EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BIBLE

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

#13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

BIBLE SHARING (13/08/2017)

TOPIC: EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BIBLE (Part 2)

Abraham in Discipleship Relationship with God

1.     Look at Abram’s life background before he started walking with God in discipleship relationship. Though it was not called by the word “discipleship”, you will soon discover that it is a discipleship relationship essentially.

Abraham was a human being like any of us before he started walking with God. Gen. 11:22-32; Discuss this, applying your discovery to our situation today. You will discover that Abraham was born by his parents just as we were born. He was a child of old age, and the first born child of his parents, loaded with many responsibilities. Yet he left all to walk with God. He was faced with peculiar problems naturally as any of us. He got married but had a problem with child bearing as it happens today to many also. In addition, he had to take care of his nephew, Lot, whose father Haran (Abraham younger’s brother) died. If Abraham could answer the call unto discipleship with all these life troubles, and go through it, we have no excuse.

2.     Discuss Abraham’s first encounter with God Gen. 12:1-5

Compare this with Mk. 11:28-29; Matt. 4:19-20 and the condition for discipleship in Lk. 14:26-27, 33.  What lessons can you learn from this? Discover that when Abraham encountered the Lord, the instruction God gave him was a call unto discipleship. In order to follow the Lord, he was asked to leave his country, kindred and father’s house to an unknown destination, with a promise of what God was going to make him to become. That sounds like Jesus’ instruction to Peter and Andrew, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” But there were conditions to fulfill. He was to deny himself. The self for him was embodied in his love and attachment to his country, kindred and father’s house. He was to take up his cross, and he did, bearing the reproach of following an invisible God to an unknown destination with a promise that is naturally unrealistic. Yet he did. When he did, he entered into a discipleship relationship with God. You cannot do less and satisfy God’s desire.

QUESTIONS

1.     In what ways has God called us out to walk with Him as he called Abraham? Explain.

2.     What should be our attitude to the call of God in our lives even if it will cost us all we had as Abraham left all to answer God’ call?

3.     What are the conditions to fulfill when we decide to walk with God?

4.     What are the trails we can face while walking with God as Abraham also faced it?

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

#13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

BIBLE SHARING (20/08/2017)

TOPIC: EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BIBLE (Part 3)

Abraham in Discipleship Relationship with God

3.      a). Discipleship is not without trials. Just as examinations are to students, so are trials to a disciple. Discuss the trial Abraham faced Gen 12:8-20. We discussed earlier that discipleship is a master - apprentice or teacher-pupil kind of relationship. And as a student or pupil, there are certain examinations or tests you must passed before you are promoted to the next class in your training. So also it happens to disciples. God sometimes allows certain trials to come our way in our discipleship walk with Him in other to prove us and approve us for the next stage of our training if we pass this test. If not, we repeat the class. Many of us have found ourselves repeating the same lesson over and over again and receiving heavenly rebukes each time. That definitely hinders our progress in our walk with God and that is what normally makes many that are first to be last. Abraham was faced with the trial of famine though he was in the will of God, in the land of promise. The fact that you are in the will of God, where God wants you to be, does not mean there could be no famine there.

b). What was his reaction to this trials? Gen. 12:16; 16:1. Instead of calling on the Lord whom he followed into that land when faced with that trial, we are not told he prayed. There he went down into Egypt and traded his wife for food, telling lies. There he received a rebuke from the unbelieving king of Egypt, and there the devil posted an Egyptian maid servant in his family, who later became an alternative to Sarah and to God’s promise for him (Gen 12:16; 16:1). We have an enemy who always wants us to trade our birthright for a spoon of pottage. When such temptation comes, it is not compulsory for us to fall, but rather to see the way of escape graciously provided for us in that temptation and stand for the Lord.

c). How did God deliver him out of that trail? Gen. 12:17, 20; Psa. 34:19; 1 Cor. 10:13. First, God saw the submission and innocence of Sarah and probably her trust in God, (1 Pet. 3:5-6). He plagued Pharaoh’s house, not because of Abraham but because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. This is a lesson for wives.  God then provided a way of escape for Abram in other to deliver him from that problem. He moved Pharaoh to send him away out of Egypt. Thank God Abraham agreed to get out. He would have been lost forever out of the plan and purpose of God. In times of temptation, always watch out for the way of escape and escape for your life.

QUESTIONS

1.      Are life challenges excuses not to walk with God as Abraham did? Yes or No, Explain.

2.      Why does God allow trails to come upon u when we are faithfully walking with Him?

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

#13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

BIBLE SHARING (19/11/2017)

TOPIC: EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BIBLE (Part 4)

Abraham in Discipleship Relationship with God

4. What did Abraham do after this in order to restore his relationship with God? Gen. 13:1-4 (NIV), Ezek. 33:13

When a righteous man, who has been righteous all his life falls into sin, all his righteousness will be forgotten. That is the principle of the scriptures. You go back to the zero level and begin again. Abraham had to go back to Bethel where he made an altar to God at the beginning and start afresh. Even with that, the way back to Bethel from Egypt was no longer straight forward. He had to go from Egypt to the Neger and then to Bethel, whereas from the land of promise to Egypt was an expressway. He went straight down to Egypt.

