The Honest Pastor

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📖 Discipleship: Apprenticeship, Formation, and Reproduction

Scripture Reference Guide

1. The Great Commission — The Mission of Every Believer

Matthew 28:18–20

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”

2. The Invitation to Apprenticeship

Matthew 4:19–20

“Come, follow me… and I will make you fishers of men.”

Luke 6:40

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

Mark 3:14

“He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out…”

3. The Pattern of Imitation

1 Corinthians 11:1

“Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.”

Philippians 4:9

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things…”

4. Formation — Christ Formed Within

Galatians 4:19

“…until Christ is formed in you.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

“…being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory…”

Romans 8:29

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”

5. Shared Life in Discipleship

1 Thessalonians 2:8

“…we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

Hebrews 10:24–25

“…consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…”

6. Empowerment and Reproduction

2 Timothy 2:2

“…entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.”

Colossians 1:28

“…that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

Luke 9:1–2

“He gave them power and authority… and sent them out…”

7. The Early Church Model — Life Together

Acts 2:42–47

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers… And the Lord added to their number day by day…”

8. Identity and Ambassadorship

2 Corinthians 5:17–20

“…we are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…”

9. The Posture of a Disciple-Maker

2 Timothy 1:7

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

John 11:6

“So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days…”

Matthew 27:14

“But Jesus made no reply…”

10. The Goal — Recognition of Formation

Acts 4:13

“They recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Questions for the week:

Am I actively apprenticing under Jesus?

Who has access to my real life?

Who am I intentionally forming?

Is Christ being formed in me — or am I stalled?

Who is becoming more like Jesus because they are walking near me?

📚 Recommended Reading on Discipleship

If you want to go deeper into emotionally healthy, Spirit-formed discipleship, here are a few books I recommend:

Emotionally Healthy Discipleship – Peter Scazzero

A powerful framework for integrating emotional maturity with spiritual formation.

Practicing the Way – John Mark Comer

A clear and accessible vision of apprenticeship to Jesus in everyday life.

The Master Plan of Evangelism – Robert Coleman

A classic look at how Jesus made disciples through proximity and relationship.

The Other Half of Church – Jim Wilder & Michel Hendricks

We explore how transformation requires relational connection, not just information.

The Divine Conspiracy – Dallas Willard

A deeper theological foundation for understanding the kingdom and life with Jesus.

Megan speaks about the discovery of Christianity's integration with culture and new language for understanding sin and the intrinsic image and value of God in people 

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Christianity 101 

Jesus of restoration

Restoration, Not Religious Control

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17–21

The Big Idea

Christianity is not a system of control.

1. Christ Is Our Center

Christianity is not rooted in a movement, a political party, a denomination, or a personality.

Key Scriptures:

Reflection:

2. The Human Ache: Separation

Every human understands the pain of disconnection.

Key Scriptures:

Reflection:

3. What Sin Really Is

Sin is more than rule-breaking.

Key Scriptures:

Reflection:

4. God Moved First

Reconciliation begins with God, not us.

Key Scriptures:

Reflection:

5. Reconciliation Through Christ

God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ.

Key Scriptures:

Reflection:

6. Salvation as Restoration

Salvation is rescue.

Key Scriptures:

Reflection:

7. We Are Ambassadors

Reconciliation does not stop with us.

Not ambassadors of control.

Key Scriptures:

Reflection:

Weekly Invitation

Take time this week to sit with the Lord and ask:

Write down what He shows you.

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