All of us Making Disciples

—handouts...

We read earlier in the service from Matthew 28:18-20—that our mission from God Himself is to...

“make disciples...”

I want you to think for a second—who are the most significant people in your life that helped influence you to follow Jesus more closely? who is that person or people? (get that person in your mind) and why were they so influential?

What did they do? what was it about them to made a difference for the sake of Jesus in your life? On the count of 3, I want you to say that person’s name (you can use a fake name if that helps) ready 1, 2, 3 ___________.”

Jesus gave us a very specific mission—to all of us — to make disciples of all nations...that is followers of Jesus...

we do this while going...we do this, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey.

before I talk about how we disciple others...let me review where we are at...

does anyone need a handout?

Review:

so far we have look at:

How to become a disciple (Romans 3:23-26) January 11th… because we are sinner separated from a holy God, we need the incredible intervention of God. It’s all grace—and what He did through Jesus, and we receive it by faith as a gift. being a disciple does not begin with what we do—but what He does and did! Praise God!

What a Disciple is: (Jan 18th)

a student attached to their master

an apprentice

a dust of the rabbi type follower - because you are following in Jesus’ footsteps so closely —that his dust is all over you—metaphorically speaking.

John 15:

someone soaked in the love of Jesus (John 15:9-12)

someone chosen by Jesus to bear fruit (John 15:8, 16)

someone who regularly surrenders to Jesus (John 15:10,12,14,17)

this reminds us that becoming a Christian is more than just avoiding hell and going to heaven someday (although that’s really important) or just praying a prayer or checking off a box.

but it’s about attaching ourselves to Jesus. we get this abundant life of knowing Jesus. we say “yes” to Jesus in every area of our lives...

John Mark Comer says in his book Practicing the Way...

we get to be with Jesus

become like Jesus

and do as He did...it’s incredible...

a disciple is someone who simply says “Yes” to Jesus in every area of their lives.

How to grow: (Feb. 1st) (this is being with Jesus) regularly!

organic - surrender - “abide!”

intentional - having a plan or “rule of life”

How to reach people to become disciples (Feb. 8th) - Logan preached that one of the best ways to reach people is by having a life that shows fruit. that opens up space and opportunity. Josh and Sarah Hawkins, some of our missionaries we support in Europe, talk about this, too. They patiently walk with people, invite people into their lives through football coaching, board games, wing nights and hospitality, and that opens up doors to talk about Jesus. reaching

now it’s how to do we make disciples—once they have been reached. how do we form them into the image of Jesus

because the goal of discipleship is 2 fold:

we do this not for our glory but for the glory of God...sometimes it can be more about us. “look how many people I have reached, or I have mentored or impacted.” we can become territorial; it’s all about God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

the goal is the glory of God

and then secondly....

2. Colossians 1:28-29

Colossians 1:28–29 NIV

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

the goal of making disciples is mature in Jesus ...

...not perfection

...but a life that is focused on and directed by Jesus Christ

a life of discernment—where everything is filtered by Jesus’ life and teaching...

do you have that?

can you influence others so that they become more focused on and directed by Jesus?

so that they can be with Jesus, become like Him, and start to do as He did and make disciples?

how do we simply help others follow Jesus?

How do we make disciples like this?

btw—remember—this is not something we delegate to the professionals...all of us can and are called to do this. you can reach and disciple people that I can’t. and vice versa.

Let’s look at a couple examples..

Example #1 The Life of Jesus (turn to Mark 3:13-19)

Mark 3:13-19 (let’s stand)

Mark 3:13–19 NIV

13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

What are some lessons we learn from Jesus right away about discipleship?

Disciple-Making Lessons -

before I answer that.

Let’s read about the example of Paul

Example #2 - Life of the Apostle Paul

1 Thessalonians 2:3–9 NIV

3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.

