The 21 Laws of Discipleship
Introduction: Jesus’s Easy Yoke. Matthew 11:28–30
Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. What do we...
Law #1: Transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12.2
Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. What does it mean to be transformed? What does a...
Law #2: The Law of Training. 1 Timothy 4:7
1 Timothy 4:7b (NIV) Train yourself to be godly. What kind of athletics did you do growing up? What exactly does it mean to be godly? What does it mean to train yourself to be godly? What is the difference between training yourself to be godly and trying hard to be...
Law #3: Beholding the glory we are being transformed
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. According to 2 Corinthians 3.18, how are we...
Law #4: The Law of Community. Ephesians 2.21 – 22
Ephesians 2:21–22 (NIV) In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. What does the building represent in this passage? The...
Law #5: The Law of Habit
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Don’t give up meeting together. Why had some given up meeting together? How big of a deal is habit? How...
Law #6: The Law of the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. How much familiarity have you had with drunkenness? What can getting drunk teach us about Christian living? What exactly is debauchery? You might look in a...
Law #7: The Law of Example
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. Who has been an example to you—in any arena—that has inspired you? Who is one person you admire and why? Who has been an example of consistent Christian living for you? Does it sound a bit...
Law #8. Make every effort
2 Peter 1:5–7 (NIV) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual...
Law #9: The Law of Faith
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. What two things are necessary to come to God? Believe that He exists. Most of us...
Law #10: Speaking the truth in love we will grow
Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. I would have expected this verse to say, “hearing the truth we will grow.” Why do you suppose it says, “speaking...
Law #11: The Law of Pain
Hebrews 12:7–8 (NIV) Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at...
Law #12: The Power of the Gospel. Romans 1:16
Romans 1:16 (NIV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. What does salvation mean in this context? Is salvation just going to Heaven when you die? Or, is...
Law #13 Called to serve. Mark 10.45
Mark 10:45 (NIV) For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. We often talk about being Christlike. What does it mean to be Christlike in this context? How did Jesus serve? Can you think of some stories?...
Law #14. The Way of Escape
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. What do we...
LAW #15: THE LAW OF COMMITMENT. Colossians 1:29
Colossians 1:29 (NIV) To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. Is Christian living easy or hard? What does this verse teach us? Are you familiar with Biblehub.com? There is a website and an app. It is an easy way to look...
Law #16. Growth takes time.
Luke 13:6–9 (NIV) Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this...
Law #17: The Law of Prayer. Matthew 6.6
Matthew 6:6 (NIV) But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. What do we learn about God from this verse? Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is...
Law #18. The Law of Replacement. Romans 12.21
Romans 12:21 (NIV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This is what is known in discipleship as the law of replacement. Overcome evil with good. Let’s imagine you are trying to lose weight. How would you apply the law of replacement in the arena...
Law #19: The Law of Confession. James 5.16
James 5:16 (NIV) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 1 John 1:9 (NIV) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and...
Law #20: The Law of the Kingdom. Matthew 6.33
Matthew 6:33 (NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. What is meant by the kingdom? Is the kingdom now or not yet? Nor or later? Matthew 6:9–10 (NIV) “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in...
Law #21: The Law of Sovereignty. Philippians 1.6
Philippians 1:6 (NIV) Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. What is the good work referred to in this verse? When did it begin for you? When did God begin working in your life? Is...