Multiply Through Discipleship

Before doing this Bible study, please read the 1-minute introduction Christ Didn't Ask Us to Make Converts.

The following quotes highlight the importance of discipleship:

 

"Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of God." ~ Jerome, an early church father

"In many parts of the world the church is growing by leaps and bounds, yet throughout the church, superficiality is everywhere. That is the paradox. Growth without depth." ~ John Stott

Discipleship is one of the most important and neglected aspects of Christianity today.

1. Why is the analogy in this passage helpful in describing maturity and immaturity in Christ? What does verse 14 tell us about the process of maturity?

Hebrews 5:11-14:  "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." 

2. What specifically does Christ command in the Great Commission? 

Matthew 28: 18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

3. What insights does this passage give us into Christian maturity?

Philippians 2:12-13:  "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Copyright 2013, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated 2022

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