Purpose: The purpose of this session is to acquaint the disciple with the major teachings related to things that are yet to come.

Objectives

1. The disciple will understand the meaning of the term, “The day of the Lord.”

2. The disciple will grasp truths concerning the resurrection of the dead.

3. The disciple will have an understanding of truths related to the millennial reign of Christ.

4. The disciple will have a cursory understanding of the judgments.

Scripture Memory

Then the angel said to me, “These words are reliable and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.” (Look! I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.)

Revelation 22:6-7

Agenda

1. Sharing and prayer.

2. Discuss the material.

3. Develop a prophetic map.

4. Discuss new terms.

5. Questions for review and discussion.

The Doctrine of Last Things

This is a study of systematic theology as it pertains to the doctrines relating to the end of the age. It is important to note that this is a rather controversial area among evangelicals. The following ideas pertain to the author's particular bias. You need not feel that you must accept these concepts in their entirety if you can Scripturally justify your own point of view. But you must develop some framework for approaching Scripture and the issues involving the Second Coming of Christ. The following is a suggested framework to help you begin to think through issues surrounding this event that is so often spoken of in the Old and New Testament.

It is also important to know that theology or doctrine becomes a topical approach to great themes taught in the Scripture, so we will intentionally not go verse by verse, but rather theme by theme.

I. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (to earth).

All eschatology centers around this theme, that Christ is going to return to earth in the same way He left it.

A. This was promised at His Ascension, Acts 1:8-12.

How did He return to heaven?

1. Visibly.

2. From the Mount of Olives.

3. In human form.

4. In a cloud that received Him.

It is important to understand that His return is to be visible and in a body such as we have that can be touched, seen, and recognized. It will not be in spirit form.

B. Promised by Jesus Himself, John 14:1-3.

Jesus promised that if He went away, He would surely come again and receive us. This certainly cannot be fulfilled through the coming of the Holy Spirit, as some would tell us.

C. The epistles speak of it, 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; 2 Peter 3:10; Jude 14,15; and 1 John 2:28.

D. Revelation gives a grand picture of the event, 19:11-15.

II. What is Associated with the Second Coming of Christ?

A. The resurrection of the dead in Christ—the FIRST resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. Revelation 20:6.

The nature of the resurrection of the body is such that bodies will bear resemblances to earthly bodies, except for their perfection. They will be glorified bodies, never able to die again, bodies free from the infirmities brought about in our earthly bodies because of sin.

Mortal bodies will give way to immortal, corruptible bodies will give way to incorruptible. And at this point, our sanctification will be complete, and we will be glorified. For those who are alive at His coming, there will be instantaneous change that will take place the moment we see Him, 1 John 3:2.

How is His Second Coming referred to in practical ways, or how can I view His return? 1 John 2:29, (a purifying hope) and Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:3 (a blessed hope).

B. The Judgments

It is important to differentiate judgments in Scripture. Romans 8:1 tells us that there is no condemnation (judgment) for those in Christ Jesus. What does this mean? Simply that Christ has paid the penalty for my sin, and that is a question that is settled forever as far as the sin question is concerned. I need NEVER fear the penalty for sin in my life. Christ has paid that once for all!

"Payment God does not twice demand,
First at my bleeding surety’s hand
And then again at mine,"

ter Steegen

But there are judgments that will take place at the coming of the Lord. This brief section seeks to delineate these judgments and help you understand them.

1. The Bema, 2 Corinthians 5:10

The Bema or judgment seat of Christ is a believer’s award seat. Only those who have positional relationship with Christ will be there. The word Bema is used because of the nature of this time of evaluation. The Bema was the award seat at the Corinthian games. No one was ever punished at the Bema for failure to achieve. However, those who did achieve would come to the Bema and receive their ivy wreaths for a job well done, a race well run. In the same manner, every believer will appear before the Bema in order to sift and separate from his life that which was worthwhile and that which was worthless. 1 Corinthians 3-4 deals in more detail with the Bema.

a. Results of the Bema:

We will receive distinction which we will carry with us for all eternity. These are called crowns elsewhere.

b. The Time of the Bema:

The Bema will take place immediately upon the return of Christ when we are caught up in the air to meet the Lord.

2. The Judgment of Living Nations, Matthew 25:31-4

This is a judgment that will determine which nations and people living on earth will go into the millennium when Christ sets up His kingdom to reign over the earth. The criteria for this judgment seems to be the treatment of the Jews (His brethren) in various ways during the tribulation. The time of the Judgment of Living Nations will be when the Lord Jesus returns with His Church to set up His kingdom over the earth at the end of the great tribulation.

3. The Judgment of Israel and the unbelieving world at the end of the Church Age. The Great Tribulation —the time of Jacob's Trouble

4. The Judgment of the Great White Throne, Revelation 20:11-15. This is the final judgment of humans who have lived on the earth.

It is a judgment of "the dead". It is not a general judgment of believers and unbelievers. Resurrected saints will have reigned with Christ for 1,000 years and are in their glorified bodies. Why a judgment for the lost? It is a judgment of all who have desired to stand in their own righteousness in refusing the righteousness of Christ. Their bodies are possibly "the books" and are raised because the record of their deeds are in their bodies. This judgment takes place at the end of the millennium and at the end of all time. Eternity follows.

5. The Judgment of Fallen Angels, Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4

There is no indication of the time of this judgment, although one might expect that it takes place at the end of all things, and some- where around the time of the Great White Throne.

