Discipleship-Vol 1

Course
DISCIPLESHIPP
VOLUME ONE
FIRST SEMESTER
Discipleship – Core Mandate of the Church
DISCIPLESHIP
Professor S.E Muagba MA, Ph.D., MCPN

Leadership Christian College and Seminary
Kaduna, Kaduna State
Nigeria,
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
National Library of Nigeria Cataloguing in Publication Data

Discipleship
1SBN 978-978-986-310-5
Copyright © by: S.E Muagba
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recoding or any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
DISCIPLESHIP
INTRODUCTION
Biblical Discipleship must be understood before it can be practiced. As in any new field of study, the
fundamental ideas, definitions, and principles must be learned before moving forward into deeper and
more complex areas of knowledge and skills. As the foundation connects the building to the ground and
transfers loads from the structure to the ground, so a sound biblical foundation for Discipleship ensures
that the practice of discipleship in the Church will be firmly rooted and grounded in the truths and
principles taught and practiced by our Lord Jesus Christ.
As a foundation’s inadequate load capacity could send a large building crashing to the earth during
hurricane-level winds, so an inadequate or unsound biblical foundation would detrimentally impact the
members of an entire church as they “turn aside to fruitless discussion” (I Tim. 1:6), neither
understanding “what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions” (vs. 7).
Having abandoned the Word in favor of utilitarian, pragmatic, or other worldly solutions, each
individual member would begin to feel the sway of the building and gradually realize that he is
“unstable in all his ways” (James. 1:8).
The famous apologist, Os Guinness, DPhil, made the observation about the church-growth movement
that “its theological understanding is often superficial, with almost no element of biblical
criticism....Today theology is rarely more than marginal in the church-growth movement at the popular
level. Discussion of the traditional marks of the church is virtually nonexistent. Instead, methodology is
at the center and in control.” (Dining with the Devil: The Megachurch Movement Flirts with Modernity,
p. 26). The late theologian Ray S. Anderson, PhD, expressed a similar concern: “When the theological
mind of the minister is being educated primarily through experience, an ad hoc theology (a response to
a specific need or demand, rather than to principle) emerges which owes as much (or more) to
methodological and pragmatic concerns as dogma” (Theological Foundations for Ministry, p. 7).
Once the shallow, methodological remedies for building mature disciples have been tried and failed,
Christians may be tempted to abandon relational discipleship (as Christ modeled) altogether and look
for other avenues of ministry which give the appearance of growth and success. However, in our
experience, those who invest the time and energy in learning God’s ways of building mature believers
for his church are usually the ones who engage in disciple-making for the remainder of their lives. By
the grace of God, they accept and embrace the authority of the Bible, the commitments and sacrifices
required to fulfill the task, and prayerfully face every obstacle as they labor to see Christ formed in the
ones they are called to love and serve.
THE COURSE
Discipleship is a two Semester course of three hour-credit each. This course aims at taking the students
through a Biblical Discipleship.
STUDY MODULES AND UNITS

There are six modules in this course of 26 units. First Semester will cover the first three modules
and second Semester the next three modules. The first modules are prerequisite for the send set of
modules. The modules are designed to cover three major aims of the course. This course has been
developed research results.
Module 1: The Master, The Man And Ministry

Unit 1: Successful Life and Ministry
Unit 2: The Two Kingdoms Pursuit
Unit 3: Priority for Life and Ministry
Unit 4: Raising Qualified Labourers
Module 2: Measure and Means of Discipleship

Unit 1: Properties of Discipleship
Unit 2: The Goal of Discipleship
Unit 3: Principles of Discipleship
Unit 4: Sundry Mandate Connection
Module 3: People Worth Discipleship

Unit 1: People Centred Discipleship
Unit 2: People Value Discipleship
Unit 3: Building People Relationship
Unit 4: People for Discipleship
Module 4 - Pattern For Discipleship

Unit 1: Christ Pattern for Discipleship
Christ Two-Folds Ministries
Unit 2: Christ Discipleship Model
Unit 3: Christ Discipling the Groups
Unit 4: Christ Report Card
Module 5: - Programs For Discipleship

Unit 1: Overview of Program for Discipleship
Unit 2 Public Discipleship
Unit 3: Social Discipleship
Unit 4: Personal Discipleship
Unit 5: Transparent Discipleship
Unit 6: Holy Spirit Discipleship
Module 6 - Process of Discipleship

Unit 1: Mentorship in Discipleship
Unit 2: Clarion Call for Mentors
Unit 3: Challenges on Discipleship
Unit 4: Timeless Lessons from Scripture
PREFACE - Volume 1 and 2
As we stand today at the verge of eternity, with trembling hands, drawing aside the curtain of time and
peering into the future of the Church of Jesus Christ worldwide, hearts beat faster in fear for the present
and future state of the Church. Our Lord Jesus Christ once asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will
He really find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). The nature of that question instils fear about the times the
Lord spoke about as well as evokes great concern for the Church. It is more disturbing that the Lord
did not provide an answer to His own question; that was also a warning cry raising the alarm hundreds
of years away before the harm is done. If this statement is anything to go by, as we are sure it is, then
we cannot help but ask “Will there be Biblical Christianity after this generation, if Christ tarries?
You may say there are no reasons for such dreadful thought, but Jesus Christ just proved in the above
cited scripture that there is.
Centuries ago, that great man-of-God, Charles H. Spurgeon raised similar concern over the Church
of coming generations when he said, “A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep,
the Church will have clowns entertaining the goats.” This prophetic statement by Spurgeon that was
looking like a mirage way back then is now a living reality. In many churches today, comic comedy
and comedians who know not God nor speak for Him, have taken over church pulpits wearing
outlandish costumes and heavy makeup. What kind of “Christians” do we expect such carnal
ministration to produce in those churches? Of course, the end product will be “goats” instead of sheep
as Spurgeon rightly said. Thus, there are more “goats” than sheep in the “churches”. This is quite
evident in this 21st century.
Looking at present day Christianity, comparing and contrasting same with the apostolic era, the
early Church Fathers, and the immediate past Christian revival, there exists a glaring disconnect. There
is no mistaking the gulf in-between the lines – a wall of difference that requires an urgent spiritual
surgical attention so as to forestall the eventually of bequeathing a Christ-less Christianity to our future
generation.
What could have accounted for the disconnection between the years of the Church Fathers, the
immediate past Christian revival and the present day Christianity? Undeniably, it is the failure to
understand clearly the Great Commission, the Church Core Mandate - Discipleship. The earlier
generations understood the task of discipleship, and were making Disciples for Christ with the gospel,
the power of God unto salvation. But the present generation are making “world successful men” with
what Apostle Paul called, “another gospel”, the power of Satan unto slavery. What the present 21 st
Christian Ministers are missing out in their pursuit of ministry and approach is defects in their
understanding of Discipleship. In most cases there is complete absence of discipleship making process;
and sometimes it is its misapplication.
Many understood discipleship to means, gathering crowds of people into church. In as much as the
crowd is needed, gathering crowd is not the mandate. Discipleship also goes beyond developing a new
believer through structured Christian educational process in formative years of beliefs and lifestyle.
Thus, Discipleship Mandate needs must be view in its Biblical context. In this volume, therefore, I
made an attempt to examine and expatiate on discipleship from biblical perspective as, Building a
Formidable Heavenly Army from the Lost World; who in turn will produce Christ disciples, in
posterity in an endless succession for perpetuity, filling the entire world with godly seed in
preparation for Christ Return. From God’s point of view and program, this is the task before the
Church. This book is simply on the path to help you recognise and appreciate this task, Discipleship,
and fulfil it; so that at the Bema Seat (Judgement of Christ) you do not find yourself to have run in
vain: unproductive both in life and ministry.
Secondly, this book places a renew call on the Church about the neglected mandate – Discipleship.
It is one of the most abandoned task by the Church of the 21 st Century. Christ’s Mandate to the Church
is: - “Go therefore and make disciples”. It is a call to build men and women for God. Christ wants
Disciples -adherent follower and fighter of His course. And the task to achieve it is Discipleship.
THE COURSE LAYOUT

This material is in two volume of six modules. Volume one and two for first and second semester
respectively.
Volume 1
 Module 1: The Master, The Man And Ministry
 Module 2: Measure and Means of Discipleship
 Module 3: People Worth Discipleship
Volume 2
 Module 4: Pattern For Discipleship
 Module 5: Programs For Discipleship
 Module 6: Process of Discipleship
At the concluding unit of module, “Timeless Lesson from Scriptures”, therein, there is a cautioned to
every believer who engages in the work of the Lord; the danger of labouring as a minister of the
Kingdom and eventually missing out in the Kingdom. Reminding every labourer in Christ’s vineyard
that though there were hundreds of men and women who joined Noah in the constructing of the Ark,
but none of them enters into the Ark save Noah and his family. They all perished in the water. You may
be involved in the building of the Kingdom of God today, but it is also not unlikely that you may not be
in the kingdom. So, let us be Wise and Be Watchful, that as we build, we also take precautionary
measures to ensure we do the necessary and reasonable to enter into God's eternal Kingdom at last. In
the word of Apostle Paul, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have
preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinth 9:27).
Finally, Christ desires to come for a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
but that which is holy and without blemish (Eph 5:27). The accomplishment of such spotless Christ
envisaged Church requires Christ’s gospel. And not “another gospel”, which presents itself in: “health
and wealth gospel,” “success and prosperity gospel”, “positive confession theology”, optimistic
humanism, and humanistic saccharine-sweet gospel that offers no hope of eternal life, life hereafter.
Therefore, preach the Gospel of Christ. (Heb 4:12). A gospel that is not “living and powerful”,
sharper than two-edged sword, piercing the soul and spirit, discerning the thoughts and intents of the
heart of men cannot save from sin. A gospel that is contaminated can never produce an uncontaminated
church. A gospel that is not blameless can never make the church blameless. A gospel that is not
irreproachable is not inhabited by God and is therefore not a carrier of God’s presence. Again, to preach
the gospel without exemplifying it in your personal example is a mockery of redemption.
Though there out there propagating a polluted and contaminated gospel messages that cannot save
a sinner from slavery to sin, God still has a reserved for Himself, remnant, “who have not bowed the
knee to the image of Baal” (Rom 11:4). They have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking
in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth of God’s Word
commending themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. They are the faithful few who
are holding fast the faithful Word of God in Spirit and in truth. With these uncompromising few men
and women God will raise up people who will manifest the living Jesus Christ to speak to this
generation anew, vehemently engaging in the task of Discipleship.
Preface
Professor S.E MUAGBA, MA, Ph.D., MCPN
Module 1
Unit 1: SUCCESSFUL LIFE AND MINISTRY
1. Introduction
2. Gauge For Successful Ministry
3. The Authority Of Christ
4. The Making Of Disciples
SUCCESSFUL LIFE AND MINISTRY
1.0 INTRODUCTION
“The true measure of our success will be the number of people touched and spiritually transformed
by our success”. – (Angela Ahrendts)
“A good criterion for measuring success in life and ministry is not the amount of Dollar you make,
the estate acquire nor the Cathedral you build; but the number of committed Christ Disciples,
servant leaders you hewed from the communities of sinners, working for the expansion of the
Kingdom of God” – (Prof. S.E Muagba)
Success in ministry, to many, is measured in terms of number, size of auditorium or church building,
and financial strength. This yardstick for measuring success in ministry is a parameter for measuring
material success and, to a large extent, does not take into consideration God’s plan for the Church. If
church is a divine institution, does it not surprise you to know that there is a standard for measuring
church growth out there that has nothing to do either with God Himself, or with the Church? The
Church is the custodian of a divine heritage and there is no way we can assess her success without
pointing back to Jesus Christ who alone is the Head and our only example. With this focus in view to
guide our decisions in deciding the success of a ministry, it would be erroneous to attribute success to
any ministry or church organization outside the divine frameworks establishing it and parameters for its
measurement.
2.0 GAUGE FOR SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY

Ministerial success, in the eyes of God, is gauged with certain criterions that are part of a building
process into all that we are in Him. It is important to understand that the church is a spiritual building
and Christ, Himself, is that building. A magnificent edifice does not necessarily make the members like
Christ the head of the Church. The benchmark or the yardstick is, the Goal of the Gospel. Therefore, to
be truly successful as servants of the Most High and as labourers in the vineyard, it is important that
believers in Christ should come to terms with God’s plan for the Church. If we misconstrue the
mandate, there is no way of knowing if we are succeeding or failing. Without His plan for the Church
in view, we may think we have succeeded when, indeed, we have actually failed. And that is a great
tragedy. Misunderstanding God's goal is failure guaranteed be it in life or in ministry. Thinking you
won has assured your loss.
Many of us have some unique and specific goal we often refer to as “vision” which are further
expanded and outlined in “Vision and Mission Statements.” So profound a personal determination,
Plumb Line For Successful Ministry
even where accomplished, cannot effectively take the place of God’s mandate let alone be a
replacement for it. In both description and illustration, everyone’s gifting and calling is unique and yet
cannot be certain to assume effect without the life of Christ working in us to will and to do of His good
pleasure, His mission. God’s Vision and Mission Statement for the Church is clearly revealed and
outlines in Scriptures. It was made clear in giving His Son to the world: “bringing many sons unto
glory” (Heb 2:10); this was completed on the Cross. And His mission to accomplish the vision is the
great commission: making disciples of all nations. Our vision and mission statement, therefore, must
align with God’s vision: “bringing many sons unto glory”, which is Christ Himself living in men in all
His power and glory. Thus, your success in life and ministry must be measured using God’s overall
goal as the plumb line. It is only then that the possibility of running in vain can be avoided.
The vision and mission of God is the goal of the Gospel well enshrined in the Scripture. It is what I
generally refer to as “The Church Core Mandate”! We find this in Matthew 28:18-20, a passage so
familiar to us that we often undermine its context and content. It reads:
And Jesus came 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 of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all
things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Amen.
This God-given goal is summarised in one word “Discipleship” and applies to every ministerial
calling. The mandate to make true Disciples of Christ should be the driving force behind every
minister’s unique specific vision and mission. Where this is not the case, we cannot be certain to be in
His will. To walk with God; His plan for the church must have a place in your heart. Worst still, some
minister’s specific vision and mission strategy is completely at variance with God's mission and
opposed to His grand mission. Indeed, some are really enemies of the Cross of Christ. (Phil 3:18).
While studying Accountancy in my undergraduate program, sometimes there were up to 14 courses
we undertake in a semester. But among these subjects, four or five are known to be core subjects: e.g.
Accounting, Cost Accounting, Financial Management, Auditing and etc. A student may score low in
some of the peripheral courses and still end up with a good grade. But having a good percentage in
peripheral courses and recording a fail in one of the core courses could lead to spending another extra
year in school. In much the same vein, in ministry, there are many indulgent on the periphery which
many ministers and leaders prioritise and have majored on as core.
A careful look at the Church Core Mandate given by the Lord Jesus Christ in Mathew 28: 18-20, you
will find several Biblical facts which call for our attention and further evaluation. They are: (1) The
Authority of Christ; (2) The Making of Disciples; (3) Baptizing the Saved; (4) Teaching and enforcing
observance of what Christ commanded. We briefly examine just few of them in this introductory
section.
3.0 THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

One important truth in the Scripture regarding the Christian life is the Lordship of Jesus Christ over
those purchased by His blood. When the Lordship of Jesus is well understood and applied in a
Christian’s life, all other contentious issues in his or her life are settled. When the risen Christ declared
“All authority has been given to Me”, He wanted His followers to understand that He was saying so
from the position of divine Sonship conferring upon Him the status of Sovereignty in the Godhead.
Christ is unique in that His Father gave Him all authority in heaven and on earth. This is unimaginably
overwhelming and well beyond all the boundaries. By this, Christ is Lord. This explains why in over
500 instances in the New Testament He is referred to as “Lord.” Apostle Paul wrote, “For to this end
Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Rom. 14:9).
God’s grand design is for Jesus Christ to be Lord overall and above all. This is the Father’s intention
was and still is, that Christ must be obeyed. If He cannot be Lord over your life and Ministry, it cannot
be said you are in His will. And you will certainly meet Him in judgment on the day of reckoning with
these uncomforting and condemnation words: “I never knew you” (Matt 7:23; Psa 6:8; Matt 25:12,41;
Luke 13:25,27; 2Tim 2:19).
Ministers should submit to the Lordship of Christ; it should also be made clear in the presentation of
the gospel to the unsaved. When present day preachers invite the unsaved, they undermine the Lordship
of Christ; they simply say, “Accept Jesus as your Saviour.” Such phrase and concept are not found in
Scripture. It reveals a fundamental flaw in their understanding of the gospel. When the Philippian jailer,
for example, asked Paul what he must do to be saved, Paul said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and
you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31). One can only be saved because he/she believes in the person Jesus
Christ as a Saviour and His Lordship as the Lord of all. That is saving faith.
Many believe that simply placing faith in the finished work of atonement is sufficient for their
redemption; but Jesus Christ must be Lord of your life before He can save you from your sins. There
must be a total surrender allowing Him full control of your life for salvation to take place. If He cannot
be allowed full control in our lives, we cannot be free from sin. Saving faith consists of faith in Jesus’
finished work on the Cross and in who He is as the Lord of your life. Apostle Paul writing said, “As
you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col 2:6). The underlining factor
is believing and receiving Christ as the Lord of your life and yielding to Him in all things.
Christ Authority in the Commission

The concept of Christ as Lord over our lives is clearly revealed in that Paul’s statement: “…received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” This understanding applies in carrying out the Great
Commission and calls for walking in the Lordship of Christ in Ministry. Obviously, if you believe that
Jesus is Lord, you will let Him take the lead as the Lord of your life. Submitting to His Lordship in life
and in ministry is a dying process. Believing in Him is a yielding process and involves releasing
yourself to Him of your own free will. Many in the church are under the impression that they are for
Jesus Christ, but they have denied Him the final say in their lives. Can the Lord be in your life as the
owner of it without being in charge? This means that when a minister’s understanding of the
fundamentals of Christianity is flawed, he is in trouble from the start. There is no way such a minister
can succeed by God’s appraisal, as he is in jeopardy of misrepresenting the foundational message of
Salvation thereby denying the recipients the benefit of the same.
4.0 THE MAKING OF DISCIPLES

