#220 – LIVE LIKE JESUS (23/10/20

A Learner is a good definition of a disciple. However, our learning, like learning to drive a car, is with a view to application in our lives. God is more pleased with one deed done for Him that you have read a thousand books but remain passive. Being a disciple means ‘Learning to live like Jesus’. It putting into practice what He teaches us. God warns us,

‘Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.’ (James 1:22)

God teaches that His Church is ‘the Body of Christ’. His people, indwelt by His Spirit, taught by truth, are to be like Jesus in the community; disciples live like Jesus. Wherever the church scatters in the week, people are to see God’s image in us.

Please read Matthew 28:20; John 14:21; Acts 19:18-20 and consider:

When was the last time that Jesus asked you to stop or start something?

What do these texts teach about taking action as a disciple?

When reading scripture devotionally, it’s really important to pray for Jesus to speak and to stop and pray when He inspires you from what you are reading.

Keeping a spiritual journal can be a really helpful tool in this regard. I believe that we should all, at any time, be able to answer the question: ‘What is Jesus speaking to you about at the moment and what are you going to do about it?’ This is at the heart of what it means to be a disciple.

To memorise this week: Matthew 28:19-20

‘Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?

Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Suggested opener/Ice-breaker

Who was your most memorable teacher at school and why?

Introduction - please share in your group

This week we began a series on discipleship based upon The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. Let's begin by reading this (this is also our memory verse for this week).

‘Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

What is a disciple? a good answer is 'A DISCIPLE IS LEARNING TO LIVE LIKE JESUS'. A Christian is to learn from Jesus (principally through His word) and live like Jesus in applying what we learn in everyday life and relationships.

Jesus chose His first disciples and He also chooses us to know Him and learn from Him. This is such a privilege - you have been handpicked to be a pupil of Jesus! However, we are also to choose Jesus - choose to listen and choose to apply what He teaches us.

In application, we were encouraged to be committed to our Community Group where we will seek to grow as disciples together.

IN SMALLER GROUPS

1. To start, ask the group to share what struck them or something that God spoke to them about from Sunday's message.

2. Read this week’s main text (Matthew 4:18-23) and discuss:

i) What does this say about Jesus?

ii) What are the various ways that one could respond to this?

iii) Is there anything, specifically, that Jesus is speaking to you about?

3. Pray for one another