The Disciple's Cross - BaptistWay Press

The Disciple’s Cross
*Used by permission from LifeWay Christian Resources, producers of
MasterLife, a resource designed for Christian growth.
Introduction
Jesus’ followers were called disciples, implying they
would be involved in specific disciplines that Jesus
practiced. This study will introduce four activities (represented
by “the disciple’s cross”) that are essential to
Christian health and growth.
Building Community:
• Show the group a picture or drawing of a baby. Ask them to list all of
the different people needed in order for that baby to become a successful
adult in life. What does a baby need in order to grow into a mature
human being?
• In addition to your parents or guardians, what two people helped you to
grow into the person you are today? How did each contribute?
Disciple Defined:
The original Greek word translated “disciple” in our English translations is
maqhtVj (mathetes), literally a “learner or pupil.” It reflects an ancient culture in
which higher education meant leaving everything behind and following a teacher.
This teacher or philosopher would use life as his classroom and communicate
truth by living it around his “disciples.” His disciples would often take a role of servitude
toward the teacher. At the teacher’s death, these disciples would become the
teachers and communicate these teachings to a new group of disciples.
Similarly today, a disciple of Jesus is one who chooses to be a lifetime learner or
pupil of Jesus Christ. A true disciple of Jesus will begin to take on the character
of Jesus and desire for others to be similarly transformed.
In John 15:10 Jesus commands us to abide/remain in His love by keeping His
commandments. Read John 15:1–17 together as a group.
Notes
Commentary &
Suggestions for Leaders
You will find several sections in each of the
studies in this series, including:
1) Building Community—Introduces the
subject in a fun way, provides an opportunity
to get to know one another better and
creates openness as you begin to share
answers to the study questions.
2) Questions to Consider—Draws students
into the passage and poses questions for
how to apply the scriptures. Try to draw
the entire group into participating, not
allowing a few to dominate.
3) Life Application Exercises—Challenges participants
to be doers of the Word. Help the
individuals to find the appropriate exercise
for application. Be sure to ask for an update
at the start of the following week’s study.
4) Key Verse—A scripture that captures a
central idea for the study and could be
memorized by individuals in the group.
5) Taking It Further—Provides references and
web resources for optional further study.
This section offers optional material for days
and weeks after the initial study.
John 15:5 describes our relationship to
Christ as “abiding” (NAS) or “remaining”
(NIV). That word means “in living, vital
connection.” During Jesus’ day, grapes and
vineyards were common sights. The verse
is better translated, “I am the trunk, you
are the twigs or offshoots where the fruit is
produced.”
A typical grapevine used for the production
of wine or grape juice has a gnarly trunk
about one foot in height. The branches shoot
off it with a completely different texture and
color. They are pruned back until the best
ones remain that will produce the most fruit.
They then wrap the branches around a wire
or pole stuck in the ground next to the trunk.
This resource made possible by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. 1

The Disciple’s Cross
Notes
Commentary &
Ministry of
Worship or
Intercession
Luke 9:23
Deny
Take Cross
Follow
Suggestion to Leaders
Since there are several paragraphs
that follow to describe the elements of
“the Disciple’s Cross,” it may be helpful
to ask each member in the group to
read a paragraph so that everyone will
be involved in getting the background
information.
John 15:7
MINISTRY OF SERVICE; John 15:13
Ministry
of
Evangelism
WITNESS
John 15:8
CHRIST
John 15:5
FELLOWSHIP
John 13:34-35
Ministry
of
Nurture
John 8:31-32
Ministry of
Teaching and Preaching
When Jesus called people to become His disciples, He said, “If anyone would
come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”
(Luke 9:23). Here, Jesus both issues an invitation (the call to follow Him) and
gives instruction (how to follow).
To “deny myself” on a practical level often involves saying no to my agenda and
yes to His. To “take up my cross” means offering God maximum obedience just
as Jesus modeled in His own obedience in relation to the cross (see Philippians
2:8). To “follow Jesus” means to take on the overall pattern of the life Jesus lived.
His habits and practices regarding the way He related to God and others begin to
shape our lives.
Like the cross, the spiritual disciplines of the Christ-life (another word for discipleship)
have vertical (between God and us) and horizontal (between others
and us) dimensions.
This resource made possible by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. 2

