Yesterday we considered the promise that Jesus would continue to speak to us as His disciples. He is our Good Shepherd and, as such, He will continue to speak and lead us. So how does Jesus continue to speak to us? What should we expect from Him?
Readings and reflections
1. Jesus has given us His word, through which He speaks to us. In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us,
‘…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…” (Matthew 28:18-20)
We hear Jesus’ voice in His ‘teaching’ - in His word. However, it’s important that as we read the bible, we listen for particular truths and commands that He highlights to us.
2. After His resurrection, Jesus came to His disciples and,
’45 He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:45-49)
(v.45) What does He enable our minds to do?
(v.46-47) How does Jesus summarise the message of the Old Testament?
(v.48 -49) What have all disciples become and how does Jesus ensure that we will be successful?
Do you see that Jesus wants to continue to speak through the scriptures? As you hear it taught, as you read it, listen to it… Jesus, by the Spirit, continues to speak.
To memorise this week: Isaiah 6:8
‘Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”’ (Isaiah 6:8)
To consider this week
A simple way to respond to Jesus command of discipleship is to become a ‘running partner’; get together with 1 or 2 brothers or sisters to encourage each other. For more details please go to:
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - DISCIPLES SAY "YES"
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
What was your favourite subject at school and why?
Introduction - please share in your group
On Sunday, we continued in our series on discipleship. Last week, we considered how disciples are those who are 'learning to live like Jesus'. This week, and in our devotionals, we will see that 'disciples say "yes"'; those who want to follow Jesus, hear his command to make disciples in The Great Commission and they seek to be disciples and make disciple-makers in any way that they can. Let's remind ourselves of Jesus' commission to us,
‘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 28:18-20)
Making disciples is God's will for all of us. There are many reasons why we don't get involved such as being too busy, feeling that we don't have much to offer, not realising this is Jesus' will... but let's be clear, if you are a disciple, you need to say "yes" and get involved in making disciples. David Watson summarised what this means when he wrote,
'The verb to disciple describes the process by which we encourage another person to be a follower of Jesus; it means the methods we use to help that person to become mature in Christ and so be in a position where he or she can now disciple someone else.' (Watson Discipleship)
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