8 Commands of Christ(Short Term Discipleship)

Discovery Bible Study Method

The 8 Commands of Christ uses the Discovery Bible Study method. The Discovery Bible Study method is a simple, yet powerful, way to discover the meaning of a passage.

• Tell the story.• Read the story.• Retell the passage in your own words.

What?

1. What does the passage teach us about God or Jesus?2. What does it teach us about the people in the story?

So What?3. Is there an example to follow or attitude/behavior to avoid?4. Is there a promise to believe?

Now What?5. What will you do this week to apply what you have just learned? (Create an “I will…”

statement) Who will you share the story with this week? Pray

Application question for seekers could be:If this story is true how would it change the way you live?

After reading any story or passage from the Bible ask these questions one at a time and search the passage for answers. The answers you find will reveal the meaning of the passage for our lives.

5. Follow

1. God/Jesus

4. Promise3. Example

2. People

Three-Thirds Discipleship ProcessUse this three part process to guide your time with a new believer(s).

Look back Look up Look forward

1. Mutual care: How are you doing? Highs and lows.

2. Worship: Praising God in a simple, relevant way.

3. Accountability*• Follow: How did you apply the lesson from last time?

• Fish: Did you pray withanyone who was in need?

• Did you share your story and/or Jesus’ story?

• Did you find a person ofpeace?

4. Casting vision* for reaching lost people and making disciples.

5. New lesson*: Enough Biblical content to obey and pass it on.

Short term discipleship:• 8 Commands

Long term discipleship• Books of the Bible

6. Practice* the lesson until everyone is confident and competent to apply the learning.

Ex. Retell your story,Jesus’ story, or this week’s story.

7. Set goals and pray:* Goals for personal growth, sharing the gospel, and training others.

If time is short, make it a priority to cover the sections with an asterix*

Read over the outline above, close your book, and then see how much of it you can recall from memory.

Remember: Do Stick to the bible stories. Do only talk 30% and let your group talk 70%. Do let the Holy Spirit work, rather than looking for right answers. Do facilitate the group through asking questions. Do have fun! Don’t talk about politics or religion, either good or bad. Don’t chase “rabbits” (subjects which are appealing, but off the topic) Don’t dominate the conversation; let everyone participate

8 Commands

1. Tell Your Story and God’s Story

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)

1. Look back

• Mutual Care - How are you doing?• Worship - Is there something you can thank God for? Pray.• Vision – Share the big picture – Mark 1:17

2. Look up

• New Lesson – Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21• According to this passage what happened to you when you placed your faith in Jesus? How did it happen? Why did it happen? • Read the Passage: Mark 5:1-20 or Acts 16:25-34• Retell the passage in your own words.• What does the passage teach us about Jesus?• What does it teach us about people?• Is there an example to follow?

Further study… (Ask the question and then read the passage)

• Teach the person “Your Story” and “God’s Story”

3. Look forward

• Practice – share with each other your story and God’s story.• Set Goals - Make a list of people who are far from God.

• This week, who can you share your story and God’s story with?• Memorize Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9• This week read John 4:1-42. What is the example(s) to follow in this passage?

• Pray

Sharing Your Story

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:39

Sharing your story can help family, friends, and people you meet understand how they too can know Jesus.

1. Your life before you met Jesus. In a word, how would you characterize your life before you began following Jesus? Now write 2 or 3 sentences of explanation to describe this in more detail.

2. How you met Jesus. Write 2 or 3 sentences of what happened when you decided to follow Jesus. Provide a few details of what you experienced. Share the message that was shared with you.

3. How your life has changed. In a word, how would you characterize the benefits of being a Christ-follower? Now explain this in more detail in 2 or 3 sentences. You are describing the benefits to you of being a Christian.

Practice telling each part using simple words your friends would understand. The entire story should last about three minutes.

Assignment• Make a list of all the people you know who are far from God. • Who will you share your story with this week?

Sharing God’s Story

Together with your own story, you need to be able to share the gospel story with your friends and family and the people you meet.

Read Paul’s summary of the gospel story in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, and Paul’s gospel presentation in Acts 17:22-31. What do these passages tell you about the gospel?

Choose a bridge:

• Family and friends of a new disciple: “I have made a decision to become a follower of Jesus. I would like to tell you about it.”

• Family and friends of an existing disciple: “I have never shared with you why I became a follower of Jesus, and the difference he makes in my life. I would like to tell you about it.”

