GOSPEL POWER ASSEMBLY

DISCIPLESHIP CLASS

MODULE ONE
 LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
The discipleship course, although it involves teaching, reading, learning, it is not intended to be
mere academics programme; it is not aimed at increasing mere head-knowledge of the subject
matter. Its general aim is the impartation of the grace of God in the life of the participant in
order to conform to the image of Christ.

Specifically, the objectives of the course are to enable the participants of the course:
 Grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus
 Manifest a lifestyle or conduct that is worthy of the Lord Jesus
 Be equipped to do the work of the ministry according to the grace and calling on the
individual
 Be a faithful witness of Jesus
 Have a passion to influence others for Jesus.

Even though some of these objectives may not be specifically addressed, it is expected that
they will be realized as the individual grows in his relationship with the Master as a disciple.

OUR VISION
Our vision as a Church is:
Leading people to Christ, and
Perfecting (Maturing) people in Christ.
It is common-sense that only those that have been led to Christ that can lead others to
Christ. Similarly, only those that have been perfected or matured in Christ that can mature
others. The act of perfecting people is discipling people. Thus, for you to effectively
disciple people that you have led to Christ, you need to be a disciple yourself, because you
cannot give what you do not have.

JESUS STRATEGY
Jesus spent 31/2 years to train, equip and transform His converts into disciples before they
could effectively do the work of the ministry. He was not wasting their time – the process was
important.
Note that Jesus came into the world with a vision – the evangelization of the world. Yet His
initial call to the man He intended to evangelize the world was a call to discipleship, (Mk.1:16-
17). So whatever is your calling or ministry, whatever He intends to do with your life, you can
only enter into it through the gateway of disciple. Your response to the call of discipleship
determines your placement in life and ministry. Both Jesus and the early Church leaders
understood that discipleship was the first demand of heaven on the believer. Until you step into
the shoes of discipleship you will remain a struggler, a victim of the flesh; you will remain
unaccomplished. Both Jesus and the early Church passionately strove to make disciples out of
their converts. If we expect to have a New Testament results in our ministry, this must be our
goal. This is why God graciously gave us the vision: Leading people to Christ, and perfecting
people in Christ. This means we must make disciples out of our converts.

Significantly, the word disciple occurs in the New Testament 269 times, Christian only 3
times, and believers 2 times. You cannot be a disciple without being a believer, but you can
be a believer without being a disciple of the New Testament quality (Lk. 14:25-33).

DISCIPLES ARE MADE

It is not without significance for Jesus to say; “Go and Make disciples…” Discipleship is a
process, not a programme. The word make involves a process. Disciples are made, believer
are not made. To be a believer is an instantaneous act of transformation by faith, while
to be a disciple is a process of transformation as a result of definite, deliberate choices,
denials and determined obedience.

We are living in days’ of “easy believism”. We sponsor and promote Christianity of gain not
of pain, Christianity of pleasures on earth not treasure in heaven, Christianity of instant
miracles only, no room for those who through faith and patience obtain the promise. Oswald
Sanders rightly put it thus: “The temper of times is for instant gratification and short-term
commitment – quick answers to prayer and quick result with a minimum of effort and
discomfort. But there is no such thing as easy and instant discipleship”.

Sadly, today one may be regarded as a Christian even if there are no signs of discipleship. It was
not so in the early Church. At a point, Jesus insisted on the terms and some of His disciples
decided to leave: “From that time many of His disciples went back and worked no more
with Him” (Jn. 6:66). Surprisingly, Jesus did not shift His position; He did not reduce the
standard. He turned to the twelve and said “Will you also go away?” (Jn. 6:67).
Discipleship is God’s process to disarm Satan and the flesh, and bring you into a relationship
with Jesus. It is God’s wisdom to make you fruitful and effective in the grace and calling of God
on your life.

May this course achieve God’s intent in your life, Amen.

 LESSON 2
WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP

Today there is a gross dissatisfaction both within the Church and in the society about the vast
discrepancy between the confession of professed Christians and their conducts. Both heaven
and the earth expect a marriage between our profession and conduct, our charisma and
character; and this cannot be achieved by mere confession but through a transformation that
brings about a conformity with the image of Jesus the master. We have said that the assignment
Jesus gave the Church is to make disciples rather than multiplying mere believers. It is the
process of discipleship that brings the kind of transformation that leads to conformity with the
Master’s lifestyle. So in this study, we want to look at the concept of discipleship.