The Lord Jesus Christ after declaring His Supreme Lordship then gave a commandment: “Go
therefore and make disciples…” Notice that the Lord Jesus used the word “therefore.” He is saying,
“Because of what I just said…because I have all authority…because I am Lord…people should obey
Me to take solace in Me…and so “I am commanding you” to go and make disciples, teaching them to
obey all My commandments.” This is God’s big Vision and Mission. It is the great vision for all
ministries and the Church in general; it is our responsibility to make disciples who obey Christ’s
commandments.
Obedience to God’s Word is message of the Church. Jesus Christ exemplified obedience to God by
the things which he suffered, and not by worn white collar suit or whitely garments that communicate
sincerity of intention of obedience. He went beyond wearing white garments to living a sinless life,
which become as the only acceptable standard for those who serve in His Church.
Plumb Line For Successful Ministry
In his message on the day of Pentecost Peter observed, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know
assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36). Peter
wanted Christ’s crucifiers to know that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The Jews had killed
the Christ whom God wanted them to serve. Now under great conviction, they asked, “What shall we
do?” Peter responded first of all, “Repent”! That is, turn from rebellion to reconciliation with God on
His own terms. Make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life; further, he told them to be baptized as Christ
commanded. Peter was making disciples, obedient followers of Christ, and he was starting the right
way with the right message. Therefore, every minister should be able to evaluate his success on the
basis of the great command. They should ask themselves, “Is my ministry making people obedient
followers of Jesus or not?
As Disciples of Christ, it is our God-given obligation to raise disciples in endless successions. We are
to raise disciples in the church, not criminals, not harlots, not tricksters. Paul said, the grace of God had
been given to him as an apostle to “bring about the obedience of the faith among all the Gentiles”
(Rom. 1:5). The goal was obedience; the means to this obedience was faith. People who have genuine
faith in the Lord Jesus obey His commandments.
When ministers assure people who act like unsaved that they are saved, they are telling them the
exact opposite of what God wants them to be told. Such a minister is taking sides with the devil
knowingly or unknowingly thereby leading people astray.
Biblically speaking, a disciple is a sincere believer in the Lord
The Goal should be:
Jesus Christ, one who is no longer living for himself or herself
Multiplying committed but for the master. It must also be understood that those who are
disciples, servant leaders from not His disciples cannot make disciples for Him. Thus, we must
the communities of sinners, first be certain that we ourselves are His disciples before we
working for the expansion of attempt to make disciples for Him. It may not be surprising that
the Kingdom of God. many ministers and church workers, when weighed against the
biblical definition of what a disciple is, fall short of it.
There is no hope that such ministers can make disciples, and can only try to do so in outright
rebellion of divine command. Such ministers have not committed themselves enough to Jesus Christ to
give birth to spiritual children that will look exactly like Jesus Christ. Nobody can make genuine
disciples for Jesus without himself living the life of Jesus.
From the foregoing, therefore, here is the yardstick in measuring ministerial success - the plumb line:
Multiplication of committed Christ disciples, servant leaders from the communities of sinners,
working for the expansion of the Kingdom of God. The associated questions are: What is the
percentage of the Saved to the Crowd in your congregation? “How many members of your
congregation are disciples of Christ? How many of them know their Bible well enough as to lead others
to Christ?
Therefore, a truly successful minister of Jesus Christ is the one whose ministry or church is
consciously, determinedly aimed at birthing disciples, adhere followers of Jesus Christ who, in turn, are
producing disciples in an endless succession for the Kingdom of God and multiplying same yearly.
Module 1
Unit 2: THE TWO KINGDOMS PURSUIT
1. Introduction
2. Powers At Work
3. God’s Master Plan
4. Satan’s Pursuit In The End Time
5. God’s Program For The End Time
THE TWO KINGDOMS PURSUIT
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Across the span of time and on the spiritual battle field our human minds can only struggle to
comprehend, an epic battle has been raging between God and a powerful, evil spirit – Satan the
devil. This battle has impacted the course of history in powerful ways (and continues to do so) – but
in order to fully understand the battle of God versus Satan, we have to step back to the earliest
pages of human history”. – (Richard Pinelli)
The Lord Jesus Christ acknowledged “an epic battle has been raging between God and a powerful, evil
spirit – Satan the devil”. In Scripture he expatiated on the ongoing “battle of God versus Satan”; He
spoke on the pursuit of this two kingdom at work in human’s affairs and the final outcome of the
battle. He said: "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom
stand? But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God is come unto you. (Matt
12:26,28). “…The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ;
and he shall reign forever and ever” (Rev 11:15). God’s kingdom shall prevail now and ever.
2.0 POWERS AT WORK

God’s Vision of “bring many sons to glory” through His Mission of “making disciples of all
nations” was necessitated by Satan’s corruption of His perfect creation. God, strategically, rules over
the entire universe. This is part of His sovereignty. However, at the operational level, Satan controls
the Kingdoms of this world. Right from the beginning of human history, Satan had intended to
promote apostasy among God’s people by leading them away from God by emphasising their own will
over and above God’s own. In getting man to act outside of divine preview, Satan was, in so doing, not
only instigating revolt against God, but also staging a palace coup that will leave Adam answerable to
him in defection. If only Adam knew that doing Satan’s bidding was the same as surrendering
authority to him! How was Adam to know that in bowing down to the will of Satan he was selling out
his generations yet unborn to the power of this deceiver? (Rom. 3:10-18). Since then, he has controlled
and manipulated humanity who, spiritually, are directly in his sphere of influence.
He sought and gained authority over man with the specific intent of corrupting this dynamic
invention so that it cannot achieve the purpose for which it was created. How was Adam to know that
giving Satan his full attention was going to mean losing God’s attention? How he was to know that
conceding attention to Satan was going to cost him his inheritance? Have men learnt from Adam’s
mistake or are they still losing out to Satan again, as at today? (Ezekiel 28.13).
Pursuit of Two Kingdoms
Apostle Paul describes him as the “god of this world” (2 Corinth 4.3-4). This mortal world was
conceived in rebellion to God, and so we see man in this mortal world as the master of his own affairs
asserting his own independent human will over and above that of God. In this regard, we see Satan
urging and driving man further in his quest for an independent world with no one to tell him what is
right or wrong. In a world where man is the final authority on all matters of morality and judgment
diversity in opinion would mean unbridled chaos of the highest era. Because Satan is the god of this
world, he has authority to give the kingdoms of the world to whomever he desires. We see him
flaunting that authority while tempting the Lord Jesus in the wilderness (Matt 4.8-9; Luke 4.5-6). And
guess what? We do not see Jesus refuting Satan’s claim to that authority. Jesus Christ knew Satan’s
claim to that authority was legitimate. This is the reason why the devil is being referred to as the ruler
and god of this fallen, evil world (John 14:30; 2 Corinth. 4:4). John says that the whole world lies in
the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19). But God undertook a mission in the person of the Lord
Jesus Christ to reclaim the world for His own.
3.0 GOD’S MASTER PLAN

God is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. In the scheme of that equation there is no
middle-ground, and no place for Satan to perpetuate himself. That means God’s plan is timeless,
irrevocable and irrefutable. If this is the case, it means God’s plan for man is unquestionable and is not
subject to Satan’s definition or reposition of the same. God did not create man to leave him helpless in
the hands of the evil one. Satan is not the one who created man, and that means there is something
about man that is not in the power of Satan to determine. Therefore, the worst Satan can do cannot
change the fact that man, is not Satan’s image and likeness but God’s image and likeness (Gen.1:26).
God made everything for Himself by His power and is taking everything back to Himself by His
power. We can hear great voices in heaven saying confidently that “The kingdoms of this world are
become the kingdoms of our Lord” (Revelation 11:15).
Satan’s defection from divine allegiance was deliberate and therefore unpardonable. On the other
hand, man’s defection was devised and masterminded. Man never initiated it but had to accept
responsibility for allowing himself to be the victim of so grand and heinous a conspiracy. Unlike
Satan, Adam had no cause to rebel against God and had no intention to. Satan had nothing to offer, as
a matter of fact, the best he could come up with was to twist what God had said. Yes, both Satan and
Adam were in the wrong, but the prerogative of mercy fell on Adam because Adam was in a position
to make amends and Satan was not. The fact that Satan could toy with Adam with relative ease on so
crucial a matter means there were dimensions of the supernatural Adam was not yet fully informed
about. The only voice Adam was familiar with was God’s voice. That voice was the defining element
of his personality. About the one only occasion he heard another voice outside of it saw him drifting
from goodness and mercies into chaos and disaster. In other words, the spirit of man cannot be certain
to access voices without being redefined by them.
Understandably, man needed redemption from the barrage of voices within him that had taken over
the place of God’s lonesome but incomparable voice inner and deeper within. In the Garden of Eden,
the human side of Adam was not independent as to act in its own free will, but was totally in unity
with the Spirit of God in the heart of man as one with Him. At the fall of man in the Garden of Eden
we see the Spirit of God in the heart of man returning back to the Father and the human nature taking
over full control. With the human nature in full control, self becomes the purpose of existence. The
human nature acting in its own free will is death because the eternal is not involved. The human nature
is man in a lost state of mind exploring his human resources in his own selfish interest. There is no
invention of man that can free him from the power of death because it is a sad painful reminder of
going contrary to God’s specifications.
Christ Course in Man’s Redemption

The human nature needs redemption because it is helplessly lost in sin without Christ. Christ came
to bridge the gap between the human nature and the Spirit man. The very implication of God born as
man in Christ Jesus is the unification of the divine and natural elements of creation in redemption. In
redemption we see God completely and perfectly revealed and manifested in the human nature as
triumphant in it over all human tendencies. In other words, in redemption, we see the victory of man
over sin in Christ Jesus. In redemption, we see the flesh dead to itself in total surrender to the will of
God. Jesus came “that he might destroy the works of the devil.” He came and “led captivity captive,
and gave gifts (of eternal life) to men. He came to accomplish God’s conceived overall plan and
design, establishing His Kingdom in the world. Christ came into the world to affirm His power against
the dominion of Satan and to save mankind from eternal destruction. To this effect we see Him
declaring publicly in a confrontational tone: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the gospel... deliverance to the captives and to set at liberty them that are
chain” (Luke 4:18).
Christ’s coming to earth launched the world into a crisis. His power filled the devil’s empire with
alarm (Matt 4:3; 12:29), and everyone was confronted with a decision whether to submit to God’s rule
or not. (Math 3:1-3). The Lord Jesus Christ commenced the process of reclaiming the world for His
Father with the Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation.
He went about preaching and teaching about the Kingdom, saying, “Repent: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17). Multitude of men and women followed Him. From this multitude the
Lord secured “above five hundred brethren” faithful believers (1 Corinth 15:6). Furthermore, from
among the five hundred He “appointed other seventy” disciples (Luke 10:1). And “he chose twelve,
whom also he named apostles” from the seventy (Luke 6:13). These twelve ordinary men the Lord
gave three years of mentoring: associating with them; consecrating and correcting them as He
observed them in their daily assignments. He equipped them with the word, imparted grace to them;
empowered them with infilling of the Holy Spirit in prayer. And after His victorious conquest on the
Cross where He “spoiled principalities and powers”, send the disciples out with this strong command:
“"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). Thus, Christ completed circle of discipleship as an
example for the Church.
Thus, the great commission is not just a mandate to make disciples but a mandate to recover back
what the devil has stolen. The strategic importance of the great commission must be seen from the
view point of the fact that is manifested in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to Himself.
Thus, the Great Commission to the Church is a command to get into the task of discipleship. If the
Church must accomplish this mission of “making disciples of all nations,” we must begin to evaluate
our works and ministry with the view to setting free the captives of the enemy in salvation from death
works to live in Christ Jesus.
4.0 SATAN’S PURSUIT IN THE END TIME

While the task of Discipleship is in progress, Satan, the archenemy, is not standing aloof watching
the gospel of Christ “enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods”, setting his captive free. He
has also marshal out his program to counteract the good works of the Kingdom of God.
What is the program of Satan in this world in this end-time? The Bible never kept us in doubt as to
the works of the antichrist, his forerunner in this present time, “Even him, whose coming is after the
working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thess2:9). The Prophet Isaiah
informed us, “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people” (Isaiah
60:2; I Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim 3:1). The times we live is the time both the prophets and prophecies spoke
about. Satan’s workings in the end-time such as this includes the following:
(1) Overwhelm Power of darkness (Isa 60:2) – There is an unprecedented wave of all kinds of
falsehood overtaking the land and enveloping all Nations, including the churches in a thick cloud
of ignorance and ungodliness. The darkness is so dense: - very thick, so thick that it is difficult
or impossible for people to see the gospel light; hard to penetrate intellectually, so complex and
intricate that it is difficult to assimilate and understand the preaching of the gospel; slow to learn
or understand: many will considered themselves lack of the ability to learn or understand quickly
Biblical spiritual matters. The spiritual darkness is so obscure that the light of the knowledge of
God, through the Gospel of Christ is having an uphill task in penetrate it to deliver men and
women from the chains and yokes of evils. The unsaved and the backsliding will conclude that
any involvement in eternal spiritual exercise is a waste of time,
(2) Satan Infiltration of Churches - One major activities of the Devil now in this end-time is
infiltration of the churches, seducing and inducing members to engage in programs of activities
which are not God’s glory oriented, neither evangelically driven; or preparing the believers to
welcome their King. Today, churches are at ease, busy engaging itself with such programmes
that are not contributing any meaningful value to the Kingdom of God.
(3) Doctrinal Apostasy - The spirit of prophecy tells us plainly that the times in which we are in are
synonymous with defections of all variations in their overwhelming proportions. Many will
depart from the faith, in whole or in part, turning apostates, by giving heed to impostures and
doctrines of men; teaching errors suggested by devils, which cover their lies with hypocritical
pretences. Men will harden their hearts and seared consciences in wasteful living.
(4) Perversion in Teaching – The end time is characterised with many turning from the true gospel
of Christ unto ungodliness as men are arising speaking perverse things and to drawing away
disciples after them by propagating the doctrines of the devil. (Acts 20:29,30).
(5) Spirits of Deceit – In this end-time, we see satanic spirit of deception in systematic organized
structures. You will see apostates giving up their lives and future in defence of a lie. Deception
that has emissaries of every kind and is being employed to penetrate, deceive, disenable, take
captive and enslave the hearts of the simple minded. Satan lost heaven and now he is doing
everything in his power to ensure people do not find the joy and peace he has lost. Rebellion
against God is a force, a war, an institution with sophisticated weaponry that has devastating
effects on the human soul and on the human race. Without ambiguity, the Bible makes it
emphatically very clear that “the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
(2 Thess. 2:9).
(6) Moral Depravity – In this end time, we see moral depravity taking the form of institutional
frameworks backed up by law. What God outlaws is being legalized, permitted in church and
enforced by law. Today, evil is elevated to a norm with governments and authorities of their own
to maintain the status quo. What the Bible calls “Sin” is no longer be frowned at. Abortion,
adultery, bestiality, divorce, gay rights, incest, lesbianism, pornography and transgender have
already been legalised. We are living in a world where sex outside of marriage is no longer a
crime but a “cool stuff” thing. Gay marriages are already in the Church, as the scripture rightly
predicted. “For even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: the
men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with
men working that which is unseemly (2 Tim 3:1-13; Rom 1:26-27).
(7) Cheap Gospel and Cults – Christendom is been pervaded with a cheap gospel of signs and
wonders by evil and satanic means, with Religious Cults and diversionary ministries working
round the clock to achieve Satan’s goal. Today, persecution of Christians, cruel treatment of
believers, and desecration of the Christian Religious heritage are among prevalent issues that
characterise the end time.
5.0 GOD’S PROGRAM FOR THE END TIME

Though Satan’s end-time forces are at work, God’s program is on course in the world through the
Church; it is Discipleship: Building a formidable heavenly army from the lost world in preparing
for Christ’s return. Discipleship - “Making disciples of all Nation”, the heartbeat of God should be
the focus of the Church and the pre-occupation of ministers and ministry. The tasking responsibility of
soul winning in an evil world becoming more ruthlessly malicious by the day. It is an imminent task
requiring of the highest obligation on our part as true believers in Christ Jesus. More and more people
are losing grip of their situations and making do with anything that works. Along the line, more souls
are compromised and left wriggling for their lives helplessly in the hands of the wicked one to no
avail. Not everybody in the hands of the devil want to remain under him. Many out there are looking
for deliverance but do not know where to find it except we take it to them where they are.
Discipleship in the End-Time

There is no other better time to emphasis Discipleship than the times which we are in now, the End-
time. The Church must vigorously pursue the task of Building Disciples for Christ for End-Time
Harvest. Scriptural and historical empirical evidence before us shows clearly that the coming of the
Lord Jesus Christ is near. Apostle Paul assumed that we know the times when he said, “Knowing the
time” (Rom 13:11). But many do not. There are over 2,400 verses in the Bible that deal with the
Second Coming of Christ. For every 25 verses in the New Testament, one of them deals with the End
Times. Yet the Church is nonchalant about the end-time and engaging in activities and programs that
do not reflects the time we are in.
In this end-time, the Church should be focusing on discipleship. First, it will result in an increase of
end-time harvest from the lost world. Secondly, it will help the saved to prepare for tough times, as
predicted in the Holy Scripture. Thirdly, it will prepare God’s people for the last laps of the end time,
assisting them in holding on to God for supernatural provision, power, and strength. Fourthly, prepare
the Church for the arrival of her King and welcome him. And lastly, it will also give believers a clear
understanding of the “picture” of the end time plan.
The Church cannot afford to go to sleep in an infested evil world becoming desperately wicked and
fearlessly more evil by the day. If God cannot move in the Church in this end time, the Church is left
with only one choice but to go into captivity. The Lord Christ makes it very clear that you cannot
make heaven without Satan standing violently in the way to force you back down the road. (Matthew
11:12). You know what that means? That means you cannot make heaven without spiritual violence
against sin looking for a platform in your life to bring the devil in as your bed mate.
God want to raise revivalist in this end-time to call the Church to her God-given mandate in the
world. Raising men and women to draw the Church attention to her forgotten mandate, holiness and
evangelism and bring her back to her original status of the fullness of God greatest need in the end-
time. Dr Robert Charles Sproul, the founder and chair-person of Ligonier Ministries, an American
theologian, author, and pastor wrote: "We need a St. Augustine or a Martin Luther to speak to us anew
lest the light of God's grace be not only overshadowed but be eradicated in our time." This statement
has become much more relevant in our time today than when Dr. Sproul wrote it. If there are no men
and women with God’s clear revelation to call Ministers back to the original mandate of God,
Discipleship, the course for which Jesus Christ died, then the Gospel of Christ, which is the power of
God unto salvation will be completely overshadowed with worldly activities.
Presently, Christendom is dominated by the “Doctrines of Devils.” Pulpits in church are being
occupied by men and women who have no business with the Gospel of righteousness. It is sad to see
such dead preachers, preaching a dead gospel to dead sinners with a dead heart that never convicts
them of their wrong. When such people who are earthly bound invade the church, it will naturally lead
to compromise in high places requiring of utmost discretion on our part.
Module 1
Unit 3: PRIORITY FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY
1. Introduction
2. The Knowledge of God
3. Loving God
4. Glorifying God
5. Been Use Of God
PRIORITY OF LIFE AND MINISTRY
1.0 INTRODUCTION
“The things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” (Johann
Wlfgang von Goethe). “The goal of my lives is to know God, love Him, serve Him and glorify Him;
and to be used of Him to raise qualified Disciple of Jesus Christ who will help in fulfilment of the
Great Commission.” (Prof. S.E Muagba)
To accomplish God Eternal Program, the man or woman in ministry must be a person of highest priced
priority both in life and ministry. They must domesticate in their life and ministrial pursuit this
declaration: “The goal of my lives is to know God, love Him, serve Him and glorify Him; and to be
used of Him to raise qualified labourers in fulfilment of the Great Commission”. This is an instructive
life driven purpose. What is the goal of your life and ministry? Why are you in the faith and ministry?
What does the Lord require of you as a Christian and His minister? The answers you provide to these
heart-searching questions indicate the direction your life and ministry is heading. Moses, the servant of
God, knew exactly what God required of him and did so accordingly for 40 years but acted in his
individual capacity at the last moment while carrying out God’s divine will. The result was deadly and
suicidal. The content of that leading statement requires further investigation and comment.
2.0 THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
Knowing God is a Priority, not an Option