• Someone you meet: “Do you consider yourself near or far from God?”

Say: “Can I show you from the Bible how you can be near to God?”

• Draw and explain the below picture and verses…

1. God created us to reflect his image and to be near him, in a relationship.2. All people have chosen our own way instead of Gods, the Bible calls this sin (selfishness). 3. Sin/selfishness separates us from God. The Bible calls this separation death. No matter how

hard we try we cannot, in our own efforts pay off our wrongs and get close to God. 4. The good news is that because God loves us so much he came to us in the person of Jesus.

Jesus taught us about God, he also died for our sins and rose from the dead so we could be brought near to God.

5. The Bible says if we believe/trust in Jesus death for our sins we will be forgiven and our relationship with God will be restored. Part of believing is expressing belief to God in prayer. Simply telling him you have done wrong and that you accept what Jesus did for you.

Check understanding by asking:

• Has what I said, made sense to you?  Repeat the gospel as necessary and emphasize it's not about a religion; it's about a relationship!  Answer any questions and come back to Rom. 10:9-10  

2.

Romans 10:9Romans 5:8

SinDeath

Romans 6:23Romans 3:23

1.

5.

3.

4.

• Do you want forgiveness for your sin?

• Is there any reason you would not be willing to trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior and receive this free gift of forgiveness and eternal life?

  • Are you ready to invite Jesus into your into your life?

• You can do this right now.  Would you like to?

If the person says yes, they are ready to invite Jesus into their heart and life. . .

Ask them does this prayer say what you want to say in your heart to God?

Heavenly Father, I have sinned against you. I want forgiveness for all my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again. Father, I give you my life to do with as you wish. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart. I ask this in Jesus’ name.

Ask, do you want to use these words or your own?

Have them pray a prayer of commitment.

When the person accepts Christ. . .

Ask, who else needs to hear about Jesus? Make a time to begin discipleship. Take the person through the 8 Commands Lessons

If the person is not ready, but is willing to meet and learn more about Jesus. . .

Ask if you could meet again to share a story with them? Use the Seven Stories of Hope.

2. Walk in the Spirit“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

1. Look back

• Mutual Care - Share a highlight and a challenge from the past week.• Worship - Is there something you can thank God for? Pray.• Accountability – Have you shared your story or God’s story with anyone? Memory verses? Practice sharing God’s story.• Vision – Share the big picture of why you are doing these lessons – Mark 1:17

2. Look up

• New Lesson - Tell the story: John 3:1-17• Read the story• Retell the passage in your own words.• What does the passage teach us about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?• What does it teach us about the people in the story?• Is there a promise to believe?

Further study… (Ask the question and then read the passage)

• When do we receive the Spirit? Ephesians 1:13-14 - When you believe in Jesus

• What does the Holy Spirit do? John 14:15-20, 25-27; Acts 1:8 – He is our comforter, he is with us, he teaches us, he gives us power.

• What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our life? Galatians 5:16-26

• How do we stay filled with the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:30-5:2; 1 John 1:7-10; Luke 11:9-13 – walk in love, turn from sin, confess, and ask.

3. Look forward

• Set Goals - What will you do this week to apply what you have learned? “I will….”

• With whom can you share what you have learned?• Memorize Galatians 5:22-23

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you.

3. Be Baptized

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Romans 6:4 (NLT)

1. Look back

• Mutual Care - Share a highlight and a challenge from the past week.• Worship - Is there something you can thank God for? Pray.• Accountability - Remember what we talked about last week? How did it go walking with God this past week? Practice sharing your story and God’s story. Memory verse?• Vision – Share the big picture – Mark 1:17

2. Look up

• New Lesson - Tell the story: Acts 8:26-40• Read the story• Retell the passage in your own words.• What does the passage teach us about God or Jesus?• What does it teach us about the people in the story?• Is there an example to follow?

Further study… (Ask the question and then read the passage)

• What is baptism? Romans 6:3-7 - Baptism is a symbol of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. It means we also have died to our old life and been raised to live a new life with Jesus. • Why should we be baptized? Matthew 3:13-15 - Jesus received baptism, so should we. Receiving baptism means we identify Jesus as our Lord. • Who should be baptized? Acts 2:38 - Everyone who repents and believes. • How should we be baptized? Matthew 3:16 - Jesus went down into the water.