The way unto restoration is always more difficult than the way unto backsliding. Nevertheless, it is better to pass through it and get restored as Abraham did than to continue in backsliding and lose all. May God grant you understanding?

5.         Discuss the role played by Lot in Abraham’s life and Relationship with God; Gen. 12:3; 13:1, 5-11; 14:8-14

God called Abraham and Lot went with him. That was an opportunity for Lot to learn the life and relationship of Abraham with God and partake in the blessings of Abraham. But he would not. He lifted up his eyes in pride (against his uncle Abraham), choosing lands before his uncle chose, and ended up choosing wrongly.

But Abraham grew in conformity to God’s character; He peaceably and meekly resolved the matter with lot and Lot choose to separate himself from Abraham. Discipleship involves spiritual growth. As we walk with the Lord or with our human masters (disciplers), we must use the challenges that we face there to develop our character in conformity to the image of the Lord Jesus. We must grow not only in service but in character. Have you been following Jesus and your character has not changed from that of your old self? Then you are not growing and your inheritance, (the purpose of God for your life) may be delayed from getting into your hands.

6.         There is room for growth in discipleship. Discuss Abraham’s growth in his relationship with God and consequently in his vision Gen. 13:7-9, 14:8-14, 21-24

Discover his growth in vision as you compare Gen. 12:2-3 with Gen. 13:14-18

As said earlier, we can see Abraham’s growth in character from the way he related with Lot. He was humble, meek, peaceable and kind. He showed kindness in going with his soldiers to deliver Lot and did not revenge. He consequently grew in vision. When you grow in conformity to the character of lifestyle of the Lord Jesus, God enlarges your scope and adds to His promise for your life. His blessings increase over your life. But if you keep marking time over the same wrong habit or behavior that God has been warning you about, you will also not progress in vision. God does not release all His promise anointing upon a life at once. He does so in stages, depending on your growth in life and character.

QUESTION

1.      What steps are to be taken by any believer that backslide from the ways of God in other to be restored?

2.      In what ways can a believer behave like Lot from our teachings and our reactions if we come in contact with such believer?

3.      How can we be stunted in growth as believers even if we have stayed many years in the church?

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

#13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

BIBLE SHARING (26/11/2017)

TOPIC: EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BIBLE (Part 5)

Abraham in Discipleship Relationship with God

7. a) Discuss how Abram handled the trial of barrenness that confronted him; Gen. 15:1-4; Jas. 1:2-4

 His problem of barrenness dominated his mind so much that he could no longer see the value of possessing God. (God Himself becoming his exceeding great reward). Rather he complained.

In our lives’ journey, we keep facing one trial or the other but our attitude as we follow the Lord must be Phil. 4:6-7. Complaining will land us into more trouble as it happened to Abram and to the children of Israel in the wilderness. Rather than worry and complain, learn to pray and give thanks. Even though weeping endures all through the night, surely joy is coming in the morning.

7. b) How did Hagar come into Abraham’s life? Gen. 12:16; 16:1-2

She was one of the items in the bride price given to Abram by Pharaoh in exchange for Sarah his wife. However when his wife was restored to him, instead of restituting by returning the bride price, he went away with everything. And he went away with trouble that has become the trouble of the whole world today: the Ishmaelite that came from the womb of Hagar the Egyptian.

Are there things you did against another person while an unbeliever or a backslider? For your record to be clean with God both now and in the future there is need to restitute. It is part of Christian life. Zaccheaus did it and Jesus went to abide in his house. You must not dodge it.

7. c) Discuss the effect of Haggar’s life on Abraham’s home and his discipleship with God? Gen. 16:1-6; 15-16; 17:1; 15-19

How was he restored? What lessons can we learn from here?

Hagar became an alternative to Sarah, a stumbling block to the man of God, Abraham. He went in to her and so went into the devil’s trap. Hagar conceived and quarrels started in the house of the man of God. He became a polygamous man and the presence of God departed from him for 13 years. No prayer, no building of any altar, he was in darkness.

In Gen. 17:1; God had to come back and introduce Himself afresh to Abram as if he was an unbeliever who never knew God. He had to start afresh to learn how to walk with God. Because of the stubbornness of his flesh, causing him to fall into sin often, he had to be wounded; through circumcision; he had to bleed. God had to renew His covenant with Abram and changed his name to Abraham.

Despite this, Abraham’s passion and tenacity to having a child was so much that he argued with God and pleaded for Ishmael to live. May be God would have finished with Ishmael forever, but he pleaded for his Ishmael, the fruit of his sinful nature to live. That is a great lesson for those of us desiring to follow Jesus. Don’t pray for your “Ishmael” to live. Let God deal with him as He wills. We must watch our lives, our steps and be surrendered to the will of God at all cost.