The Lord counselled: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his
might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me that I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and
righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” (Jere 9:23-24). God desired us
to know Him and keep growing in His knowledge. The sum total of all life inspiration on which your
heart should rest as a guide and general rule of life is on this understanding; There is God from whom
you came, for whom you exist, through whom you survive and to whom you shall return for judgment.
Apostle Paul attested to this tenet when he wrote: “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all
things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Rom 11:36). The fact is, we are accountable to God and we
shall face Him in judgement at the close of life. If you omit this solemn accountability to God out of
your life and ministry, you missed everything about life.
Facts from Scripture:
Priority of Life and Ministry
(1) There is God, a dominant reality: the Eternal Father, Master of the Universe who has neither
beginning nor end. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar, “There is a God in heaven” (Daniel 2:28).
Genesis declares, “In the beginning God...” – “Beginning” signifies “Time.” In heaven it is
timeless and when you come below heaven you meet with time. Time is created by God, puts
man in it, but He does not live in it. Thus, when the Bible says, “In the beginning God...,” it
means two things: first, the timeless eternity; in the timeless eternity there was God. Secondly,
the time of beginning; at the beginning of creation, creating the universe, there is God.
(2) You Came From Him: “For dust thou art,” (Gen 2:7; 3:19. God breathed into man’s lifeless
body the breath of life and he became a living soul. You came from Him for a purpose; and you
were meant to fulfil it. A set time is given to you to accomplish it. “There is a time to every
purpose under the heaven” (Eccl 3:1). Because you came from Him for a purpose, means your
very life belongs to Him and He should not be denied His place in it.
(3) You exist for Him. Your life is in Him: In Him we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Our life is in Him and outside of Him we have no life of our own. Your very existence ought to
be for His glory. He told Prophet Isaiah, “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew
forth my praise” (Isa 43:21; Heb 4:11). He created you for His praise, living for His glory and
demonstrating His grace in whatever situation you find yourself.
(4) You Survive through Him. Your very survival in life and in God's service is directly
proportional to His love, grace and mercy releases to your life. Your true strength is in Him
alone. The Bible makes it very clear that no one was born to survive by sheer human strength
alone. (1Sam 2:9). If our lives are in Him, it equally follows that our true strength is derivable
interwoven with His. Apostle Paul said: "For in Him we live and move and have our being”
(Acts 17:28). The Lord Himself said, “For without me ye can do nothing.” That means whatever
we can do in our understanding is not a true definition of our self-worth until He is involved.
(5) At Death you must return to Him: “For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” You
will not live in this world forever because your eternity is not here. You have time enough in
this world to decide what you want to do with your life, but after that you must face the
judgment. “A time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecc 3:2). And on return, you will give account
of your services here on earth.
This awesome God knows the hearts of all men: your plans, your deeds, thoughts and words. He
told the churches in the book of Revelation, “I know thy works” (Rev 2:2,9,13,19). Jesus Christ knows
the hearts of all men: the past, the present and the future. Christ once asked the thronging crowd, “Who
touched me?” when it was practically impossible to detect the person that touched Him in so massive a
crowd (Luke 8:43–48). He once told Nathanael, “I saw you,” when He was not even near him, but
hundreds of miles away (John 1:47-48 47). He told Judas Iscariot, “Betrayest thou the Son of man with
a kiss?” when as yet Judas’ thoughts and actions were in suppression. (Luke 22:48). This God is the
One we relate with in life and ministry. He knows your life and the purpose for which you are in
ministry. What can you hide from His all-knowing person?
Therefore, growing in this knowledge is of a tremendous help both in life and ministry. God
desires that you know Him, not as a passive God, but as a living reality in your life and ministry (John
17:3). Apostle Paul desired to know God in order to make Him known when he said, “that I may know
him” (Phil. 3:10). You are limited in life and ministry when you do not know God as you ought to
know Him. Your congregation suffers your lack of full knowledge because you cannot share what you
do not know; neither can you give what you do not have. You must also desire to know Him ultimately
and grow in His knowledge. You must cry to Him as Moses did, “show me now thy way, that I may
know thee,” “I beseech thee, shew me thy glory” (Exo. 33:13,18). It is this knowledge that can make
you like God’s image in character and charisma.
The task of discipleship involves a personal commitment to walk with Jesus and to be like Him, no
matter what is involved and no matter what it will take. It is a daring adventure that drives you into the
heart of the Father in Christ Jesus to take your place in Him with the view of manifesting Him alive for
all the world to see. Ministry involves a lot of factors none of which is complete without the other.
3.0 LOVING GOD

Loving God is about sense of belonging or having a relationship with God that cuts across all
barriers. It is about the inborn consciousness, inner within that your life is in Him and in Him alone and
the realization that every single moment of your life depends on your sense of urgency to this effect.
There is no way you can love God without understanding that your place in life is in Him and
appreciating it to the extent of giving yourself wholeheartedly and unreservedly to Him. God is love,
and the only basis for relationship with Him is predicated on this onerous conviction. You cannot walk
with Him without seeing yourself as you are in Him and coming to Him in the strength of that
conviction. Your self-professed love for God will have no meaning if it is not driven by wholesome
conviction that is the defining element of your very person. If you love God, everything about you will
be all about Him. Ministry is the pursuit of your love for God with a heart that is born for God and set
on fire for Him.
(1) Your affection determines the direction of your ministry

What is the best way of going about a job you do not love with all your heart? What you love, you
do with energy and vigor understandably because all your heart is involved. Your heart is the seat
of desire. It is natural for your energies to gravitate in the direction of your desire. Like the rudder
of a ship, your affections steer your life in the deep currents of life. Generally, affection clings to
someone or something. It could either cling to God and love Him; or cling to the work and love
self-glories. To determine where your affections actually lie, you have to discern what or who
occupies your time, motivates your action; what shapes your aspirations. Whatever you set your
affections upon determine how you live your life and run your ministry.
(2) Your affection follows to your treasure

The devoutness of your heart is determined by whatever you place value upon as your greatest
treasure. Christ Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be” (Matt.
6:21). The heart treasures what it loves! The love comes first and the treasuring follows. Your
affection is the outcome of what you treasured. If self-glory, wealth and fame are what you
treasure, your affection and ministry will tread towards that. But if the heart of God has been
revealed in your own, His glory will be the goal of your life and ministry (Matt 13:44).
4.0 GLORIFING GOD (Isa. 43:7; Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 6:20; Gal 1:24; 1 Pet. 2:12)
From the Church Catechism Book we were taught: “Man's only aim is to glorify God, and to enjoy
Him for ever.” This must be your chief goal in life. Apostle Peter in his writing to the Church said, “…
if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be
glorified” (1Peter 4:11). The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through the spiritual
structure of your life and works. In this world, everything works to some end natural or spiritual,
temporal or eternal. The great truth in the Bible is that the end of every man's life should be to glorify
God. You must project an end in yourself; and it should be that you may lift up Jesus Christ in words
and works. The Scriptural injunction is, "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (l Corinth.
10:31).
Glorifying God is a duty

To glorify God is to set Him high in your thoughts, and to have a venerable esteem of him. Such
thoughts, King David exemplified: "Thou, Lord, art most high for evermore." "Thou art exalted far
above all gods." (Psalm 92:8; 97:9). There is in God all that shows adorable wonders and delight; a
collection of all beauties which He sheds upon the creation. We are under obligation to admire Him, his
attributes and "the work of his fingers" (Psalm 8:3). This can be done in so many ways.
You glorify God when your services are purely aimed at His glory. You glorify God when you
hold Him in high esteem and prefer his glory above the praises of men. When self-praise conflict with
the glory of God in your life you must discard yours and thrown it to the litterbin. You aim at God's
glory when you are willing to do His will no matter the cost. You will even be contented to be
outshined by others in gifts and ministration, when it becomes necessary, that God’s glory may
increase. A man that has God in his heart, and His glory in his sight, desires God’s exaltations no
matter who is the instrument and he rejoices at God’s marvellous works together.
Nobody will appreciate the need to glorify God without walking with Him. You can only
appreciate the need to glorify God to the extent that you walk with Him. Nobody can extol God
accurately and adequately without knowing Him in-depth. To glorify God is to expound and extol His
virtues in solemn contemplation and heart-melting submission to His will. Glorifying God is more than
just an expression of goodwill and goes beyond the physical act of worship to include the purity of your
heart and your yieldedness to Him in all things. Nothing we do or say is sufficient in itself until it is
preceded, permeated and perpetuated by our yieldedness to Him in all things. This is where the life of a
true disciple begins but does not stop here.
God must be the ultimate end of all actions in service; for so was Christ, "I seek not mine own
glory, but the glory of him that sent me" (John 8:50). This was also John’s mind-set, “He must increase,
but I must decrease.”
We share not in His Glory

God's glory is such an indispensable part of His Being; without it He will be less than God. His
very life lies in His glory. He cannot receive additional of it, because He is infinite. It defines and
constitutes His person and is the embodiment of His every expression. Perhaps the most complicating
aspect of His glory is that He is so high and unsearchable and yet so condescending as to indwell us in
our lowliness and worthlessness. How can we explain that? So magnificent and yet ever stooping low
to carry others up with Him, filthy though they may be. In other words, it is practically impossible to
imagine His glory outside of His created works. The only reason why God in His excellent majesty and
magnificence identifies with us in our humbled estate is because our lowliness does not change the fact
that we are extracts of the magnificent absolute that He is known to be, and He identifies with that.
If we are extracts of a magnificent absolute, then our lives on Earth is not possible without Him.
God cannot live in us without purging and cleansing us of our humanity. When the spirit of man is
purged above all human considerations our originality at creation is reasserted with the certainty of the
Spirit of God finding expression in us as working through us. When He is working through us to touch
lives by our hands, remember He is the one doing it, not you. What God is doing by your hand is not
your personality and should not be attributed as your terms of reference. If, for instance, God is
working miracles by your hand, that does not make you a miracle man or woman because He is the one
doing the works. He has repeatedly said, "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not
give to another, neither my praise to graven images " (Isaiah. 48:11; 42:8).
Even mortal men, emperors and kings have refused to share their glory with their subjects. They
may share their powers but not their glory. Pharaoh the king of Egypt was one of such. To Joseph, he
parted with the ring off his finger, the sign of authority, and a gold chain, and set him “over all the land
of Egypt”. But he would not part with his throne, his glory. He firmly told Joseph, "Only in the throne
will I be greater than thou." (Gen 41:39-44). The throne is the symbol of glory. God will not share His
throne, the glory with any of His servants. God will give spiritual blessing: wisdom, riches, honour, and
all material blessings to His children. He may put anointing and some honour upon His Ministers. But
His own glory will He not part with, nor share with anyone, whoever the person may be. He will
certainly frown at anyone who would want to thread on that dangerous path. In the throne and glory He
must be greater. In the praises from the lips of His creature He must be greater than any other.
A.W Tozar once said, “The heart is God’s shrine He alone is worthy to dwell there.” Whenever
you entrench yourselves in the hearts of men and sing your praises louder, you unseat God from His
throne in the hearts of the people and thereby rob Him of His glory.
Dr. Paul Enenche, once related an experience he encountered with those who take delight in
sharing God’s glory. He said:
“I remember going to a church to preach some time ago. And someone stood on the altar to
speak. He wanted to introduce the host pastor who would, in turn, introduce me. He said, ‘I
want to tell you about someone; someone that has changed my life...’ As he began to say
more things, I thought he was talking about God. Frankly speaking, the way he spoke about
the man, I thought he was talking about God. But when he finished, he said, ‘Can we receive
my papa, my daddy in the Lord...’ I sank into my chair. I said in my heart, ‘People are talking
about you like this and you accept it?’ That was what Herod did and God sent an angel to
slap him. He was consumed by warms on the spot (Acts 12:23). I sank into my chair.
At the end, I asked the host pastor in the hotel room, ‘Did you accept those things they were
saying about you? Did you accept to be praised like that?’ He got angry. And that was the
last time I went to that Church. I have never been there again. And I can tell you that the
history of that place is not something to write home about.”
Paul Enenche went on to say:
“When you over-celebrate yourself, God will withdraw His help so that you can see your
nakedness. When you think of your wealth as your own making, and your prosperity as your own
doing; or of the anointing you carry as the fruit of your labour, God will withdraw a little from
you, so that you can see how naked you are without Him.” (Rev. Dr. Paul Enenche is the Senior
Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre).
There is an inherent danger of robbing God of His glory. Whenever a man fails to give God His
deserved glory, or through some ministerial gimmicks rob Him of it, such a person faces the danger of
His judgment. God will forcefully take back the honour to himself. This is the Bible standard and
examples are bound to that regard.
 Pharaoh: When Pharaoh, the King of Egypt failed to acknowledge God’s glory when he said,
“Who is the LORD that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?” (Exodus 5:2), God told
Moses, "I will get me honour upon Pharaoh” (Exodus. 14:17). He got that honour when he
stroke Egypt with plagues and drowns the Egyptians in the Red Sea. That day the Egyptians
and others feared the LORD, and believed Him and acknowledged Him to be the greatest.
 Nebuchadnezzar: In the matter of the three Hebrew men before the burning furnace, the King
of Babylon boasted, “Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” Again, he
arrogated to himself honour that belonged to the Lord when success got over his head, when he
had said, “Is not this Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my
power, and for the honour of my majesty?” He robbed God of His glory, and God will not
condone such arrogance of men. He extracted His honour from him.
The Scriptures recorded that while those arrogant words were still in the king’s mouth, God
announced His presence from heaven, saying, “O king ... The kingdom is departed from thee.
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beast of the field”
(Daniel 4: 30-33). God reduced him to an animal for seven years. At the end of such
humiliation the king declares, “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of
heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is
able to abase” (Daniel 4:37). It took him seven years of wilderness experience to learn humility
and the need to honour and glorify God in all his deed.
 King Herod: Herod had his fair share of instant judgement in denying God His Glory. The
King, probably did not read the account of Nebuchadnezzar’s punishment, when he wore pride
and success as crowns and the praises of men as badge of honour. He took the place of God in
the heart of the people when they sang his praises. On that faithful day, he sat on his throne
gorgeously arrayed in his royal garments, and gave a self-exalted speech-less speech. “And the
people gave a shout, saying, ‘It is the voice of a god, and not of a man’”. On that bases of
robbing God His glory, He judged him instantly. The Bible says: “Immediately the angel of the
Lord smote him… and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” (Acts 12:21-23).
God killed him because when the people praised him as “god” he did not rebuke the flatterers,
but permitted it and lay claim to the honour that was due to God alone. His death was a Divine
retribution for receiving homage as a god. God got Himself glory over him. His fear came upon
the people, and “The word of God grew and multiplied.” The judgement of some of people is
long overdue for sharing the glory of God in their lives and ministries with Him. It is just a
question of time, except they pursuit repentance and change in ministerial lifestyle.
In the government of God, it is counted a better option that kings and kingdoms be thrown down,
angels be cast into abyss, men and ministers removed by violent death, than God should lose one jewel
of His crown, one beam of His glory. Christ’s life should be our example. When He came to
Jerusalem, crowd of admirers trailed Him and the shout of “Hosanna in the highest; Blessed is he that
cometh in the name of the Lord” rent the air, rang about Him. It gladdens His heart. The garments and
palm branches of best quality were strewed in His path and gave Him joy. But good as it was to be
there, He would not build a tabernacle of garments and palm branches. For the agony of Gethsemane is
set before Him. If you build your life, church and ministry from the praises the people strewed on your
way then you are most miserable; you have forgotten the days of judgement when your works shall be
tried by fire.
5.0 BEEN USE OF GOD

Has man anything in common with God, his maker? If they have anything in common, can they
work together without thinking together in the direction of what they have in common? The only reason
why God works through us is for the purpose of making us partakers with Him of the divine nature (2
Pet.1:4). As disciples, it is our duty to take the gospel to the unreached because in so doing, we are not
only exercising the life of Christ in us but also laying claim to all that it embodies. It is only in
manifesting the light of Christ that we can enter into the same reward with Him as a part and parcel of
Him.
God can reach the world on His own with the message of salvation, but if man is not involved in
what God is doing, then he cannot be said to have the life of God in him let alone be a partaker of the
same. We cannot have the life of God flowing in our recreated human hearts without us pouring it out
on the lost that they might live again. You cannot be a disciple without having the life of God in you,
and you cannot have the life of God in you without pouring it out on the dead for their salvation. What
God is doing through us is the only assurance that we are a part of Him and that we live in Him.
The Lord said, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of
the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).
To what purpose does the Lord need labourers? To answer that question, it is important to note
that:
 There is a harvest
 The harvest is HIS harvest
 There is an urgent need for labourers
If there is a harvest and the harvest is His harvest, then there is a “God” element to the harvest that
will require more than human strength alone to make possible the harvest. That means no one can enter
into God’s harvest with the certainty of bringing in the harvest except God is in him and with him. So,
would God need labourers in His harvest only to reward them with an ordinary reward for what we
have already established to be an extraordinary task that could cost them their lives?
If God is bringing mere men and women into His own harvest, then it means He is bringing them
into His own labour in their own greatest interest. We have to be in Him to enter into His harvest.
Walking in Him is a building process. As we walk in Him we are transformed into all that we are in
Him. This changing process is a life-saving process that has what it takes to bring in the harvest and
cannot be taken for granted without doing damage to the harvest.
Often, when people desired and sought to be used of God, they harbour the thoughts of
“Ministerial Hero Complex:” a dream and hope that someday they also will have their church’s
signpost mounted along the city’s popular express highways. Such a dream is admirable but it is an
ambition motivated by the flesh and not by the Holy Spirit. When they pray, “Lord use me,”
undoubtedly, their thinking primarily is for power to heal the sick, raise the death, cast out devils, and
to “prophesy.” All the “120 days fasting and prayers” were solely for this purpose – power, self-glory
and fame, and not necessarily for the salvation of souls. When the answer to their prayers delay in
coming, they turn to satanic cults for power. This is a fatal approach to life and ministry. Perhaps,
because you have subscribed to this “Hero Complex” you now think God wants you to be a big, famous
cable superstar televangelist. You may be wrong!
God, indeed, has important work to do in the world. It is to make disciples of all men and to “take
of them a people for his name” (Acts 15:14). No man or woman walking the face of the earth is
complete in himself or herself if he or she has no overriding desire to please God and to be used of
Him.
Module 1
Unit 4: RAISING QUALIFIED LABOURERS

1. Introduction
2. The Lord Demands Fruits
3. Producing Expected Results
4. Graham Crusade Workers Example
5. Urgency Of The Task
RAISING QUALIFIED LABOURERS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
“Raising efficient and fervent labourers for the harvest is Christ’s heart desire. He wants qualified
and productive workers who are spiritually mature, knowing what God wants, and doing it
committedly at every given opportunity. Such people can only be raised through systematic teachings
and godly character building process” (Prof. S.E Muagba).
God will not be pleased with a church or ministry which is merely engaged in religious activities of
gathering crowd of carnal and earthly bound people. The scripture describes such as, “clouds without
water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the
roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 1:12,13).
2.0 THE LORD DEMANS FRUITS