3. Look forward

• Practice – Retell the story to each other• Set goals - What will you do this week to apply what you have learned? “I will….”

• With whom can you share what you have learned?• Memorize Romans 6:4

• Pray.

4. PrayThis, then, is how you should pray. . .Jesus (Matthew 6:9)

1. Look back

• Mutual Care - Share a highlight and a challenge from the past week.• Worship - Is there something you can thank God for? Pray.• Accountability - Have you thought more about baptism? Have you shared your story or Jesus’ story with anyone?• Vision – Share the big picture of why you are doing these lessons – Mark 1:17

2. Look up

• New Lesson - Tell the story: Jesus teaching his disciples to pray: Matthew 6:5-15• Read the story• Retell the passage in your own words.• What does the passage teach us about God?• What does the passage teach us about prayer?• Is there an example to follow? An attitude/behavior to avoid?

Further study…• What is prayer (according to this passage)?

Talking with God our Father. • Why do we pray (according to this passage)?

God hears us. v.6. We desire His will to be done on earth.

• What do we pray about? (according to this passage)We praise Him v.9For God's will to be done - v.10 For our needs - v.11For forgiveness - v.12, 14-15For protection - v.13

• Write out Jesus prayer in your own words.

3. Look forward• Practice – Practice sharing the story with each other.• Set Goals - What will you do this week to apply what you have learned? “I will….”

• Who could you teach to pray like Jesus taught his disciples to pray?• Memorize Philippians 4:6–7

• Pray - Use Jesus’ teaching on prayer as a guide and pray together.

5. Hold to the Word

‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

1. Look back

• Mutual Care - Share a highlight and a challenge from the past week.• Worship - Is there something you can thank God for? Pray.• Accountability - How did it go with prayer this past week? Did you have an opportunity to teach anyone about Jesus’ prayer? Have you shared your story or Jesus’ story with anyone?• Vision – Share the big picture of why you are doing these lessons – Mark 1:17

2. Look up

• New Lesson - Tell the story: Matthew 7:24-27• Read the story• Retell the passage in your own words.• What does the passage teach us about God or Jesus?• What does it teach us about the people in the story?• Is there an example to follow? Is there an attitude/behavior to avoid?• Is there a promise to believe?

Further study . . . (Ask the question, and then read the passage to discover the meaning)

• Why read the Bible? Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 119:105 – So we can have successful lives and be guided by God.

• How should you read? Isaiah 66:2; James 1:22-25 – With a heart to obey

3. Look forward

• Practice – Practice sharing the story with each other • Set Goals - What will you do this week to apply what you have learned? “I will….” • Review the Discovery Bible Study Method for studying the Bible.

• Where to start? The Book of John and Proverbs. Read one chapter a day for the next week. • Memorize Psalm 119:105

• Pray for each other.

Discovery Bible Study Method

The Discovery Bible Study method is a simple, yet powerful, way to discover the meaning of a passage.

• Read the story.• Retell or rewrite the passage in your own words.

What?

1. What does the passage teach us about God or Jesus?2. What does it teach us about the people in the story?

So What?3. Is there an example to follow or attitude/behavior to avoid?4. Is there a promise to believe? A command to obey?

Now What?5. What will you do this week to apply what you have just learned? (Create an “I will…”

statement) Who will you share the story with this week? Pray

Application question for seekers could be:If this story is true how would it change the way you live?

5. Follow

1. God/Jesus

4. Promise3. Example

2. People

After reading any story or passage from the Bible ask these questions one at a time and search the passage for answers. The answers you find will reveal the meaning of the passage for our lives.

6. Love

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Jesus (Matthew 22:37-39)

1. Look back

• Mutual Care - Share a highlight and a challenge from the past week.• Worship - Is there something you can thank God for? Pray.• Accountability - How did it go reading God’s Word? Have you shared your story or Jesus’ story with anyone?• Vision – Share the big picture of why you are doing these lessons – Mark 1:17

2. Look up

• New Lesson - Tell the story: Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37.• Read the story• Retell the passage in your own words.• What does the passage teach us about God or Jesus?• What does it teach us about the people in the story?• Is there an example to follow? Is there an attitude/behavior to avoid?• Is there a command to obey?

Further study . . . (Ask the question, and then read the passage to discover the meaning)

• Why do we love? 1 John 4:7-8 – Because God’s Spirit lives in us, we are born of him.

