I wonder how many of us are living a lifestyle of discipling or being discipled. When asked, “what are you ambitions in life”, we may say many good and noble things; we may say something like, “My ambition is to do God’s will”. However, do we specifically understand that it’s God’s will that we make disciples? Is this our ambition? Are we doing it? Are we learning to do it? Do we make space in our lives and diaries or do we say “No Lord”?
Readings and reflections
1. Many say “no’ to discipleship thinking, “I don’t need to be discipled”. Proverbs teaches us,
‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.’ (Proverbs 27:17)
What does this text promise and what does it warn?
2. Sometimes we say “no” because we say, “this is for someone else with more time, knowledge, less responsibility…” Jesus’ commission reads,
‘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…’
Who is included in Jesus’ Commission?
How would understanding Jesus’ authority correct such an attitude and also give faith to those who already feel overwhelmed?
Who could you start meeting with to pray and encourage each other?
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)