1. Discipleship can be likened to a Master – Apprenticeship, or Teacher – Pupil

relationship between the believer and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The word disciple is translated from the Greek word mathetes meaning a pupil, a learner.
It means the person who accepts the teaching of Christ not only in believe but also in
lifestyles. It is learning with a purpose to obey what is learned. It involves deliberate choice,
self-denials, and commitment to obedience. Discipleship brings the believer into a personal
apprenticeship process under the Master Jesus with a view of obeying Him and becoming
like Him. Mk. 1:17-18; Lk. 6:40.
2. Discipleship is a process of reproducing or imparting the life of a teacher to a
pupil.
it is a systematic and cumulative way of making someone (a pupil, trainee, apprentice)
become like the Master. In our case, it is cumulative, formal and informal way of making a
believer to be transformed and conformed into the image and stature of the Master Jesus.
Rom. 8:29; Matt. 11:29.
3. Discipleship is God’s means, God method of achieving His eternal purpose of
conforming us to the image of His son Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29).
So that Christ might be the first born among many brethren (Heb. 2:10-11). It makes us
same quality, same stock so that Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren. It is designed
by God to disarm, de-flame and destroy the flesh so we can be of the same nature with
Jesus.
4. Discipleship is a process because the conformity with His image will not take place
in one single experience.
It is a systematic process involving experience, exposure, training carefully arranged by
God and the discipler until God’s goal is achieved.
 The discipleship process is not a course, program nor activity, but a relationship. It is a
life connection with Jesus, the flow of the divine new lifestyle in exchange with old lifestyle.
This relationship may involve falling and rising, correction and reproof, and sometimes
difficult and hard decisions. It sharpens you up as you learn to walk in close association
with the Master (Heb. 12:6; Job 5:17-18; Prov. 3:12; Jn. 15:15).

5. Discipleship begins when the pupil voluntarily yields his neck to the York of the
Master to learn from Him.
It has an entry point, a starting point, yet it is a life-long process. It is a process of
yielded-ness surrender and total abandonment on the Master. It is a deliberate choice to
learn of the Master. Matt. 11:29-30; 1stKg. 19:19-21; 2ndKg. 3:11).
6. Discipleship is God’s training scheme (Gal. 4:1-2; Heb. 12:7-11).
God does not promote or sponsor mediocrity because He knows He has an enemy who will
not spare His children. Even though the children are heirs of His heritage. He keeps them
under training and tutelage until they grow up to inherit their inheritance. The process may
be rigorous and difficult, but He permits it because it is the only process that guarantees
goodly characters which disarms the wisdom and schemes of the enemy. The tutors and
governors are men and women appointed by the Father to watch over our growth and
development until we are conformed to the image of His son. This is discipleship. This
family training scheme is the gateway, the door into our inheritance. Dodging this process
is like avoiding the door and trying to enter into destiny through the window. It won’t work!
7. Discipleship involves direct encounters and interactions with the Master Himself
(Mk. 3:13-14; 1stJn. 1:1-3; 15-8; 1stPet. 2:21).
We have said discipleship is a relationship. You encounter and interact with Him in the
word, prayer, Christian service and conduct. Although human disciplers are indispensable
tools in the hand of the Lord to bring you to maturity, it is your personal encounters and
interactions with the Lord that determines your speed and progress into destiny. A disciple
is always open and ready to learn.
8. Discipleship evidently stamp the image of Jesus not just in you but on you for
People to see.
When a person has made a real progress in His discipleship relationship with the Lord, his
character, lifestyle and speech show obviously to those around him that he “… had been
with Jesus” (Ac. 4:13; Matt. 26:73; Ac. 11:26).
It is not enough to claim that you are a disciple, what is the claim of independent observers
around you. You can’t walk close enough without His life rubbing off on you, and if and
when it does, it will be obvious. When it does, the Father will be well pleased with you, just
as He is pleased with him.
CONCLUSION
Gbile Akani aptly put it this way: “discipleship” is the “ship” that brings the willing
volunteer pupil (disciple) across the ocean of the natural lifestyles, the gulf of the falling
nature into the new spiritual lifestyle, the very life of Jesus… it is God’s training scheme
that helps to develop us into becoming full grown man INTO THE MEASURE of the
STATURE of the FULLNESS of CHRIST. It helps to release the untapped potentials within
our recreated spirit. To become a man in Christ and explore your potentials in God, a
believer must board this “ship” called “discipleship”.
 LESSON 3
WHO IS A DISCIPLE

WHO IS A DISCIPLE
We have said that discipleship is a process aimed at conforming the believer to the image of
Christ. It is a definite experience that produces definite character traits in the person. In this
study, we shall be considering some features that must be evident for a person to be qualified to
be called s disciple.

1) A Disciple is one who has been Born-Again (Jn. 3:1-7, 2ndCor. 5:17; Eze. 36:26-27).

Everyone born again is a potential disciple. Just being born-again alone does not make one a
disciple, but he is doubtless the entry point into the discipleship relationship. Just as no
training can turn a baby lizard into a crocodile, similarly, no discipleship training can turn a
sinner into a saint. A man must first be born again before he can have the ticket to get on
board “DISCIPLESHIP”.

