Memory Text: Mark 16:20 NIV “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
Discipleship – SDA Bible Dictionary – “Disciple. One who, as a student or adherent, follows the teaching of another, especially of a public teacher. In the NT “disciple” is the translation of the Gr. mathētes, which is related to manthanō, “to learn,” hence means “a learner,” “a pupil,” “an adherent.” The word is used especially of the disciples of Jesus: of the Twelve, and of His disciples generally.”
Sunday – Discipleship among the Greeks
John 12:20-21 NLT “20 ¶ Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem to attend the Passover 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, "Sir, we want to meet Jesus."”
John 12:20 COMMENTARY BY ALBERT BARNES There are three opinions in regard to these persons: 1st. That they were Jews who spoke the Greek language, and dwelt in some of the Greek cities. It is known that Jews were scattered in Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, Egypt, &c., in all which places they had synagogues. 2nd. That they were proselytes from the Greeks. 3rd. That they were still Gentiles and idolaters, who came to bring offerings to Jehovah to be deposited in the temple. Lightfoot has shown that the surrounding pagans were accustomed not only to send presents, sacrifices, and offerings to the temple, but that they also frequently attended the great feasts of the Jews. Hence the outer court of the temple was called the court of the Gentiles. Which of these opinions is the correct one cannot be determined.
These texts might shed some light on the above text:
Jeremiah 29:13 God’s Word to the Nations “When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me,”
John 1:9 God’s Word to the Nations “The real light, which shines on everyone, was coming into the world.”
John 6:44 God’s Word to the Nations “People cannot come to me unless the Father who sent me brings them to me. I will bring these people back to life on the last day.”
Acts 10:34-35 God’s Word to the Nations “34 ¶ Then Peter said, "Now I understand that God doesn’t play favorites. 35 Rather, whoever respects God and does what is right is acceptable to him in any nation.”
Monday – Discipleship among the Jews
Acts 5:34-39 Holman “34 A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while. 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re going to do to these men. 36 Not long ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his partisans were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. That man also perished, and all his partisans were scattered. 38 And now, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him.”
Acts 22:3 Holman “He continued, “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today,”
Acts 22:3 SDA BIBLE COMMENTARY In Paul’s day both teacher and pupils sat, the former at a higher level than the latter.
Matthew 16:19 Holman “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.””
[Matthew 16:19 SDA BIBLE COMMENTARY The entire statement reads literally, “Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” The meaning evidently is this, that the church on earth will require only what heaven requires and will prohibit only what heaven prohibits. This seems to be the clear teaching of the Scriptures. As the apostles went forth to proclaim the gospel, according to the commission entrusted to them (Matt. 28:19, 20), they were to teach converts “to observe all things whatsoever” Christ had commanded—no more and no less.
Matthew 18:18 Holman “I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.”
Tuesday – Discipleship with John the Baptist
John 3:21-30 MKJV “21 But he who practices truth comes to the Light so that his deeds may be made known, that they have been worked in God. 22 ¶ After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea. And [He] stayed there with them and baptized. 23 And John was also baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been cast into prison. 25 Then a question from John’s disciples arose with the Jews about purifying. 26 And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, He who was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bore witness, behold, He baptizes, and all come to Him! 27 And John answered and said, A man can receive nothing unless it is given to him from Heaven. 28 You yourselves bear witness to me that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him. 29 He who has the bride is [the] bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Then my joy is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I [must] decrease.”
John 3:26 SDA BIBLE COMMENTARY The preaching of John had met such popular acclaim that the scribes and priests became jealous of him. But here was a Teacher even more popular than John. John’s disciples resented the seeming success of Jesus and became jealous for their own master. They felt that inasmuch as John’s baptism was characteristically his own, Jesus and others not directly associated with John and themselves had no right to administer the rite in the way and for the purpose that John did.
Wednesday – Discipleship with Jesus
Matthew 4:18-20 Century English Version “18 ¶ While Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers. One was Simon, also known as Peter, and the other was Andrew. They were fishermen, and they were casting their net into the lake. 19 Jesus said to them, "Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish." 20 Right then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him.”
Matthew 4:19 COMMENTARY BY ADAM CLARKE To follow Christ, and be admitted into a partnership of his ministry, is a great honour; but those only who are by himself fitted for it, God calls. Miserable are those who do not wait fur this call-who presume to take the name of fishers of men, and know not how to cast the net of the Divine word, because not brought to an acquaintance with the saving power of the God who bought them. Such persons, having only their secular interest in view, study not to catch men, but to catch money: and though, for charity's sake, it may be said of a pastor of this spirit, he does not enter the sheepfold as a thief, yet he certainly lives as a hireling.
Thursday – Contemporary Discipleship
Mark 16:20 NIV “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
Mark 16:20 – Ellen White, Desire of Ages, p. 827 – “The first disciples went forth preaching the word. They revealed Christ in their lives. And the Lord worked with them, "confirming the word with signs following." Mark 16:20. These disciples prepared themselves for their work. Before the day of Pentecost they met together, and put away all differences. They were of one accord. They believed Christ’s promise that the blessing would be given, and they prayed in faith. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely; they were weighted with the burden for the salvation of souls. The gospel was to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth, and they claimed the endowment of power that Christ had promised. Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day.”
Matthew 24:14 NKJV “"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV “19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age." Amen.”
Matthew 28:19 SDA BIBLE COMMENTARY Christianity was the first religion to assume a truly international character. Pagan religions… were primarily national in character and did not set out to make converts of other national groups.
Revelation 14:6-12 NKJV “6 ¶ Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth——to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—— 7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." 8 And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." 9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives [his] mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." 12 Here is the patience of the saints; here [are] those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
Ellen White, Selected Messages, Book 1, pp. 170-171 – “His [Christ’s] disciples are to teach only what He commanded them. There are those who are always seeking to engage in controversy. This is the sum of their religion. They are filled with a desire to produce something new and strange. They dwell upon matters of the smallest consequence, exercising upon these their sharp, controversial talents….If you have any question as to what you should teach, any question as to the subjects upon which you should dwell, go right to the discourses of the Great Teacher, and follow His instructions.”
SDA Encyclopedia, article “Sabbath School” – “The goal of the Sabbath school is the discipling of people for Christ. The four basic objectives of the Sabbath school are faith development, fellowship, community outreach, and world mission.”
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