Untitled Sermon (3)

Welcome

QOTW

If you could meet a famous leader from any time, who would you meet and why?

Anncoumcements

Game

Guess the leader

Video

Intro

Some of Jesus’ final instructions on earth were to “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).

You’ve probably heard that before, but what did Jesus actually mean?

Today, our goal is to find out what Jesus meant when He said to make disciples and how we can be a part of that.

So how did the Guesser know who was the leader?

What qualities made someone good at leading?

This game was all about following the example set by the leader.

That’s a good way to think about discipleship, too. Discipleship is about learning to follow Jesus.

First, we follow for ourself. Then, we can invite others to watch us and follow our lead as we follow Jesus.

So I grew up in church, and my youth pastor was my spiritual leader.

he taught me so much of what being a Christian is like.

That makes sense, YP are supposed to be spiritual leaders.

But my friend was also my spiritual leader at that time.

We can be spiritual leaders to our friends.

So lets dive into what the bible says

Have you heard the word discipleship before? What do you think of when you hear it?

Discipleship sounds like a big, churchy word, but it’s just a way to describe learning to follow Jesus.

Versions of the word disciple are used hundreds of times in the New Testament part of our Bible.

Several of those words were right from Jesus’ mouth, too! So, it’s important for us to know what it means to be a disciple and make disciples.

Today’s Bible passage gives us a glimpse of Paul as a disciple-maker and Timothy as his disciple. Let’s see what we can learn.

Disciple-Makers Share Their Lives with Disciples

Acts 16:1–5 NIV

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Paul chose Timmothy because he was Jewish with a greek father so he had buy in to those that they were preaching to

Notice how this passage doesn’t give details about what Paul and Timothy did on their journey.

But it does let us know that Paul brought Timothy along with him and the others on this journey.

This let Timothy experience ministry firsthand and observe Paul’s life up close.

Timmothy learned a lot from Paul, just as we learn from our spiritual leaders.

According to verse 5, Churches grew daily in the faith daily

The passage we just read is a story.

It simply tells us something that happened.

The next passage is a letter written from Paul to Timothy.

It gives us a different look into their relationship and how Paul discipled Timothy.

Disciple-Makers Care Deeply about Disciples

2 Timothy 1:3–8 NIV

I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

QUESTION

What does this passage tell us about Paul and Timothy’s relationship?

QUESTION

In what ways do you think Timothy impacted Paul’s life?

QUESTION

What does this passage say about Paul’s relationship with God?

It says a lot about Paul that he could say that he served God in such a way that his conscience was clear. It’s a great goal for every Christian to aim for. As we lead others in learning to follow Jesus, we can lead by doing our best to live in a way that mirrors Jesus’ life. And when we fall short of that mark, like Paul probably did at times since he was human like us, we can lead by going to God for forgiveness.

QUESTION

How often did Paul say that he prayed for Timothy?

Paul prayed for Timothy so often because he was invested in Timothy’s life. Paul’s prayer life was a reflection of how much he cared. When we’re serious about making disciples, we’ll follow Paul’s example and have a genuine love for people!

QUESTION

Think of someone that you want to help grow into a stronger, more genuine faith. How can you develop a stronger relationship with them?

Disciple-Makers Encourage Spiritual Gifts in Disciples

Spiritual gifts are specific abilities that God gives to individual Christians to better serve the Church. The verses we read earlier say that Timothy was given one. It’s most likely the gift of faith (1 Corinthians 12:9) because in the verses right before mentioning that he had a spiritual gift, Paul notes Timothy’s faith.

QUESTION

What does Paul tell Timothy to do with the spiritual gift that God gave him?

Paul didn’t want Timothy to keep that faith just for himself. He wanted it built up and ready to help others. So he told Timothy to fan his gift into flames.

QUESTION

Can you think of a time when someone noticed a spiritual gift or potential in you, even if you didn’t see it yourself? Tell us about it.

QUESTION

How can we encourage others to “fan into flames” the gifts we see in them?

QUESTION

What spiritual gifts or potential do you see in others in our group?

Reflect

I Disciple Others

God wants us to make a difference by making disciples. But before we can help others become disciples, we have to be a disciple ourself. As we become more committed and mature in our walk with Jesus, we can help others with their discipleship even more. We need to let our faith in Jesus grow deep roots in our life. When we have a genuine faith, it’s easier for that faith to multiply in others.

Listen to God

Let’s take time to consider how our life demonstrates what we’ve learned from God’s Word about discipleship today. These questions are meant to serve as a conversation between you and God. Sharing your responses with the group is completely voluntary.

• Pause for a few moments of silent reflection before asking students if they want to share.

QUESTION

Are you being discipled by anyone right now? If so, what might be your next big step of faith to talk about with that person? If not, who is someone whose faith you admire that you could ask to help you follow Jesus more closely?

QUESTION

Are you personally discipling anyone right now? If so, how can you help that friend take the next step in following Jesus? If not, who is somebody that you can invite into your life and start to invest in and disciple?

Activate

It’s one thing to talk about making disciples; it’s another thing to actually to do it. God doesn’t just want us to talk about it. He wants us to know His Word and obey what it says (James 1:22–25). Let’s be disciples who make disciples!

QUESTION

What steps can you take to actively pursue a disciple-making relationship with either of the people from your answers to the questions we just talked about?

If you don’t have these relationships already, make it a point to pursue them this week.

Salvation Opportunity

Include this if you think there may be some in the group who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Maybe you aren’t in any discipleship relationships because you aren’t yet a disciple of Jesus. Being a disciple starts with making a decision. God made a way for us to know Him and to love Him when He sent His Son, Jesus, to the earth. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins, and rose from the grave, bridging the gap between God and us that our sin had created. All we have to do is ask Him to forgive us for the wrong things we’ve done, believe in Him, and begin to follow Him through how we live.

Is there anyone here that we can pray for who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus or wants to renew their relationship with Him?

Take a moment to acknowledge those who respond, and thank them for their desire to make things right between themselves and God. Pray with them as you close in prayer or after the group time is over. Following group time, talk more about where they are in their walk with God and how you might be able to help.

Conclusion

Every single one of us is called to be a disciple who makes disciples. It’s who God desires us to be as Christians! When we disciple someone, we invite them into our life. Like Paul, we should care deeply about them and encourage them in their spiritual gifts. This is God’s method for changing the world, one person at a time.

Prayer

Gracious God, thank You for Your Word and the impact it has on our life. We want to take You seriously in Your call to make disciples of all nations, starting with the people we know personally. Help us to identify one person we can lead closer to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The devotions on the Bible Engagement Project app will help you to understand discipleship further and apply it to your own life. Make sure you check those out this week. I’m already excited for the next time we can learn from God’s Word together!

Note to Leader: For the next session (Volume 9 Session 4), arrange a video conference or secure a prerecorded video from a missionary based in your church or supported by your church. Ask the missionary to explain the process of getting to their field, what they do, and how students can support the work of missions. For assistance, talk with your pastor or district Youth director.