1. Adult Bible Study Guide Jan Feb Mar 2014 Adult Bible Study Guide Jan Feb Mar 2014 powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com

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3. Dan Solis, Principal Contributor

4. 1 Disciples and Scripture 2 Discipling Through Metaphor 3 Discipleship and Prayer 4 Discipling Children 5 Discipling the Sick 6 Discipling the “Ordinary” 7 Jesus and the Social Outcasts 8 With the Rich and Famous 9 Discipling the Powerful 10 Discipling the Nations 11 Discipling Spiritual Leaders 12 Harvest and the Harvesters 13 The Cost of Discipleship Discipleship Contents

5. Discipleship Our Goal We will look at discipleship as the process by which we become followers of Jesus and, as such, better soul-winners.

6. Discipleship Lesson 12, March 22 Discipleship Lesson 12, March 22 The Harvest and the Harvesters

7. Key Text John 15:8 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit. So shall ye be my disciples.”

8. The Harvest and the Harvesters Initial Words True evangelism and disciple making are centered around (1) the acknowledgment of our sinfulness, (2) genuine heartfelt contrition, (3) our unreserved spiritual surrender, and (4) the irrepressible compulsion to disseminate God’s divine message to others.

9. The Harvest and the Harvesters Quick Look 1. Harvesters are Needed (Matthew 9:36-38) 2. Harvesters and the Holy Spirit (Act 1:8) 3. Harvesters—Their Methods (John 1:40-46)

10. The Harvest and the Harvesters 1. Harvesters are Needed Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were…like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said…, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’ ”

11. 1. Harvesters are Needed Laborers for the Harvest Heart soil had been prepared, spiritual seed had been planted; germination, plentiful moisture, and abundant sunshine spurred unbelievable growth. Ripened souls awaited harvesting, but where were the harvesters?

12. 1. Harvesters are Needed Laborers for the Harvest Sometimes Christians covet their fellowship with other believers, blindly bypassing worldly seekers who are ripened for harvest. They busy themselves with church engagements, civic responsibilities, building maintenance, and other worthwhile projects dedicated to preserving the status quo.

13. 1. Harvesters are Needed Laborers for the Harvest How can we find the right balance between ministering to the needs of those in the church and at the same time not neglecting outreach?

14. The Harvest and the Harvesters 2. Harvesters and the Holy Spirit Acts 1:8 NKJV “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

15. 2. Harvesters and the Holy Spirit When Jesus Urged Patience Through discourse and example, Jesus taught His disciples patience. Perseverance was anchored by Christ’s complete dependence upon God’s divine Spirit. Unless these disciples should likewise experience this dependence, the kingdom’s advancement was seriously jeopardized.

16. 2. Harvesters and the Holy Spirit When Jesus Urged Patience Should they learn this lesson at the onset, their future ministry would be destined for heavenly attainments. Therefore, his departing command was “Wait.” Christ desires that modern believers master that lesson also.

17. 2. Harvesters and the Holy Spirit Exercising Authority Through the Spirit, the Father invested Christ with divine power. Through the Spirit, Jesus likewise invests His disciples with divine power commensurate with their earthly assignments. Every skill, talent, capability, and strength necessary has been supplied.

18. 2. Harvesters and the Holy Spirit Exercising Authority Whenever leaders assign tasks without extending commensurate power, failure is predictable. Often leaders’ insecurities surface through controlling behaviors that subjugate the thoughts, God- ordained creativity, and individuality of others. Thus emasculated, the subjected disciple fails to be effective.

19. The Harvest and the Harvesters 3. Harvester—Their Methods John 1:40-46 NKJV “Andrew…first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’…. And he brought him to Jesus. Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, ‘We have found Him whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote….’ ”

20. 3. Harvesters—Their Methods Beggars’ Bread One defining element was the Spirit’s testimony concerning Christ, even though the Spirit would not testify unaided. God elected to appoint sinful, erring, unpredictable humans for this sacred calling.

21. 3. Harvesters—Their Methods Beggars’ Bread Evangelism has been colloquially defined as ‘beggars telling other beggars where to find bread.’ Andrew certainly excelled here. The Samaritan woman, Philip, and Andrew demonstrate the power of simple testimonies and heartfelt invitations.

22. 3. Harvesters—Their Methods Lost and Found Through teaching and personal example, Jesus taught His disciples to associate with sinners. Jesus encourages believers to become finders. He wants us to love and to reach out to the lost, regardless of the kind of people they are or the kind of lives they live.

23. The Harvest and the Harvesters Final Words “The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. … They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised.” —The Acts of the Apostles 37.