2) A Disciple is one who voluntarily yields his neck under the York of Jesus so as to
be taught and nurtured by Him. (Matt. 11:28-30).

A yoke is a wooden bar put across the neck of two animals for the purpose of ploughing.
When yoked, you loose your liberty to do what you like; you are compelled to wail in the
same step with the other yoked-fellow. So when Jesus says “take my yoke and learn of me”
He is saying “bind yourself to me so that where I go, you will go also, what I allow is
what you will do; enroll in my tutelage”.

Just as you voluntarily respond to verse 28 when He said “come to me…” and you were born
again, so you need to voluntarily respond to the call in verse 29 as He says “take my yoke…
and learn of me…” in order to be a disciple.

3) A Disciple is a person with one purpose, one focus, under one Master (Matt. 6:19-
24).

He has a singular interest, a singular vision – to please the master. He does not live a double-
standard life; demonstrate unalloyed loyalty to the Master.

4) A Disciple is the pupil who has voluntarily conceded to the authority and wisdom
of the Teacher (Rom.28-29; Jn. 6:66-69; Job 13:15).

He is not afraid of anything; he has yielded his all to the Master and is persuaded that all
things will turn out for his good. He stays true to the process believing that all that happens
to him is a divine apparatus to conform him to the image of the Master, he esteems highly.
5) A Disciple is a surrendered vessel to the will of the Master (2ndCor. 4:16-17; Rom.
8:28; Eccl.3:11a).

He is not choosy, does not mind, whichever means the Master chooses to hammer or mould
him into the desired shape. He believes in the love of the Master that everything will work out
beautiful in its time.

6) A Disciple loves the Master supremely (Lk. 14:26-27; Ac. 4:19-20; 20:22-24; 1stCor.
11:15-19).

A disciple loves the Lord with his body, soul, and spirit (Deu.6:5). Loving the Lord demands
total and sometimes costly obedience. A supreme love for the Master is manifested by an
unconditional and continue love for the Master. Even David’s man demonstrated this kind of
loyal, committed and supreme love. We are expected to demonstrate no less for Jesus.

CONCLUSION

A person does not become a disciple through mere confession or progression. It is a

transformation that takes place in a believer as a result of definite choices, deliberate
decision and disciplined resolve to make progress in one relationship with Jesus. As he
advances in this relationship, he decreases more and more, while the Master increases more
and more in him. This is the life pursuit of a disciple – to be unconditionally loyal, loving and
conformed to the image of the Lord.
 LESSON 4
WHY DISCIPLESHIP
The need for discipleship is obvious. Understanding these needs for discipleship will create a
drive in us to run with the last command of Jesus before His ascension, that is “… to go and
make disciple…” The following are the needs for discipleship:

I. For anyone to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ and partake of
the kingdom of God, he must become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ
(Rom. 8:28-30; Gen. 12:1-3; Matt. 4:19; compare Mk. 10:17, 21 and Lk. 9:23).
The process of making people from varied background to be conformed to the image of the
Lord is discipleship. It is the method that God uses to make us become like Jesus.

II. Discipleship is God’s means of bringing a man into a close intimate and deep
relationship with the Master. It is a means of making us to be at God’s disposal
(Mk. 3:1-15; 1kings 19:19-20).
You will discover from that scripture that the reason why Jesus choose His disciples was
that they should be with Him. That is one basic for discipleship. The issues of preaching,
healing and casting out demons is secondary. In fact, whenever God wants to send a man
forth to do any work for Him, He normally choose from among those that are with Him. He
does not send people He does not know, whom He has to run after before He can get them.
He uses those who have been with him, those that have been acquainted with His life and
purpose.

So disciple is a call to be with the Lord and to be at His disposal. Mk. 3:14 says “...that they
should be with Him… and that he might send forth to preach and to have authority to
heal sickness, and to cast out demons”. The word “might” in that scriptures means
“may-be” or “probably”. That is not compulsory. It depends on what the Master wants you
to do. But the matter of being with Him is compulsory if you want to be His disciple.

God does not use a man who is a truant in His presence. How much you can be useful in
the hands of God depends on your discipleship-relationship with him. Discipleship
therefore, is the means by which God recruits’ men to be with the Lord under His training
and at His disposal.

III. The instrument that God uses to tie a man up for His use is discipleship
(Mk. 11:1-6; 4:18-22 compare these with Lk. 18:22-25).

