Faithful on Fridays Blog

Discipleship- Part 2

Last week I discussed Jesus’ discipleship program, how He sat under the religious leaders of the day listening and asking questions. Jesus was our example of having the heart-attitude of a disciple. A disciple is one who learns and follows the teachings of another and the Another in this case is God, the Father. He was about the affairs of His Father; their concerns were the same: the love of people. Our God holds His prized possession, the ones He has made in His very own image, in high esteem. Believers are His children; we belong to His family and He loves us.

But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12 ESV

Jesus’ discipleship training under the rabbis lasted about 18 years, only then did He begin His public ministry. That’s a long training, today seminary degrees are only 3 years, but He was about His Father’s business. In order to get the full picture let’s investigate what was included in His discipleship program. Here’s what I found.

1. Jesus studied Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which show God’s way of life or kingdom living for His chosen people.
2. He learned other scripture. He probably memorized much of it in order to be reminded of His Father’s promises.
3. Undoubtedly Jesus studied the Old Testament prophecies. He knew they spoke of Him, He was their fulfillment and often quoted them in His public ministry.
4. He became familiar with the other writings and enjoyed them (Psalms, Proverbs, etc.).
5. Listening to the great rabbis expound on life must have been thoroughly enjoyable to Him. Their homilies, life-lessons, and teachings would’ve been music to His ears.
6. Surrounding Himself with good teachers of sound doctrine was an important aspect of His discipleship program.
7. He was familiar with the Question and Answer format. Jesus was able to ask the right questions as well as give the right answers. We can assume that He gave and probably received more clarity on kingdom living.

This 18 yr. discipleship program prepared Jesus for God’s business:

• Teaching
• Preaching
• Healing
• Deliverance
• Bringing the Kingdom of God to the earth.
• Giving proof or evidence that He was God and Man.

I want to encourage you again this week to consider your personal discipleship program. Are you following the same pattern for spiritual growth as your Divine Example? If you are then you can expect God to prepare you for ministry as well. That doesn’t mean He’ll put you in a pulpit; it means He’s preparing you to be a help and encouragement to others. That’s ministry too. Be about the concerns and affairs of your Father’s business this week; be ready, willing, and available to Him. 

As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to Me. John 6:45 NLT