The foregoing are judgments that relate to things in the future. It is important to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" with respect to these. All judgments are not the same. It is also important to fix forever in our minds that believers are exempt from any future judgment!

III. When is Christ Coming?

This is an important question. The return of Christ has seemed to be considered imminent throughout all of the Church Age. That is, there has never been a group of people in time that couldn't feel that the Lord could come at any time. That is as true today as it has ever been. But Scripture has some specific things to say about the time of His return and we will try to summarize these things for you.

A. No one knows the day nor the hour, Matthew 24:36-42. From time to time there are those who predict the coming of the Lord and ultimately are embarrassed. One of the greatest efforts to decide on the date was involved in the origin of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the 1800's.

B. The Second Coming of Christ seems to be associated with the completion of the "Mystery of Iniquity," 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8.

C. The full working of the "Mystery of Iniquity" is held back by ONE Who hinders. This One may very well be the Holy Spirit Who is in the Church. Since He is promised to the Church until the very end, He cannot be taken out of the way without the Church also being taken out of the way. This will signal the first phase of the return of the Lord.

Worksheet

This is the last of several studies in Bible doctrine. We are providing these as part of the materials for our discipleship ministry because we want to be sure you are well-grounded with ability to handle the Scriptures with increasing effectiveness. Let's first clarify terms. The word "theology" means "the study of God". The word in the original Greek for God is the word "theos". Therefore, the study of God is called ________________ . There are many areas in theology. One of these, is called "eschatology". This is the study of "last things," or things that relate to the end time. It is called eschatology because the word in Greek for last is "eschatos". Therefore, eschatology is the study of __________ things. Perhaps this is a new word for you. _________________ is the study of last things.

It is important to understand that theology is a study of great topics of major Bible themes. Because of this, we will not be studying verse by verse necessarily. Rather, we will consider the themes taught in the Scripture and attempt to gather together Biblical data that relate to these.

Most teaching concerning eschatology, or _________ things, centers around aspects of the Second Coming of Christ. That Christ will return to earth and rule on the earth is a stated fact of Scripture. Look up the following verses and complete the statements about the teaching concerning the Second Coming of Christ.

1. Acts 1:8-12. Read this passage carefully and answer the following questions.

a. How do we know that Jesus ascended visibly from the earth and what cues in this passage speak of his visible return?

b. What form did Jesus have as He ascended into heaven?

c. Who do the men in white apparel seem to be?

d. What did these two men say about the return of Christ?

This is crucial inasmuch as Jehovah’s Witnesses and others say that the Lord Jesus has already returned to earth in secret.

2. John 14:1-3. Read this passage carefully and notice that Jesus Himself promised to return. What did He say He would go away and do?

a. Where are these places?

b. What does He say He will do upon returning?

c. Why is this important to you?

d. Some say this was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost. Why could this not be true? Look at the verse carefully and answer.

3. 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17. Again, read the verse carefully before you answer the questions. What about this verse indicates that it is a very personal return of Christ to earth?

a. What is to accompany the return of Christ?

b. What is going to happen when Christ returns?

c. Who are the "dead" in Christ? cf. Rev. 20:4, 5.

d. Who are those who are "alive and remain"?

e. What will happen to us at that very moment? 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

f. This is the first phase of the Second Coming of Christ and the "first" resurrection. What is involved at the second resurrection? Revelation 20:12

An event included in the "first resurrection" —the translation of the Church —is often called “the rapture.” The "Day of the Lord" is another term that you might become familiar with. This term does not refer to an actual day, but rather to a period of time that begins with the "rapture" of the Church and ends with the judgment of the "Great White Throne."

4. Jude 14,15. Jude speaks of the coming of Christ with "ten thousands of His saints." To whom does this statement regarding His saints refer? cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

According to the statement in Jude, what will happen when the Lord returns?

5. 1 John 2:28. What should be the result of the anticipation of the coming of the Lord?

How does this come about?

6. Revelation 19:11-16. This is something of an elaborated description of what the return of the Lord will be like as seen by dwellers on earth. How do we know that this describes the Savior?

7. What kinds of things will happen at the coming of the Lord?

a. 1 John 3:2

b. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

c. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

8. What should be our response to the truths set forth in these verses?

1 Corinthians 15:58

9. It is at this point in time that "glorification" becomes a reality. What do you remember from previous studies about the meaning of this term?

(See "positional truth"- session 6).

10. In 1 Corinthians 15: 51-57 who are the mortal? What is immortality? (or imperishable) What is meant by the term "corruptible"? (or perishable)

11. In relation to our early studies in basic theology, to what basic major doc trine is "glorification" linked strongly?

The Judgments

Associated with the coming or return of Christ are several specific judgments. Basically, the important consideration is that for us who are in Christ Jesus, there is no more Romans 8:1. What does this mean to you?

The simple reality is that Jesus paid the full penalty for our sins. As a result of this, we need never again fear judgment for sin. But there are judgments that take place at the coming of the Lord and we will attempt in this section of the study to look at some of these. We as Christians will have involvement in some of them, but not in others.

The Bema
2 Corinthians 5:10
1 Corinthians 3:1-4:5

The word "Bema" refers to the award seat at the Olympic-like games at Corinth. No one was ever punished at the Bema for not achieving. Those who run in the Olympics who do not finish with at least a bronze metal are not punished because of their failure to place with the winners. In the same sense, to not run well in this race in the Christian life is to suffer loss, but it is not to be punished. All punishment for sin is gone with Calvary covering it all with total sufficiency.

