The ABC’s & D’s of Young Adult Relationships

Lesson 4: Discipleship

Byline
By Kasper Haughton Jr.

PROGRAM AIM AND PREPARATION

This lesson is designed with discussion in mind. The goal is not to
lecture on the topic, but to foster an atmosphere of dialogue and
discovery among your young adults.

SCRIPTURE
Matthew 28:19

MUSIC
"North American Division Sabbath School Theme song and
Cheer"(www.myleadmagazine.com) is an option one could choose.
A more relevant option could be “You are Holy (Prince of Peace)”
(Michael W. Smith).

ICEBREAKER
Do:
Ask for two volunteers to be blindfolded and two to be their
guides. Have the rest of the group re-arrange the chairs in the
room forming a maze. Each pair is to navigate the maze.
One guide can only stand in a corner giving “left” and “right”
directions. The other should walk alongside giving help.
Ask:
Which was easier: Being a “Sage on the Stage,” or a “Guide
on the Side” (Elmore, 2008)?

PROGRAM:
[I strongly encourage leaders to read the praxis paper prepared by
Dr. A. Allan Martin (available on my blog: http://bit.ly/bIZcjd) in order
to gain an understanding of the purpose for this four part series on
young adult relationship values.]

The Big IDEA: Discipleship

I. Introduction
Say
For the last few lessons we have been going
through the ABC’s of what our current generation
values most in their relationships. Authenticity,
 Belonging, and Compassion are all part of the
Biblical mandate for the Christian community.
Today, we’re going to conclude with a fourth letter
in this alphabet acrostic.

Out of all four of the topics we are covering, this

one has the most direct relationship with the
mission Jesus explicitly gave his church.
The question we will seek to discuss today is:
What role does discipleship play in our lives
today?
D. Discussion
Read:
Matthew 28:16-20
Ask:
Why is discipleship first on Jesus’ list of
mandates?
What did Jesus do in His ministry that is an
example of each of the steps He outlined?
[Hint: Calling disciples, the role of the
Father and Holy Spirit in his ministry, how
and what He taught.]
E. Explanation
Say:
One of the Church’s greatest ministers
once said:
Christ’s method alone will give true success
in reaching people. The Savior mingled
with people as one who desired their good.
He showed sympathy for them, ministered
to their needs, and won their confidence.
Then he bade them, “Follow me” (White,
1942).
Ask:
With this and what you know about Jesus’
ministry from the Gospels, what is the
process of discipleship Jesus followed
while on earth?
How do the previous topics of Acceptance,
Belonging, and Compassion play a role in
the process of discipleship?
A. Application
Say:
 Everyone is called by Jesus to disciple
others. This also means that everyone
should be in the process of being discipled.
Ask:
Who are the disciplers in our community of
believers? What gives them the qualities of
mentorship?
If everyone is called to be a discipler, what
experiences of discipleship have you found
yourselves in?
How can our church community be more
intentional about discipleship?
What can each of us do right now to foster
the practice of being a discipler as well as
being discipled?

References
Elmore, T. (2008). LifeGiving mentors: A guide for investing your life
in others. Duluth, GA: Growing Leaders, Inc.
White, E. (1942). The Ministry of Healing. Mountain View, CA:
Pacific Press Publishing Association. pp 143.

Bio Sketch: Previously serving as a worship leader and youth pastor in

the South Pacific and North American Division, Kasper Haughton, Jr. is
currently a graduate student at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological
Seminary, Andrews University. You can follow his new blog at
kasperjr.wordpress.com.