DiscipleshipDiscipleship

Outline• What is a disciple?• The cross and discipleship (being a

disciple) are inseparable• What does a disciple look like• How can we live up to this calling

What is a disciple?• Definition of DISCIPLE

one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as

• a : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts

• b : a convinced adherent of a school or individual

The cross and discipleship are inseparable• Luke 14:27

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

• Matt 10:37-39 37 He who loves father or mother

more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

What does a disciple look like?

Discipleship is Sacrifice• Matt 16:24-27 24

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? 27 For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done.

• We only truly find ourselves when we give ourselves away

• We must sacrifice the things of this life to enjoy the rewards of the next

Discipleship is Sacrifice• Luke 14:33

So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

• What does it mean to renounce everything for Christ?

– Some are called to the “evangelical counsels”; poverty, obedience, and celibacy.

– For most of us this “renouncing” means to put nothing before God. Everything must have its proper order.

Sacrifice (renouncing) brings Joy

Are you willing to accept rejection?

Discipleship is Rejection• Matt 10:24-25

24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-el'zebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

• If you have not been called a name for your faith you will be. Either that or you are not living your faith.

What would you do?

Discipleship means answering the call

• Acts 9:10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani'as. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord.“

• Genesis 31:11 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob,' and I said, 'Here I am!‘

• Exodus 3:4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here am I.“

– Do I listen for God’s voice?– Do I take time each day to be still and block out

distraction?

Discipleship mean answering the call• 1 Sam 3:8

And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy.

– Do I have trustworthy people in my life that can help me listen for God’s voice?

Talk the talk and

walk the walk

Discipleship means telling others about what the Church teaches• Acts 16:1-5 ...

A disciple was there, named Timothy....Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him.....4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

– Do I know what the Church teaches?– Am I scared to tell people the truth?

Discipleship means doing good for others

• Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a disciple

named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

– Do I serve those closest to me; family and friends?

– Do I serve those less fortunate than myself?

How can we live up to this calling?

Practical ways to grow in discipleship

• Surround yourself with like minded people• Seek wise counsel from trustworthy and

holy people• Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

The Power of God

The Cross is the Power of God• 1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

• The world cannot understand why you believe what you do and why you act the way you do.

• What the world does not understand is the very power that enables you to be disciples of Christ; God’s grace poured out to you through His Son’s cross.

But I’m not good at ....

Glorify God with the unique way that He has made you

• St. Therese of Lisieux – child• St. Jerome - loud• St. John of the Cross - poet• St. Francis of Assisi - nature• St. Thomas Aquinas - intellect• St. Thomas Moore - laymen

The Cross and Discipleship are

inseparable

S.W.A.T. disciples always stay at S.W.A.T. disciples always stay at the foot of the cross near Marythe foot of the cross near Mary

Discipleship is being at the foot of the cross always near Mary• John 19:25-27 25

So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

– Do I worship Jesus in the blessed sacrament?– Do I go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of

Obligation?– Do I go to Adoration regularly?– Do I trust myself to the maternal care of Mary our

mother and ask often for intercession?

Trust God and be a

S - sacrifice things to God

W - will be rejected by others

A - answer the call

T - talk the talk and walk the walk

DISCIPLE!

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