Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote,
“Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. It remains an abstract idea, a myth that has a place for the Fatherhood of God, but omits Christ as the living Son. And a Christianity of that kind is nothing more or less than the end of discipleship. In such a religion there is trust in God, but no following of Christ. Because the Son of God became Man, because he is the Mediator, for that reason alone the only true relation we can have with him is to follow him. Discipleship is bound to Christ as the Mediator, and where it is properly understood, it necessarily implies faith in the Son of God as the Mediator. Only the Mediator, the God-Man, can call men to follow him.”
One of Jesus’ disciples ask Him to teach them to pray as John taught his disciples. He said to them to say “Father, your name enables me to develop a relationship with you so I can ask that your rule reign on earth like in heaven, meet my daily needs, be an ambassador to help others experience release from the guilt and power of sin and prevent being led into temptation” (Lk. 11:1-4). Develop your relationship with God through prayer so others experience the full implications of the gospel of kingdom.
Jesus told a parable about asking that a friend provide bread to feed an unexpected guest. When this friend refused the initial request at midnight, he finally gave him what he needed because of his persistence. Everyone who asks, receives, seeks find and knocks, it will be opened. If unrighteous fathers give to their children, how much more will a heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Lk. 11:5-13). God provides the power of the Holy Spirit to answer to diligent and persistent prayer.
Some accused Christ of using Satan’s power to cast out demons. Others demanded a miracle to test Him. Christ said “any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls.” Christ criticized their thinking by saying it’s impossible for Him to cast out demons if He’s divided against Himself. However, if He casts out demons by God’s power, then the kingdom of God has come upon them. A strong man overpowers and takes away all his armor on which he had trusted and distributes his plunder. “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.” An unclean spirit leaves a man to find a place of rest. Not finding its rest, the unclean spirit will return with seven evil spirits, so that the last state is worst than the first (Lk. 11:14-26). God’s power overthrows strongholds and idolatry that a person trusts in.
Jesus said that those who hear the word of God and observe it are blessed (Lk. 11:27-28). Commit yourself as doer of the word, not just hearer.
Christ said that this generation did not repent of their sin like Nineveh after Jonah preached to them. The Queen of the South will also condemn this generation because she heard the wisdom of Solomon. Someone greater than Jonah and Solomon was in this generation’s midst (Lk. 11:29-32). Repent of sin and ask God for wisdom in what he wants you to do.
No one lights a lamp to put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand so people can see the light. The lamp of your body is your eye. When the eye is healthy, the whole body is full of light, but when it’s bad, it’s full of darkness (Lk. 11:33-36). Discipling people in God’s word allows others to see Christ.
The Lord accused the Pharisees of cleaning the outside but leaving their hearts full of robbery and wickedness. Focus on a clean and merciful heart instead of outward appearances (Lk. 11:37-41). Cleanse your heart so it becomes pure and full of mercy and compassion.
Pharisees pay tithes but neglect justice and love of God. They love the front seats and seek honor from men. People were unaware that their hearts were full of death (Lk. 11:42-44). Help the weak who can’t pay you back experience justice and God’s love.
Jesus told experts of the Law that they weigh men down with burdens and don’t lighten their loads. When they kill and persecute prophets and apostles sent to them, they will be accountable for the blood of every prophet killed from the beginning of time. These teachers hinder themselves and others from experiencing God intimately (Lk. 11:45-52). The five-fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers provides the context so people can know God intimately.
When Christ left, the scribes and Pharisees plotted against Him by being very hostile. They questioned Him closely on many subjects to catch Him in something He might say (Lk. 11:53-54). The world hates Christ and His agenda.
The following are ingredients of effective discipleship. Use a chiastic structure beginning with the first paragraph: A, B, C, D, E, E’, D’, C’, B’ A’. We group together the content in A & A’, B & B’, etc.
1. Your relationship with God enables you to pray that God’s kingdom reigns on earth for victory over world system opposing Christ.
2. Diligent and persistent prayer in an apostolic environment with the five-fold ministry enables people to become followers of Christ.
3. God’s power overthrows strongholds and idolatry within community structures so the weak can experience justice and God’s love.
4. To become doers of the word, you must cleanse your heart so it becomes pure, full of mercy and compassion.
5. As people are discipled in God’s word, they repent of sin and ask God for wisdom so people see Christ in them.