You must constantly remind yourself that the famer who engages in cash-crop faming demands more
than just attractive green leaves from plant that ought to bear fruits. He is much more interested in the
fruits produced (John 15:1,2). The Lord Jesus’ wonderful experience at Bethany tells the story. In the
morning, as He was returning to the city, became hungry. “Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he
came, if haply he might find” fruits on it but “found nothing thereon, but leaves only.” Jesus cursed the
tree: “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever” (Matt 21:18,19). Healthy trees with greenish
leaves, but without fruits, basically are not of importance and not in demand. Such are crowd producing
churches or ministries without qualified labourers. God wants us to produce men and women waxing
strong in spirit, growing in grace and in the knowledge of God who will become faithful labourers in
the Lord’s vineyard.
Illustration – Imagine the Lord’s “vineyard in a very fruitful
hill” (Isaiah 5:1-6). He has fenced it, gathered out the stones
thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in
the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein. Despite that,
he could not bring forth grapes but wild grapes. And the Lord
lamented: “O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge,
I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.” What more could have
been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then,
when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? And now, let Me tell you
what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; And break down its
wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned or dug, But there shall
come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it."
The Lord was indeed speaking about Israel, but by extension, He was also speaking to the Church,
to you a minister of the gospel of Christ, church leader. It was warning about unfruitful services and
ministry.
3.0 PRODUCING EXPECTED RESULTS

Let us exemplify it this way. Consider these two scenarios. See yourself setting up a large shoe
manufacturing plant in your locality, ABC Shoe Manufacturing Company Ltd. You took a loan from
the Bank to invest in the business with interest rates soaring heavily by the months. You have invested
in machinery, leather technology, electricity, manpower, raw materials; you have also engage the best
engineers and shoes production skills. The marketing department are with the best brains in the
industry. You have done all that needs to be done. The plant is now in full operation. A hundred skilled
workers are moving to and fro as they surf product formats on their high tech equipment humming
away in subdued tones in-between large quantities of raw materials consumed daily.
With machinery operating at full capacity, at the end of two years, you, as the owner of the
gigantic Shoe making factory, returns to settle accounts with your General Manager:
“How many shoes have you produced so far”? You asked.
The General Manager replied “None, sir!”
“None!” you queried. “How long have you been in operation?”
“Two years now, sir!” The General Manger replied with a smile.
“Two years; and still no shoe produced? You sounded astonishingly.
“You are right, no shoes” the GM says, “but we are really, really busy. In fact, we have been
so busy that we all are virtually burnt-out and exhausted. We have been very active at all points
of our job, but no shoes.”
Now! What will your reaction be? An investment that ought to have produced $150,000,000
worth of shoes in the first twelve months; now, no single shoes produced. What will your decision
be? Think about it.
The Church as the Factory

Now, put your church or Ministry in the position of the Manufacturing Company, and let’s see how
it feels.
Activities in your church are in high gear. Lots of programs are going on week after week. Crowds
are making the rounds. The men and women are working so hard to the point of exhaustion. The
offering is growing with every service. Money is not your
problem but how to spend it. Your church is known to be
large and wealthy. You have also built the largest Cathedral in
your locality with seating capacity second to none. The
present building is becoming unattractive, so plans are in
place to build a larger one.
Gifted Ministers with unquestionable endowments are all
in your church. Indeed, your church is well loaded and a very
active one. The choir, the music are second to none in your nation. Your name and fame has gone
beyond boarders. Your colleagues in ministry even applaud your ministerial intelligence and envy your
growth. Some even come to you for “Fatherly” counselling and spiritual help on church growth.
Then the day of reckoning of your stewardship came. The Lord of the work, Jesus Christ, then
asked you: “How many Disciples have you produced?” (Disciples in the context of the scripture).
Your answer was in the negative: “None sir.”
You could not have lied to the Lord at that moment, because you knew very well that the ministry
you were engaged in these many years was nothing but a jamboree or a social gathering of religious
crowds with no serious interest in God and heaven. They were group of people who gathered every
week seeking “God’s hand” but not “God’s Face”; looking for the “bread and fishes,” “signs and
wonders,” healing, deliverance, prosperity and miracles. Sometimes, they never get what they are
looking for; and those who had a scrub of it never show up again in church services because they have
gotten what they want. Consequently, you came to the Lord of the harvest empty handed while others
were going with fruits of ministerial labour – saved souls, disciples of Christ. What a terrible
experience it be when you fail to receive rousing welcome from the Lord of the harvest.
In a situation like this, what will God do to you and your church or ministry that was more
important to you than doing the will of the Lord at any cost?
4.0 GRAHAM CRUSADE WORKERS EXAMPLE

Reverend Leroy Eims related an interesting incident.1 Billy Graham was to hold a Crusade in a
certain large city. Normally, in Bill Graham crusades a lot of activities are involved: publicity, prayers,
ushering, singing, counselling, among others. And churches in such cities and environ usually
contribute numerous workers for the crusade. Counselling of those who responded to the altar call is
one of such major tasks in the crusade. The counsellors will engage the converts in groups for further
explanation of the word of salvation and lead them to salvation experience where there are doubts.
Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, was saddled with the responsibility of recruiting
counsellors from the various churches and ministries for training in preparation for the crusade.
Reverend Trotman made many phone calls to the supporting churches. When he calls, he would ask,
“Could we have the names of the men and women in your congregation who know their Bibles well
enough to lead someone to Christ?” In one of such calls made to a particular church with a large
congregation, the church Secretary replied, “Would you please repeat the qualification again?”
Reverend Dawson Trotman repeated the qualification.
After a long pause, the Secretary said sadly, “You know, we did have a man like that in the church
once, but he has moved away.”
Regrettable! This means that, in that church with a large crowd, there existed just one single person
who knew his Bibles well enough to lead someone to Christ. What has the Pastor of that church being
doing over the years? He had been busy gathering crowds of social “Christians,” and busy building
cathedrals. Apparently, the salvation of the souls was never a priority with him and he was never
involved in building men and women for the Kingdom of God. That means he toiled for decades in the
Ministry without engaging in Discipleship. What a tragically situation!
5.0 URGENCY OF THE TASK

Discipleship, an imminent Kingdom concern. The task of discipleship requires urgency. The
magnitude of the work, the limited time available and the shortness of our life time makes the call more
1
Leroy Elims, “Lost Art of Discipleship Making.”
urgent (Eph 5: 15-16). Apostle Paul wrote, “But this I say, brethren, the time is short” (1Corinth 7:29).
If ‘time was short’ or barely enough in the days of Apostle Paul, it mean then the time is much less
enough in our own days.
In the work of the Master, time factor is a hard currency because the world is passing away and
fading very fast. The Lord Himself said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day:
the night cometh, when no man can work.”
The day is the proper time for work, night is not. While the day lasts it is proper to labour. Night
here represents death, and the loss of opportunity. Death is drawing near, we must therefore do what we
have to do as soon as possible. Days of opportunity to do what is right in the work of soul-winning are
here and now. Charles C. Luther (1847-1924) once wrote this song:
“O ye saints arouse, be earnest;
Up and work while yet ‘tis day;
Ere the night of death o’er take thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.”
We do not have all “day” at our disposal; now is the “day,” the time allotted to us, and we will do
well to employ it meaningfully in discipleship.
Your goal in Ministry should be: Multiplication of committed Christ disciples,

servant leaders from the communities of sinners, the lost world, working for the
expansion of the Kingdom of God.
Module 2
Unit 1: PROPERTIES OF DISCIPLESHIP
Introduction
The Church Core Mandate
What Discipleship Is Not
What Is Discipleship Is
PROPERTIES OF DISCIPLESHIP
INTRODUCTION
“Discipleship is: Reaching the world for Christ; Bringing its harvest to the sheep fold; Retaining
them through fellowship, edification and encouragement; Teaching them heavenly ethics and
values as standard for living; Training them in the use of the Christian armour thereby equipping
them with all that is necessary, both in character and charisma for ministry; and Sending them
forth to the Great Commission; that they, in turn, begin to produce disciples for Christ.” (The
Author)
THE CHURCH CORE MANDATE

Christ gave the express command, “go and make disciples of all nations”. Discipleship was Jesus
Christ’s main focus during His earthly ministry. It was equally His parting command to the Church at
the eve of His ascension. Discipleship is the Church core mandate. During the era of the early Apostles,
and the Church Fathers, the believers were earnestly engaged in discipleship ministry. Many souls were
added to the Church (the Kingdom of God) daily; and the converts subsequently reproduced
themselves. The result of those enormous works by those heavenly minded believers is still being felt
and enjoyed by the Church today.
As time went on, however, with the coming of other generations, the Church began to lose focus on
the original mandate, as they gradually began to major in programs which are not directly related to the
Kingdom of God. Consequently, discipleship was abandoned; emphasis was now placed on the non-
essential, ceremonial activities. Minsters, who once received the mantle of leadership from the older
discipleship making ministers, jettisoned the faith of their fathers and began to follow the trend of the
modern day Christianity that offers no hope of eternal life.
The negative effect of these actions on the new generation of believers and the church is
overwhelming. The art of discipleship was lost from the radar of Christendom. In this era of “free-for-
all-ministry”, “disciples making” is relatively unknown, misunderstood and wrongly applied. This is
evident in the Christ-less gospel that has infiltrated the body of Christ in these last days. Confusion,
uncertainty, and a feeling of ineffectiveness set in even among those who had theological idea of
discipleship from seminary or evangelical training. Church leaders and ministers of today have heard
much about discipleship passively; they do not understand its context and content. As result, church
programs of activities to actualise the goal of discipleship were left unplanned for and unimplemented.
There is an unmistakable connection between a strong Christian influence and discipleship. The
greater the move of the Spirit in the life of the believer, the deeper the zeal and stronger the desire to
affect lives for Jesus. That means in every generation, the impact of modernism on the spirituality of
the believer has not been without its adverse effect on making disciples for Jesus.
Principles of Discipleship
New Passion For Discipleship

However, there is gleam of hope in the horizon. In recent times, there had been a renewed call for
discipleship in ministry. Some have shown resurgent interest in the task but do not really understand
what is involved. Some of the vital questions been asked includes: What is discipleship? What does it
involve? Who should be doing it? How do we go about doing it?”
No one, in particular, is an authority on this subject that can provide the finest and final answer to
these questions. Neither is there any who has and can give the best worldwide acceptable definition of
the term “discipleship.” But our Lord Christ and His written Word, the Bible as well, have the answers.
He can provide all the answers and give accurate definition on true discipleship. Therefore, the Word of
God gives us much revelation on the subject. If we really desire to have a thorough knowledge and
spiritual understanding of it then, we need to explore the Word. This we hope to do in the subsequent
chapters as we shall be addressing some of these issues.
In this chapter, we shall look at “Properties of Discipleship.” By that term we mean the content,
context and distinctive features of discipleship; what discipleship is all about. And we intend to provide
some scriptural explanations of what the goal of discipleship is; the biblical excellent traits it ought to
produce in the lives of men and women as Christ intended.
WHAT DISCIPLESHIP IS NOT

To begin with, it should be noted, however, that the word “Discipleship,” intrinsically, is not in the
Bible (The King James Version 1611). Its usage emanated from the mandate Christ gave to the Church,
the task of "Making Disciples of All Nations." Its meaning, therefore, is derivative; it is taken from the
content of that mandate. The combined task of carrying out that command is discipleship.
We must now proceed to examine the means of making the disciples. But first, we need to have a
working definition of the term “discipleship.” In doing that we may also need to know what
discipleship is not. The understanding of both terms will enable us to examine critically what you
should be doing both in life and ministry, lest you run or had run in vain in the work of the master (Gal
2:1,2).
In 1999, in Eastbourne, England, there was a Minister’s Conference, a large gathering of key
Christian leaders with the theme: International Consultation on Discipleship. The purpose of the
consultation was to address the widespread problem of those professing to be converted to
Christ but not actually following Christ as disciples; termed as evangelism without discipleship.
The conference defined discipleship as “a process that takes place within accountable
relationships over a period of time.”
They further stated:
To accomplish these goals, the conferees called Christians to recover the integral
relationship between evangelism and discipleship, to assess rigorously existing structures, to
recognize the local church as the primary community in which discipleship takes place. (Cited
by Robert Webber in Ancient-Future Evangelism, p. 13).
There is a flaw both in the purpose of the conference consultation and their definition of the term
“discipleship”. Few points can be noted in their definition of discipleship and in the declaration to
accomplish set goals. Accordingly:
1) They identified “evangelism without discipleship”
2) They put a distinction between Evangelism and Discipleship;
3) Discipleship takes place in the local church
Therein, an incorrect concept was assumed of discipleship. And such ideas have been passed down
over the years.
The conference consultants failed to understand that evangelism is an integral part of discipleship.
Robert Webber in responded to the consultation thoughts in his book, “Ancient-Future Evangelism”;
there he took a fresh look at how the ancient church understood evangelism. Webber noted:
“The ancient church did not have any distinction in their practice between evangelism,
discipleship and Christian formation, a pattern they took from the New Testament
(Ancient-Future Evangelism - page 20-25).
Stephen E. Smallman share this understanding when he said:
“After all, we say, the unconverted person needs to hear the gospel (Evangelism), but
the believer needs to be taught about the Christian life (Discipleship). However, I
don’t think that is a helpful distinction if we define a disciple as a follower of Jesus.
There should not be a disconnection between what we call evangelism and
discipleship” (What is Discipleship? 2006). (The words bracket and emphasis are
mine).
Therefore, it is important we take note of what discipleship is not.
(i) Discipleship is not distinct from Evangelism- The clear fact is that evangelism, discipleship
and Christian faith formation are not three different and distinctive part of the Church pursuit.
Rather, evangelism, Christian faith formation, and discipling are integral parts of discipleship.
(ii) Discipleship is not mentoring – Mentoring others believers and younger ministers is good,
but discipleship is not mentoring. Technically, “mentoring” is a significant part of discipleship
but not discipleship itself. (see module 6 unit 1 for detail).
(iii) Discipleship is not Voluntary Discipling - It is not submitting oneself to a respected Minister
in voluntary manner requesting to be discipled. For instance, there are many young men and
women coming out of Bible Schools going to some men of God requesting to be discipled:
saying, “I want to be your disciple or disciple me.” Some even add: “Like Paul discipled
Timothy.” Discipleship is not such voluntary discipling. You could voluntarily submit
yourself to an older and more matured minister to be mentored but not to be discipled.
(iv) Not Spiritual Experientially Growth - Discipleship is not what you grow into eventually. It
has nothing to do with growth. Though one grows in the process of discipleship, but it is not
growth.
WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP IS
To come up with a definition of “discipleship,” we start from the Bible by looking at
discipleship in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. In the context of that command,
“discipleship” applies to both Christians and non-Christians. We may refer to discipling non-
Christians as evangelism. The terms used make no difference.
Discipleship, the “making of a disciple” has several stages. The first stage is to bring
people to the place where they are ready to publicly profess Christ and identify themselves
with his people. and The second stage is to teach them what it means to continue
obediently following Christ. Notice the wording is that we are to “teach them to obey.”
This stage of discipleship is not simply teaching information or doctrine, but calls for a
kind of teaching that will help the new disciple in a way that they actually walk this new
path. Making disciples, then, is a process of calling people to follow Jesus and then walking
with them through that process, both before and after they confess faith. This is precisely
what Jesus did with those he called to be his disciples.
We may ask, when or at what point were the Disciples of Jesus Christ truly converted? The Lord
actually started making disciples of Peter, James and John and the others ever before they truly
believed. It is easier and more biblical to think of disciples making as something that has its root
with the unbelieving sinner in the community. Most of those early disciples seem to have been
followers first and in the process of following they came to believe (John 2:11; 6:66-69).
Disciples making begins at conversion; bringing people to know God and Jesus Christ as their
Lord and Saviour, and helping them to grow in their relationship, to obey everything that Christ
commanded. Conversion is the first step but life transformation, becoming a discipler, is the goal.
Discipleship, therefore, is the whole process of “Making disciples of all people and the product of
this process is to be a disciple of Christ, be like Christ”, who in turn make disciples for the
kingdom of God.
Therefore, Discipleship embraces the mission of the Soul winner, which is Soul winning;
assignment of the Discipler – discipling; and the duty of the Mentor - mentoring.
(1) Soul winning by Soul winner: Soul winning – is a Relational Experience of leading a soul
from eternal death to eternal life in Christ through the preaching of the gospel, the power of
God unto salvation. Soulwinner is one who lives for Christ and daily engages in evangelistic
outreaches within and outside the community to reach a soul for Christ; converting them from
their erroneous and evil ways and belief, leading them to repentance toward God and faith
toward the Lord Jesus Christ; the salvation of their soul.
(2) Discipling by Discipler: Discipling is a Relational Duty in which a more experienced
Christian shares with a newer believer the commitment, understanding, and basic skills
necessary to know and obey Jesus Christ as Lord; rooted and built up in Christ; establishing
him in the faith; and building and equipping him for service. The Discipler is one who knows
the Lord and his Bible so well as to lead others to deeper relationship in Christ. He gives up his
own will for the will of God the Father; lives daily a life of spiritual sacrifice for the glory of
Christ; and strives to consistently obey the commands of his Lord.
(3) Mentoring by Mentor: Mentoring is a Relational Process in which a more experienced and
elderly believer or minister empowers another by sharing God-given resources with the intent
of helping such to live in fullness of the Holy Spirit and fulfil his or her ministry. It is a process
where an elderly leader opens his life to others, sharing his or her life with others. It is indeed
living for the next generation. The Mentor is one who provides modelling, close supervision
on the other as a special project, personalized help in many areas: discipline, correction,
confrontation, calling to accountability and encouragement to stand and be fruitful in service.
Taking all the above explanations together we can have a working definition of “discipleship.”
Discipleship therefore, is:
“Reaching the world for Christ; Bringing its harvest to the sheep fold; Retaining them
through fellowship, edification and encouragement; Teaching them heavenly ethics and
values as standard for living; Training them in the use of the Christian armour thereby
equipping them with all that is necessary, both in character and charisma for ministry; and
Sending them forth to the Great Commission; that they, in turn, begin to produce disciples
for Christ.”
This is discipleship in a null shell. We can understand the task involved:

