Three Main Points of Discipleship: Knowledge of God

--THIS APPEARS TO BE A STUDENT STUDY GUIDE--

Sons.Training Lesson 51 January 14, 2019

Three Main Points of Discipleship: Knowledge of God WHAT ARE THE THREE MAIN POINTS OF DISCIPLESHIP?

In this lesson we will break down one of these points: The Knowledge of God. Number

• One: The Knowledge of God Number
• Two: A Life that exemplifies that knowledge Number
• Three: Being led by the Spirit of God Without these three points true discipleship cannot take place.

But when these three points are in place in the life of a leader, you will see the manifestation of the true sons of God emerge in the congregation of that leader’s fellowship.

2 Corinthians 4:6

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

As I forestated, without all three of these components true discipleship cannot take place. For example, if a leader only possesses the knowledge of God but does not have the life to exemplify that knowledge then his people will not be discipled by God. They will only learn biblical principles, religious jargon and how to conduct themselves as church people. They will not respond to life situations as Christ nor will they produce holiness in their relationships, and they will live a life constantly making trips to the altar asking for forgiveness for sin.

2 Peter 1:8

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James 1:5

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

To bring the people of God into spiritual maturity one must study the Word of God consistently because our study of the Word of God is equivalent to asking God for wisdom. The holy Scriptures contain the wisdom of God in their pages, but one must be given over to study that he or she might obtain that wisdom. Knowledge equips you with the answers to the questions asked by the congregation concerning spiritual matters. One’s knowledge of God is also a revelation of one’s heart toward God. When we enter natural relationships, we desire to get to know the other person if our affection for the person is truly real. The same principle applies to our relationship with God. If our love for God is truly real, then we desire to know him better because we desire to understand Him and His ways. So, because of this desire we search the Scriptures with the hope that we will walk away having the knowledge of God embedded in our consciousness. The holy Bible must be one of the few books that a person can read over and over and still find something new in it.

Luke 2:46-49

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Now in the above passage of scripture you see Mary and Joseph searching for Jesus for three days. And on the third day they found him in the temple with the doctors and according to the Scriptures Jesus was asking them questions. The temple was not only a place of prayer and worship, but it was also a place of study. Many educated people such as the Pharisees, scribes and doctors would visit the temple to pray and to listen to teachers. God the Father made Jesus a little lower than the angels that He might fully experience the human condition and be a true kinsman to mankind. So, like other boys He had to learn and study that He might be a qualified example for us.

But Jesus’ love for the Father is revealed in His constant communication with the Father whether it was through prayer, study or simply in His thoughts and His obedience. We must have the same heart for the Father. As leaders, we desire to know the deep mysteries pertaining to God that we might be better leaders unto His people. But the knowledge of God is not only obtained by reading the Scriptures. If this was the case, then those who cannot read would be lost. But knowledge of God is also received by prayer. Prayer opens our hearts and minds up to the God of our salvation that He might speak to our consciousness revelation. Revelation is not learned knowledge. Revelation is revealed knowledge and prayer and fasting cause the soul of man to be sensitive to the voice of God that God might reveal Himself to man. Have you ever noticed after a fast where much prayer has taken place you feel closer to God? You feel like you’re on a spiritual high plateau. This is due to the denying of the flesh causing your spirit to be more sensitive to God’s voice. So, a true spiritual leader must also be given over to prayer and fasting that they might obtain knowledge through revelation.

Matthew 14:26-29

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Another crucial channel of obtaining knowledge is through obedience and experience. We learned that when we obey God, we experience a piece of that obedience but we also get to know Him more perfectly through the experience of obedience. It takes faith to obey God but once we obey Him, we gain the knowledge that we can trust Him and His counsel. Let me use the story of when Jesus beckoned Peter to come walk on water to better explain.

Peter had never walked on water before nor had he ever witnessed a man walking on water. But witnessing his Savior doing this great exploit and hearing his Savior say, “Come,” Peter stepped out on faith and obeyed Jesus’ command. Through that obedience he gained the knowledge, “I can trust God even faced with the impossible.”

Ok. Let’s do a brief recap. What are three avenues by which a person can receive the knowledge of God?

1.) Study

2.) Fasting and Prayer

3.) Obedience andExperience