Apprenticed to Jesus Matthew 28:18–20 | Matthew 11:28–30 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 28:18-20 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Big Idea: A disciple is an apprentice of Jesus—someone learning to live like him, love like him, and do what he did. 1. What is a disciple? A disciple is a learner, follower, or apprentice. Just like: An electrician learns from a master electrician A plumber learns from a master plumber A Jedi learns from a master Jedi Jesus invites us to learn from him. “Come to me… Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you…” — Matthew 11:28–29 To follow Jesus means: Walking with him Learning from him Becoming like him 2. Why should we be discipled? Because Jesus is restoring what sin damaged. We were made in God’s image, but sin distorted that image. Discipleship is how God shapes us back into who we were created to be. Following Jesus means trusting: His leadership His wisdom His goodness Question: Who is leading your life right now? 3. How does discipleship happen? A. God’s Word God teaches us through Scripture. “All Scripture is inspired by God…” — 2 Timothy 3:16 If we want to know Jesus, we must hear Jesus. Ask: Am I reading Scripture? Am I teachable? B. God’s People We grow together. The Christian life is not a solo mission. God uses: encouragement correction friendship prayer to shape us. “Carry each other’s burdens…” — Galatians 6:2 C. Removing Hindrances Some things weigh us down. “Let us strip off every weight…” — Hebrews 12:1 Ask: What’s slowing me down? What keeps tripping me up? It may be: sin distraction busyness comfort D. The Holy Spirit Discipleship is not self-improvement. It’s God changing us from the inside out. “The Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him…” — 2 Corinthians 3:18 Jesus’ Invitation Jesus says: Come to me. Take my yoke. Learn from me. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to follow. 10 Reflection & Discussion Questions When you hear the word “disciple,” what comes to mind? What does it mean to be an apprentice of Jesus? Why do you think Jesus uses the image of a yoke? What makes it difficult to trust Jesus’ leadership? How has God used Scripture to shape your life? Who has helped disciple you? What “weights” or hindrances are slowing your growth? How can Christian community help carry one another’s burdens? Where do you see the Holy Spirit changing you right now? 10.What is one next step Jesus may be inviting you to take?