1. First let's understand that this judgment seat is a place for the sorting out of works that are of value as opposed to those that have no value. Criteria involved seem to be twofold. But first, look again at 2 Corinthians 5:10. What is the purpose for the Bema?

Please note that the word translated "bad" is not the word that would relate to evil, but conveys the idea of "worthless", (kakos).

1 Corinthians 3:10 says what will be involved? _______________________ And vs. 13 of the same chapter tells us quality is one of the important measures of our work. Because of this, Paul tells us to not _____________ _______________, 1 Corinthians 4:5, because _____________________________________, and he is speaking of the Judgment Seat of Christ, or the B________.

3. What can be inferred by the pronoun "we" in 2 Corinthians 5:10?

4. The result of this discrimination of our works is far-reaching. From the following verses, see if you can determine how far-reaching this will really be.

1 Corinthians 15:40-42b

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

5. Look at the two passages below and try to see what two classes of works could possibly be referred to in the Corinthian passage.

a. Galatians 5:22-23

b. Isaiah 64:6

These look just alike, and it is only possible for deity to sort them out. Therefore, there is a need for a judgment. Why is there a "fear" related to these? 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

The Judgment of Living Nations
Matthew 25:31-46

1. What event will take place before this judgment? vs. 31

2. Who will be judged at this judgment?

3. Who are the sheep and the goats?

4. What seems to be the chief issue involved in this judgment? i.e., what constitutes the behavior that categorizes one as a sheep and the other as a goat? vs. 37-45

5. Who are "His brethren"?

6. The time that has just preceded this great event is the tribulation period when great trouble will overtake the entire earth. The passage states that the criteria for entry into the Kingdom reign with Christ is "how the brethren were treated" by the Gentile nations on earth. It is obvious that no one is truly saved by any other means than faith in Jesus, Ephesians 2:8, 9.

Apparently trouble will be so great and issues so clear during the Great Tribulation, that those who truly know the Lord will also treat the Jews, God's chosen people, with respect, and they will also care for them. What will be the results of this judgment? vs. 46

cf. John 5:24.

The Great White Throne
Revelation 20:11-15

1. At what point in time does this judgment seem to take place? vs. 5, 11-13

2. Where have the resurrected saints of the first resurrection been before this judgment?

3. What are some of the results of this judgment? vs. 12

vs. 14

vs. 15

4. Out of what were those raised judged? vs. 12

5. What are the books mentioned? vs. 12, 15

6. What suggests the finality of this judgment? vs. 14, 15

The Judgment of Angels
Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4

Who are the participants of this judgment?

Why do they need to be judged?

The Time of His Return

See Matthew 24:36-42, and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8. Then answer this question in your own words. When will Christ return?

Questions for Review and Discussion

1. What is missing in the life of a Christian who does not hold to the imminent return of Christ to earth?

2. Elaborate on the unique meanings that are found in the phrase: "The Day of the Lord."

3. List several things that will take place when the Lord returns to earth.

a.

b.

c.

d.

4. During the earthly reign of Christ, what will be the situation with Satan in the world, and how will this affect the problem of sin in the human race?

5. What problems are confronted when Scripture is interpreted as teaching only one general judgment at the end of time?

6. What aspect of eschatology gives you the most hope and comfort?

7. What aspect brings you the most difficulty or unrest?

Purpose: It is the purpose of this session to help the disciple understand the many aspects of God’s nature and characteristics that are revealed in His names. It is important to remember that no one name could convey adequately all the fullness of what or whom God is.

Objectives

1. The disciple will understand more fully the righteousness of God with respect to His dealings with men.

2. The disciple will understand and be able to see how all things are under Jehovah’s suzerainty.

3. The disciple will experience greater peace and assurance because of the Father’s nature.

4. The disciple will develop a greater understanding of the wonder and might of the Sovereign of the universe.

Scripture Memory

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors no one can shut, and shuts doors no one can open: ‘I know your deeds.’

Revelation 3:7-8a

Agenda

1. Mutual prayer and accountability

2. Discuss the worksheet.

3. Discuss the questions

4. Discuss new terms.

5. Share Scripture memory.

Jehovah-Rohi: The Lord is My Shepherd
Psalm 23

This is perhaps the most familiar chapter in the Old Testament. The Psalm is a short Psalm...only six verses. But it is filled with words that elaborate on the central statement in which this compound name is included: vs. 1, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Perhaps it is as the little boy said when he misread it, "The Lord is my shepherd, I don't want anything else."

This is only one of the three Psalms that are the Shepherd Psalms. Psalm 22 is the Psalm of the Good Shepherd, laying down His life for His sheep. Psalm 24 is the Psalm of the Chief Shepherd, Who is coming again. And this Psalm is the Psalm of the Great Shepherd Who cares so intensely for His sheep.

Read Psalm 23 several times and write down all of the ways He promises to care for you.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

What are some ways people can be likened to sheep?

Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:25.

Numbers 27:17. What does the previous verse imply about sheep?

Psalm 119:176.

Matthew 9:36.

Now read John 10 and see how the Lord Jesus—Jehovah-Rohi—becomes the perfect Shepherd of the sheep. Fill in the blanks that speak of His ministry.