He uses this tools to separate a Christian from the world system and whatever has been
“riding” his life or whatever has been the priority of his life apart from Jesus, and
consecrates him to the Lord.
 a) As for Andrew, Peter, James and John, their trade (fishing) and their father were priorities
of their lives. They could not go on and still be Jesus disciples. So they had to be
separated from their boats, nets and father in order to be able to follow Jesus. They left
fishing for fish but it was not in vain. The Lord made them (through discipleship) to
become fishers of men.
The ass tied down in Mk. 11:1-6 also illustrate discipleship-relationship and its demands.
Tied down, it could not move freely to do what it likes, as other free ranging asses.

b) Discuss the likely experience endured by that ass as it was tied down, compared with the
free ranging asses, Mk. 11:1-6. Tied down it was, but not in vain. When the time came for
the Lord Jesus Christ to need an ass on which to ride to Jerusalem, he did not send for
the free-ranging asses but the one that was tied down. So also whenever He needs
someone to ride upon into His Jerusalem. He will only use disciples; people that have
been tied unto Him in discipleship-relationship. The period of being tied down may not be
easy but the time of glory is coming. On the whole, if you desire to be useful in the hands
of the Lord tomorrow, you must willingly allow him to tie you to Himself in discipleship-
relationship today.

IV. God does not reveal His secrets to the multitude or to truants but unto disciples
(Matt. 5:1-2; 10:1; 24:1-5; 26:1-2; Lk. 9:28-30).

Discover that all the secrets of the kingdom taught by the Lord in the sermon on the mount
in Matt. 5, 6, and 7 and all the secrets of the signs of His coming etc. were revealed to the
disciples, not to the crowd. Unto the multitudes, He speaks in parables up till today.

If you desire a deeper relationship with the Lord and a greater revelation of His word, then
you need to enter the discipleship-relationship with Him, learning to know Him better and
better.

V. Another need for discipleship is for Jesus to know those that are His, those that
build His Church and to fight His battle (Lk. 14:25-33; Matt. 16:18).

Luke 14:25-27 is a call unto discipleship. But if you look closely at verse 28-33; Jesus
specifies the reason for discipleship. The Lord Jesus knew that multitudes are not
dependable. Even though these were multitudes following Him, He could not depend on them
to achieve the purpose for which He came. He needed disciples and He gave the multitudes,
the conditions for becoming disciples.
CONCLUSION:
A disciple’s aim is to be like the Lord Jesus Christ, and for goal to be achieved, you must of
necessity have the nature of Christ in you. From the Old to the New Testaments, the only tool
commonly used by God to make His men is discipleship. Many people know and experience
God’s acts (work) but any man to know His ways and His deep secrets; he must agree to
become a disciple. There is no other way to inherit eternal life except through the way of
discipleship.
 LESSON 5
CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP
(OLD TESTAMENT PARALLEL)
No discipleship programme can turn a man into the image of Jesus, except he has experienced
the new birth.

The nature of what He wants to use men for and the glory that is to be revealed in such earthen
vessels, both place a necessity for utmost care and sober treatment on the Lord Jesus. The Lord
will never compromise or lower the heavenly shekels of the sanctuary (Lev. 27:25; 2Tim. 2:19-
21; Isa. 52:11) in order to accommodate a man (no man who he be…) Lk. 3:1-3; 18:18-27.
Therefore, if we must last in His anointing and ministry (or His service), then we ought to
deliberately pay close and careful attention to His terms. The terms of discipleship are the same
and unwavering, whether in the old or new testament.

OLD TESTAMENT CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP:

i. Look at Abraham facing the same terms in Gen. 12:1-3. The destination is always not too
clear, when disciples agree to follow. Is a step of unconditional surrender in faith
ii. Moses: Heb. 11:24-27
a. What is the implication (practice) of his declaration in verse 24? “I am not the son of
Pharaoh’s daughter” … I do not belong to that class anymore… I must respond to the
heavenly call…
b. How does this fit into the general terms for discipleship? Look closely into verse 25-27.
c. What are the challenges on your own life today?

What dreams are men and parents nursing around your life? When will you come to years,
and stand up to tell them what you are supposed to be for God?

VI. Look at the Levites in Exod. 32:26-29

What conditions were they fulfilling? Obviously they were fulfilling the condition for
discipleship. Compare this with Lk. 14:26. You will discover that they are similar.
VII. Look at Elisha in 1Kings 19:19-21
How does this compare with Lk. 9:57-62?

Analyze Elisha’s estate, what he abandoned, what he chooses to become, in order to be useful in
the hands of God.

CONCLUSION:
The conditions of discipleship remain sure, unchanging for all generations, all races of men as
well as all classes and categories of men.
Ask God for grace to help you to comply with the conditions.
 LESSON 6
CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP
(SELF DENIALS 1)
If any man will come after me, let him DENY himself, and take up his cross and follow me, Matt
16:24

Self-denial is a major condition of discipleship. Self-denial can only be attained or achieved

through the instrument or process of discipleship.

