Master the Bible: How to Get and Keep the Big Picture of the Bible's Story

Chapter 6: Growi ng to Matur i t y , Ser i es 4

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the life to come. [9] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

2. When a disciple is trained, s/he will be just like his/her master, Luke 6.40 – A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

C. Understand the goal of discipleship: to make disciples, not converts, Matt. 28.18-20.

1. Not just decisions glorify God, but real disciples, John 15.8 – By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

2. God seeks maturity, not just delivery!, Eph. 4.11-15 – And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

D. Keep Jesus the center of all spiritual formation and reproduction.

1. God has determined to conform all to the image of Christ, Rom. 8.29 – For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.