He speaks, and the sheep __________________ his voice, vs. 3. When they hear his voice, they _____________ Him, vs. 27. This speaks of an intimate relationship with Him. They know the shepherd so well, they will _______ ________ a stranger whose voice they do not know, vs. 4,5. In the sheepfold, there is but one gate. _________________is the gate by which the sheep enter. The Good Shepherd is willing to _____ ______ _____ ______ for His sheep, vs. 11. He is able through this to provide life so that they might_______ _____ ________ _____________, vs. 10. This life can also be called ____________ _________ , vs. 28. They will never _______________. How is His ultimate protection of the sheep shown? vs. 28-30.

Compare this with Romans 8:38-39. What great biblical truth do these verses (John 10:27-29 and Romans 8:38-39) teach?

What does John 10:16 teach about His shepherding work and the unity of His flock?

What evidences of the shepherding work of Christ are in your life today?

1.

2.

3.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for you are with me." Psalm 23:4
"Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me
all the days of my life."

Psalm 23:6

There are several other compound names of Jehovah. These are exemplary of additional ways the Lord Jehovah relates to us as His children. We would encourage you to study these on your own. The more fully we know Him, the more fully we can love and serve Him.

"God is our Refuge and Strength,
A very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord is Peace
Judges 6:24

Read the entire text of Judges 6, and describe in your own words the setting in which this revelation of the name of Jehovah became known to man.

1. What kind of person was Gideon? vs. 12

vs. 15

Something God says always makes the difference. What was this in vs. 16?

What does this say to us today—to you and me as we think of being used by God to serve Him?

See 1 Corinthians 1:27. How did God further demonstrate His ability to do great and mighty things through that which was weak? See Judges 7:2-8.

2. What was Gideon's response to this revelation of God's presence and His desire to deliver Israel? Judges 7:16-22.

How did the Midianites respond to all of this? Judges 7:22.

3. The revelation of the Name of the Lord, Judges 6:24. What is the name of the Lord as revealed in this story? ______ ________ ____ _________. Shalom is introduced as a name given in relation to Jehovah. Jehovah-Shalom is the name; literally the "Lord is Peace." This is a name that speaks in practical ways of the effect of knowing Jehovah God in our lives in very personal ways.

One of the many problems encountered in living in our world today is the problem of anxiety. Most major disorders of our minds are those related in some way to anxiety. Let's look at some of the promises given to us today by Jehovah-Shalom.

Isaiah 32:17 tells us that the work of righteousness will be ______________ and the service of righteousness, ______________ and ________________ forever. We are encouraged to___________________________________, Philippians 4:6. When we seem to be confronted with anxiety-producing things, we are to ____ ____ _______ ____ ______ ________ to God. What promise is ours when we do this? vs. 7.

This seems to imply that I should never be anxious. In reality, it is saying that I need never let anxiety control me. Anxiety is a God-given human emotion. We had better be anxious about some things!

1 Peter 5:7 tells me I am to_______________________________________ because He cares. How do we do this? Psalm 55:22.

Look up these additional verses and see how they contribute to our sense of peace in this world.

Matthew 6:25-34

Psalm 91:5-9

Isaiah 41:10 tells us not to fear for what reason?

4. What practical steps can you take to make Jehovah-Shalom a reality in your life today?

Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord Our Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:5-6

We now come to the name Jehovah-Tsidkenu — a name that is more obscure to the average Bible student, but nevertheless so very crucial in our understanding of all that God has done for us. The name is found in Jeremiah 23:5-6. A “righteous branch” is promised to Israel; One who someday will be king over Israel. His name is to be Jehovah-Tsidkenu or Jehovah our Righteousness.

Israel had been carried into captivity, and now the same was to happen to Judah. It would seem that the promises of God would never be fulfilled. Such was not to be the case, however, and Jeremiah speaks of the day when a righteous king would return and set up His righteous kingdom and reign and do judgment on the earth.

Consider the meaning of the word “tsedek.” The name Jehovah-Tsidkenu draws its meaning from this word. Some say the word has within it the meaning of “stiff” or “straight.” It is a word that is used in relation to God’s dealing with men. Though difficult to translate, it has to do with such things as justification, righteousness, and acquittal. When coupled with the name “Jehovah,” it means that all He does is ever and only righteous. He is the sole source of all that is righteous and good.

This has great implications for us. First, how can I stand before One who is always perfect in all holiness and righteousness? I am a hopeless sinner! Thinking of some of our early studies in this ministry, when and how is this possible? How can I, a sinner completely stained by evil, ever think I could stand before a holy God? What would be necessary for this?

It is Jehovah-Tsidkenu who covers me with His righteousness that provides a shelter for me in His presence. I stand before Him both innocent and righteous, and this is assured by His _____________ and _________________, Romans 4:25.

Secondly, how does this aspect of “Who He is” affect the life I live today? Perhaps the question could be better asked, What does this have to do with the life I live in this world with regard to “being good” and my appearance at the Bema?

This name is one that applies to Jesus as well as to the Father. He is our Jehovah-Tsidkenu. How does Peter describe Christ on the day of Pentecost? See Acts 3:14.

Questions for Review and Discussion

1. What great attribute of the Father and the Lord Jesus are alluded to in the name Jehovah-Tsidkenu?

2. This question is to be answered in a very personal way. What does “Jehovah-Tsidkenu” mean to you with respect to your security during the twenty-first century? Answer in the light of your preparation for living, supporting a family, your life goal, your ultimate death and the legacy you will leave after this life is over.

