Warren D. Carter, Elder

Wien, Österreich

1.Feb.2k

Discipleship teaching-sermon outline

read I Tim 4:6-16

If you explain this to the brothers and sisters, you will be doing your duty as a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is fed by the message of faith and the true teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.

Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you.

This passage could serve on its own as a guideline for our teaching on discipleship for the rest of the year and beyond, but I would suggest a slightly different outline to better take advantage of step-by-step/ progressive instruction.

1. Your Life in Christ

a) God cares for you

i. God created you

ii. God knows you

iii. God loves you

iv. God made you part of His family

b) the person of Christ

i. the Deity of Christ

ii. the prophecies of Christ

iii. the personhood of Christ

c) the work of Christ

i. an overview of Christ’s life on earth

ii. the death of Christ

iii. the resurrection of Christ

d) the Spirit within you

i. Christ’s ascension

ii. Christ’s work of intercession

iii. the indwelling Holy Spirit

iv. living under the Spirit’s control

2. The Spirit-filled Christian

a) the obedient Christian

i. the basis for obedience

ii. obedience to God

iii. keys to consistent obedience

iv. the practice of obedient living

b) God’s Word in your life

i. His communication to you

ii. how the Bible helps you

iii. your responsibility

iv. the importance of meditation

c) prayer – talking with God

i. your personal communication with God

ii. the benefits of prayer

iii. the right conditions for effective prayer

iv. commitment to prayer

v. for whom are you praying?

vi. daily conversation with God

vii. what does it mean to pray continually?

d) fellowship with other Christians

i. what is biblical fellowship?

ii. the purpose of fellowship

iii. the Body of Christ

iv. the local church

v. your commitment to your spouse

vi. your commitment to your family

vii. your commitment to the local church

viii. submission to authority

e) worship

i. what is biblical worship?

ii. does it take different forms?

iii. the purpose of personal worship

iv. the importance of personal worship

v. the purpose of corporate worship

vi. the necessity of corporate worship

vii. your commitment to worship

f) witnessing for Christ

i. the challenge

ii. Paul’s story

iii. how to become an effective witness

iv. preparing your personal testimony

v. commitment to witnessing

3. Walking with Christ

a) maturing in Christ

i. moving toward maturity

ii. your starting point

iii. the process of growth

iv. how to live

v. the mature believer’s heart

vi. your commitment to maturity

b) the Lordship of Christ

i. what does it mean that Jesus is Lord?

ii. acknowledge His Lordship

iii. practice His Lordship

c) faith and the promises of God

i. walking by faith

ii. the object of our faith

iii. examples of faith

iv. the promises of God

v. promises to “claim”

d) knowing God’s will

i. the revealed will of God

ii. different ways of experiencing God

iii. principles of decision-making

iv. practicing those principles

e) walking as a servant

i. Christ is your example

ii. Christ’s desire for you

iii. giving of yourself

iv. keys to becoming a servant

v. giving

4. The Character of the Christian

a) the call to fruitful living

i. God’s desire for your fruitfulness

ii. growing in character

iii. Godly wisdom

iv. the joy of Holy living

b) genuine love in action

i. what is genuine love?

ii. the direction of your love

iii. love in humility

iv. love in speech

v. love in good works

c) the power of words

i. what the Word says re: our tongue

ii. as a force for good

iii. as an instrument of destruction

iv. taming your tongue

v. commitment to godly speech

d) controlling your temper

i. what is godly anger?

ii. the role of pride in anger

iii. how do you “sin not”?

iv. how to avoid getting angry

v. your commitment

e) purity of life

i. God’s standard

ii. what does it mean to “live in the flesh”

iii. the importance of personal purity

iv. the path to purity

v. purity in personal relationships

vi. perspective on marriage

f) integrity in life

i. the struggle for integrity

ii. dishonesty is exposed

iii. the practice of honesty

iv. honesty in speech

g) character in action

i. God’s ultimate control

ii. the purpose of trials/ suffering

iii. your immediate response to situations

iv. living joyfully

v. the results of trials/ suffering

vi. unity in the Body

vii. your response to sin of others

viii. practicing forgiveness

ix. your commitment

5. Foundations for Faith

a) who is God?

i. what is God’s character and nature?

ii. what are His various names?

iii. why is “Father” so important?

iv. what does God do?

v. He gives us assurance and security

vi. salvation, grace, belief, truth

vii. what does God expect from you?

b) the authority of God’s Word

i. the author of Scripture

ii. Christ’s view of Scripture

iii. the reliability of Scripture

iv. the sufficiency of Scripture

v. your commitment to the Word

vi. applying the Bible to your life

c) the Holy Spirit

i. who is the Holy Spirit?

ii. who has the Holy Spirit?

iii. the work of the Holy Spirit

iv. the gifts of the Holy Spirit

v. the fruit of the Holy Spirit

vi. your responsibility

d) understanding sin

i. our sin nature

ii. Christ’s victory over sin

iii. separation from sin

iv. our responsibility

e) spiritual warfare

i. the battle

ii. know your enemy

iii. the conflict with sin

iv. your identity in Christ

v. the assurance of victory

vi. having daily victory

vii. the weapons of our warfare

f) the return of Christ

i. the promise of His return

ii. conditions preceding His return

iii. events at His return

iv. what His return means to you

6. Growing in Discipleship

a) what is a disciple?

i. Christ’s definition of a disciple

ii. the disciple is a learner

iii. the cost of discipleship

iv. commitment

v. diligence and discipline

b) deepening in the spiritual disciplines

i. reading your Bible

ii. studying/ meditating on the Word

iii. prayer and intercession

iv. fasting

v. solitude

vi. personal purity

vii. devotion

viii. praise & worship

ix. simplicity and “sacrifice”

x. generosity

xi. service

xii. mercy and helps

xiii. submission

xiv. fellowship

xv. practicing the presence of God

xvi. your growing commitment

c) the responsible steward

i. stewards of God’s resources

ii. use of time

iii. use of gifts and calling

iv. use of money

v. care of the body

d) finding your place

i. defining a personal purpose statement

ii. personal spiritual gifts

iii. longings

iv. abilities

v. comfort zone

vi. experience

e) care for your family

i. God’s plan for the family

ii. responsibilities as a parent

iii. godly disciple

iv. responsibilities as a child

v. responsibilities to your spouse

vi. commitment and “sacrifice”

f) fellowship in small groups

i. a continuation of Sunday fellowship

ii. opportunity for greater intimacy

iii. more in-depth Bible study

iv. more individual sharing & prayer

v. a place for personal ministry

vi. real biblical accountability possible

vii. evangelistic … multiplying

viii. not an option

ix. your commitment

g) helping others find Christ

i. how to prepare

ii. making contact

iii. recognizing needs of others

iv. using Scripture

v. broken vessels reflecting Christ

vi. handling questions and objections

h) follow-up

i. what is follow-up?

ii. why follow-up?

iii. the worth of each person

iv. helping others to grow

v. being an example

i) having a “world view”

i. God’s concern for the world

ii. the world today

iii. the principle of multiplication

iv. having an outward/ “other” focus

v. how do you fit in?

7. Our Hope in Christ

a) what is our hope?

b) an eternal perspective

c) does it relate to love and faith?

d) why is it essential for Christians?

e) do you live in hope?

f) is it important for unbelievers to know?

g) how can you communicate it to others?

Discipleship teaching-sermon outline

22.4.2k