Marks of a Disciple (Bible study)

In searching the Scripture for the marks of a disciple of the Lord, three important themes stuck out: 1) A spirit of personal devotion, 2) a spirit of enterprise, and 3) a spirit of unselfishness.
Spirit of Personal Devotion
John 6:38-39…Jesus came to do the will of His Father (Submission).  John 17:4…Jesus does God’s will. …Is the work I am doing glorifying God?
John 8:14; John 3:8…I know where I am going—If I am from the Father and going back, then the only reason I am here is to do His will. Galatians 1:1-5…therefore should not care what people think…men did not raise Paul from the dead; Isaiah 5:1-2; Romans 4:17-21
2 Corinthians 5:6-10…’How was your devotion to Christ?”; 2 Timothy 2:3-7
Genesis 6:9…Noah—righteous, blameless, walked with God. Disciples of Christ must be the same.  The messenger needs to be like the message (Heb 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5)
Galatians 2:20…”I no longer live, but Christ in me.”   Philippians 1:21, “live is Christ and die is gain.”  If Christ is our life here and there, can we be devoted to him?  To follow Christ, we must sacrifice our old life. 1 Timothy 6:3-7.
Romans 12:1-2…The sacrifice is a daily one. Only by giving up my plans, desires and priorities can I understand God’s will in these areas of my life.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20…Bought with a price.  I have given over my rights to run my life in any capacity


Spirit of Enterprise—“Active”:
Christ was active--
Mark 1:32-38…People came after dark.  Jesus got up early and then wanted to go to another place to preach.(Don’t grow weary of doing good, forget being tired)
 
Ephesians 5:15-16…”Be careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise. Make the most of the times because the days are evil.”  (Careful walking—it is dangerous out there! Ecc. 10:8-14)
John 14:12…We are to do greater works than Jesus. (If  I am to do greater works then I must have Christ’s sacrificial attitude)…Acts 2 …Matt 28:16-20
Ezekiel 2:8-3:4…Ezekiel listens by eating the word. He digests the word—doesn’t just memorize
2nd Timothy 2:3-7…”suffer with me.” Who we are is more important than what we do
Luke 8:1..They went proclaiming and preaching. 1 John 1:1-3—preaching personal contact
Proverbs 24:33…A little sleep a little slumber etc. (Be alert)
Proverbs 10:5…No sleeping during the harvest


Spirit of Unselfishness—“Loving without expectation"
God Loved--
John 3:16—God so loved.  It was not for His benefit but our benefit that He loved us.  Love has someone else’s name on i t. 1st Corinthians 13—I must be a loving person. Galatians 5:22—fruit of the Spirit. If I love, the other fruit comes along.
Luke  17:11-19…Jesus loved all the lepers even though only one returned to thank him.
Acts 3:1-10; Acts 4:1-4…It’s a thankless job being a disciple of Jesus
Romans 1:14…Paul says he is under obligation. He does not concentrate on the results but on the call.