3.Considering your thoughtful answers to this question. What changes are you about to make in your ultimate life goals?

Life Application

Again, when you journal, record things that go on in your life that could be applicable to these three compound names of Jehovah.

See if you can share these concepts with a friend. Most people who know anything at all about the Bible will have some knowledge of Psalm 23. Knowing God can be more complete when these names are understood.

Purpose: The purpose of this final formal session is to share tools that will be helpful in providing continued assistance to your disciple and your family tree.

Objectives

1. The disciple will understand that his work is not finished.

2. The disciple will understand how he can provide continued assistance to those in his family tree.

3. The disciple will learn something about group dynamics.

4. The disciple will come to understand principles of spiritual leadership.

Scripture Memory

I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth. Dear friend, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers).

3 John 4-5

Agenda

1. Mutual accountability and prayer.

2. Discuss the session material.

3. Discussion questions.

4. Set up plans for continued follow-up, growth and care for your family tree and spiritual genealogy.

Where Do We Go From Here?

We have been meeting for much longer than a year. If things have gone as planned, you are now working with another in discipleship and possibly have a disciple who is beginning with someone as well. We remember that our studies have suggested that we work toward total evangelization through the process of multiplication. It is therefore necessary that we work toward some stated goals for giving continual help and encouragement to those in our spiritual genealogies. Each maturing disciple needs to develop a style of handling his “oikos” with efficiency that there be no failure in this process, and that total evangelization of the area and even the world will take place.

Workshop

What To Do

I. Consider your work as just begun. You have actually finished the first stage of a lifelong commitment. What has our Lord saved us and left us in the world to do? Matthew 28:19-20

We are called ____________________, 2 Corinthians 5:20, and this calling never ends until we are with the Lord. This should be my passion and my goal. It is the purpose for which the Father has left me in the world. What do ambassadors do?

Whom do we represent?

What is our message to a lost world ?

II. Develop ways to ensure the perpetuation of your ministry. You can add to the things that we suggest, but whatever you do, and however it is, make a commitment to do those things.

Some examples of this are seen in Scripture in the case of Paul the apostle. See 1 Thessalonians 2:5-10. List the things that were involved in Paul’s care for them that would be crucial in the care of your own genealogy.

Vs. 5

Vs. 6

Vs. 7

Vs. 8 (two things)

Vs. 9, 10

There is much from the life of Paul that we can learn about caring for those we have discipled.

Characteristics of a Godly and Mature Person

I. We need to “set the pace” in our personal lives. Water never runs higher than its source. This means that I must do what I want my family genealogy to do. It is important that I set an example for them—to keep ahead of them. See Luke 6:40. Someone has said, “We have no choice in having an impact on those around us, but we do have a choice on the kind of impact we provide.”

A. I will continue my Scripture memory work.

B. I will keep the vision of total evangelism in my awareness.

C. I will give time to reading, studying and personal growth.

D. I will continue to “bring forth fruit” and see that it remains, John 15:16.

E. I will remember my commitment to the goals of discipleship.

II. My prayer life is always a resource for growth and fellowship with God.

A. I will pray for people in my spiritual genealogy.

B. I will remember others who are doing this type of evangelism.

C. I will pray for the world.

D. Praying from a list from which I record answers is best.

III. Knowing that my genealogy needs encouragement, I should meet with them periodically and offer encouragement for their continuation in the ministry.

A. Meet in a group. There can be group encouragement for each one. Give each disciple your phone number to call if they need help.

B. As your group grows, you can assume responsibility for five generations. Each discipler should develop groups for his genealogy.

C. Learn something of group dynamics and run your group in such a way that difficulties that emerge can be handled effectively.

D. Meet every six weeks. Let this time be a time of free discussion and problem solving. Have an occasional breakfast meeting.

E. Decide to not be content with someone failing. Work with them. Give your telephone number to others as well as initiating calls for follow-up. Write letters or e-mail. Look for ways to bring encouragement and continuation in the matter of total evangelization.

In summary, don’t let your genealogy have breaks. Encourage your people to witness and win the lost. These become appropriate candidates for discipleship and you can help them “catch the vision.”

The group is for mutual help and encouragement. Group members should listen intently, reflect feelings and ask open-ended questions. Above all, catch the vision. Continue to share the task of reaching your area, your nation, and the world.

“And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32

Questions for Review and Discussion

1. Name some things you have learned in “Lifestyle Discipleship” that have enabled you to experience life-change.

2. By continuing as a discipler, you have developed a way to lay up pleasing service for eternity. Write on the ways this is true.

3. Continuing your life as a discipler who is multiplying service rather than simply serving God through tasks, can bring joy (3 John 4). Write a statement that concerns this aspect of a disciple-making ministry.

4. Looking back over your discipleship ministry, what has been your greatest joy?

5. List two profound things you have learned during this ministry and speak of how they have and/or will change your life.

Summary and Key Concepts

1. Every disciple should be an example for others to imitate. This is not an option. It is a command from Scripture. Every disciple should become an authentic Christ-like individual whose life is worthy of emulation.

2. It is of utmost importance that we walk in the Spirit and become wise. This will make our own walk unique in a way that enables greater usefulness.

3. If we “keep in step with the Spirit” and develop maturity, we will bring forth the “fruit of the Spirit” and those we win as we reproduce ourselves through discipleship.

