Too often we can be guilty of wanting and even asking God to do the things that He has asked us to do. We want to see people become Christians, to see Christians mature in their faith, to see the church using her gifts… but rather than acting (whilst praying and relying on God’s Spirit) we just pray or just wait or just get busy doing other things.
A disciple reads God’s word and acts on His promises and commands.
Readings and reflections
1. Jesus has given his people their 'marching orders' when He said,
‘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. (Matthew 28:19)
What has Jesus asked you to do and are you doing it?
2. The disciples are expecting Jesus to win a victory over evil; however, Jesus turns to them and gives them the work to do by His Spirit.
‘Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8)
From this text, what are the things that Jesus has asked us to do?
What resources are promised in order to make our obedience possible and successful?
Why do you think that we are often more focussed on other things than the things that Jesus has asked us to do?
The commands in today’s texts are God’s will for everyone. However, how will you specifically apply them to your life today? Pray that Jesus would fill you with His Spirit as you seek to obey Him.
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)