 Reaching the world for Christ;
 Bringing its harvest to the sheep fold;
 Retaining them through fellowship,
edification and encouragement;
 Teaching them heavenly ethics and
values as standard for living;
 Training them in the use of the
Christian armour thereby equipping
them with all that is necessary, both in
character and charisma for ministry;
 Sending them forth to the Great
Commission; that they, in turn, begin
to produce disciples for Christ.”
This the complete circle of discipleship. If you stop at a point, midway, in the circle your work is
incomplete.
We shall further consider all that are involved.
Module 2
Unit 2: THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP
1. Introduction
2. Intent of Discipleship Mandate
3. Pointers of Disciple of Christ
4. Functional Character of Disciples
5. Biblical Design of Christ’s Disciple
6. Levels of Commitment
THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP
1.0 INTRODUCTION
“Advancing the Gospel by multiplying disciples, servant leaders, and communities committed to
godly life.”
“The best decision anyone can ever make, at any point in life, in any circumstances, whoever they
are, wherever they are, is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ”. Archbishop Justin Welby
To further understand “Discipleship”, we need to consider first, its goal, its end product. If we do not
identify what its objective is, the finished product, we may have some difficulties in knowing the
process needed to accomplish it. Therefore, we need to examine what discipleship ministry was
designed to achieve in terms of the overall goal of the Church. This will point us to the necessary task
of getting it done.
2.0 INTENT OF DISCIPLESHIP MANDATE
The objective of discipleship, in simplest term, is to transform men and women to become Disciples of
Christ. It is delivering people from the power of darkness, and translating them into Disciples of Christ.
(Col 1:13). The question that would naturally follow is: Who is a disciple of Christ? The answer to the
question will help us develop a strategy for disciple-making. So, we need to define the term, "Disciple
of Christ" in the context of Scripture.
Disciple of Christ
Generally, the word "disciple" can be used in a descriptive sense of anyone who is a follower of another
in a teacher-student relationship. The follower of a person or idea is somebody who believes in and
follows the teachings of a leader, a philosopher or religion leader. Thus, the disciples of John the
Baptist (Matt. 9:14; Luke 7:18; John 3:25); also of the Pharisees (Matt. 22:15,16; Mark 2:18; Luke
5:33); of Moses (John 9:28). Many other earlier centuries or present day philosophers and religious
leaders have disciples.
The usage of the term, “disciple,” comes from the Greek verb “mathetes”, meaning “to learn”, “a
learner”; Latin, “discipulus”. But the Greek “mathetes,” as used in the Scripture, suggests something
very much in addition, an “adherent:” a supporter and fighter in the cause of a leader. It implies that the
person does not only accept the views of the teacher as a learner, but that he also is a practitioner in the
belief who fights to ensure that the teachings of the leader are upheld. He or she ascribes to the tenets of
the teaching to the extent of giving up his or her life in defence of that cause, if need be. This is the
picture of a “disciple” in the Bible.
In the widest sense of its usage in the Bible, it has serious applications. It refers to those who accept
the teachings of anyone, not only in belief but in life, a zealot devotee. When then the Bible states,
"Jesus' disciple" (Matt 27:57); or "had made many disciples," it means, they are those who believe in
the person of Jesus Christ, His doctrines; they rest upon His sacrifice, imbibe His spirit, imitate His
example and were ready to lay down their lives for Him. It is like the followers of John the Baptist who
were more like adherents to the prophet than students of a teacher. This same term is used in the Book
of Acts to describe all believers in Christ.
Specifically, "disciple" was probably replaced by the explicit "Christian" to denote a follower of
Christ (Acts 11:26; 26:28). Therefore, a disciple, in the context of the New Testament, applied
principally to the followers of Christ who are more of devotees than a learner; they are campaigners for
Christ. They have been called out from the crowd in order to enter into the service of the Master and
therefore, are adherents to Christ’s life and course, and are ready to lay down their lives for it. The
disciples of Jesus Christ form a more limited and exclusive group than the crowds. This should not be
confused with the twelve disciples, who are disciples as well as apostles, with all those who are also
called disciples. The terms apostle and disciple point to different aspects of the twelve disciples.
3.0 POINTERS OF DISCIPLE OF CHRIST
This means therefore that a disciple, in the light of our discussion is:
(1) Believes in Christ (John 6:69) - Believing in Jesus Christ can mean all varieties of ideas. It is not
an intellectual (in-the-head) belief. The Scripture defined exactly what “believing in Jesus”
involves. It is accepting as true the person of Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, a Saviours of
humanity whose death on the Cross was for atonement of one’s sin; as well as demanding an all-
embracing surrendering of one’s life to Christ, taking Him as Lord, acknowledging His ruler-ship
in one’s life, being under His authority and rule by His Spirit (Col 2:6). This “believing in Christ”
is a yielding process that involves the spirit, soul and body in total surrender to Christ and
therefore a life-changing process; as well as the demanding nature of the discipline thereby tasking
such to become His disciple.
(2) Rests on His sacrifice: Not resting on one’s personal good works or salvation; (Titus 3:5; 2 Tim
1:9), but on the sufficiency of the finished work of Christ at Calvary for one’s salvation. Being
confident in the efficacy of His death and resurrection for one’s full and final salvation, and eternal
reward at the presence of the Father at Christ coming.
(3) Absorbs His Spirit: One who is sealed with the Holy Spirit receives and retains Him as well as acts
on His principles, lives by His teachings and guidance. The inner witness of the Spirit is the
compass of a disciple and he or she cannot be certain to move in any direction without it (Eph
1:13; Acts 3:38). He lives in the Spirit, led of the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. (Gal 5:25,18).
(4) Follows Christ’s example: Such a one sets Christ’s life as a standard for living and earnestly
pursues to live his/her life as Christ lived (Matt 10:24; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 6:69). Such a
disciple will feel wounded when the track or path of Christ’s life is deviated from; seeks for
retracing His path.
(5) Ready to lay down his life: (John 11:16; Mark 14:31). A disciple is not only willing to live for the
faith but also to die for it. This was the character the Disciples of Christ displayed in His days.
They were ready to lose all, including their very life for Him. When Lazarus died, Christ said to
His disciples: “let us go unto him.” Though they misunderstood Him, Thomas Didymus
spontaneous responds and appeal to his fellow disciples was, “Let us also go, that we may die with
him (Christ)” (John 11:15,16). Apostle Peter once said, “If I should die with thee, I will not deny
thee in any wise” (Mark 14:31).This is the true character of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
(6) Belongs to His body (The Church). Accounting oneself as part of Christ and relates with His
people and functions within the body, the universal Church (Acts 2:42; Heb 10:25), through a local
Church, assembly of believers; having a church and a Pastor.
A disciple of Christ, as we can see, is a follower of the Person of Christ, holds firmly to His
practices and preaches His message in selfless vivid example that is pointing the way to the living
Jesus.
4.0 FUNCTIONAL CHARACTER OF DISCIPLES
The functional characteristics of a true disciple of Christ are pointers to effective disciple-making
programs. Here are the Characteristics that are envisaged in the life of a disciple in discipleship
ministry. They define who a disciple of Christ is.
1. Converted Believers
Disciples are converted and changed men and women from death to life. They have been
convinced by the Holy Spirit, convicted of their sin and converted from Satan to Christ. They have
been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of Christ” (Col 1:13).
They have been drawn from a world under judgment through the power of the gospel unto
salvation in Christ. Been pulled out of Satan’s dominion of sin, worldliness and every ungodly
practice by the preaching of the Gospel and are now children of God. A relationship that springs
from grace, a beneficiary of God’s unmerited favour.
2. Spirit Sealed and Spirit Led Believers
Disciples of Christ are sealed by His Spirit (Eph. 1:13). Having received His Spirit, they walk in
His fullness and power. They live in the Spirit, are led by the Spirit and walk in the Holy Spirit such
that the Holy Spirit is responsible for their thoughts and actions. They have also received
understanding of Scriptures through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to grow in grace and in the
fullness Christ. Again, by this Spirit of God they produce the fruits of the Spirit which enables them
to live holy and witness for Christ Jesus. They are sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit, always
submitting to Him and maintaining a posture of openness in humility by the inner promptings of the
Spirit.
3. Committed Believers
The fact that one goes to church does not necessarily mean that such a person is a disciple of
Jesus Christ. Within the church there are members and there are Disciples of Christ. Disciples are
adherent followers of Christ and are committed to Him. A disciple is a committed believer and not
just a nominal Christian who only identify with the congregation. They have responded to Jesus
Christ’s call to follow Him. It is a call to deeper relationship with Jesus. They have counted the cost
of being a disciple of Christ and in spite of what is involved, have gone ahead to make a life-time
commitment to Him.
4. Consecrated Believers
Disciples are believers in Christ who evaluate life according to biblical standards. They know the
Word and apply it effectively to every aspect of their daily living. They never get distracted or
carried away by the world's standards. They are consecrated and committed to honour Christ with
their lives both in private and in public. They are spiritual-minded in outlook; appraising all desires,
choice with eyes that perceive that it is the intangibles which are the imperishable (John 4:24; 2
Corinth 4:18). They are single-minded believers whose only desire is to get the will of God done at
the expense of their personal will and pleasure. They have transparent purity of aim and motive;
purity of mind, the beauty of godliness that exposes the ugliness of evil (1 John 1:5; John 3:21).
They are morally pure, for they recognize that their body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. They see
the excellence and necessity of holiness and set on pursuing it in thoughts, words and deeds. They
are self-forgetting always reaching out to bless others (1 John 4:8).
5. Dedicated Believers
Disciples have a consuming passion to accomplish the course for which Christ died. They are
surrendered and yielded believers who will deny themselves of legitimate desire in their pursuit of
God’s given task. They are active believers with passion and commitment to putting God first in
every area of their lives. They earnestly contend for the faith and will not count their lives dear to
them, so that Christ will be exalted and His kingdom expanded. They are trained and orderly
soldiers of Christ who will keep divine instructions and remain on their duty post no matter the
problem and opposition that comes their way. They are saturated with the word of God and
providing divine interpretation to every man’s needs.
6. Prayerful Believers
Disciples are believers who know the mind and heartbeat of Christ so well and therefore would
wait on God with bended kneels, pleading for a change in their own lives and others until Christ be
formed in them. They would engage in much fasting and prayer, as health would permit, for the
sinful and dying world around them to be saved.
7. Triumphing Believers
Disciples of Christ are those who have been tested, tried and have triumphed in severe adverse
circumstances and would not deny their faith, not even in the face of persecutions from within and
without (Job 2: 3; 2 Corinth 8:2; Heb 11:36-39; 2 Corinth 2:14). They are believers of unshakable
conviction who are obedient and loyal to God in carrying out divine orders (Daniel 3:12,16-18;
Acts 4:18-21; 5:27-31; 40-42).
8. Evangelising Believers
They are those who know their Bible well enough to lead someone else to Christ. They know
they have been called to be fishers of men, thus witnessing for Christ in everyday activities. Spirited
evangelism is their daily lifestyle.
A disciple of Jesus Christ follows the Master’s footsteps which involve sacrifice, service and single-
mindedness. Following Christ is their number one priority, even when it costs them everything they
have. Christ’s priorities are their priorities; His desires are their own desires too. A heaven-minded
minister’s effort, therefore, should be directed at seeing people saved and standing firm as Disciples of
Christ. This is the on-going nature of making other disciples.
Is this who you are? Are these the kind of people your ministry is producing? Think about it.
5.0 BIBLICAL DESIGN OF CHRIST’S DISCIPLE
Christ defined a disciple when he outlined the criteria for becoming His own disciple. These qualities
are not a checklist of things to strive for alone, but a list of common traits that anyone who actively
pursues Christ must exhibit in increasing measure over time. They are the outcome of one’s Christian
faith and confession. These qualities are based on Christ’s own statements about His true disciple. Each
of these under mentioned outlined and criteria would help a church leader to define the task and
programs necessary in achieving the goal of disciple-making. Every program and activities we carry out
in the church or in ministry should, in some way, relate to the achievement of these trait in the life of
the believers. You should keep these facts before your eyes at all times.
1) Wholeheartedness toward Christ - Luke 14:26

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and
sisters, yes, and his own life, also, he cannot be My disciple.” These words do not necessarily mean
what they meant in our day-to-day usage of hating our fellow men. It is not possible for a disciple
of Christ to hate anybody and remain His disciple. Christianity is a life of love and not of hatred.
Hatred must be expelled from the heart of those who receive Christ. It is utterly inconceivable that
someone who hated his father could be a disciple of Christ, which would be a violation of the first
Commandment with promise, which bids us to honour our father and mother.
What Christ meant is that a true disciple of His must give Him first place in his/her heart; and
every other person he/she loves and cherishes should take second position. The love for self and for
others should be considered as nothing when compared with his/her love for Christ. A disciple of
Christ must readily prepare to break every earthly tie rather than to break his tie which binds him to
Christ Jesus the Lord in favour of earthly relationship.
Christ’s disciple must so love Him that, in comparison of his love for Christ with his love for his
acquaintance, the later must burn dimly and be scarcely worthy of even being named.
• Christ is to be loved more than all relations.
• Christ is to be loved more than one’s personal life
• Christ is to be loved more than any other thing.
A disciple’s life must be characterised by unreserved enthusiasm, passion and commitment to
Christ the Lord. Christ desires to have a wholehearted devotion from all who profess to be His
disciples. Christ will never be King over a divided heart of any man or woman. He warned, “No
servant can serve two masters…Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Like 16:13).
2) Persevering in Christ Doctrine - John 8:31

“Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed Him, If you continue in My word, you are My
disciples indeed.” There are great numbers of people, like the Jews of Jesus’ days, who profess to
believe in Christ but their belief hinges on sentimental attachment. For, when opposition and
persecution came, they deserted Him and so proved that they were not really His disciples. In the
secular army there is an enlistment for short or long term service, but not so in Christianity, the
Lord’s army. You either remain His soldier for life or not one of His at all.
The Lord will not accept anyone unless he joins His army for life. In Christ’s true Church there is
no profession of faith merely for a time or for a fair weather.
• We are to persevere in Christ’s words till we get to heaven.
• We must persevere in obedience.
• We are to persevere in times of affliction.
In Christ’s eyes, it is one’s actions that give expression to what one believes. So, in following
Him, a disciple must hold to His teachings in everyday life.
3) Self-Denial and Cross Bearing - Luke 14:27; 9:23

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” The term
“self-denial” means to give up claim to self, willing to give up own desire in favour of Christ’s:
setting aside one’s own wishes, needs, or interests. The greatest barrier to discovering God’s
blessing for believers in Christ and to enjoying the full benefit of following Him is self-
preoccupation. For “He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall
keep it unto life eternal” (John 12:25).
Therefore, Christ expects a disciple of His to renounce, disregard, disown, and forfeit self, and
surrender his will to God. His affections, body, and soul are completely given over to God. God’s
own happiness is his/her supreme object.
Another issue is that of Cross-bearing. The “Cross” is the symbol of suffering and shame. It
stands for reproaches, afflictions, persecutions, and death. Daily taking the Cross signifies the
willingness to bear the pain, suffering and shame that may come with following Christ. A disciple is
cheerful and patient in the face of reproach knowing that he or she is suffering in a just cause.
4) Forsaking all to follow - Luke 14:33

“Whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” To forsake
is to give up, renounce or sacrifice anything that gives you pleasure and satisfaction that could stand
directly in opposition to Christ demands on your life so as to serve Christ unhindered. A disciple of
Christ is expected to do away with everything that could hinder him or her from doing the known
will of God and serving Him. Jesus Christ said to the Young Ruler, “go and sell that thou hast…
and come and follow me.” Christ’s disciple is expected therefore to withdraw his affection from the
literal world and find enjoyment in God alone. As disciples, we must recognise that we are just
stewards of everything we possess and not the proprietors of it. Apostle Paul said, “I count all
things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil 3:7,8). That is the
hallmark of a true disciple.
5) Brotherly Love - John 13:35
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”. A true
disciple of Jesus Christ is known by the depth of his/her love for the brethren in the faith. The
disciples of some teachers and philosophers were known by their traits, creeds or rite, or other
forms of self-discipline which they adhered to. But here, we see Jesus Christ raising the stakes
higher above the highest human standards obtainable anywhere, as He unveils the landmarks of a
true disciple as showing affection for the brethren. Christ readily affirmed that His disciples were to
be known by their love for each other. People are not without their relevance in divine plan and
should be appreciated accordingly, not on the basis of their material acquisition. Their place in
divine plan is what defines them, not what they lack. You cannot show love without taking the
needs of others into consideration. And again, placing value on their needs alone is not sufficient a
gesture to communicate love; a situation where your alms giving only leaves you as superior and
the beneficiary inferior is not godly. We also can show love to the brethren by bearing their faults,
encouraging them where appropriate and rejoicing in their happiness.
6) Fruit Bearing - John 15:8
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” What is
bearing fruit? First, it is fruit of good works, godly living as evidence of the work of grace in the
heart. Secondly, the fruits of our service for Christ, souls won to the Kingdom of God through
God’s graciously enabled efforts. Thus, fruit-bearing is by a holy character the believer endeavours
to bring converts to Jesus. The believers’ fruit bearing is an evidence of a living relationship with
Christ.
Thus, it is the highest test or proof of a true disciple of Christ. The Lord said, “Every branch in
me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it
may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).
We have established that Jesus Christ’s overriding goal for us is that we make disciples, that
is, people who have repented of their sins and who are learning and obeying His
commandments and further making disciples. The Lord Jesus further defined what a disciple is in
John 8:31,32: “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make your free.”
True disciples, according to Jesus, are those who are abiding, or making their home in His
word. As they heed the truth from His Word, they are being “set free from sin,” (John 8:34-
36). So, once again, we see that by Jesus’ definition, disciples are known as learning and
obeying His commandments.
6.0 LEVELS OF COMMITMENT
There are different levels of a disciple’s commitment. Though all are disciples, they are not on the
same platform of grace, ability and Spirit’s operation. We draw a lesson from the parable of the sower
in Matthew 13:18-23. There were four major groups of people in that parable. (1) The first group are
represented by seeds that fell by the way side. These were those who received the gospel with curiosity
but lost it to other passions of their own that relegated God to second position in their lives. (2) The
second group heard the word of God, received it with joy and endured for a while but compromised in
the face of persecution and fell from faith. (3) Third group were unfruitful because of their unbridled
quest for materialism, power and position. (4) The fourth group were those who, in spite of all odds,
persevered in the truth and saw the hand of God working in their lives.
Our focus here is the fourth group; the example which best illustrates the evidences of a disciple with
fruitfulness in view. You will also notice that the fruit they bore varies in terms of quantity. They all
bore fruits quite right, but some are hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty; that is what makes the
difference. The same can be said about the various levels of Christ disciples’ commitment. Here are the
spectrums of disciples with different levels of commitment:
1) Professing Faith: - The Curious Group: Their faith in Christ is deep, but not deeply rooted enough
to stand against all kinds of winds of trial and temptation from the world. They face the danger of
fading away with the passing of time except where more spiritual work is done in their lives (1 John
2:15-17; Acts 6:2; Luke 6:17; John 6:60, 66; Titus 1:16).
2) Possessing Faith: - The Convinced Group: This group comprises genuine believers who sincerely
want to follow Jesus, but whose faith has not been tried and tested in the storms of life and as such,
cannot be considered as triumphant believers. Economic problems, family issues and persecution
from within and outside have a way of mounting pressure on one’s faith. When such pressures are
not yet witnessed and apprehended, one just cannot be considered a strong Christian. A veteran of
war can only proof his or her triumph with scar of wounds. These untested faith and belief in Christ
may still need to be strengthened to stand the test of time whenever they come; for certainly it will
come someday in different form (Matt 16:13-14, 24; 13:20-21; 1 Tim 6:12).
3) Progressing Faith: - The Committed Few: Tried, tested, travailing, persevering but not yet seen as
prevailed. Sundry trials came their way and the reaction that followed proved them as pressing
forward in the truth but frail and weak thereby requiring of more grace. This was the case with
Peter at the judgment hall when he denied the Lord three times against his will. Christ making
reference to such, said, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art
converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). Peter had desired to go all the way with the Lord
and had vowed, “Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.” But when the hour of trial
came he failed. Such lives need further encouragement not only to remain committed but to aspire
to higher heights in Christ (John 6:67; John 18:25).
4) Permanent Faith: - Companions of Christ: They are those whose faith in Christ Jesus was found to
endure in the face of adversity and life threatening danger. This group of believers live for Jesus
and for Him alone and are prepared to die pleasing Him than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a
moment. Their confession demonstrated the resolute conviction of a people who are no longer
living for self. Those disciples of Jesus Christ whose faith became permanent, all died at the foot of
the Cross of Christ. (2 Peter 1:16-18; 1 John 1:1-4; Acts 20:22-24; 21:11-14; 2 Tim 4:6-8).
As we can see, the functional characteristics of a disciple of Jesus demands having what it takes to
walk in His footsteps. How does the life of a disciple looks like in our present time, in the face of
presumptuous spirituality that is so loud but lifeless? Purse for a moment! “Are you a disciple of
Christ?” If you are, how many sinful hearts lost in sin have been washed and purge in the blood of the
Lamb by your own selfless obedience as you push the adversary out of the way to remain steadfast in
the will of the master? How many of those you have discipled are discipling others?
Advancing the Gospel by multiplying disciples, servant leaders, and

communities committed to godly life.
Module 2
Unit 3: PRINCIPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP
1. Introduction
2. Discipleship Concept In Nature
3. Discipleship Concept In Scripture
4. Discipleship Concept In Pharisaic
5. Connection in Sundry Mandates
PRINCIPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Discipleship is the multiplication of committed believers in Christ, Christians, servant
leaders from the lost world, grounded in the faith; doing exploit by working for the
expansion of the Kingdom of God in endless succession. (The Author) “Therefore go and
make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19
Though Discipleship is a widespread subject in churches, in reality, it means something else to many.
Its application is entirely different from what the Scripture intended. In many Christian circles, there
has been great difficulties in understanding the whole concept and principle of discipleship. This failure
to grasp the biblical concept and content of discipleship has left many ministries and the churches
engaging in activities of non-weightier matter and unrelated programs.
The idea or principle of discipleship is well enshrined in the Scripture as well as in nature. The
concept is found in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Theologically, this may sound
mind-boggling, but the concept was not alien to the Old Testament believers. For example, the process
of collating information, committing it to memory, personifying it in self-discipline, institutionalizing it
literary frameworks and elevating it to a school of thought or a value system is not peculiar to the New
Testament and is literally synonymous with virtually every human dispensation. The principle of
discipleship was first committed to our first parents in the Old Testament. The same principle was
committed to the Church; it was taught and practiced by the Apostles and the immediate era after them.
We, however, must understand from inception that the concept of discipleship is Christ’s own creation;
it is what He wants the Church to do on earth. In this chapter, we shall examine the content and concept
of discipleship from the Bible and also from nature.
2.0 DISCIPLESHIP CONCEPT IN NATURE