4. It is right to have a correct concept of who we are...not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, but thinking realistically...children of God who are uniquely gifted and in the world to carry on the service of the King.

January 25, 2015

A while back someone emailed me a link to a funny video that was in German; but you didn’t need to know German to get the point. A young woman asks her father how he likes the new iPad she gave him for his birthday. He says, “Good.” But then she watches him use his iPad as a cutting board for chopping his vegetables. She is horrified as he rinses it off in the sink and puts in the dishwasher! A caption in English informs us that no I-Pads were harmed in filming the episode.

In real life, it’s no laughing matter when you see something costly not being used to fulfill its intended purpose, or even worse, being used for something contrary to its purpose. In Buena Vista, Colorado, there is an old church building that is now being used as a visitor center and museum. How sad! A place that was built so that God’s people could gather to sing His praises and to hear His Word proclaimed is now being used for a far lesser purpose!

But the saddest of all is when people who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ fail to live for the purpose for which He saved them. They drift through life like the unredeemed people around them, living to accumulate more stuff that they think will make them happier before they die. But they never stop to consider what God wants them to do with the few precious years and the gifts that He gives them.

In our text, Jesus gives the disciples an extended allegory that reveals God’s purpose in saving them: He wants them to bear much fruit. Jesus pictures Himself as the true vine, the Father as the vinedresser, and the disciples as the branches. A man plants a vineyard for a different reason than he plants a flower garden. We plant flower gardens so that we can enjoy the beautiful flowers. But if you plant a vineyard, your purpose is to harvest a crop of grapes. Your goal is that your vineyard would bear a lot of fruit. If all it produces is flowers and leaves, your efforts in planting it have failed. So the Lord’s point in John 15:1-6 is:

Christ’s true followers abide in Him as branches in the true vine and so bear much fruit.

John 15 falls into three sections that reflect our priorities as a church and as individual believers. Our first priority is God-ward, and verses 1-11 focus on our relationship with Christ. Our second priority is to love one another, which is the point of verses 12-17. Our third priority is to proclaim the good news to the world, which is the focus of verses 18-27. But the point of the allegory of the vine and the branches is that we who follow Christ would abide in Him and bear much fruit. That’s our purpose as redeemed people. So we need to understand the parts of the analogy so that we can understand how to fulfill our God-given purpose.

1. Jesus Christ is the true vine and His Father is the vinedresser.

John 15:1: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” This is the seventh and final “I am” claim of Jesus in John’s Gospel (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:6). Why would Jesus use this analogy? What would the disciples have thought when they heard Jesus make this claim?

In the Old Testament, Israel is often referred to as God’s vine that He planted. It became a national symbol that was on some of their coins. There was a golden vine over the entrance to the temple. In Isaiah 5:1-7, the prophet paints a picture of the Lord planting a vineyard and expecting to find good grapes at the harvest, but it only produced worthless grapes. As a result, the Lord threatened to destroy the vineyard because it did not fulfill His intended purpose. Psalm 80 uses a similar analogy. God removed a vine from Egypt, planted it, and for a while it was prospering. But now the hedges that protected the vine are broken down and wild animals were ravaging the vineyard. So the psalmist cries out for God to turn again and take care of this vine that He planted so that it will again be fruitful. Other Old Testament prophets use the same analogy (Jer. 2:21; 6:8-9; Ezek. 17:6-10; 19:10-14; Hos. 10:1-2). In each case, Israel was God’s vine that He planted with the intention that it would bear fruit. But, they were disobedient and unfruitful.

But now Jesus claims to be the true vine. In John’s Gospel, we have already seen that Jesus is the true temple, the dwelling place of God with His people (John 2:13-22). Also, Jesus gives living water that Jacob’s well cannot give (John 4:1-42). Further, Jesus is the new Moses who supplies God’s people with true bread that comes down from heaven to give life to all that eat of it (John 6:32-58). In John 7, Jesus fulfills and supersedes the Feast of Tabernacles. John 8 & 9 picture what John 1:9 declared, that Jesus is the true light of the world. Thus when Jesus tells the disciples that He is the true vine, He means that unlike faithless Israel, Jesus is the ideal realization of all that God intended for His people. He is the epitome of what God wanted His people to be. Jesus brought forth the fruit that Israel failed to produce.

Then Jesus adds (John 15:1b), “My Father is the vinedresser.” He owns the vineyard and He takes care of the vines. He cuts off the dead branches and prunes the ones that bear fruit so that they will bear even more fruit. He is in control of the whole process and As the owner, He expects fruit from His vineyard and He does what is necessary for it to bear fruit.

2. Christ’s purpose for all branches in Him is that we bear much fruit.

Bearing fruit is a main theme in this analogy. We see it both negatively and positively in John 15:2: “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” The Lord also mentions bearing fruit in John 15:4 (2x), 5, 8, & 16 (2x). So, to understand this allegory, we need to know what Jesus means by fruit.

A. To bear fruit is to see God produce Christlikeness in you.

While the word is used widely in the New Testament, in this context it primarily refers to whatever the life of Christ produces in and through the believer who lives in close fellowship with Him. That includes obedience to Christ’s commandments, especially the command to love one another (John 15:10, 12). This extends to all godly behavior (Matt. 7:20; Rom. 6:21), such as repentance (Matt. 3:7) and conduct that is pleasing to the Lord (Eph. 5:9-10). It encompasses experiencing Jesus’ peace and joy (John 14:27; 15:11). Since love, joy, and peace are the first three fruits of the Spirit, we can extend the list to include the other fruits (Gal. 5:22-23): “patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” It also refers to seeing people come to Christ through your witness (John 4:36) and seeing them grow in Christ through your influence (Rom. 1:13). To sum it up, fruit is Christlike character, Christlike conduct, and Christlike converts.

