COJK,+Padawan+Assignment+3.1

Padawan Assignment 3.1
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A disciple is humble, recognizing he can do nothing without God. He prays to know God’s will in everything and thanks Him for his blessings. He takes no pride in national allegiances, denominational ties, or other worldly associations.

A disciple mourns for his own failure to truly follow God. He also mourns for those whose hearts are hardened against the love of God. He prays and does good for his enemies. He prays for those who persecute him instead of seeking vengeance. He strives always to live the good news of Christ for all to see.

A disciple is a servant to all. He takes care of the poor and provides for those who have no one to care for them. He does whatever he can to help everyone and does not demand worldly justice.

A disciple desires the true righteousness of God. He recognizes that he has no righteousness of his own. He follows the commands of Jesus, and teaches others who would be disciples to do likewise.

A disciple is merciful to all. He is willing to renounce his own dignity to shield others. He loves unbelievers so they may not be hindered from finding Christ in him. He loves and encourages those who truly seek God. He does not judge unbelievers by believer’s standards.

A disciple maintains a pure heart. He relies solely on Jesus for his own goodness. He guards his thoughts. He guards his speech. He watches and prays.

A disciple is filled with the peace of Jesus and lets it flow among all he encounters. He does not allow himself to be provoked. He remembers that everyone he meets was created in the image of God. He takes a non-violent stand against all violence. He chooses to suffer himself rather than inflict suffering on others.

A disciple stands true to these things no matter what others may say or do. He trusts in God as his vindicator. He trusts in the truth of following Him.


 * Lesson One**

//A Disciple is Humble//


 * 1. As a follower of Christ, what does it mean to be humble?**

//“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.//” Matthew 18:4

//“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.//” Matthew 23:12

//“No man takes honor to himself, but he who is called by God.//” Hebrews 5:4

How can we practice humility?


 * 2. As a follower of Christ, being humble means recognizing that we can do nothing without God. Recognizing that we, in our finite human wisdom, do not have all the answers.**

“//For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.//” 1 Corinthians 1:18

“//...the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.//” 1 Corinthians 1:21

How do we live our lives by this?


 * 3. As a follower of Christ, being humble means seeking to know God’s will and giving thanks for all His many blessings.**

“//...pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.//” 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18

How might God make His will known to us?


 * 4. As a follower of Christ, we are to take no pride in national allegiances, denominational ties, or other worldly associations.**

"//...who is My mother and who are My brothers? And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers.//” Matthew 12:48,49

This passage is about more than immediate family, it is about the brotherhood of believers around the world.

“//For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal?//” 1 Corinthians 3:4

The same would apply to saying, “I am a Quaker,” or “I am a Baptist,” or Catholic, Methodist, etc.

“//So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.//” 2 Corinthians 5:6

“//I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.//” 1 Corinthians 2:2

How can we refrain from taking pride in our worldly ties?

This lesson is important for it underlies all the rest that are to come. For without humility you cannot truly or properly: - mourn - be a servant - desire the righteousness of God - be merciful - maintain a pure heart - be filled with the peace of Jesus - stand up for Jesus

But beware of false humility. False humility is found in the person who constantly talks about how stupid they are, or how they can’t do anything right, or how they have no special gifts or talents. False humility is the spirit of anti-Christ (which means it is against Christ) and has nothing to do with being a disciple.