Disciple ! Online Study

Intro   Lesson 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   [Download PDF of entire study]

Lesson 1  

Disciples Are People Who Have Confidence in the Authority of Jesus

These closing words from Matthew’s Gospel can help us create a 3-D portrait of what a disciple really is.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:16-20)

All Authority

The words "all authority … has been given to me" tell us that disciples are people who have confidence in the full authority of Jesus. What does it mean to believe that Jesus has full authority?

1. First, it means you believe that Jesus is alive. That’s significant!

2. Second, it means you believe that Jesus is right about everything. You believe that what he taught was true – and that God affirmed that Jesus was right by raising him from the dead.

3. Third, it means you believe that what Jesus said about himself was true – that he was indeed sent from God, that he was and is the Son of God and that he is in fact the savior of the world.

Two Important Things

The passage says, "When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted." That sentence tells us two important things. First, that when you have confidence in Jesus’ full authority, you worship him. You believe that he fully and accurately reflects God’s own glory. Secondly, that even Jesus’ disciples sometimes have doubts. Having doubts doesn’t disqualify you as a disciple at all. But as a disciple, you don’t let your doubts control your life.

Pretty Confident?

Having confidence in Jesus’ authority is essential for discipleship. If you don’t trust Jesus is on the right track, why follow him? If you don’t believe he speaks God’s truth, why learn from him? If you aren’t convinced he is uniquely represents and embodies God, why pattern your life after him.

"Teachability"

But if you are convinced … then why not follow him with your whole heart and learn all he wants to teach you? If there is one essential quality needed to be a disciple, it’s what we might call "teachability." It’s the humility to admit that you don’t already know all the answers—that you have a lot to learn, that you’re wrong about more things than you realize.

Learn This

Disciples by definition are learners, not know-it-alls. If you ever start acting like a know-it-all, you have stopped being a real disciple. To be a disciple, then, means to have so much confidence in Jesus that you become his lifelong student, a learner for life.

Let’s do a little self-assessment and response:

Do you have confidence in the full authority of Jesus? 
Do you believe he is alive? 
Do you believe that he’s right in everything he taught? 
Do you believe he is who he claimed to be?

Take a minute and talk to Jesus now, and affirm to him what you believe about him.

Lesson 1 Review

Disciples have confidence in the full authority of Jesus. They believe he is alive, that he is right in everything he taught, that he is who he claimed to be.

Used with permission of Brian McLaren and Cedar Ridge Community Church and adapted by Eric Flood