Lesson 06: Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ-IV
Objective: Understand that being a disciple of Jesus Christ means denying self and our sinful desires.
1: Possibly the hardest requirement of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is denying self. We are all born with a “selfish” gene, and resisting our desires is unnatural. Yet, denying self is a key to being a follower of Jesus Christ.
Read Romans 13:14. “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Say this verse out loud several times to let it sink in.
Next, read Romans 13:8-14 for the context and broader message. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Re-read the verses above, but this time think about your own sinful desires instead of the sinful desires listed. What sinful desires do you think about or follow-thru on that are separating you from a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ?
MENTEE RESPONSE:
2: Read Luke 9:23. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Also, read 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Galatians 2:20, and Romans 8:7-8.
When tempted with a sinful or selfish desire, what could you do or think about instead, to refocus your attention on bringing satisfaction and joy to God?
MENTEE RESPONSE:
3: For extra credit, pick a verse that you memorized from a prior week, that you may be starting to forget, and focus on re-memorizing it this week. Share the verse with your mentor.
MENTEE RESPONSE: