Use this free youth group lesson to teach students the importance of Discipleship.

Enjoy!

– Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

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Youth Group Lesson on Discipleship

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

Bible: Matthew 8: 18-22, Matthew 5:3-10 (MSG)

Ask: When you hear the word disciple…what do you think about? (Get responses)

People who followed Jesus?

12 people way back in Jesus’ time?

Devoted followers?

Anyone here a disciple?

Whether you know it or not, we are all disciples…we all follow something.

Question is…what are we following?

WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?

A disciple is a follower, a student of a mentor, teacher, or other figure.

Why would you want to be a follower or a student?

Because we all need to learn!

When you think you know it all – you are one of two things: dead or a fool!

So we are all being taught by someone…a mentor, teacher, friend. We are all following something.

WHAT DOES DISCIPLESHIP LOOK LIKE?

Well, if you are a disciple of baseball, then it looks like practicing, working out, focusing on techniques, and repetition.

You eat, sleep, drink, and live baseball.

You talk about baseball, watch baseball, read baseball articles…you think baseball!

If you are a disciple of music, then it looks like learning the theory of music, notes, rhythm, reading sheet music, and chords.

You are patiently practicing your instrument.

Sometimes so much your fingers bleed.

Your hands hurt; your voice can’t utter another sound.

You live in music stores and always have earphones in your ears.

Music soothes your soul.

If you are a disciple of literature or poetry, then you’re learning allegory, foreshadowing, etc..

You are reading all kinds of literature, like Treasure Island, Les Miserables, and The Man in the Iron Mask.

You go to book clubs, attend public readings, and even begin to write on your own.

WHAT DOES A DISCIPLE OF JESUS LOOK LIKE?

Read Matthew 8: 18-22 (MSG)

When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake. As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said. Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.” Another follower said, “Master, excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have my father’s funeral to take care of.” Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life.”

Jesus puts it another way…

Read Matthew 5: 3-10 (MSG)

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

WHY IS DISCIPLESHIP IMPORTANT?

With baseball, it’s about the thrill of the game.

With literature/poetry it is important to be able to express yourself through the art of writing.

With Jesus, it’s important to show the world what the people of God looks like.

It’s important to show the world that despite all the evil and wrong in the world…there is hope!

It’s important to display the glory of God and invite everyone around you into that story.

Baseball is great…

Literature is awesome…

But being a disciple of Jesus…it gives us life. It sustains your life.

There’s a reason why baseball is America’s “pastime”. It’s a fun competitive game with a long history.

There’s a reason poetry exist. Those emotions, the pain, the triumph, all trying to grasp the thing that sustains life.

Being a follower of Jesus means that you are following him and his ways.

You are practicing loving God with all you heart, soul, and mind.

You are loving your neighbor as yourself, and you are inviting other people to join this story with you.

Close in Prayer

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Say your name, school, and if you prefer Coke or Pepsi.

In your opinion, what is the definition of disciple?

What are you a disciple of…what do you follow?

Why is it easier to be a “disciple” of sports or music than it is to be a disciple of Jesus?

What does a disciple of Jesus look like? How can you adopt those traits?

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

End lesson.

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

ONE YEAR PASS – For one year save 93% on $1,440 worth of youth group lessons, Bible studies, games, events & more. Only available through March 28!

Want another free lesson, check this out…

Youth Group Lesson on Growing Your Relationship with God

13 Replies to “Youth Group Lesson on Discipleship”

  1. Vivian
    • September 28, 2016

    This was a beautiful way to show the application of other things in comparison to discipleship. Thank you!

    Reply 2 Response
    1. Nick Diliberto
      • September 28, 2016

      Awesome…you are welcome!

      Reply
    2. Jodi
      • March 22, 2020

      Love this would love to do this with my grandchildren online who are not churched. Is this a possibility?

      Reply 1 Response
      1. Kristy Preston
        • March 22, 2020

        Yes, you can send them the link and they can download it too. It is free for everyone.

        Reply
  2. Linda Hand
    • September 19, 2017

    Awesome!!! Loved it.

    Reply
  3. Joel
    • December 12, 2017

    Discipleship is the only instrument that God uses to make men to be like Him.
    And that was the only commission God gave to us to the nations of the world.

    Reply
  4. Aston Peter Otwoko
    • June 5, 2019

    waoh have enjoyed reading this notes

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Kristy Preston
      • June 5, 2019

      Hi Aston,
      Thank you for reaching out to us. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed the lesson.

      Reply
  5. troy solotan
    • May 3, 2021

    disciple – means discipler.
    thank you!

    Reply
  6. Vincent
    • August 17, 2021

    HI .

    we have come up with new youth group in our church and i was selected to lead them,this will help me a lot and i would love to get more of these lessons so to help these youg folks .

    THANK YOU SO MUCH.

    Reply
  7. Becky Lipeka Wilkins
    • May 25, 2022

    Love this program, I’m a youth leader at my local and I hope it’s okay for me to use for my youth program. God bless you and your ministry

    Reply
  8. Stanley pojana
    • November 6, 2022

    Good news because we are at one level even grown up people in age in church same thing.I request for materials to teach the youth in Christ Jesus

    Reply
  9. Namondo Ronald
    • April 8, 2023

    I love this please we need this to our young generation

    Reply

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