Foundation Scripture:
Mark 3:14-15 (Amplified): 14 And He appointed twelve [disciples],so that they would be with Him [for instruction] and so that He could send them out to preach [the gospel as apostles—that is, as His special messengers, personally chosen representatives], 15 and to have authority and power to cast out demons.
- Establish Godly Relationships
- Jesus demonstrated the need for discipleship – building Godlyrelationships.
- The 12 disciples lives were powerfully impacted, spendingtime with Jesus.
- Every believer needs to establish a relationship with Godlyleaders whom God sets in authority.
- Jesus and His disciples
- Moses and Joshua
- Elijah and Elisha
- Paul and Timothy
Ephesians 4:11-12 (Amplified): 11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], 12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church].
- Godly relationships bring increase and multiplication.
Acts 6:1-7 (Amplified): 6 Now about this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, a complaint was made by the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the Twelve called the disciples together and said, “It is not appropriate for us to neglect [teaching] the word of God in order to serve tables and manage the distribution of food. 3 Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will [continue to] devote ourselves [steadfastly] to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch. 6 They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service]. 7 And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation].
Also, see John 15:1-7 (Amplified).
- Jesus trained His disciples to train others….
- Matthew 28:19-20 (Amplified): 19 Go therefore and makedisciples of all the nations [help the people to learn ofMe, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing themin the name of the Father and of the Son and of the HolySpirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
Each one reach one.
Each one teach one.
Make disciples.
Multiply.
Win the lost at any cost.
- We are preparing people for eternity.
Proverbs 11:30 (Amplified): 30 The fruit of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of men—he gathers and receives them for eternity].
- Each one reach one; go after the one.
Luke 15:4 (Amplified): 4 What man of you, if he has a hundred sheep and should lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness (desert) and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?
Also, see John 1:40-45 (Amplified).
- Each one teach one; make disciples.
Matthew 28:19-20 (Amplified): 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
- Multiply.
Acts 6:7 (Amplified): 7 And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.
- Win the lost at any cost.
Acts 5:14 (Amplified): 14 More and more there were being added to the Lord those who believed [those who acknowledged Jesus as their Savior and devoted themselves to Him joined and gathered with them], crowds both of men and of women.
- The miracle of multiplication, making disciples, lies in findingthe empty vessels.
2 Kings 4:3-6 (NIV): 3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