Obviously, it takes time for fruit to grow. So don’t despair if you don’t see all of these qualities fully developed in your life yet. But if you are a Christian, you should see growth or progress in these things. You should be in the habit of obeying Christ. You should see the fruit of the Spirit increasing in your conduct. You should be hungering and thirsting after righteousness with increasing intensity. You should be looking for opportunities to tell others about the Savior. If you’re not seeing these fruits growing in your life, you need to figure out why not. Growth in Christlike fruit should be the normal experience of every Christian.

Also, the fruit that we produce will vary in amount and in kind according to our spiritual gifts. In the parable of the sower (Matt. 13:3-8), the good soil representing true believers bore fruit, but it varied: some bore a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. The soil that didn’t bear any fruit represents those who did not truly believe in Christ. Also, we’re all given different spiritual gifts and so our fruit will vary in kind. Determining your spiritual gift helps you to know where you should concentrate your efforts in serving the Lord. Those gifted in service will bear fruit that is different than those with speaking gifts. Both are vital. But we all should exercise our gifts to glorify God (1 Pet. 4:10-11).

So the overall point is both clear and important: God saved you to bear fruit for Jesus Christ. If you profess to be a Christian, but you aren’t bearing fruit, you need to examine yourself and make some course corrections before it’s too late. Here’s why:

B. The branches that do not bear fruit are cut off and thrown into the fire.

Two verses teach this: John 15:2a, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away….” And, John 15:6, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” But there is debate over the meaning of these verses, so we need to examine them more carefully.

Some understand verse 2 to teach that believers may lose their salvation. I hope that I don’t need to spend much time refuting that view, since it contradicts so many clear Scriptures. After all, eternal life is eternal, not temporary. In John 6:39-40, Jesus makes it clear that He will not lose any that the Father has given to Him, but will give them eternal life and raise them up on the last day. In John 10:28-29, Jesus said of His sheep, “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” Other Scriptures strongly affirm that God keeps all whom He saves unto eternal life (Rom. 8:28-36; Phil. 1:6, etc.).

Others interpret John 15:2 by emphasizing the phrase, “in Me.” They understand Jesus to be referring to true believers who are in Him. They interpret the verse in one of two ways. Some say that it refers to the sin unto death, where God disciplines sinning believers by removing them from this life (1 Cor. 11:30; 1 John 5:16). The problem is, Jesus says that the Father removes every branch in Him that doesn’t bear fruit, and that doesn’t seem to happen with sinning Christians. Others point out that the verb translated “takes away” also can mean, “lifts up.” They argue that it pictures a vinedresser propping up a branch that is drooping in the mud so that it gets light and air to help it begin to bear fruit. I used to hold that view, but now in light of verse 6, I don’t think it is what Jesus meant.

In the allegory, there are two types of branches: Some do not bear fruit and some bear fruit. Those that do not bear fruit are not fulfilling their purpose. They’re dead wood. They get cut off and thrown into the fire. They represent those who profess to believe in Jesus, but their lives give no evidence of saving faith. They don’t bear fruit. In the context, it would refer to Judas Iscariot, who professed to believe, followed Jesus for three years, and went out preaching in His name, but whose real god was greed.

In support of this, in verse 3 Jesus tells the eleven, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” That takes us back to John 13:10, where after the foot washing, Jesus said, “and you are clean, but not all of you.” John explains that He was referring to Judas as the unclean one. Judas was the unfruitful branch that was taken away and whose final end was to be cast into the fires of hell.

But then, what about the phrase “in Me”? That sounds like it describes someone who is a true believer. But this is an allegory or analogy, and you can’t press every point in such figures of speech. Also, in Matthew 3:7-10, John the Baptist reams out the Pharisees who thought that being children of Abraham would get them into God’s kingdom, even though their lives did not bear the fruit of repentance. He tells them (Matt. 3:10b), “Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Also, in Romans 11, the apostle Paul pictures Israel as an olive tree, where some branches were broken off because of unbelief, while the believing Gentiles were grafted in. The Jewish branches who thought that they had a sure place in God’s kingdom because of their Jewish religion, but who rejected Christ, would be cut off. Only those who truly believe in Him will be saved.

Since Jesus is the true vine, the fulfillment of how Israel is pictured in the Old Testament, the branches in Him that are taken away and cast into the fire do not represent true believers, but rather those who think that they’re Christians because they go to church. But they lack the genuine evidence that they are believers; they lack the fruit of Christlikeness in their lives. They are like those that James speaks about who say they have faith, but have no works. Their claim is bogus.

But, what about the branches that do bear fruit?

C. The branches that bear fruit are pruned so that they will bear more fruit and much fruit.

Note the progression: In verse 2, the Father prunes the branches that bear fruit so that they will bear more fruit. In verse 5, the branches that abide in Christ bear much fruit. This points to the process involved in bearing fruit, which takes time. At first, you will bear some fruit. But as time goes on, you should bear more fruit. Finally, the vinedresser wants you to bear much fruit.