QUESTIONS

1.      What should be our reaction when we are faced with challenges like Abraham? Give examples.

2.      Give instances of what a believer should throw away or restitute after returning back from his/her backslidden state?

3.      How can we be tormented by our former way of life?

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

#13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

BIBLE SHARING (3/12/2017)

TOPIC: EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BIBLE (Part 6)

Abraham in Discipleship Relationship with God

8.         After those thirteen years of backslidden, Abraham became restored (though with pains) and he grew on again in his relationship with God Gen. 18:1-8; 18:17-19; 18:23-25

He grew in character, he grew in hospitality. God had good testimony about Abraham and Abraham knew God’s character also in a deeper way Gen. 18:23-25. In discipleship relationship, the disciple grows to know the discipler better and the discipler does the same.

9.         God’s promise to give Abraham a son became fulfilled after 25years of waiting; Gen. 21:1-5; Lam. 3:25-26

God is ever faithful to His promises. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him; to the soul that seeks Him; it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. It is painful to note however, that the wasted 13 out of those 25 years were caused by Abraham’s carelessness, not by God’s delay. My God grant you understanding.

10. a)   Abraham was faced with yet another trial; Gen. 22:1-3; Heb. 11:17-19

Discuss the implication of this trial and Abraham’s attitude to the trial this time around.

Isaac was becoming an idol in Abraham’s heart. And God does not tolerate rivals. That brought another trial, in order to prove Abraham. God instructed him to go and sacrifice his only son Isaac, the one he loves. That means he was to become childless again. It was a great trial. But Abraham has learnt his lessons. He believed God that God was able to raise him from the dead. He obeyed God and proved his unequalled love for the Lord.

What is your own Isaac that is creeping into your heart and trying to become an idol in your heart? For God to commit Himself to you in a greater dimension, you must prove your unrivalled love for Him. You must sacrifice that Isaac to the Lord.

b).        Also note that God did not respond to provide a way of escape until Abraham actually took the knife to slaughter Isaac.

In his heart, Isaac was already dead. Every Isaac in our lives must be sacrificed to the Lord.

c).        Discuss the reward of Abraham’s obedience in this scripture Gen. 22:15-18; Gal. 6:6-9

Abraham received a greater blessing for his obedience. He sowed to the Spirit and reaped life. Where do you throw your allegiance? Whom do you obey? The Spirit or your human nature?

QUESTIONS

1.      What are the different fruits that can show one is restored after returning from backslidden state?

2.      How can we delay God’s promises and blessings to our lives?

3.      Mention various lifestyle or things that can stand as God’s rival in our lives as an idol and how can we deal with it.

4.      Does disobedience to God’s instructions make God to fulfill His promises in our life? YES or NO

CALVARY IS REAL BIBLE CHURCH

#13 UKWANSI STREET, ABAKALIKI

BIBLE SHARING (17/12/2017)

TOPIC: EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BIBLE (Part 7)

Abraham in Discipleship Relationship with God

11.       Abraham sojourned in the land of promise as he was commanded by the Lord, until he died Gen. 25:5-19; Discuss what this teaches us about:

a)         What our attitude should be towards God’s promises. (His word to us) 2 Cor. 1:20; Heb. 6:12-15

b)        The duration of our discipleship relationship with the Lord Lk. 1:74-75

Abraham stayed, lived and died in the Land of promise. He stayed within the promise of God for his life, without looking back or returning to the land where he came from. And God fulfilled His promise. He never fails. His promises are in Christ, yea, and in Him, Amen. Though it tarries, wait for it. It will surely come.

Abraham walked with God in discipleship relationship till he died. Discipleship is a life - long process. For how long will you walk with God?

Conclusion:

God raised Abraham by a direct discipleship relationship. The relationship had a definite starting point and Abraham voluntarily yielded his life to follow the Master despite the fact that he did not know where he was going. He grew on, learning under God; he also grew in vision. He faced many troubles and trials as part of his training process to become what God wanted him to be.

He failed in some instances and his inability to wait patiently for God’s promise of the child, led to the birth of Ishmael, for which cause the whole world is suffering today. He was however quick in learning his lessons and at last, he emerged victorious and became the father of faith. The doubter became the father of faith; the barren became the father of many nations. Jesus says “Follow me, I will make you…”He can also make you if you follow Him.

Abraham did not graduate from being a disciple until his death. Discipleship is a life - long training between a believer and the Lord Jesus. The moment you seek to be independent from Christ and His principles, you cease to be His disciple.

Commitment and submission are the watchwords of a disciple, not minding the instrument He chooses to use to hammer you to the desired shape.

Abraham showed us an example with his life, so that where he fell, we shall not fall; and where he followed the Lord, we shall do likewise. Look into your life once again. Can you truly say a discipleship relationship has started between you and the Lord? What is your goal in life?

QUESTION

1.      What should be our attitude to problems we faced in doing the will of God.

2.      How can we stay within God’s promise for our lives till eternity?

3.      Explain what is meant by “Discipleship is a life-long process”