The Disciple’s Cross
• Vertical
The vertical aspect of the cross represents how we nurture and strengthen
our relationship with God. Communication comes from God to us
primarily through our interactions with the Bible, God’s Word, where we
come to know God, God’s will and God’s ways. We communicate with
God through prayer in its various forms such as praise, confession, petition,
intercession and quiet listening. John 15:7 gives insight into how
powerful this connection with God through Scripture and prayer can
be: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you
wish, and it will be given you.”
Notes
Commentary &
• Horizontal
The other direction of the Christian life is horizontal, involving our relationships
with people. We relate to those who follow Jesus through fellowship.
John 13:34–35 is a direct command from Jesus to love people as
He loves us. We relate to unbelievers through witness and service. Jesus
says that we honor Him when we produce “much fruit” that “remains”
John 15:8, 16. In other words, when we reproduce the life of Christ. In
an unbeliever, it is called evangelism (witness). In a Christian, it is called
discipleship, a process that includes Scripture, prayer, fellowship with
believers, and ministry to others.
Questions to Consider:
Refer back to John 15:1–17 and answer the following questions:
1. What principle(s) of fruit bearing is/are suggested in verses 1–4? How
would you encourage a new believer to “abide in Christ?”
2. What is Jesus’ promise to those who abide in His word (v.7)?
3. How does v.8 suggest that God is glorified?
4. Why might disciples of Jesus be unfruitful (vv. 7–8)?
5. Are you more likely to see the immediate “pain” in the pruning process
and try to resist? Or, do you look at the potential benefit of being
pruned?
6. As the Gardener, what do you think Jesus wants to do to improve your
fruitfulness?
7. How do you think the Father is currently pruning your life?
8. If you were an apple tree, how would you describe the fruit your life is
bearing these days? A sweet Golden Delicious or a tart Granny Smith?
9. According to verse 10, how can believers make sure they abide in Jesus’
love?
10. What role(s) have you/can you play in helping a new Christian grow
spiritual fruit?
11. How can you grow in God’s Word on a consistent basis next week?
SUGGESTION FOR STUDY LEADER: You will
want to preview the questions below to
ensure that you have time to cover the most
important ones and allow time for group discussion.
(There are probably more questions
than you will have time to cover in an hour
study.) Mark questions that you want to cover
and keep the group moving through the study.
Pray that God will grant wisdom in knowing
when to move to another question.
This resource made possible by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. 3

The Disciple’s Cross
Life Application Exercises: (Select one or more)
If you were to draw a cross proportionally to the way the four disciplines are
presently represented in your life, which part of the cross would be the “shortest?”
(This would represent the most neglected spiritual discipline.) In light of
your answer, choose one of the following exercises to deepen your relationship
with Christ:
Notes
Commentary &
1. Spend 10 minutes/day in Scripture, moving a marker to keep your place
in the text.
2. Go early and stay late at church; help to make someone feel more comfortable,
greet and introduce others. Be intentional about inviting someone
other than a friend to lunch; share how others can pray for you.
3. Write a prayer or spend a few minutes each day in quiet reflection.
4. Pray through these Psalms: Ps. 13 (emphasis on distress), Ps. 15 (emphasis
on character of those who come before God), Ps. 19 (emphasis on the
glory of God in nature and the greatness of His Word), Ps. 51 (emphasis
on repentance and renewal), Ps. 103 (emphasis on praise for God’s blessings
and goodness).
5. Minister to or serve another person anonymously.
6. Spend an hour this week with non-believers, looking for an opportunity
to share spiritual truth.
7. Pray that God will direct you to a person that you can disciple (a believer
or non-believer).
Key Verse:
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears
much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NASB)
Taking It Further:
The Disciple’s Cross, Masterlife Book 1, by Avery Willis, Lifeway Press, 1996 is
a six-week workbook on this same topic.
Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life, by Don Whitney, IVP, 1991 is an
excellent practical guide to transforming this info from lesson to lifestyle.
Discipleship Essentials, by Greg Ogden, IVP, 1998 is a very helpful resource.
Online resources:
www.gospelcom.net/eword/search/
Access any Bible chapter, passage, word or phrase in your choice of translations.
This resource made possible by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. 4