteria established by our Lord. A definition of disciple is in order.

The greek word for disciple is mathetes, meaning pupil or learner. "It means an adherer who accepts the instruction given to him and makes it his rule of conduct," SEE Spiros Zodhiates’ HEBREW GREEK KEY STUDY BIBLE (Zondervan), Lexical Aids to the NT #3101, #3129. It also means learning by putting into experience that which one has learned. PRINCIPLE: At the heart of the ancients’ understanding of this concept was a desire to learn, an urge to cause oneself to know with a moral bearing and responsibility, i. e., to endeavor to learn so that what is learned becomes the motivation and means for living one’s life, the standard and manifestation of one’s highest values and thus the foundation of one’s conduct. Thus, the leb- the heart and the will- is integrally involved in any effort and attempt at discipling- as manifested on the part of the disciple in seeking such status and also as evidence thereof sought by the teacher as to the disciple’s sincerity. Moreover, the teacher had to desire also to replicate him/herself, having him/herself been made to conform to the image of Christ. The teacher’s desire is to have the same transformation occur in his/her disciple.

We will begin this study by identifying an example of a disciple in order to examine the attributes and conduct of such an individual. The Holy Spirit has directed that we study Genesis chapter 24. I was curious as to why He chose to use as a paradigm for discipleship someone from the Old Testament. Usually, when we think of disciples, we think almost exclusively in New Testament contexts- the Lord Jesus’ Twelve Disciples, the disciples of John the Baptist, the self-described ‘disciples of Moses’-the Pharisees and Sadducees. However, the Holy Spirit specifically directed me to Genesis 24 as the example of discipleship He wanted to use for purposes of this study. I expected Joseph or one of the other patriarchs. I thought it might be one of the major prophets, or David the King, or at least one of the minor prophets. I also was curious as to why He chose the example we will study. His choice will become clear as we go further into His Word.

READ AND STUDY GENESIS CHAPTER 24AMPC, ALL, THREE TIMES.

THIS IS CRITICAL TO YOUR SUCCESS. I am serious. Read and study Genesis Chapter 24, all of it, three times before you proceed with this study. Three times in a row- not necessarily in one sitting.

Yes, it’s a test. It’s a test of your sincerity, your integrity and your devotion, all in one. It is also a test of your faith. You can reap the fullness of this blessing only by following these instructions. Trust the Holy Spirit. If you are faithful in this small matter, you will reap blessings beyond your ability to measure. Don’t rush!!

THE DISCIPLING PARADIGM

In Genesis 24, we find that Abraham is now old and has been blessed by the Lord in every way. Abraham now concerns himself with finding a wife for Isaac, his son by Sarah, his wife (it is important here to note God’s validation of the sanctity of marriage and its use as the vehicle for translation of the blessings promised to Abraham and through him to future generations. However, a full exposition of this subject requires another book!). He commissions his chief servant, (v.2), to go back to Abraham’s people in the land of Ur to find a wife for Isaac. This chief servant, who goes unnamed in the text, accepts the task, prays for divine guidance, goes to Abraham’s birth country, is shown Rebekah by divine guidance, successfully petitions Rebekah’s family to allow her to return with him so that she can marry Isaac, and brings her back to Isaac. Rebekah and Isaac wed. Note that the name of the disciple is not important in this context (we find out in another context that his name is Eliezer). PRINCIPLE: The Scriptures focus on WHAT THE DISCIPLE DOES AND HOW HE DOES IT. Thus, we may deduce that the WAY of a disciple is part and parcel of his/her reputation AS a disciple. It is what he does- and especially the way he goes about his task- that sets this individual apart. The Scriptures also imply the disciple’s humility as an aspect of his character. PRINCIPLE: A disciple neither needs nor craves recognition for his efforts on behalf of his Master. PRINCIPLE: ‘Disciple’ is not a title to be coveted. Being a disciple is not merely a designation, nor is it a destination! And, as we shall see, this disciple’s WAY is defined exclusively and completely by the will of his master.

Upon closer examination, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in choosing this example, or paradigm, to demonstrate discipleship, is made clear. The object of our study is not Abraham, but his unnamed chief servant. The fact that the chief servant is the chief servant of Abraham is important in that Abraham is the first step in the means by which God provided access to the household of faith for all believers. Romans 4: 16 – 17NASB (Lockman) says: For this reason it is by faith that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made you) in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

In Genesis 22, Abraham’s faith had been tested by God. God directs Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on the mountains of Moriah. Recall that Isaac is not Abraham’s only son. Ishmael is Abraham’s son by Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant; yet, God has promised to bless all nations through Abraham’s son by Sarah, his wife (Genesis 17: 19, 21). Upon hearing this promise, Abraham actually falls down and laughs (Genesis 17: 17) because of his circumstances- he and Sarah are old and Sarah is well beyond her fertile years. Why didn’t Abraham attempt to substitute Ishmael for Isaac when he was commanded to sacrifice his son? In Genesis 17: 18, Abraham had sought God’s blessings on Ishmael, so he obviously loved this son, too. Why Isaac? First, God specifically called for the sacrifice of Isaac, not Ishmael. Second, Abraham had faith to follow God’s instructions and he believed that God could raise Isaac from the dead. His (Abraham’s) task was obedience. The same value, the same standard of behavior demonstrated by Abraham is required of any disciple. Obedience evidences that desire, that heartfelt adherence to one’s Teacher and His teaching that must characterize each of Christ’s disciples: Psalm 40: 7 - 8.

In Genesis 24, Abraham is positioning himself to receive all God’s blessing. Abraham charges his chief servant to return to the land of Abraham’s birth to find a wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s people. Abraham does not want Isaac to marry a woman from among those in the midst of whom he is living. The chief servant recognizes what an awesome responsibility he is being asked to assume. So, initially, he says, ‘suppose the woman doesn’t want to come back here to Canaan with me’. ‘How about if I take Isaac with me’. There are a few things going on here. On one level, the chief servant may be implying, Let me take Isaac along. I don’t want to be responsible if I bring this woman back and Isaac thinks she’s a dog! On another level he may be thinking, suppose the woman says, I’m not going anywhere with you to marry some guy I have never seen, I don’t care how rich you say he is! Abraham counters all these arguments by saying the land of Canaan on which they are living has been promised to Abraham and his descendants. If Isaac leaves and goes back home, to the land of his father’s family, he may not return. His relatives may convince Isaac that ‘he should be here among his own people’. And, ultimately, Abraham calls upon his Teacher, El Shaddai, by saying to his servant, the Lord will send His angel to assure the success of your mission on my behalf (Gen. 24:7NASB,