And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in

heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them
to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the
age.”
 Section 4:
Learn and Grow
A key idea in developing disciples is
looking at how they learn and grow.
 We shall consider a few ideas from the
life of Jesus and Peter (and the others).
1. Peter became one of Jesus’
closest friends
John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for the
servant does not know what his master is
doing; but I have called you friends, for
all that I have heard from my Father I
have made known to you.
How do you think the eleven
responded to this, what did they think
about it?
How do you think the eleven
responded to this, what did they think
about it?
Can you think of events, conversations
etc. that show a deep relationship
between Jesus and his disciples?
Which disciples were closest to Jesus?
What evidence supports this idea?
Peter, James and John were
closest to Jesus. This is seen in:
 ✤ Went to the healing of Jairus’
daughter,
 ✤ Went to the healing of Jairus’
daughter,
✤ Was with Jesus when he was
transfigured.
 ✤ Went to the healing of Jairus’
daughter,
✤ Was with Jesus when he was
transfigured.
✤ In Gethsemane at the moment
of Jesus’ greatest human need
Discipleship happened as
part of a personal
relationship.
Not in a classroom: Paul & Gamaliel
(Acts 22:3)
Keys to the Relationship of Jesus
and Peter
Open with one another—e.g.
the things Peter said to Jesus
They appreciated each other.
Appreciation: recognition and
enjoyment of the good qualities
of someone
They trusted one another
Life experiences were shared.
Jesus chose the 12 personally;
they were invited to spend time with him;
they ate together and travelled together;
they were able to share his difficult days
as well as the exciting (triumphal) days.
3 And he went up on the mountain and
called to him those whom
Jesus chose the 12 personally; he desired,
and they came to him. 14 And he
they were invited to spend time with him;
appointed twelve (whom he also named
they ate together and travelled together;
apostles) so that they might be with him
they were able to share his difficult
and he might send them out to preach days
as well as the exciting (triumphal)
15 and have authority to cast out days.
demons.
Jesus chose the 12 personally;
they were invited to spend time with him;
they ate together and travelled together;
they were able to share his difficult days
as well as the exciting (triumphal) days.
Being together and doing things
together.
- is discipleship at its best and most
effective.
- happens in general everyday life.
- is indispensable for training leaders.
2. Peter asked questions
Often we find Peter asking
questions:
What was #1?
 What was #1?
Peter and Jesus had a friendship
Matt. 15:10-11, 15-16 10 And he called
the people to him and said to them,
“Hear and understand: 11 it is not what
goes into the mouth that defiles a
person, but what comes out of the
mouth; this defiles a person.”
...15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the
parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you
also still without understanding?
Matt. 18:21-22
Luke 12:39-41
John 13:33-36
Why did Peter constantly ask
questions of Jesus?
Why do you, or should you, ask
questions?
 - He was hungry to learn and to
understand.
 - He was hungry to learn and to
understand.
- The direction of his life had changed
—discipleship had become a priority.
 - He was hungry to learn and to
understand.
- The direction of his life had changed
—discipleship had become a priority.
- He took hold of God
 - He also took initiative—took
charge, tried to solve problems
 - He also took initiative—took
charge, tried to solve problems
- He responded to the things
Jesus did and said—Not passive, he
acted on what Jesus said
 - This was more than his natural
enthusiasm showing itself—Peter
had the spirit of a true disciple.
Matt 14
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and
go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the
crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went
up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came,
he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long
way[b] from the land,[c] beaten by the waves, for the wind
was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night[d]
he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the
disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and
said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I.
Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command
me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So
Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and
came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[e] he was
afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold
of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you
doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind
ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying,
“Truly you are the Son of God.”
- The disciples were alone
- Just before dawn,
- 3-4 miles out,
- Pounded by the waves
- Straining at the oars.
- SeeingJesus scares them at first,
- They hear his voice
- Peter calls out
Pullin describes it, “He’s leaning over
the edge, ready to go. “Is it OK if I
jump?” He gets the go-ahead and,
despite a wobble and a rescue grab,
makes it to Jesus.”
 - The same trusting-adventurous
spirit prompted Peter’s response to
Jesus’ question after many of His
disciples gave up.
John 6:67-70 66 After this many of his
disciples turned back and no longer
walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the
twelve, “Do you want to go away as
well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him,
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have
the words of eternal life, 69 and we have
believed, and have come to know, that
you are the Holy One of God.”
 Discipleship will be
most fruitful in our lives
when we display the
same spirit as Peter.
The End