To accomplish this, Jesus cleans you with His word and the vinedresser prunes you. Jesus says (John 15:3), “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” “Clean” is the noun in Greek related to the verb “prunes” in verse 2. As I understand it, Jesus is saying that the word He has spoken to them has already “cleaned” them in the sense of salvation. Their sins are forgiven. It’s comparable to the bath in John 13:10, which cleansed them all over. But the Father further “cleans” (or prunes) them repeatedly, so that they will become more fruitful. This is comparable to the repeated foot washing that is necessary to walk in fellowship with the Lord. The pruning is the essential discipline that all true children of God must experience if they are to grow “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11).

I’m not much of a gardener and apparently neither is Bruce Wilkinson. In his book, Secrets of the Vine ([Multnomah Publishers], pp. 55-57), he tells about moving to the country one spring. The fence that he shared with his neighbor had a large grape vine on it and he and his family were looking forward to enjoying some nice grapes that fall. But a few days moving in, he noticed the neighbor out there hacking away at the vine with some large shears. He was worried that his neighbor was going to kill the vine!

Trying to be diplomatic, he walked over and asked the neighbor, “You don’t like grapes, I guess?” “Love grapes,” he replied. Bruce tried to express his hopes that they could share some of the grapes, but his confusion and disappointment over what the neighbor was doing was obvious. After observing that he was a city boy and surmising that he didn’t know much about grapes, the neighbor explained, “Well, son, we can either grow ourselves a lot of beautiful leaves filling up this whole fence line. Or we can have the biggest, juiciest, sweetest grapes you and your family have ever seen. We just can’t have both.” He knew that to bear good fruit, that vine had to be pruned.

And you can’t bear fruit for the Lord unless the heavenly Gardener prunes your life. Pruning isn’t very pleasant when it happens, but it yields a bigger, better crop of fruit in the long run. The fact is, when we come into the Christian life, we all bring a lot of the flesh and the world with us. God is gracious not to hack it all away at once, or we’d bleed to death! But if you want to be like Christ, it’s got to go. If that sounds unpleasant, keep in mind that His aim is that His joy would be in us and our joy would be made full (John 15:11). But you’ve got to submit to the pruning process, trusting that the Father knows what He’s doing.

But there’s one other key concept in these verses that shows our responsibility if we want to bear fruit:

3. As branches in the true vine, we must abide in Christ.

The verb “abide” (or, “remain”) is used 11 times in John 15, 40 times in John’s Gospel, and 27 times in John’s epistles (Edwin Blum, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, ed. by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck [Victor Books], 2:325). The sense of Jesus’ words (John 15:4), “Abide in Me, and I in you,” is probably, “Abide in me, and see that I abide in you” (Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John [Eerdmans], p. 670). In other words, “Live in such a manner that you are at home in Me and that I am at home in you.” It’s much the same as in John 14:23, where Jesus said that both He and the Father would come to the one who keeps His word and make their home with him.

Inherent in that concept is that we are in a long-term, close, growing relationship with Jesus Christ (see James Rosscup, Abiding in Christ [Zondervan], pp. 108-109). Jesus is looking at the overall direction of our lives. To know Him as Savior and Lord means that we invite Him to move into our lives and live there as the permanent Lord of all we are and do (Eph. 3:17). As He lives there, we don’t do anything that would make Him uncomfortable to be there. We let Him clean out the garbage that offends Him. The longer He lives with us, the closer we grow to know and love Him. As we saw in John 14:21, Jesus promises to love and to disclose Himself to the one who has and obeys His commandments.

The abiding relationship also implies dependence on Christ, as His words (John 15:5) indicate, “For apart from Me, you can do nothing.” He means that apart from dependence on Him, we can’t bear good fruit that remains (John 15:16). But abiding is not an effortless, passive matter, as it sometimes is taught: “Just as the branch effortlessly lets the life of the vine flow through it, so you are to do nothing.” I’ve heard it said, “If you’re striving, you’re not abiding.” That kind of teaching is out of balance. The Bible talks about the need to strive against sin (Heb. 12:4). Paul said that he labored and strived for Christ, but added that he did so “according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col. 1:29). He pictured the Christian life as a battle, a fight, and an athletic contest (Eph. 6:10-12, 1 Cor. 9:26-27; 2 Tim. 4:7).

The New Schofield Reference Bible ([Oxford University Press], p. 1148) helpfully explains what it means to abide:

To abide in Christ is, on the one hand, to have no known sin unjudged and unconfessed, no interest into which He is not brought, no life which He cannot share. On the other hand, the abiding one takes all burdens to Him, and draws all wisdom, life, and strength from Him. It is not unceasing consciousness of these things, and of Him, but that nothing is allowed in the life which separates from Him.

Conclusion

So our Lord’s words should cause us all to ask, “Am I bearing fruit for His kingdom? Am I joyfully submitting to His loving pruning in my life? Am I daily abiding in Christ, making Him at home in my heart?” That’s the purpose for which He saved you. Don’t live for anything less!

Application Questions

1. Is bearing fruit for Christ your purpose in life? What fruit has Christ produced in your life since you trusted in Him?
2. How can a Christian discover his spiritual gift? How important is it to determine what your gift is?
3. What may be healthy and what is unhealthy about comparing your “fruit” with that of other believers?
4. What ungodly activities, relationships, or priorities do you need to prune out of your life so that the Lord doesn’t have to do it? Prioritize them and work out a plan to get started.

Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2015, All Rights Reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition © The Lockman Foundation