Creation Mandate Concept
The very foundation of all reality, revelation, and redemption is laid in the Book of Genesis, which
makes the book of primary significance to the Christian faith. In that Book, the concept of discipleship
is revealed in the creation mandate. The Creation Mandate is: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish
the earth, and subdue it” (Gen 1:26-28). This is synonymous with the Discipleship mandate: “Go and
make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19).
In the Creation Mandate, Adam, being in the image of God, is to produce seeds, children after his
kind (image of God) and replenish the earth and fill it with godly seeds, human species in God’s
similitude manifesting the glory of God in all the whole earth, subdue it, so that there is no space for the
seeds of Satan to flourish. In other words, discipleship is a return to God’s original plan for man where
the power of God is, not just communicated, but transmitted unabatedly in perfect succession. The earth
is a godly invention requiring of godly seeds, and God had planned to replenish the entire face of the
earth with godly seeds in perpetuity. The process was to begin with the first godly parents, Adam and
Eve, and to continue in that formation until the goal of filling the entire earth with godly human beings
was accomplished.
The Lord re-echoed through Prophet Malachi the purpose why He initiated the institution of
marriage, even at Eden. “And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore
one? That he might seek a godly seed” (Malachi 2:14,15). We see here the original design and purpose
of the marriage institution, to produce godly seeds. The goal of the Creation Mandate, “Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it,” is to influence godliness and righteousness in every
sphere of human consciousness.
Thus, in the Creation Mandate, Adam had a fundamental duty to carry out, which included:
 Maintenance of his position as image of God,
 Being fruitful (not being barren);
 Multiplying, replicating himself, after his kind, the image of God;
 Replenish and filling the entire earth with God’s nature, such that there would be no room
for ungodly human being on earth.
 Subdue it; get the entire system both the present and the future from satanic invasion and
bring it under God’s enabling control.
 Establish a culture that centres on God, dominated by godly fear, characterised by godliness,
righteous living and governed by the Spirit of God.
 Permeating the atmosphere with the presence of God so that man is conscious of God in
himself and able to relate with Him as such.
In brief, Adam's distinctive task in God's world in accordance with God's plan was to develop culture
based on God’s holiness and principles by producing children after his kind in multiplying manner and
filled the entire system and brings it under God’s control. The key aspect of the creation is that Adam
was, first, in the image of God (Gen 1:27). The vital function of this image is in three ways:
1) Adam exercising dominion over the earth under God.
2) Adam was expected not only to remain in his original saintly state, but to give birth to
children after his kind (image of God).
3) Adam’s seeds, and successive generation, in turn were to give birth to children after their
own godly nature. Subsequently, the entire human race so multiplying after their godly
nature, the entire world would be filled with God’s likeness to His glory.
Being in God’s image and likeness meant that Adam and Eve were in a position to get the job done.
But they failed in this mandate when he permitted sin in Eden. Instead of replenishing the earth with
godly seed, he produced fugitive and a vagabond in the earth. (Gen 4:12).
The fact that they failed does not mean they were not adequately prepared and equipped for the task.
The seriousness of the task and what is involved means that we cannot undermine the demanding
nature of the assignment or the strenuous discipline that goes with it with the certain assurance of
prevailing in the end. God’s plan supersedes man’s negligence and cannot be suspended indefinitely
pending when we are ready for it. Even where man is failing, God’s plan is always finding expression
in those whose only desire is to live for Him in a selfish world ensnared by sin (Gen 9:1-7).
Their failure, notwithstanding, the Mandate, discipleship principle in nature, of “Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it”, given by God was not withdrawn. But the entry of sin
did necessitate God’s divine intervention and the supplementation of the original mandate with the new
factor of redemption. God established the covenant of grace, which secured man's redemption. In
Genesis 3:15, God promised the coming of a Redeemer ("the seed of the woman"), who will destroy
Satan ("the seed of the serpent") thereby bring again into existence His original plan. This was
immediately after the fall of Adam into sin.
This is discipleship concept finding expression in the tenets and rudiments of creation. In other
words, discipleship is answerable to the law of creation and at the centre of it is the heart of God
revealed in man in perpetuity in perfection of God’s glory on earth.
In this era of grace, this same mandate is God’s goal. It is Christ expectation from every believer and
the Church in general when He gave the discipleship the mandate, “go and make disciples of all
nations”. Spiritual reproduction and multiplication is the goal. It is believers producing spiritual
children after their kind through evangelistic tool; and their seeds, in turn producing spiritual seeds after
their kind in the same manner; and subsequent generation producing seed after their kind. Thereby, the
kingdoms of this world are becoming the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and His reigning for
ever and ever (Rev 11:15).
Unfortunately, Adam and Eve failure is also very much pronounced in the church today in the pursuit
of the Discipleship mandate as many ministers of churches are producing ungodliness and ungodly
congregation in the churches.
Nature Parents Concept

The concept of discipleship is also ingrained in nature parent’s procreation. It is in two folds:
Birthing and Parenting. (1) Birthing - This nature discipleship begins with reproduction, birthing -
giving birth: the process of giving birth, natural childbirth, or giving birth to children. The process is a
combination of conception and travailing in birth. The term “travail in birth” was used in Scripture
when a woman labours to give birth: “And it came to pass in the time of her travail that, behold, twins
were in her womb” (Gen 38:27; Psa 48:6; Jere 49:24). (2) Parenting. Parenting is child-rearing: the
experiences, skills, qualities, and responsibilities involved in being a parent and in teaching and caring
for a child; nurturing the child into manhood or womanhood. Parenting is a life training and moulding
process that involves communicating and transmitting values that are the building blocks of our very
existence. The Scripture commands, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he
will not depart from it” (Pro 22:6).
Furthermore, the task of parents does not stopped at the woman or manhood, but continues, even
when they have family of their own, with prayer for the new family to have children of their own. And
the sequence goes on and on, repeating the same process until the name of the family is spread
everywhere. Parents derive immeasurable joy in seeing this process unfolds in their life time. They
further desire to see and carry grandchildren. All things been equal, the process continues in subsequent
parents. Today, the earth is filled with human beings and is not left for beast, animals to inhabit. What
would have happens if the process had stopped at a certain stage of our progenitors. May be we would
not have been alive today. But because the process continued we were born into the world. That is
Bible discipleship principles seen in nature.
From Genesis, parenting has always been about what defines us, about who we are, about being. We
see God’s relationship with man demonstrated clearly in the natural in parenthesis. One thing parenting
can never change, though is breeding. You can only breed your own kind. God cannot breed demons.
Similarly, God’s nature in man has eternal value; it was not designed to die and once conceived in the
heart of man, must be nurtured painstakingly into fruitfulness.
This is God’s expectation in discipleship mandate – spiritual parenting. Spiritual parenting has
eternal value and therefore eternal implications where we are breeding into the church children that are
not of the Kingdom.
Juvenile delinquency is traceable to failing human systems. Once the nature of God in man is
destroyed, the heart becomes self-indulging and desirous of its own manoeuvres leading further away
from God than ever before.
In the light of discipleship, there are so many ungodly “Christians” in many churches today, partly
because of the failure of Pastors and Ministers with regard to breeding godly seeds healthy and fit for
the Kingdom. Their audience are given “seven principles of success”; sermons on prosperity, miracle,
healing; and deliverance from demon spirits are being preached months after months, but they were
never led to Christ. They were not brought to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were
“delivered” from demons but not “translated to the Kingdom” of God (Col 1:12). They “put off”
demons but never “put on” Christ. There was complete absence of discipleship.
3.0 DISCIPLESHIP CONCEPT IN SCRIPTURE
Spiritual Parents Concept

Apostle Paul introduces parents concept of discipleship when he said, “You might have ten thousand
instructors (paidagogos) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten
you through the gospel” (1 Corinth 4:15-17). The Apostle raised two fundamental issues here: an
instructor (mentor), and a father (parent). He stated that one may have many spiritual Instructors but
one Father. Paul (as a father – Parent) gave birth to them, spiritual children, through the gospel.
Meaning that spiritual children bearing the semblance of Christ in them can only be produced through
the preaching of the pure gospel. And as an instruction he labour fervently to build in them Christian
values, morals and commitment. All of these he did when he said, “My little children, of whom I travail
in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Gal 4:19). Paul was both was a father as well as an
instructor. Each of these exercises require a travail.
Instructors or mentors focus on bringing up a child to succeed where they have succeeded, and it
stops at that. Parenting is not just about helping people to achieve a set goal in the area you have been
known to excel but involves the total human person and brings to view our role in life and what is not
possible without it. Parents give birth to children or adopt them into existing family structure as part
and parcel of the family, but instructors do not. Parents labour fervently, painfully and effectually until
the full glory of Christ life is seen and appreciated in the child.
The Father and Instructor nature of spiritual parents is similar to Discipleship which involves birthing
, getting converts through the gospel and labouring to develop the saved souls to “Parenthood”. It is to
give birth to spiritual children, nurture them to spiritual young men and women, and equip them to
spiritual parenthood (1 John 2:12-14). We see that discipleship is about birthing and parenting on a
higher level and involves the disciple, discipler and the Holy Spirit working together in the same
direction to achieve the same purpose (1 John 2:12-14).
We, as well as angels, are happy when a soul is won to Christ. What could possibly be of a greater
joy than seeing a person coming to Christ? It is when such person grows and develops into a dedicated,
fruitful matured disciple who goes on to lead others to Christ and help them in turn to become
disciplers. That is discipleship principle.
The “Go Ye” Mandate Concept

When we now turn to the Scripture we see the “Go ye mandate concept”. The term “Go”, simply means
to launch out and make disciples. By virtue of man’s new relationship in Christ, they are a recreated
species. That new relationship has a constitutional right of dominion as well, which springs from
receiving “power to become sons and daughters of God.” This new man in Christ also has a
fundamental responsibility, “the ministry of reconciliation”: going through land, air and sea, taking
every means, sparing no pains, leaving no stone unturned, doing all within their strength, empowered
by the Holy Spirit, enabled by Christ’s presence, sustained by God’s grace to reach the unreached for
Christ: “to take out of them a people for His name” (Acts 15:14). This involves intentionally and
consciously carrying out the divine work of “Making them”: recreating them, fashioning them, through
the Word of God: building and training them from what they have been to what God intends them to
be; becoming children of the Kingdom of God; growing into disciplers and Ministers of Christ
themselves doing exploits for God in surpassing measure.
4.0 DISCIPLESHIP CONCEPT IN PHARISAIC
Another instance that exemplified Discipleship concept in the Bible is the Pharisaic Zeal. Our Lord
Jesus Christ spoke and denounced the blind and false-ended-zeal of the Pharisees. He rebuked them
saying: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one
proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves (Matt 23:15).
This statement encloses and outlines the principles of discipleship. Let us identify a few observations
the Lord Jesus made with regard to the discipleship method of the Pharisees.
a) “You travel land and sea:” The Pharisees are always on the “Go”. They travel land and sea to
evangelise a soul; using and maximizing all available resources in elaborate and inter-allied
outreach programs in a desperate and concerted effort to win souls into the Judaism belief. They
spare no pains, spare no gain, finance, strength, time and resources; leave no stone untouched
and unturned just so as to reach a soul in their outreaches programs. This is the initial work of
discipleship which every church and ministry must learn and adopt.
b) “Win one proselyte:”- A proselyte is one who has been converted from heathenism to embrace
the Jewish religion. The Pharisees do not only reach the souls by land and sea but also win and
convert them. The people they met on their mission trip were converted, changed their beliefs
to embrace and adopt Judaism. They renounced paganism, superstition and embraced
circumcision and the Judaism life style.
Great was the diligence and unrelenting is the effort which Pharisees employed in gaining
proselytes (convert) to their religion and sect – Phariseesm. Their mission was soul-conversion
driven and not just to give out free medical services, bread and butter, healing and deliverance,
as is the case with most churches and ministries today. Their missionary journey was not
philanthropically driven, neither do we see them coming home with some form of false
contentment that they have done God’s service. When these necessities of life are provided to
people it should be for the reason which Apostle Paul advanced: “I am made all things to all
men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinth 9:22). These things are only but bait – a
conscientious means of bringing the people to the gathering. And as they come to get the baits,
the preaching of the gospel – the power of God unto salvation, must be presented in its fullness
to lead them to the Saviour. This should be the ultimate goal.
c) “Make him:” The Pharisees did not stop at conversion of a proselyte but go on to rebrand and
reform the convert through series of teachings and trainings. The term “Make him” carries
constructive sense: manufacture him, prepare him, change him, produce him, recreate
him, fashion him from what the coverts had been to what they intend them to be. They, through
teaching and other exercises emptied their converts of beliefs which they considered erroneous;
and then indoctrinated them into what their value system considered to be the appropriate way
of living.
In this illustration, a case of ample similarity ensues with regard to what Christ said to the
church, “Go…make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you.” This also, Apostle Paul actually set out to do: to travail, labour again and
again until Christ is formed in his converts (Gal 4:19).
d) “Twofold More:” The compromises of these Pharisees invalidated their hard work and
degenerated their converts into becoming twice as much the children of hell as their moralistic
apologetic religionists. The crucial goal of the “make him” is to transform their converts into a
more ardent and fervent follower of Judaism; the product Jesus Christ considered as, “twice a
child of hell”. The end product of that pain-taking process is not just a convert to the Jewish
religion, but they were actually turned into Pharisaic, even more than a Pharisee.
Some characteristics were noted among these proselytes – converts.

(i) They were more deceitful, more fraudulent, and more hypocritical than their teachers.
(ii) They did not only disbelieve and disdained Christ's teaching, but were abundantly more
blasphemous against Him than the Pharisees themselves.
(iii) They were more zealous. Ancient writer said, they were “more endeavouring to torment
and cut off the Christians wherever they could.” They were fitting instruments in the
hand of the scribes and Pharisees to achieve greater work. Saul who later became Paul is
a practical example. He speaks of himself, “Concerning zeal, persecuting the church”
(Phil 3:4-6). Before his conversion he was actually twice as much a child of hell than his
teachers. But God’s love sought him, the Blood bought him and grace brought him to
Christ sheepfold.
(iv) They are proselytized to error, are oftentimes faster engrossed in their false opinions than
their teachers themselves; even more foolish religious extremes than their teachers.
A writer noted: “These become worse than their instructors, because each generation drifted farther
from the law and became more zealously and completely devoted to the traditions.” This was what
Christ saw and meant by, “Twice a child of hell.”
This entire process adopted by the Pharisees in getting a convert and making them worse than what
he or she was originally, is what the scriptures meant by the term - discipleship. Turning the action and
statement of Jesus Christ into the positive sense will give us the true concept of discipleship, which you
must adopt in the Church of God.
5.0 CONNECTION IN SUNDRY MANDATES

There are similarities between the Creation Mandate and the “Go ye” Mandate.
a) Both Mandates were given at Special Times
The Creation Mandate was given at a time when God’s creative works were completed, “When
the morning stars sang together"(Job 38:6,7). At that time, the creation had just been
pronounced "very good" (Gen. 1:31-2:2). Genesis declares that "God finished His work." The
Greek word for "finished" has a root word “teleo”. The joyful declaration is given on the basis
of the completion of God’s work. The Discipleship Mandate given by Christ, too, was given at
the climax of divine accomplished labour. It was given at the completion of Christ's work in
securing man's redemption; not long after He declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30). His
statement in the Greek also has the root word “teleo,” the same root word found in the
statement in Genesis.
b) Both Mandates had the Same Authority

The ultimate authority of the Triune God specifically supported both the Creation Mandate and
Discipleship Mandate. The Creation Mandate was given directly from the mouth of God, who
had just created all reality by means of His spoken word (Gen. 1:26-31). This was the very God
who said, "Let Us make man in Our image" (Gen. 1:26), thus indicating His "Trinitarian
nature.” The Discipleship Mandate was uttered by the very mouth of God: God the Son, “for in
him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,” who holds "all authority in heaven and
earth" (Matt. 28:18) and by whom the universe was created. Furthermore, the Mandate is to be
exercised "in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," the Triune God
(Matt. 28: 19).
c) Both Mandates had the Same Goal

The Creation Mandate given at Eden to Adam (Gen 2:15), and restated after the Great Flood
(Gen 9:1-7), was designed to replicate divine nature in man thereby saturating the earth with His
presence. The Discipleship Mandate, is not a supplement of the creation mandate but an upsurge
of it in as much as they are interwoven in (Col 3:10) replicating the same image in all.
d) Both Mandates were First Given to Few
The Creation Mandate was originally given to Adam and Eve (Gen 1:27), and then renewed to
Noah and his sons (Genesis. 9:1). The Discipleship Mandate was first given to Christ's disciples
and for all ages (Matt. 28:20). It is clear from the New Testament that the few original disciples,
though initially intimidated by resistance to Christ from their native countrymen, eventually
overcame their cowardice. Upon witnessing the resurrection of Christ, they became convinced
of the power of God.
e) Both Mandates are Complementary
The Creation Mandate was intended that man, been created in God’s image should be replicated
in procreation throughout human history (Gen. 1:26,28). The entrance of sin, however,
perverted godly dominion into a desire to "be like God" (Gen.8:5).The Discipleship Mandate
provides the essential restoration of the image of God in the heart of man showing itself in
righteousness, and holiness (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10).
From the foregoing, what do you think the Church should be focusing upon in their daily activities
and church programs? It is discipleship: “Go…make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe
all things that I have commanded you.”
Discipleship is the multiplication of committed believers in Christ, Christians, servant leaders
from the lost world, grounded in the faith; doing exploit by working for the expansion of the
Kingdom of God in endless succession.
Module 3
Unit 1: PEOPLE CENTRED DISCIPLESHIP
1. Introduction
2. God Price Man Highly
3. Christ Method: People Centred
4. People Relational Community Mission
PEOPLE CENTERED DISCIPLESHIP
INTRODUCTION
“Everyone enjoys being valued, acknowledge and appreciated. Sometimes even the simplest act of
gratitude can change someone’s entire day. Take the time to recognise and value the people around
you and appreciate those make a difference in your life”. – (Roy T. Bennett)
Once you carry your own water, you will learn the value of each drop. - (Posivibeman)
Advancing the Kingdom work by involving in People Relational Community Mission; and Feed the
Flocks and do not fleece the Flocks.
While all people have intrinsic value in God’s eyes, those who belong to Christ have special value.
They were purchased at great cost with the Savior’s blood (Rev. 5:9). It is this “assigned” value that
Scripture uses to motivate believers to honor God with their bodies and not to become enslaved to
others (1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Cor. 7:23). This understanding affects the way we view the church as much as it
does the way we view ourselves. The church has value because Christ purchased it with His own blood
(Acts 20:28). Recognizing that such a high price was paid leaves no space for pride. Instead, it ought to
lead to humility. By purchasing the church with His blood, Christ has acquired it for Himself. The
church is not ours to command; it belongs to Christ. Neither are we our own—we have been bought
with a price.
GOD PRICE MAN HIGHLY

