TAKE THE NEXT STEP — Discipleship
2 Peter 3:17–18; Luke 9:23; John 13:34–35; Matthew 28:18–20

Main Idea

Discipleship is a lifelong journey of following Jesus, being transformed by His grace, loving like He loves, and leading others to follow Him—intentionally, daily, and together.

Introduction: Following in His Footsteps

The image of a father tilling fresh soil and a child stepping into his bootprints captures the heart of discipleship. To follow Jesus is to walk where He walks, learn as He teaches, and grow where He plants us—until we are shaped to help others follow Him too.

What Is Discipleship?

Full Definition:

Discipleship begins with faith in Jesus for salvation and continues as a lifelong process where believers are transformed by grace through the Word, the Spirit, and Christian community—growing in obedience, Christlike character, and reproducing disciples.

Simple Definition:

Following Jesus and leading others to follow Him.

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

Discipleship is central to Grace Fellowship’s mission: Grace Fellowship exists to glorify God by bringing people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.

1. We Are Called to Growing Faith

Text: 2 Peter 3:17–18

Peter warns believers not to drift into error or compromise but instead to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

• Growth is continual — not a one-time decision.
• Growth in grace — daily dependence on Jesus, not just for salvation but for living.
• Growth in knowledge — relational knowing that produces Christlikeness, not mere information.
• Growth must be intentional — it does not happen by accident.

Spiritual maturity is not automatic; it is cultivated.

2. We Are Called to Costly Discipleship

Text: Luke 9:23

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

• Self-denial — surrendering the throne of our lives to Jesus.
• Daily dying — choosing obedience over comfort, faithfulness over convenience.
• Total allegiance — Jesus sets the agenda; we follow.

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Yet this cost leads to joy, because when our will aligns with His, we discover true life (Galatians 2:20).

3. We Are Called to Love Like Jesus

Text: John 13:34–35

Jesus gives a new command: love one another as He has loved us.

• Discipleship is personal, but never private.
• Love is the visible mark of true discipleship.
• Christian community displays Christ to the world.

Paul defines this love clearly (1 Corinthians 13:4–8): patient, kind, humble, truthful, enduring.

Who wouldn’t long for a church family marked by that kind of love?

4. We Are Called to Reproduce (Make Disciples)

Text: Matthew 28:18–20

“Make disciples” is not optional—it is Christ’s mandate.

At Grace Fellowship, this happens through:

• One-on-one discipleship
• Small groups
• Children and youth ministries
• Foundational studies
• Grace@Home resources
• The weekly proclamation of God’s Word

The aim is simple and biblical:

Discover Jesus → Grow in Jesus → Share Jesus … So others may do the same.

So… What Is Your Next Step in Discipleship?

• Follow Jesus for the first time?
• Commit to a local church?
• Join a small group?
• Lead or host a group?
• Begin an Impact group (2–3 people)?
• Commit afresh to growing in grace and knowledge?

Discipleship begins with a single step—but it always leads somewhere.

Closing Encouragement

The footprints are already there. Jesus has gone before us.

The question is not whether He is worth following—but whether we will step where He steps, long enough to help others do the same.