I. WHAT IS SELF
Eph. 4:22, Col. 3:9, Gal. 5:16, Rom. 8:7

It is the art of just being human… living, thanking, behaving and reacting as a normal human
being. Some other Bible translations further expose its true identity as THE FLESH, OLD MAN,
CARNAL NATURE, and OLD SINFUL LIFE etc.
Each of these names describes the distinguishing characteristic of the self-life.

2. HUMAN NATURE (SELF) IS OURS BY INHERITANCE:

Job. 15:14; Ps. 58:3; Jn. 3:6; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 8:8; 1Pet. 1:18 (LB, NIV, GNB)

The human nature is referred to by some bible versions as the old man, the flesh or the old self.
We inherited it by birth. Everyone born of a woman is born with the natural instincts of the
human nature. We dare say, it is unnatural for a man; born of human parents, not to commit
sin (Jn. 3:5) “…and they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8). 1Pet. 1:18 also
speaks of the human nature as “empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers”
(NIV).
“The worthless manner of life you received from your ancestors” (GNB)
“Impossible road to heaven” (LB)

The human nature can therefore be described as the art of being a human being.

Fasting, giving, teaching notwithstanding, “that which is born of the flesh…” and they that are in
the flesh cannot please God. Even though Nicodemus was a prominent Pharisee who fasted at
least twice a week, prayed at least three times a day, gave alms and was a teacher of scriptures
in his own right, Jesus still pointed out that he was being hinder from seeing or touching
anything of the kingdom of God because of his lower nature.

Hence every human being has the human nature in him, not because of what he does or does
not do but because of who he is: he is born of the flesh.
 3. LIFE IN THE FLESH: THE ENEMY OF GODLINESS:
a. What does it mean to be in the flesh? Rom. 8:5-8 (GNB)
“And so a man becomes an enemy of God when his mind is controlled by the human nature, for
he does not obey God’s law and in-fact he cannot obey it. Those who obey their human nature
cannot please God”.
Thus, a man is said to be leaving in the flesh not just when he commit sins but when he allows
his mind and subsequent actions to be led or controlled by the human nature, the old fallen
nature of man.
b. How does God view the activities of the flesh? Acts 9:1, 5; Matt. 16:13-17, 21-23.
Peter, a man of revelation looked no less than Satan because he was thinking as natural men
think, not as God thinks. A man becomes an enemy of God whenever he allows his human
nature to direct him. It is apparent in the above scriptures that God abhors the flesh no matter
the disguise under which it appears, either in blatant sins of disobedience or in the display of
self-life or human wisdom, no matter in whom it manifests.
 LESSON 7
CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP
(SELF DENIAL 11)
In the last lesson we looked at the first three aspects of self-denial. In this lesson we shall
conclude by looking at the last three aspects.

1. THE WORKS, THE ACTIVITIES, THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HUMAN NATURE:

Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 8:7-8; Eph. 4:22, 25-29, 31; 5:3-6; Col. 3:5-9.

The works of the flesh are quite clear.

“What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy and indecent
actions, in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies; they fight, become
jealous, angry and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; they are envious, get
drunk, have orgies and do other things like these…” (KJV, GNB, NIV, LB).

Whether in the Church, in the ministry or in the market; in the prayer room or in political
groups and meetings, on the pulpit or in the lecture hall, in the choir as well as fellowship
executive meetings, wherever it is, what human nature does is quite obvious. It can easily be
known and whenever it appears, we can easily tell who is responsible – the old man. So,
whenever you notice any manifestation of human nature in you, rather than explain it away, you
can correctly tell that it is the old man – the flesh – that is at work.

It is noteworthy that the flesh does not only manifest his work in negative, detestable things, but
also in seemingly good things. But behind every self-will, self-identity and self-defense
tendencies in your life is Mr. Self – the old man, the human nature. When you seek self-praise,
when you fight against being taken for granted, when Mr. “I” in you does not want to receive any
damage, it is only an indication that the flesh is very much alive and working in you. Self is a
very diverse fellow, and deceptive. When you are highly secretive and too protective of your own
things, when you quarrel with somebody and you want to exonerate yourself (even if you are
right). It only means Mr. Self is very much around.

Self manifest in false humility i.e. invested pride depression and over excitement. Self loves
achievement, acquisition, pleasure, fame and honour, and always seeks personal attention.

Self does not want to be criticized or embarrassed or disgraced; does not want any discomfort or
lack, does not want to make mistake, not because of fear of God, but because of himself. When
you find it difficult to forgive, it is only an indication of self. Self will always want to defend his
action. Self will not apologize.
 Many prayers are not answered because it was self that prayed. Self can preach to others, but
exonerate (justify) himself. Self always want to impress, even in religious matters. Self also likes
good public image, but as soon as no one is watching, he returns to his normal way of life. Self
is the cause of feeling of insecurity and the cause of strains in any human relationship. Self
always insists on his own ways and rights.