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). “God so love the world”; that was what determine
God to undertake his mission of rescuing the man.
God is a missional God. The self-diffusive, gathering, and sending nature of God means that
missionality starts with a relationship, a going beyond oneself, being in relation and calling others to
relation (Bevans & Schroeder 2011:10). 'God is love' (1 Jn 4:8) 1 is the core and essence of God. It is
because of this άγάπη\ [love] that is shared within the Trinity and with his creation that God sent his
Son as redeemer to a lost world to restore the broken relationship between the world and him.
The People Centred Discipleship
God's relationship with the world belongs to his eternal being (Flett 2010:34) and that relationship
constantly finds its expression through the work of the Holy Spirit, encouraging, helping, leading,
supporting and teaching his church. This article on leadership in the church is embedded in an
understanding of the church and what the church is. The church is, like the Christian faith itself, a
Trinitarian experience of God (Moltmann 2010:26). Christian community should therefore be a
relational and missional community, or it cannot be seen as a community that lives in fellowship with
the Triune God.
God Loved People

The term “world”, as in the context, is translated from the Creek word “Kosmos”. It implies several
things including a harmonious order, or orderly arrangement and embellishment or adornment as "to
adorn," to decorate a house with goodly stones or a spouse prepare for her husband (Luke 21:5; Rev.
21:2). Thus, in the exegesis, analysis of text, generally the term “Kosmos” refers to the following:
First, it refers to the material universe, the round world, this earth. For example, "the God that made
the world and all things therein" (Acts 17:14); "the foundation of the world" (Matt. 13:35); “he was in
the world, and the world was made by him" (John 1:10); “Go ye into all the world" (Mark 16:15).
Secondly, we find kosmos used in Scripture to denote worldly affairs: the whole circle of worldly
goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, which though hollow and fleeting, stir our desire
and seduce us from God so that their net worth is diminished to that of obstacles in the cause of Christ.
Examples are: "the things that are in the world" (1 John 2:15); "the world's goods" (1John 3:17); "if he
shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life" (Matt. 16:26 ); "those that use the world, as not abusing
it" (1 Corinth. 7:31).
This usage of kosmos also applies to abstract things which have spiritual and moral (or immoral)
values. E.g., "the spirit of the world" (1 Corinth. 2:12); "the wisdom of this world" (1Corinth. 3:19);
"the fashion of this world" (1Cor. 7:31); "worldly lusts" (Titus 2:12 ); "the corruption that is in the
world" (2 Pet. 1:4); "the defilements of the world" (2 Pet. 2:20); "all that is in the world, the lust ... the
vainglory ... passeth away" (1 John 2:16-17).
The third usage it refers to: (a) for the inhabitants of the world in such phrases as John 1:10, "the
world knew him not"; John 3:16 "God so loved the world"; John 12:19 "the world is gone after him";
John17:21 "that the world may believe”. (b) An extension of this usage leads to the idea of the whole
race of men alienated from God and thus hostile to the cause of Christ. For instance, Hebrew. 11:38 "Of
whom the world was not worthy"; John 14:17 "whom the world cannot receive;" John 14:27 "not as the
world giveth, give I unto you"; John 15:18 "If the world hateth you ..."
In the context of this glaring gracious message, the “World” that God so loved is not the harmonious
world order or the world adornment, not the material universe; neither is it the worldly affair, nor the
whole circle of worldly goods, riches, advantages or pleasure; but the inhabitants of the world, people.
He loved the people; the souls that shall never die; the souls that shall live forever either in hell fire or
heaven. This does not mean that God approved the conduct of the people, but that He had caring
feelings toward people and earnestly desirous of their happiness. God hates wickedness. He hates the
sin, but loves the sinner as an individual in dire need of salvation. Christ came to “seek and to save that
which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He came to save lost people. This goal was always His focus: building
the Kingdom of God in the hearts of the people. Christ came to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to people
and not the material world. His preaching and teaching demonstrated just that: “The kingdom of God is
at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). He further said, “The kingdom of God is come
unto you” (Matt 12:28). Therefore Christ embarked on people oriented discipleship making. The
legacy of His entire earthly ministry was people.
CHRIST METHOD: PEOPLE CENTRED

Christ’s pattern of discipleship is the ideal model for the Church in pursuing the task of making
disciples of all nations. First, the model is built around people. People were His priority and He gave
attention to them. His method is people centred. However, He was blameless, irreproachable in the
pursuit of reaching the people with the gospel.
Christ’s method of discipleship emphasises People and not Cathedral. He built people and not
Cathedrals. If Christ had embarked on construction of Cathedrals at the expense of developing
Disciples, today, the Church of Jesus Christ would have gone into oblivion unnoticed. From Christ’s
approach to discipleship, we learn that discipleship is primarily about people; it centres on people rather
than on properties. Indeed, the Kingdom of God is about people and not cathedrals. We observed in the
context of His people-oriented-discipleship two issues: (i) Christ Places Value on People; (ii) Christ
Creates Value added Relationships.
Christ Places Worth on People

Man is an embodiment of God’s creation and therefore the object of His affection. Christ came to
save People; so, we can understand why He placed so much value on them. He knew the worth of a
person, and therefore loved them. Christ’s love for people is explicit in Scripture. “Herein is love, not
that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John
4:10); “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us” (Eph 2:4). Of His
love toward Lazarus and his sister, the Jews could measure Christ love and said, “Behold how he loved
him!” (John 11:36).
In His earthly ministry as Saviour, or in His Heavenly ministry as High Priest and Advocate, He
places value on people. While on earth, He lived and worked among people. He predisposed Himself to
them, was accepted in their homes, related and had connection with them. He was with people in the
fields as well as in their homes. The Bible says, “… As Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many
publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples” (Matt 9:10). Out there in the
field, He met with thousands of them and sometimes fed them. He also met one-on-one in the field, as
with the Samaritan woman who eventually got saved (John 4:7-30). Because “He came to seek and to
save” people, it was natural for them to throng around Him in earnest curiosity. They touched and felt
Him. Wherever He went, people followed Him and He paid attention to them in recognition of divine
will. The wellbeing of people, obviously, was His passion and not a weary and gloomy soul crossed His
path without Him beaming the light of His compassion on them. Thus, He took a keen interest in
people and their affairs without asking for anything in return all in a deliberate effort to lead them into
experiencing God in their lives. Thus, He related with them, met their needs wherever He encountered
them. He touched people physically, spiritually and emotionally.
PEOPLE RELATIONAL COMMUNITY MISSION
The Lord Created ‘Value Added’ Relationship’ during his earthly ministry. Because of the high value
He placed on people, bridged boundaries; People Relational Community Mission. Christ built bridges
of communication across ethnic and cultural divides. In John 4, we see Him crossing cultural
boundaries to eat and drink with the Samaritans in spite the 400 years of social demarcations that had
left the Samaritans morally and socially inferior to the Jews. In so doing, He was clearly demonstrating
that discipleship is a relational process based on trust and built over time. Through building relationship
with the people, He earned their trust. The people were able to talk to Him and asked Him questions.
Sins were freely confessed, accountability offered and encouragements given. Jesus Christ candidly
invested time and energy in relationship with people. It was a sincere life-on-life, divine with man
connection; a connection that was grounded in true love. In this relationship we see God perfectly
involved with man in total transformation as the presence of God became a living reality in all-abiding
divine presence.
Christ created and sustained an enabling environment for His discipleship work to thrive. His
relationship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus their brother testifies greatly of Jesus Christ’s People
Relational Community Mission; people-based relationship model. When Lazarus died, Jesus Christ
visited them, in the midst of His busy schedule and could not even control his emotions, as He wept
bitterly for the deceased (Luke 11:17-44).
He was involved in People Relational Community Mission with Zacchaeus. He said to him,
“Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5). Zacchaeus
was so overwhelmed with this gesture that he did not only accept the person of Christ but made
restitution of his ungodly wealth. In the synoptic, including John, gave an incredible account of Christ’s
people oriented ministry, even to the accused. At Bethany, Jesus Christ, in His people relational
community mission him took to the house of a Pharisee, Simeon who was also a leper [remember the
stigma attached]. Simon had invited him and was obliged to go to the consternation of many. He went
to the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat with him. There, again, a women who was a public
pronounced “sinner” met him, washed his feet with tears, and did wiped them with the hairs of her
head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. It was in this instance that the “holier-
than-thou” Pharisee, a leper, raised protestation and questioned the godly virtue of the Saviour when he
said within himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of
woman this is that touching him: for she is a sinner” (Luke 7:36-39). This process of people relational
community mission best describes how Jesus Christ made disciples.
We must begin from this point: People Relational Community Mission. We must begin to place high
value on people either in the church or outside the church and build discipleship oriented relationship
with them where possible. But to be able to do so, you must be able to understand that people vary and
there is no one way of ministering to two different people. In this busy world where everybody is
making the most of every little opportunity and exploring very possible means of making ends meet,
making discipleship relevant to the needs of the people becomes a herculean task.
Module 3
Unit 2: PEOPLE VALUE DISCIPLESHIP
1. People Are Victim To Exploit.

2. People Perception Attitude
3. People Are Victim To Exploit.
4. People Unclean To Touch
5. People Are Problem To Avoid
6. People In Need To Be Helped
PEOPLE VALUED DISCIPLESHIP
1.0 INTRODUCTION
“If a church is more concerned with budgets and buildings than people, they should close their
door.” (Pastor John Hagee)
“If you are planting for a year, plant grain. If you are planting for a decade, plant trees. If you are
planting for a century, plant people.” – Old Chinese Proverb
Two kinds of value exist in the world; Intrinsic and attributed value. Intrinsic is calculated based on the
inherent nature or worth of a thing itself. Attributed value is assigned, value is determined by what
others are willing to pay. When it comes to people, both kinds of value apply. According to Jesus,
people have intrinsic value in God’s eyes; they are “worth” something. Jesus used understatement to
make this point in Matthew 10:29–31, when He comforted His disciples by saying, “Are not two
sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your
Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more
than many sparrows.”
Jesus’ words in these verses describe our worth, and they also imply God’s priority. People and animals
are both “worth” something to God. But people are worth more. God, who values all creatures, values
humanity especially. Jesus made a similar point in Matthew 12:11–12, when He chided the Pharisees
after they criticized Him for healing on the Sabbath: “He said to them, ‘If any of you has a sheep and it
falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a
man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’” People have intrinsic value
because they have been created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27; James 3:9).
2.0 PEOPLE PERCEPTION ATTITUDE

Living in an age where people value honesty and truthfulness, openness, integrity and relationships
above titles and authority, leaders cannot lead from their leadership positions unless they are in a good
relationship with the people around them. Spirituality that does not make a difference in the lives of
people is rapidly losing favour.
The Church is experiencing a time of distorted relationships and 'divide and rule' (Limb 2008:loc 606)
Nelson Mandela declared that 'unless responsible leadership was given to canalise and control the
feelings of our people, there would be outbreaks of terrorism which would produce an intensity of
bitterness and hostility' (Mandela 2011:loc 97-98). The church today needs relational leadership bridges
to be built across racial and cultural divides.
In many parts of the world any attempt to draw close to people is suspect. The very supposition that
you are in a position to disciple anybody must be tampered with levity and scrutinised in the eye of
eternal plan. People’s perception of your person could determine whether they want to have anything to
do with you or not. The level of success you may record in discipleship largely depends on your
perception of people, the value you place on them and your ability to impact their spirit sufficiently in
their own peculiar situation.
The story of the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke illustrates the worth some people place on
fellow human beings. It further shows different kinds of people and their people valued attitude. A
certain man going to Jericho from Jerusalem fell among robbers, stripped and inflicted with wounds
half dead. Timely, numbers of people went through that way. First, it was a Priest who saw him, but
passed over the opposite side. The second person to see robbers beaten man was a Levite; he also went
away without showing little concern. But a certain Samaritan journeying came to the scene, on seeing
the victim he was moved with compassion. He went down to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on
oil and wine. Lifting him up on his own beast brought him to an inn where he was cared for. (Luke
10:30-35).
Besides the victim, four other persons were mentioned in that story: the Robber, the Priest, the Levite
and the Samaritan. These four kinds of persons have different value attitude toward people generally.
3.0 PEOPLE ARE VICTIM TO EXPLOIT.

The Robber: Robbers, generally, manipulate people; use and strip them to their own advantage. The
robber saw the man as a victim to exploit. In the same vein, Pastors and Ministers with “Exploitation
Mind-Set” will behave the same way as the Robber. They see people as vehicle to ride on to wealth, to
achieve popularity and fame. They see their congregation as victims of circumstances, available to
them to be exploited for personal advantage. The exploitative minds cannot engage in the task of
discipleship. Their goal in ministry would not be to bring people to know Christ and mature them in the
faith, as Paul said, “until Christ is formed” in them. They are in ministry to make a living and not to
make “disciples of all nations” for Christ. Paul spoke of them, “For they that are such serve not our
Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly” (Rom 16:18).
We are called to “Feed the sheep” (John 21:16) and not to “Fleece the Sheep.” This directive was given
to all Ministers in Christian ministry. But today, like the Robber, many are there “for filthy lucre”:
shameful, dishonourable gain, a lucrative creating of personal wealth and profit from the flock. They
are “…lords over God's heritage:” haughty, domineering power and pride over the flock’s conscience.
They fleece the sheep as the farmers do. The farmer flays, shorn the wool from the sheep for business
of money making. There are many today whose sole purpose in ministry is to fleece the flocks; working
purely to take a living to get a living out of the church members. It is callous irreverence for God for
one to be driven into ministerial office by financial necessity; and be drawn by covetousness is much
worse. It goes without saying that God denounces such fleecing attitude of Ministers. “The heads
judge for reward, and the priests teach for hire, and the prophets divine for money” (Micah 3:11,12;
Isaiah 56:11; Titus 1:7,11). That should not be you. Develop godly fear towards leading the flocks.
To follow Christ, and be admitted into a partnership of His ministry, is a great honour; but only those
who are by Himself fitted for it, God calls. Miserable are those who do not wait for this call; who
presume to take the name of fishers of men, and know not how to cast the net of the Divine word. Such
persons, having only their secular interest in view, studious to catch money, wealth and fame, but not to
catch men. What a dishonour they caused the gospel they so professed!
4.0 PEOPLE UNCLEAN TO TOUCH

The Priest: Priests are those who are “closer to the Holy of Holies” and therefore see themselves so
holy and others unclean. The Priest saw the man so Unclean to Touch, deserving the ill-fate,
undeserving of God’s mercy and therefore, went on his own way. When you see people as unclean you
cannot be involved in the task of discipleship because the work is about people, unrighteous men and
women, not among angels. When Christ encountered Matthew, the Levi whom he called to follow Him,
and he did, he humbly made a great feast in honour of the Saviour. To that effect, he invite his friends
and acquaintances who were not the creditable kind but heathens, tax collector, sinners. That occasion
was honoured by Jesus Christ who even feasted with them.
When the Pharisees saw it they upbraided Christ telling His disciples: “Why eateth your Master with
publicans and sinners?” Christ’s response is the point of this narration. “They that be whole need not a
physician, but they that are sick.” “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matt
9:9-13). Those in the various “New Holiness Movements” having “All Unclean Mind-set”, the holier-
than-thou, demonstrate an attitude that suggest that they are out to seek angels and not sinners. Thy see
themselves as already in heaven and can only relate with angel and not men. They cannot be involved
in discipleship. Such people should be reminded that the work the Lord Jesus called us to do is among
men, sinners and not among angels. Christ had said to them, “Go ye and learn what that means.”
5.0 PEOPLE ARE PROBLEM TO AVOID

The Levite: The Levites are legalistic, “the law keepers”: strict adherence to a literal interpretation of
Mosaic Law, religious ceremonial rule and moral code. They are often very busy with the analysis of
the Laws and the Temple’s activities. The daily sacrifices in the Temple involve much work and they
also need to attend to other issues related to Law. Very busy kind of people. Therefore, the Levite saw
the victim as a Problem to Avoid. Attending to him would waste the time meant for the Temple service.
But, that was a very wrong approach to the work of the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary Service is a means to
an end, bridging people and God. So, you cannot avoid the people. Those with “Avoid People Mind-
Set” cannot be involved in the task of discipleship. They are too busy attending to church
administrative work, sermon preparation and numerous preaching engagements and also need sufficient
time for leisure. Such people cannot undertake discipleship, because their personality of self-comfort,
leisure, life of ease will work against them. Discipleship requires the Pastor’s time, energy and
resources to attend to people.
6.0 PEOPLE IN NEED TO BE HELPED
The Samaritan: The Samaritans, as people, have experienced scorn and neglect before in the hands of
the Jews. They knew the pain of been ignored when in great need. Ignoring the pains and grieve of the
Samaritan was an attitude displayed by the Jews for centuries.
“The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans”. They have no communion with them; the Jews will
be under no kind of obligation to the Samaritans, will borrow nothing from them, will not drink out of
the same cup or well with them, will not sit down to meals with them, nor eat out of the same vessel,
will have no religious connection, no commercial dealings with them.
So, when Christ wanted to break this animosity of aversion, intense hostility in His People Relational
Community Mission in His encounter with the woman of Samarian met with stringent opposition. By
the direction of instinct, the woman had a shockwave and asked: “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask a
drink from me? Because she saw by Christ dress, appearance, and the direction whence he came that he
was of the Jewish race. The antipathy between the Jews and Samaritans was so bitter that they were
never want to ask any hospitable rite. The woman's reply is not a refusal of the Lord's request, but an
expression of astonishment that a Jew should ask a favour of a Samaritan. Incredible!
Therefore, because the Samaritans have suffered age-long ignoring those in wants and pains, have over
the years developed a natural predisposition to help others, saw the man as a Person in Need to be
Helped.
Those with the Samaritan’s kind of spirit usually see the need in people and are quick to help out in any
way they can. They have the mind of Christ. Whenever Christ sees people He sees their need; He “saw
a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them” (Matt 14:14). When heartless leaders
like the disciples are saying, “send the multitude away,” the people-oriented leaders who place value on
people would say as Christ did, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." This
mind-set, the ability to see the need in people and be willing to fill the gap is the kind of mind God is
looking for in discipleship.
To which of these groups do you fit into? What is the character and trait you exhibit in your life and
ministry? If you do not possess the Samaritan mind-set, see people in need to be helped, you cannot be
involve in the task of discipleship. You may need to examine you approach to ministry.
Module 3
Unit 3: BUILDING PEOPLE RELATIONSHIPS
BUILDING PEOPLE RELATIONSHIPS
INTRODUCTION
At the center of the universe is a relationship. This is the most fundamental truth I know. At the
center of the universe is a community. It is out of that relationship that you and I were created and
redeemed. And it is for that relationship that you and I were created and redeemed! (Professor
Darrell Johnson).
We are Relational as God Is Relational. First and foremost this phrase means we were made to be
relational beings. The orthodox doctrine of the Trinity recognizes that God is one God, co-existing in
three distinct Persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is clearly taught in the scriptures and has
been recognized by the Church since the second century. These three persons of the Trinity are forever
in perfect relationship with each other. There has always been and always will be absolute love, joy and
peace within the Godhead.
The very essence of God is relational, and that essential quality has been imprinted on us as humans.
We were made to be in relationship with the creator and with the rest of his creation.
Therefore, one of the things that “made in the image of God” means is that man was made to be in
relationship.
RELATIONSHIP INTEGRAL TO DISCIPLESHIP

