Discipleship
Jesus, in the Great Commission, commands us to make disciples. That is what we seek to do in Heir Born, in fact that is our mission statement: We exist to make students into disciples of Christ. But, what does a disciple look like? What do we teach students in order to achieve this? The Bible has many different qualities and characteristics that a disciple should have, but which are the most important? When students graduate from our ministry, what are the foundational characteristics and skills we want them to take with them?
In the following pages is a description of a discipled student of the youth ministry of First Federated Church. It is an attempt to answer the questions proposed. These are the qualities and characteristics that we hope to instill in our students before they graduate from high school. It is our goal, our conviction, and our standard by which we judge our youth ministry. These are the characteristics that we keep in mind when choosing curriculum and planning events.
The 7 characteristics of a discipled student are:
- Daily Devotion to God
- Obedience to God
- A Servant Heart
- Use of Talents, Spiritual Gifts, & Resources
- A Heart for the Lost
- Responsive to the Spirit
- Right Relationships
Daily Devotion to God
Key Scripture: Ezra 7:10
Personification: Ezra
Definition: A discipled student has developed a consistent time of studying God’s Word and applying it to their life. Also includes prayer and personal worship.
Knowledge: Knows how to have an in depth Bible study, understand the power of prayer, and seek to worship God.
Skills: Discipline and organization to maintain a daily time in devotions.
Attitudes: The student will be convinced that spending time in the Word is essential to spiritual growth and will not go without it. Will have a sense of awe toward God and be compelled to give Him praise. Will seek God’s will in prayer.
Relationships: The daily-devoted student will have an impact on their peers through their knowledge of God’s Word, their prayers for their family, friends, and the lost. And their contagious passion for giving God the honor only He deserves.
Obedience to God
Key Scripture: Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 27:10; I Samuel 15:22
Personification: Abraham
Definition: A discipled student has not only studied God’s Word, but routinely applies it to their life.
Knowledge: An understanding that above all else God desires our obedience.
Skills: Able to find everyday applications to scripture.
Attitudes: Will follow God’s Will for their life no matter what the cost.
Relationships: Will impact those around them with their strong sense of right and wrong. Will be respectful of all authorities placed in their lives including: parents, teachers, pastors, elders, and employers.
Servant Hearted
Key Scripture: John 13:3-5
Personification:Jesus
Definition: A discipled student will demonstrate an “others first” attitude. Serving all those around them both publicly and behind the scenes, not seeking praise or reward.
Knowledge: An understanding that true leaders are servants of those placed under their authority.
Skills: Ability to see the “big picture” of what God is doing.
Attitudes: Total selflessness, a humility that is demonstrated by giving others preference over themselves.
Relationships: They will be a blessing to all around them, and an encouragement to any who know them.Will encourage others to serve as well.
Use of Talents/Spiritual Gifts/ & Resources
Key Scripture: I Corinthians 12:12-31; I Timothy 4:11-14
Personification:Timothy
Definition: A discipled student has found and developed his spiritual gifts and is using them in an ongoing ministry. Freely gives of their time, talents, and treasures to the ministry.
Knowledge: The student has an understanding of what natural abilities they have, what spiritual gifts they have been given, and what resources they have to further the kingdom.
Skills: Will actively be using those talents/ gifts/ and resources in a personal ministry.
Attitudes: Will be convinced of the need to support the body of Christ through the use of talents/ gifts/ and resources, and will do so joyfully.
Relationships: Will be able to help others discover and use their gifts in service to the body.
A Heart for the Lost
Key Scripture: Philemon 6; I Peter 3:15
Personification: Paul
Definition: The discipled student is continually seeking out the lost in their sphere of influence so that they may share the Good News of salvation through Christ with them.
Knowledge: Knows how to accurately lead someone to Christ through memorized scripture verses, and is prepared to answer questions.
Skills: Knows how to cultivate relationships with lost people.
Attitudes: Considers it a priority in life to spiritually reproduce.Has a Great Commission mindset.
Relationships: Is actively forming relationships with unbelievers in order to share his faith.
Responsive to the Spirit
Key Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26
Personification: David
Definition: The discipled student lives daily submitting to the Holy Spirit’s leading in his life. He confesses his sin and does not continue to live in the flesh.
Knowledge: Understands that the Holy Spirit has all the characteristics of a divine being, is on an equal level with the Father and the Son, but is distinct from them in role.
Skills: The ability to sense the leading or prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Attitudes: Considers dependence on the Spirit’s leading as crucial to their spiritual life.
Relationships: Others will be encouraged by the student’s faith by walking in the Spirit.
Right Relationships
Key Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4
Personification: Ruth
Definition: The discipled student will demonstrate submission to authority, respect for elders, humility toward others, and purity toward the opposite sex.
Knowledge: That we should, as Christ did, consider others better than ourselves.
Skills: Understands God’s sovereignty and authority and submits to those placed in authority over them.
Attitudes: Is respectful, kind, submissive, and humble toward others.
Relationships: Encourages others to keep short accounts in their relationships and encourages leadership through faithfulness and submission.