You cannot truly love another without self having been dealt with.

A. GOD’S JUDGEMENT ON THE HUMAN NATURE

i. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and as such can not see the kingdom of God – Jn. 3:3,
5-6. Is it not possible for that which is born of the flesh to be managed along with kingdom
(new creation, spiritual) life? The answer is emphatically ‘NO’.
ii. The flesh is “a stubborn and rebellious son” that must be put to death – Rom. 8:6-8; Deut.
21:18-21
iii. Life in the flesh is an impossible way to heaven – 1Pet. 1:18 (LB)
iv. God’s verdict upon “MR. FLESH” is that he is corrupt and should die if you must see God.
Thus there is no reason for you to pamper him, cage him or to want to improve upon him
and still hope to please God. Just surrender that flesh in you unto death.

2. THE HUMAN vs THE SPIRITUAL:

Rom. 7:7-25, 8:25; 1Cor. 15:39-50; 2Cor. 5:16-17; Gal. 5:17.

There are two levels of life and there is sharp difference and an eternal disagreement between
them. They are two separate life-styles (each complete in itself) that cannot be mixed up or lived
simultaneously. Flesh cannot inherit (experience) the kingdom life; neither does that which is
corrupt inherit incorruption. You can now see clearly why God insists on the termination of self-
life if the New Creation Life is to be truly experience. Jesus says that no man can serve two
masters; hence it is not possible to be controlled by the human nature and also be controlled by
the spirits at the same time. Whatever action, ideas or wisdom is born of (i.e. originate from) the
carnal mind is corrupt in God’s sight and can never be manifested together with the New
Creation Life at the same time. “Self” cannot be led by the Holy Spirit. And never will he use of
the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION:

It should be noted that the little aspect of your self-life that you leave untouched will normally,
eventually destroy your spirit life no matter how long you spend building your life spiritually. If
the foundation be destroyed, there is nothing even the righteous can do.
 LESSON 8
CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP
(VICTROY OVER SELF)

“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me” – Matt. 16:24; Mk. 8:34; Lk. 9:23.

Victory over self is and can only be possible if we lean and learn of Christ daily.

A. GOD’S WAY OUT:

1. DENY YOURSELF: Lk. 9:23

What does it mean to DENY Self?

It means forget yourself, say “NO” to yourself; disown yourself; lose sight of yourself and your
own interests; refuse and give up yourself, renounce yourself; leave yourself behind, give up all
rights to yourself, disregard yourself, put aside and ignore yourself.

The above is the rendering in some Bible version for the word DENY. Let’s us look at each of
these rendering one after the other.

 Forget yourself: Matt. 26:48-54; 27:12-14, 25-31; 1Pet. 2:23.

Jesus, though the son of God forgot Himself in the face of suffering, though He had power to
defend Himself. Since God the father allowed the suffering of death on the cross to happen to
him, He refuse to remember self and defend it even when He was crying for pain. He was
insulted and it was painful to the flesh. Yet He did not insult back that is what it means to deny
self. What do you do when you are insulted or cheated?

 Say, “No” to your SELF and refuse yourself: 2Sam. 16:5-12; 19:18-23.
David suffered insult and reproach unjustly from a subordinate. The SELF in Abishai, one of his
followers, was aroused and he suggested revenge David. Yet David will not allow him-SELF to be
provoked to anger. He said “No” to the flash and took it calmly. The Lord eventually defended
him and made his adversary to bow before him. The Lord eventually defended Him and made his
adversary to bow before Him. God defends only those who say ‘NO’ TO ‘SELF’ and refuse to
defend SELF. You cannot be a follower of Christ until you learn to say ‘NO’ to yourself and your
own interest.
  Disown Yourself: 3:4-9; Act. 16:1-3.
Paul had personal credentials that made him proud of himself and his tribe in life.
Timothy also, being a Greek also had credentials. Greeks are known for their wisdom (1COR.
1:21). Yet each of them had to disown himself and separate or dissociate himself from these
credentials and became nothing in order to follow Jesus.

What are your credentials in life, things you are proud of? You cannot with such a ‘luggage’, the
road is narrow. Disown your SELF!

 Leave your SELF behind; give up all rights to yourself; 1Cor. 9:3-6, 12-14; 1kings
19:19-21; Gen. 11:26-29, 12:1-4.

Paul had a right to eat and drink wherever he preached the Gospel. It is a God-given right. He
had a right to get married and go about with his wife preaching. Yet for the sake of the Gospel,
he denied himself of all these; he gave up his rights in order to follow Jesus. Elisha did the
same. So also did Abraham.