While God created us to be in relationship with him, he also created us to be in relationship with one
another (Matthew 22:36-40). God created a world, “designed for the flourishing of exquisitely
relational creatures, male and female, who themselves are very good because they bear the image of a
relational God.” While we are all made in the image of God, we are also uniquely made. This is not an
accident. It is part of God’s plan for us and his creation. While our culture stresses the importance of
independence, the Bible teaches interdependence (Romans 12:4-5). The Bible emphasizes community.
Scripture calls us to connectedness from the very beginning. We as individuals are called to play a part
in the biblical narrative, but for the most part we do our work in the context of community.
In discipleship, our relationship with people both in and outside of church is a key and plays a very
crucial role. It wields far more potential than rhetorical eloquence talks and numerous religious
activities you undertake weeks after weeks.
You begin by seeing people in their worth and significance; value their presence and seek to maintain
a cordial relationship with them. Discipleship feeds on such exemplary leadership and draws inspiration
from the same as your personality precedes you. Whatever you say or do in ministry pleads to your
personality for verification. People will not listen to you just because you are good or are nice; they will
listen to you because there is something different about you begging for their valued attention. Jesus’
approach to fostering relationships started with Himself. He was never in a hurry to take His place
among the people because so much work was involved and He had to prepare adequately to that effect.
If people are important to you only because of what you stand to gain from them, that does not make
you special because even domestic animals can do the same. Traders, consultants, or business men
places much value on their customers and clients. They recognised they are the stock of their trade, the
reason why they are in business. Though business men demonstrate devotion to their clients, it is not in
the least comparable of the value a discipler ought to exhibits to his converts. Unlike the trader, the
discipler is not drawing motivation from personal profit, but the satisfaction of fulfilling God’s purpose
and plan.
Therefore, disciplers must place higher value and premium people in and outside the church. We
place value on people, not because we have anything to gain from doing so, but because God places
value on them and our place in His eternal plan is not complete without their own. It is in God’s nature
to appreciate people adequately and it is practically impossible to walk with Him without doing the
same. How can we be important in God’s plan, if we do not treat others as important? Nobody can be
more important to God than the value we attach to the lives of others. Your place and position in divine
plan is defined and communicated by how much you are willing to sacrifice into the lives of others.
What you sacrifice into the lives of others is the sum total of the grace of God upon your life.
All people are first humans before they are sinners, not the other way round. Every saint in church
was once a sinner out there in the street. The sinner in the street today would be the saint in the church
tomorrow. At the heart of discipleship is people. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ understood and
recognised this concept very well and gave emphasis to it both in His teaching and practise. Christ’s
model of discipleship is based on value on people and building relationship with them. Jesus placed
value on the people, because in the divine plan and program it is the desire of God to have many sons in
glory. Thus, in the bid to fulfil that purpose He pursuit the task of bringing the love of God into their
lives.
This is where you must begin in the task of disciples making.
Therefore, to be effective and successful in discipleship you must have the mind of Christ: Place
Value on People and Build People-Centred Relationships with Christ as the central focus. The spirit of
the Robber, the Priest and of the Levite will forbid you from undertaking the duty of discipleship.
Therefore, you must develop Discipleship making skill, beginning with full understanding that:
 Discipleship is not in the vacuum but is among people
 People are the stock of the Minister’s trade in ministry
 These stocks, people, are most valuable among God’s creature. God values them.
 They can only be led by God-called-men and that through special skill and ability
 That special skill can be learnt and must be Learned
You must be patient to learn the skill of discipleship and use it effectively.
DANGERS OF NOT BUILDING MEN

Today’s churches and ministers laid emphasises on Cathedral rather people. If the Church keep
putting emphasis on Cathedrals, rather than people, then she is certainly losing focus her core mandate.
Besides, when materialism becomes a church ministerial focus, of course, compromise is inevitable.
Money, materials and men are invested in constructing gigantic material empire; erecting large,
massive and magnificent church building at the expense of building people. Sometimes, the
magnanimous ambitious projects are done in competitive spirit, to surpass the achievements of other
churches thereby making a name for themselves like, Nimrod of old. The point here is self. He had said,
“Let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name”
(Gen 11:4).
The construction of large auditoriums, building enviable physical infrastructure and Insitutions are
good and necessary. We need them. But, let us face the fact; placing strong emphasis on physical
infrastructures and paying less attention to discipleship, overlooking or playing down on building men
and women for Christ is, not just a misplacement of priority, but an outright deviation from divine
plan . There are inherent dangers in building cathedrals rather than in building men.
The dangers are obvious, as we know. So much money that should be sunk into reaching the
unreached is going into building cathedrals at the expense of winning lost souls for Jesus. When
building cathedrals takes over the centre page of the church, the Holy Spirit has been relegated to the
side-lines. Which is better: to invest millions into building monuments or to invest millions into
building men and women that will affect lives for Jesus Christ? In the long run, in the face of
persecution, the un-discipled men and women in those magnificent cathedrals would take to their heels
without leaving any foot prints in the sand of time. The invading persecutors would turn these
cathedrals into either museums or ancient religious monuments, if not an event centres. The story of
Christendom in Turkey and the present state of Britain where church cathedrals are purchased by other
religious groups, or being turned into social centres should serve as an example to the ministers of God
in this twenty first century. History is the school of wisdom; it ought to teach us lessons that should
help us navigate the unseen future. But unfortunately, the Church leaders have not learned from history.
Module 3
Unit 4: PEOPLE FOR DISCIPLESHIP
1. Introduction
2. The Community
3. The Crowd
4. The Congregation
5. The Committed
6. The Core And The Called
PEOPLE FOR DISCIPLESHIP
1.0 INTRODUCTION
“If a church is more concerned with budgets and buildings than people, they should close
their door.” (Pastor John Hagee)
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds” (Proverb
27:23)
The Scripture admonished, “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds”
(Pro 27:23). The text suggest that you should be persistent and hard working to know the state, nature
and categories of people among whom you minister in carrying out the task of discipleship. Apostle
Paul, once looking at the Church, wrote to the Thessalonians: “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn
them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (I Thess.
5:14). He was able to identify among the sheep: the unruly; the feebleminded; and the weak and further
stressed what the responsibility of the minister is to each of these groups of people. To the unruly –
admonition, the feebleminded – comfort, and to the weak – support. This principle of identification and
classification still applies in discipleship.
Understanding the people and placing them in groups is of great importance in the making of
disciples. Once that is understood, you can then proceed to design programs for each of the identified
groups. Therefore, you must be meticulous, conscientious and careful in knowing the people for
discipleship. To help in understanding your people, we look at this classification. The totality of the
people for discipleship is made of the following groups: the Community, the Crowd, the Congregation,
the Committed, the Core and the Called.
2.0 THE COMMUNITY

The Community are the unreached and unchurched people in and outside our neighbourhood! They
are the people who live near where you live, or your church or ministry is situated. They see the church
every day but never enter. The church is far away from them mentally and spiritually, though closer to
them physically. They are strangers to Christ; outside the universal Church as well as the local Church.
They have no God, no Bible, no church and have no Pastor. They refer to the local Church as “That
church.” The Community is made of two main groups, namely, “The Unchurched” and “The
Unreached.”
The Unreached People
This includes all those who do not have access to a church and to the preaching of the gospel. They
live in the most remote places of our nations away from the love and care of the mega Churches. They
have no God, no Bible, and no Church and have no Pastor.
The Unchurched People:

By this I mean everyone outside the church net. This includes the following:
a) All those who have access to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and churches in their
community but choose to stay away. They are also without God, without a Bible, without a
Church and without a Pastor.
b) Those who never go to Church but spend their time trading, playing games, watching movies
and indulging other pleasures on Sunday morning. Unfortunately, many among this second
group still presume to be Christians on the basis that they are not idols worshippers. How can
they say they are not idol worshippers when what they value most has taken over the place of
God in their lives?
c) All those who have not attended church service within the past three months, but special
services such as Easter or Christmas or special event: a wedding, funeral or child dedication,
are the unchurched people.
d) Those who were once followers of Christ but backslide for one reason or the other and
refused to return back to God.
e) Your relations, friends and neighbours who never give attention to the things of God and are
carefree about eternal life are unchurched people.
Here are some facts about the Unchurched which you may need to know to enable you design
a program on how to reach them.
(i) Most of the unchurched people have a positive view about churches and service of God, and
they feel guilty for not attending a church. Thus, a good number of them are, at least
“somewhat likely” to attend church if invited by someone who cares.
(ii) Some of the unchurched people have not had a sincere and concerned friend to share with
them on how to become a Christian. If they have, they would develop sincere relationship
with Christ, the Saviour and become Christians.
(iii) Most of the unchurched people believe in the existence of heaven and hell and are
nervous about it; they could be willing to talk about the salvation of their souls.
(iv)Most of the unchurched people would rather talk to a personal intimate Christian friend
about their predicament with regards to living their lives for Christ.
(v) Many of the unchurched people are not antichurch. They will accept Christ if presented with
the gospel that is backed up with the power of the Holy Spirit.
These facts should help you reach the unchurched people in your community.
3.0 THE CROWD

The second group is the Crowd. The Crowd are in the Church; and they are made up of two specific
groups: the Unsaved Crowd– the unregenerate sinner, and the Saved Crowd, these born again but
without a church.
The Unsaved Crowd

The People for Discipleship
When someone in the community become a believer in Christ, born again, usually they start
attending Church services. Somehow, the relations or friends may naturally begin to attend the Church
with them. For example, when a father of a family of about seven persons becomes a new creature in
Christ, he commences attending a church service. In most cases, the wife and the five children will also
begin to go along with him to the church. The father is born again, but the wife and children are not.
Their unsaved condition may, sometime, linger on for a long time. They may be taken to be Christians
because of the adjustment in their lifestyle. They are simply in the crowd of Church attenders. They
have a church, a Bible, a Pastor but without God and without Christ. Thus, the Unsaved Crowd is made
up of the following:
 Relations and Friends of the Saved:
The friends and relations of the saved believers who regularly accompany them to Church
services and somehow, have come to stay as members of the Church but not yet born again.
 Admirers and lovers of the Church.

These are those who simply love the local church as a result of some appealing church
functions and have become regular attenders, but not born again. They “love” the church
and the Pastor but not the God of the church.
 Solution Miracle Seekers.

Today most churches are filled with a good number `of those with several problems of life
and have come to the Church in search of solution. They come for the miracles, health,
healing, prosperity, deliverance and much more. Their goal is solutions not salvation. They
want the miracle but not the Messiah. They swell the size of the church attendance.
 Resolution Makers.
Yearly resolution makers are those with New Year resolution who begin to attend church
service, though not born again, but become regular for the period the resolution lasts.
 The Unsaved Members.
Every unsaved member of the church is among the Crowd.
Most churches have more Crowd than the saved souls. They all associate with you in your
congregation, worship in the House of the Lord, but they have not passed from death unto life. They
swell the chorus of your praise; they bow their heads with you in prayer but are not born again. They
are not recognized by God as heavenly citizens. Though in church but not of the Church. When church
attendance is taken they are always included, but when the heavenly roll call is made their names are
found to be excluded.
Ironically, when such people have stayed so long in the Church, participating in all programs with
zeal, though not born again, may find themselves absolved into the leadership strata of the church. They
may even become Pastors and Elders leading the affairs of the church. This is dangerous for the body
of Christ.
The Saved Crowd

The “Saved Crowd” are the group of believers I may call the “Itinerant Christian.” They are
“Christians on the move.” They move from one church to another, not as visiting ministers, but as
itinerant church worshipers. They are believers without a definite church or ministry address. They
choose to be moving or visiting any church their instinct dictates on a particular day.
Some of these floating believers are genuine Christians with genuine new birth experience. They
have God in their heart, Bible in their hands, but have no Church as a shelter, neither a Pastor as
Shepherd. They hop from church to church; from one program to another as itinerant church
worshipers, with no fixed place of worship. They are without identity; they are not accountable to
anybody, neither are they responsible to any Pastor and are not committed to any church or Ministry.
Biblically, being a Christian is synonymous with belonging to a local church (body of believers)
where he or she is shepherded, receives spiritual nourishment and where they offer reasonable services
to the Lord. To be a Christian without belonging to a local body of believers where one can be
committed and be under the leadership of a shepherd is no Christianity at all.
This group also includes the inconsistent and irregular church members who, once in a while, come
to church during special programs, and whenever they feel like it. Some of them may be true believers:
they have God and have a Bible, but they have no church and have no Pastor. Every building with a
sign of the cross is their church and any man on the street wearing a white-collar is their Pastor. These
irregular church members and the itinerant believers refer to your church as “this church.” They need
to be helped because a rolling stone does not gather dust. Any biological organ that is detached from
the body will not only miss the purpose for which it was created, but will also die out quickly as it was
not meant to stay outside the body.
4.0 THE CONGREGATION

The congregation are regular members of a church, but not committed! Though they had salvation
experience, new birth, but are not committed, in any special way, to God and His services in the local
church. They are so unconcern with the church’s ministry service, church work and unprepared to take
up any responsibility. They are complacent, self-satisfied with just being a “church attendant” and
unaware of its possible dangers. This category of people account for about 70% of some Churches’
total attendance.
Their visible traits: First, they are not involved in any serving units of the Church. They could forgo
their Church programs to attend other churches program at the expense of their own, (not on special
invitation). Secondly, they complain about almost everything, problems and other events in the Church;
yet they will not make themselves available to provide solutions. They never make any meaningful
financial commitment to the Church work. In many instances, they constitute an added problem to the
church. Thirdly, they are not accountable to anyone in the church not even the Pastor. Indeed, the
church can never account for them. They are lone rangers.
Church pews are occupied weekly by these uncommitted members. They have God, have a Bible,
have a church, but have no Pastor; as every “man of God” in town is their pastor. They are not
answerable to the Pastor of the church. They refer to your Church, “Our church.” Everyone’s Church
is no one’s Church.
5.0 THE COMMITTED

The committed serving members of the Church. These are the committed members of the Church.
First, they are born again and they are committed to servicing God; and fully involved in the various
services ministry of the Church. They have no other church. Their time, strength, finance, energy, skill,
talents, spiritual gift are committed to serving God in the church. They seem to say in thought, words
and deeds that, they have no other place but this. They identify with their local assembly, are
committed to church and accountability to the Pastor. They have God, a Bible, a church and a Pastor.
They cannot go out of town without informing their Pastor. They refer to your Church, “My Church.”
The People for Discipleship
6.0 THE CORE and THE CALLED
The Core are the stakeholders. The Core group possesses all the qualities of the Committed and
much more; they are the stakeholders in the church. They are always available for any work of the
church. They contribute immensely to the financial need of the Church. To them, the church is their
life work. The church is their eternal investment. They invest their time, strength and resources for God
through their local church. They are God’s assess in the church! They refer to the Church, “My life.”
The Called are those among the Core group with a ministerial calling. They are the true sons and
daughters of the Ministry among the Core group, and have spent their entire Christian life in their local
church. And now there is a divinely propelling urge in their hearts and nursing a feeling of being called
to “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught,” break new fallow ground in an
independent Ministry. They look forward to that time when their dream and aspiration will come to
pass.
We have taken time to identify these various groups to enable you to design the necessary programs
to meet their respective needs and state. The discipleship program for each of these groups is unique
both in nature and in execution. The Minister’s duty to each of these categories of people differs in
terms of teaching, training and guidance. Discipleship programs are to be so designed to suit the
various needs of each of these groups. We shall discuss the issues of programs for these strata of people
in this book.
Advancing the Kingdom work by multiplying disciples, church leaders,

and communities of believers committed to godly life soul winning.

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What are the different categories of church members discussed in the text?

What are the different categories of church members discussed in the text?

What distinguishes the 'core' group from other categories?

What distinguishes the 'core' group from other categories?

Course

Professor S.E Muagba MA, Ph.D., MCPN

National Library of Nigeria Cataloguing in Publication Data

Copyright © by: S.E Muagba

STUDY MODULES AND UNITS

Module 1: The Master, The Man And Ministry

Module 2: Measure and Means of Discipleship

Module 3: People Worth Discipleship

Module 4 - Pattern For Discipleship

Module 5: - Programs For Discipleship

Module 6 - Process of Discipleship

THE COURSE LAYOUT

SUCCESSFUL LIFE AND MINISTRY

2.0 GAUGE FOR SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY

3.0 THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

Christ Authority in the Commission

4.0 THE MAKING OF DISCIPLES

THE TWO KINGDOMS PURSUIT

2.0 POWERS AT WORK

3.0 GOD’S MASTER PLAN

Christ Course in Man’s Redemption

4.0 SATAN’S PURSUIT IN THE END TIME

5.0 GOD’S PROGRAM FOR THE END TIME

Discipleship in the End-Time

PRIORITY OF LIFE AND MINISTRY

2.0 THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Knowing God is a Priority, not an Option

3.0 LOVING GOD

(1) Your affection determines the direction of your ministry

(2) Your affection follows to your treasure

Glorifying God is a duty

We share not in His Glory

5.0 BEEN USE OF GOD

Unit 4: RAISING QUALIFIED LABOURERS

RAISING QUALIFIED LABOURERS

2.0 THE LORD DEMANS FRUITS

3.0 PRODUCING EXPECTED RESULTS

The Church as the Factory

4.0 GRAHAM CRUSADE WORKERS EXAMPLE

5.0 URGENCY OF THE TASK

Your goal in Ministry should be: Multiplication of committed Christ disciples,

THE CHURCH CORE MANDATE

New Passion For Discipleship

WHAT DISCIPLESHIP IS NOT

They further stated:

This is discipleship in a null shell. We can understand the task involved:

Unit 2: THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP

THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP

2.0 INTENT OF DISCIPLESHIP MANDATE

3.0 POINTERS OF DISCIPLE OF CHRIST

4.0 FUNCTIONAL CHARACTER OF DISCIPLES

5.0 BIBLICAL DESIGN OF CHRIST’S DISCIPLE

1) Wholeheartedness toward Christ - Luke 14:26

2) Persevering in Christ Doctrine - John 8:31

3) Self-Denial and Cross Bearing - Luke 14:27; 9:23