SPECIAL TOPIC: DISCIPLES

1. The term "disciples" is used in John's Gospel to denote those true believers and followers who do God's will and reflect His character. John does not use the term "church" (ekklēsia; SPECIAL TOPIC: CHURCH) even one time, therefore, "disciples" becomes the way he denotes Christian fellowship and gatherings. Discipleship is the daily life of the new age lived out in the old age. This is why the early church is called "the Way" in Acts. It is supremely characterized by love, light, obedience, service, and perseverance (SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSEVERANCE)! By these others know them as Jesus' disciples.
   SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY
   
   
2. Believers are commanded to abide in
   1. prayer (John 15:7; 14:14)
   2. obedience (John 15:10,14,17; 14:15,21,23,24; SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP)
   3. joy (John 15:11)
   4. love (John 15:12; 14:21,23,24; SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVE)
      

      These are all evidences of a personal relationship with God.
      SPECIAL TOPIC: ABIDING IN JOHN'S WRITINGS

3. "Characteristics of Disciples" are spelled out in John 17:6-19
   1. They are elect
   2. They are obedient
   3. They know God and Christ
   4. They accept truth
   5. They are prayed for by Jesus
   6. They stay in the world
   7. They are kept by His power
   8. They are one as the Father and Jesus are one
   9. They have His joy
   10. They are not of this world
   11. They are consecrated by truth
   12. They are sent as He was sent
   13. They are loved as the Father loved Jesus
   
   
4. Warnings about discipleship
   1. must be priority ‒ Matt. 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62
   2. cost everything ‒ Matt. 10:37-38; 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-26
   3. count the cost of discipleship first ‒ Luke 14:25-33
   4. discipleship involves divine discipline ‒ Heb. 12:5-11

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