What rights do we normally claim and cling to in our society today? What right have you been
clinging to, that will not allow you to follow Jesus wholly? Given it up and the Lord will receive
you.

 Disregard and ignore your-SELF: Jn. 46-8, 31-34; Act.21:8-14.

Though hungry and tired, Jesus disregarded and ignored the cry of SELF for hunger when He
saw an opportunity to win to the lost to the kingdom. What do you do in your own case?

 You gain nothing by clinging to the flesh. In fact, you have all to lose: You cannot
hold tightly to your SELF and still hope onto the Lord. DENY YOURSELF.

HAND YOURSELF OVER TO THE ‘ELDER’ Deut. 21:18-23.

This is an important analogy and instruction in order to have victory over self.
 You must be tied of yourself and its manifestations: Deut. 21:18; Rom. 7:13-24.
It is not possible to improve on self and make it to please God. In other word, it is not possible
for that which is born of the flesh to be managed along with kingdom life. God’s verdict is that
the flesh must be put to death.

 Lay hold on yourself: Deut. 21:19; Jer. 17:9; Gal. 5:19-21 (LB).
By their fruits you shall know them. Identify the presence of the flesh in your life by its fruits, its
activities. Use this to lay hold on it.
  Bring yourself out to the elders of your city… Deut. 21:19; Rom. 8:29, 5:15;
Heb.13:12-13.

Don’t cover up yourself; don’t pamper it. Sin and sinful nature thrive in darkness. Bring it out.

 “… And say …” Deut. 21:20; Rom. 10:10; Prov. 28:13

Heart felt prayers and confession of the manifestation of the flesh in your life with your mouth is
very important. Hand yourself over to the Lord this way and leave it there.

 Expect ‘stones’ on yourself ‘from the men of your city’. What are these stones? How
should you respond to them? Deut.21:21; Matt. 27:26-32; Num. 12:1-3

The ‘stones’ are actually allowed by God to prove your sincerity in handing over your SELF.
Hence you handover yourself, self becomes to you as good as dead. To you, it is already dead.
But its death must be proved by the instrumentality of the ‘stones’. If you are sincere in your
hand-over, then you will gently submit to the men and the stones being hurled at you. If on the
other hand, you react against those throwing the stones and quickly want to take back yourself,
then your surrender is not genuine or sincere. Victory comes when you learn to say ‘NO’ to
yourself.
 CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP
(VICTROY OVER SELF II)
In the last lesson we looked at the first two aspects of God’s way out of self. In this lesson we
shall conclude by looking at the last two aspects.

1. KNOWING THIS… (Rom. 6:6)

Put aside all strict rules and discipline you have employed in ignorance to subdue your
flesh. If righteousness come by the law or by regulations and self-efforts, then Christ is
dead in vain. Our deliverance is not by struggle. It is by faith, based on the knowledge of
what God has done, it is by “knowing this…” there is that truth you must know in order
to be delivered from your SELF. It must come to you by revelation.

a. The pre-requisite for our deliverance is DEATH: Rom. 7:1-4, 6:5, 7-8.

God, who knew this, went all the way to meet that requirement through His Son Jesus
Christ. We were married to ‘Mr. Flesh’ and could only be free by death. But thank God
who made His son to taste that death on our behalf. The law of your former husband (the
flesh) over you ended when Jesus took him to the cross.

b. Jesus paid the price (of death) for our deliverance from the grip of the flesh. Your
SELF was crucified with Him. Heb. 2:9, 14-15; 2Cor. 5:14; Is. 53:4-6; Rom. 6:6; Gal.
2:20-21.

When Jesus died, you died with Him. That death He died is the death you needed to die
in order to end your relationship with the old man and be free to be married to Jesus and
serve. God in righteousness and holiness all the days of your life.

c. You are dead: 2Cor. 5:14; Col. 3:3; Gal. 2:20.

How then are you alive? 1Cor. 6:19-20.

The truth is that you are dead but a new man is living in you now. He is Jesus the Lord.
He bought you, your body so that He can live in you and walk in you in this world. In
essence, you are not the one that is still alive, but Christ who has entered inside of you
now to live therein. Do you understand? The life you lived before you met Christ became
terminated on the day you met Christ and got born again.
d. What is the effect of your death with Christ (on the cross) over your relationship
with your SELF? Rom. 6:6-7, 7:4-5; Col. 3:4

You are dead. And he that is dead is freed from sin. The embodiment of sin (the flesh) has
been destroyed. The stronghold of sin over your life has been shattered. The work of the
flesh in your life are the things he uses to have a stronghold over your life. The hold has
been destroyed. Sin has no more power over you. The flesh shall no more be your master!
You now have power to say ‘NO’ to the flesh and you are free to obey Christ.
 LESSON 10
CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP
(CHRIST ALONE)
SONG: IT IS NO LONGER I THAT LIVETH

It is no longer I that liveth (or speaketh, readeth, singeth, walketh, teacheth, cooketh ect.)
But Christ that liveth in me
It is no longer I that liveth
But Christ that liveth in me

He lives in me,
Jesus is the life in me,
It is no longer I that liveth
But Christ that liveth in me

NOT I BUT CHRIST: 2Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:1-10; Gal. 2:20-21, 5:24-26; Rom. 6:3-14; Phil. 1:20-21;
Col. 5:1-10.

