In the first lesson of his Discipleship Series, Garrett Bookout introduces the biblical concept of discipleship as a central theme of the New Testament, emphasizing its prevalence in Scripture (used 269 times) over the term "Christian" (used only three times) and defining it as an apprenticeship-like process of learning and imitating Jesus. He outlines key passages like the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, discusses the authority of Jesus as the foundation for making disciples through going, baptizing, and teaching, and highlights the need for spiritual disciplines to emulate Christ's life. The class blends lecture, personal anecdotes, and interactive discussion to explore how modern believers can follow Jesus amid daily responsibilities, ending with a call to action beyond mere study.

Garrett Bookout, minister at Oak Hollow church of Christ, kicks off his 15-week Discipleship Series with an engaging and interactive Bible class that unpacks the essence of being and making disciples of Jesus, drawing heavily from the New Testament's focus on apprenticeship and imitation rather than a vague "Christian" identity. Through a mix of lecture, scriptural analysis, and group discussion, he references core passages like Matthew 28:18-20—the Great Commission—where Jesus' supreme authority empowers believers to go, baptize, and teach others to observe His commands, while touching on Matthew 10:24-25, Luke 14:25-35, and Acts 2:36-47 to illustrate discipleship's demands and early church practices. Bookout shares personal stories, such as his internship under a mentor preacher, to vividly portray discipleship as hands-on learning, critiques modern distractions that hinder spiritual growth, and stresses Jesus' practices like prayer, fasting, and fellowship as essential "training" for believers today; the session fosters reflection on leaving comforts to prioritize Jesus, wraps with a promise of His ongoing presence, and sets up future discussions on baptism and practical application.

Opening and Class Overview (Introduction and Prayer)
- Welcomes participants to a 15-week series on discipleship, blending lecture, discussion, and scriptural study.
- Prays for understanding of discipleship, personal growth, and fulfilling the Great Commission.

Primary Passages and Major Concepts
- Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission), Matthew 10:24-25 (disciple as learner), Luke 14:25-35 (cost of discipleship), Acts 2:36-47 (early church response).
- Core takeaways: (1) Define and understand a disciple; (2) Practice spiritual disciplines to imitate Jesus; (3) Obey the command to make disciples.
- Contrasts ancient discipleship (physical following of Jesus) with modern application amid jobs, families, and responsibilities.

Biblical Facts and Definition of Discipleship
- Statistics: "Disciple" appears 269 times (Gospels and Acts only); "Christian" only 3 times with ambiguous context.
- Quote from Dallas Willard: New Testament as a manual for disciples by disciples.
- Definition (from BAGD): A learner/apprentice engaging in instruction to become like the teacher.
- Personal anecdote: Bookouts two-year internship, involving daily prayer, assignments, critiques, and shadowing in ministry tasks like hospital visits and funerals.

Cultural and Practical Insights on Following Jesus
- Jewish context: Disciples memorized Torah by age 12; elite sought rabbis for advanced apprenticeship; apostles likely young and unmarried (except Peter).
- Discussion: Immediacy of dropping nets to follow Jesus feels foreign today but mirrors commitments like college or military service; challenges of prioritizing Jesus over jobs/family.
- Rabbi goals for disciples: Learn from rabbi, become like rabbi, replicate independently.
- "Follow" used 78 times in Gospels, emphasizing imitation and critique.

Deep Dive: Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission)
- Jesus' authority: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (v. 18)—bedrock for commands, echoed in Peter's Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:36).
- Main imperative: "Make disciples" (v. 19); supporting actions: Going (active outreach, not just talk—illustrated via Elf movie scene), baptizing (in Trinitarian name, by Jesus' authority; emulates His baptism and death/burial/resurrection), teaching (to observe all Jesus commanded, per Matthew's five teaching discourses).
- Critique of "vampire Christians" (Willard): Focus on salvation/blood over character transformation into Christlikeness.
- Promise: Jesus' presence "always, to the end of the age" (v. 20) sustains ongoing discipleship.

Closing
- Teases next week's discussion questions on the passage.
- Concluding prayer.