On-Purpose Living (Part 5)

Intro:

Attention:

Working out

Discipleship = More like Jesus

Need:

“… nine out of ten regular church attenders feel like they are not growing spiritually at least once a year. They spend an average of 3 to 4 months of the year spiritually ‘stuck.’”

88%: “Toddler” stage

“Okay, I’’m a Christian… but now what?”

This is our purpose

Body:

The Big Idea: You were developed for discipleship

The Big Question: What is discipleship?

Learning what Jesus said

Obeying what Jesus said

Helping others do the same

Matthew 28:20 (ESV)

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

“All that I have commanded you”

Q. What does this include?

Everything that Jesus said

Love God, Love People

+ the rest of Scripture

Why important?

Authority

Matthew 28:18 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Unreliable authorities

Culture (“everyone is doing it”)

Tradition (“we’ve always done it”)

Reason (“it seemed logical”)

Emotion (“it just felt right”)

Replacing lies with truth

How? The Bible as final authority

Priests and Bible reading

Reading Bible for 15 minutes

Bible reading plan

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” -Benjamin Franklin

Read > Research > Remember > Reflect

All that Jesus said = beautiful

Illustration

Learning workout form before doing them

Application

How much are you learning?

The authority of God’s word in your life?

Commit to being a lifelong learner

Transition statement: But what you learn about Jesus and the Bible should never just stay in your head and never come out.’

The Big Question: What is discipleship?

Learning what Jesus said

Obeying what Jesus said

Helping others do the same

Matthew 28:20 (ESV)

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Q. What key word cues in into the idea of obedience?

“Observe”

Not passively observing

“obey”

“To be a disciple is to obey Jesus’ teaching.” -RT France

“He [Satan[ doesn’t mind you going to Bible studies as long as you don’t do anything with what you learn.” -Rick Warren

Being “doers” of the Word

Not just teaching content; training for obedient action (HNTC)

Not abstract dogma to be theorized on; content to be obeyed (Expositors Bible Commentary)

Becoming more like Jesus in word and deed

He knew stuff & did stuff

Ultimate obedience on the cross (our salvation and example)

Hard bc we resist change

Importance of small groups and accountability

How do this?

Always write out action step (at church and after personal Bible study)

Knowing is beautiful, but obeying is even more beautiful

Illustration:

Actually doing the exercise

Application:

Applying what you learned?

Action steps?

Pursuing obedience > Jesus’ likeness

The Big Question: What is discipleship?

Learning what Jesus said

Obeying what Jesus said

Helping others do the same

Matthew 28:20 ESV

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Q. What are the key words here?

“teaching them”

Jesus = teacher > disicples = teachers

From eye-witnesses to ear-witnesses

Receive > reproduce (David Platt)

Helping other believers grow

Growing together

Next steps

Part of looking more like Jesus yourself is to help others look like Jesus

Self-growth > other growth

Get & Give

Finding someone to disciple you

Discipling someone yourself

Illustration:

Helping others work out (Caleb & Luke)

Application:

Who are you disicpling?

High school > middle school

Helping with kids events

Don’t keep it to yourself!

Conclusion:

Grow

Living and breathing ministry

Commitment (rooted in grace)

PRAY

Lesson Overview

Matthew 28:20 ESV

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Big Idea: You were developed for discipleship

The Big Question: What is discipleship?

Learning what Jesus said

Obeying what Jesus said

Helping others do the same

Small Group Questions:

Why do you think it is important to grow spiritually?

What are some things that commonly get in the way of discipleship?

How can we connect what we know (mind) with what we feel (heart) and do (hands)?

What are some things that you can do to prioritize your spiritual growth?

How can you get involved with discipling others?