The self is stubborn, arrogant and defiant to every correction. It will not obey God’s word.
Indeed, it cannot, “Because the carnal mind is against God: for it is not subject to the law
of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
(Rom. 8:7-8).

The way out is not to bend down but to uproot the self-life and crush it in death. Nothing can be
done to improve on him. Any little trace of the old man you permit in your life now surely will
outgrow and choke up whatever spiritual life you think you are nurturing.

As Cain slew Abel, as Esau sought to kill Jacob, Ishmael persecuted Isaac, as Joseph’s senior
brothers bound him up in a dry pit and later sold him for 20 pieces of silver, so those the self-
life, the OLD MAN, to everything spiritual.

Notice carefully at this point, that in each of these examples of scriptures, the self is always the
older. The old man came first. You are more accustomed to his way and lifestyle than new life.

Self does not need any pampering or training to develop, just as a weed does not need much
water or fertilizer to grow everywhere. Leaving him to grow alongside the seed of the new creation
man in your life is to reap chaff because it will definitely choke it out. God’s verdict is clear,
“Cast out the son of the bondwoman…” cut him down! Crucify him! It is noteworthy that
the Death of Christ on the cross also has crucified our OLD MAN. MY SELF is now dead!
OBITUARY: The Old “ME” is dead! Why are you looking for the dead among the living? He is no
more! A new man now lives in me!

1. Read Gal. 2:20-21; 5:24-26 carefully.

A. “I am crucified with Christ…”

Note the firmness and certainty of this declaration “I am crucified with Christ: the first step
into a victorious new life and a clear manifestation of the resurrection life within is this
revelation knowledge. Rom. 6:6; Col. 3:3; 2Col. 5:14B – a declaration to the world system: Gal.
6:14-17; Rom.11:13 can you face the world all-around you and say boldly: leave me alone! I am
crucified with Christ! My hands, my feet and my head are all nailed up. I have no hands again to
cover up self. I have no head free again to nod in self-defense… My feet no longer could run
errands for self. I am crucified with Christ!

B. Nevertheless, I live, yet not “I”

Study closely this line. You will notice two “I” in there. What does that mean to you and why the
“nevertheless?” For the new life to manifest in your life, you must be ready to place a
“NEVERTHELESS” on your daily encounters and activities.
C. “… But Christ liveth in me” (… my tabernacle)
Read Col. 3:4; 1Cor. 3:16, 19-20; 1Jn. 4:4.
Look carefully into what God is saying to you in these scriptures… “Christ lives in me” what
does that imply? The life in your tabernacle (body) now is the exact life in Christ. It is the same
quality, has the same power, holiness and all attributes of God “For as he is, so are we now in
the world”. 1Jn. 4:17B... Christ in you…the hope of GLORY…the resurrected Christ is in my
vessel…? Think of it! What hidden treasures is in your earthen vessel, and you know it not!

2. Implications: let us consider what implication this truth has on our present pilgrimage
here. What is God looking for us now is that, it is no longer the “I” but Christ who lives in us?

A Henceforth, we must live only for Him. 2Cor.5:15; Rom.14:7-9, 12:1-2

You have no personal reason anymore to live here on earth, except for Jesus to live in you.
You ought to CEASE to live for the old SELF and his pursuit except you want to CHEAT Jesus
who B. He must be magnified in us at any cost! Phil. 1:20-21 (GNB)

 Can you see what Paul called his duty?

 What is life about?
 Paul wondered, “… for what is life all about? What is the actual worth of living?”, To
Paul it was Christ…!
delivered you from the tyranny of the old MAN and the devil.
To you… what is life? Is it your wife? Is it your career? Is it even your ministry (as a minister or
preacher)? What is life? I ask you again. Paul said, “To me, it is Christ”! I do not know what it
is for you.

B Frustrate not the grace of God! Gal. 2:21; 2Cor. 6:1-2

Much has been poured out on your life. Let it not be wasted. Do not waste His death on
the cross for you. Receive not the grace of God in your life in vain. Keep in step with the
Master! He is coming soon.