• Who do we love? John 13:34-35 – one another

• How do we love? John 14:15; 1 John 3:16; Colossians 3:12-13 – obeying Jesus commands, lay our lives down for one another, forgiving one another.

3. Look forward

• Set Goals - What will you do this week to apply what you have learned? “I will….”

• With whom can you share what you have learned?• Memorize John 13:34-35

• Pray for each other.

7. Be the Church

I will build my church.Jesus (Matthew 16:18)

1. Look back

• Mutual Care - Share a highlight and a challenge from the past week.• Worship - Is there something you can thank God for? Pray.• Accountability - How did it go following what we learned last week? Have you shared your story or Jesus’ story with anyone?• Vision – Share the big picture of why you are doing these lessons – Mark 1:17

2. Look up

• New Lesson - Read the story: Acts 2:36-47• Retell the passage in your own words.• What stands out to you?

In the table below, list the activities of the first church. In the second column list what you are currently doing when you gather with other disciples.

What they did… What we do…

Is there anything you need to add or change to what you are doing?

Further Study… (Ask the question, and then read the passage to discover the meaning)

• Why should we give? 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 – God loves a cheerful giver.

• What is breaking bread and why should we do it? Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:27- 26 - A symbol of the Lord’s death. His body was broken, His blood was spilt for us.

3. Look forward

• Practice - Break bread together• Set Goals - What can your group do to better reflect the characteristics in Acts 2?

• With whom can you share what you have learned?• Pray for each other.

8. Go… Make Disciples

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.Jesus (Matthew 28:19)

1. Look back

• Mutual Care - Share a highlight and a challenge from the past week.• Worship - Is there something you can thank God for? Pray.• Accountability - How did it go following what we learned last week?

• Vision – Share the big picture of why you are doing these lessons – Mark 1:17

2. Look up

• New Lesson - Read 2 Timothy 2:2• Who did Paul teach? Who was Timothy to teach? Who were they to teach? How many generations of disciples are represented?• Read the story: The Seventy-Two: Luke 10:1-11

What the worker does What the worker doesn’t do

What the person of peace does

• What type of person is the worker looking for?

Further study… (Ask the question, and then read the passage to discover the meaning)

• Read Acts 16:11-15. Who was the person of peace? • How do you find an open person? Ask to pray for them, ask if they are far or near to God, ask if you could share how to be near to God (share God’s story or your story), ask if you could visit them to share more (7 Stories of Hope).

3. Look forward

• Practice – practice sharing your story and God’s story. • Set Goals – Set at time to go out 2x2

• Who can you teach the 8 Commands too?• Memorize Matthew 28:19-20

• Pray for people you know who are not following Jesus.

What’s Next? long term discipleship through books of the Bible

Use the Discovery Method to go through these passages week by week using the 3/3 discipleship process.

The Book of Mark

1. Mark 1: 1-112. Mark 1:12-203. Mark 1: 21-344. Mark 1: 35-455. Mark 2: 1-126. Mark 2: 13-177. Mark 2: 18-288. Mark 3: 1-129. Mark 3: 13-1910.Mark 3: 20-3511.Mark 4: 1-2012.Mark 4:21-3413.Mark 4: 35-4114.Mark 5: 1-2015.Mark 5: 21-4316.Mark 6: 1-1317.Mark 6: 14-2918.Mark 6: 30-3219.Mark 6: 33-4420.Mark 6: 45-5621.Mark 7: 1-1322.Mark 7:14-2323.Mark 7: 24-3024.Mark 7: 31-3725.Mark 8: 1-1026.Mark 8: 11-2127.Mark 8:22--38; 9:30-3228.Mark 9: 1-13

29.Mark 9:14-2930.Mark 9: 33-3731.Mark 9: 38-5032.Mark 10:1-1233.Mark 10: 13-1634.Mark 10: 17-3135.Mark 10: 32-5236.Mark 11:1-1137.Mark 11: 12-2638.Mark 11:27-3339.Mark 12:1-1240.Mark 12:13-1741.Mark 12:18-4042.Mark 12: 41-4443.Mark 13:1-1344.Mark 13: 14-2745.Mark 13: 28-3746.Mark 14:1-1147.Mark 14:12-2648.Mark 14:27-3149.Mark 14:32-5250.Mark 14:53-6551.Mark 14:66-7252.Mark 15:1-1553.Mark 15:16-4754.Mark 16: 1-855.Mark 16: 9-20