1 Thessalonians 2:10–11 NIV

10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,

What do we learn about Making Disciples from 2 of the greatest disciple makers ever...Jesus and Paul.

let me give a definition — making disciples: is simply helping others follow Jesus.

how do we do that? Some Lessons:

our words and the way we live are constantly discipling others. in other words what we say and do matters. and we know this...but Jesus and Paul remind us of this.

Mark 3:14—he called the 12 that they might be with Him. before He sent them out to preach and cast out demons—one of Jesus’ main purposes, is that they would just be with Him. do life with Him. learn from Him. to follow his teachings, way of life, speech and action.

1 Thess 2:8 (vs. 8) - because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our lives as well. Paul’s words and life may have been called into question—but he is saying that he is doing his best to have his words and life be pointing people to Jesus Christ.

Paul even said in 1 Corinthians 11:1

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

so perhaps the first reminder we need—is what we say and do matters. In fact, I can argue that you are already discipling someone in something. You are influencing someone for something or against it by what you do or say, react, post, like or dislike something. the question is — is your goal the same as Jesus’ and Paul’s? They want to shape people into the image of Christ, for the glory of God. can you say the same thing?

in this first lesson, we also see that discipling others is not just the words we say—though that’s important. It’s the reminder that so much is often more caught than taught. Jesus wanted his disciples to be with Him so they could understand Him, enjoy Him, follow Him, pick up on everything His life was about and carry on His mission after Him. see how He healed, taught; how he reacted to the Pharisees; how he treated the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery with such grace and truth.

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 halfway through - Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you.

vs. 8 - because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. and he points to examples vs. 9 - surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship, we worked night and day not to be a burden to you.

so very simply — just starting here—how are you using your words and actions to impact people?

first of all, do you know they do?

and do you have intentionality in it—are you helping people become more mature in Jesus Christ?

one of the most impactful set of people in my life have been and are my parents. Jim and Mary Carol. I grew up as a pastor’s kid, and I hear stories of pastors kids going off the rails, hating the church, and that is sad and can happen for a variety of reasons. but for me I always appreciated how they were the same consistent people at church and at home—people who loved the Lord and full of integrity. I saw how Jesus had shaped their words and way of life.

In fact, one of the most profound memories I have of my dad growing up, is coming down the stairs in the morning and often seeing him on his favorite chair reading His Bible. He didn’t have to tell me “Son, read your Bible...” but He showed the importance. and so I try to do that now, so my kids will see me on my favorite chair, drinking coffee, reading God’s Word in the morning.

I remember my parents, being pastors’ kids, people just stopped by a lot. and they never really got annoyed by it; in fact, I would argue that was part of the most fruitful ministry that they did.

but I also remember my dad and grandpa Schwartz getting really intense when they started working on a project around the house....so when I do a project around the house...do I ever get that way...hahahaha...next question. and if I see my kids do something and I am like “where did they learn that...?” look no further than me myself and I

our words and our way of life matters....

2. Making Disciples is not just a program; it is a ______________. (Mark 3:14; 1 Thess 1:8)

programs are not bad. in fact, we need some. we need organization, structure. intentionality. our schools have sports programs—you need organization.

the danger of programs though is that they can become the substitute and lose the focus at times. they can trick us to thinking that we are accomplishing something when we may not be.

making disciples does require some programs at times...structure...here at church we have different ways or programs like Sunday School, Wednesday night Ripples, small groups, Brianna’s Hope. those have a structural and programmatic element to it—all good!

but what I am trying to say with making disciples, we are not asking you to add something else to your cluttered life.

Look at this drawing.

draw a circle—if this circle is your life—you may give an average of at least 1/4 or 1/3 of your life to work. and then you have to sleep, that’s another 1/4 or 1/3, and then the rest if family and friends, chores, play, church. sometimes we can be guilty as pastors of wanting you to increase your church pie. Now, I am all for being a part of church activities. but that’s not what I am saying here. I want you to view all of your life as an opportunity to disciple someone else.

to use your words and way of life to help reach people for Jesus and form people to be more like Jesus.

when I am at my job and workplace—is what I am saying and doing helping people to become more like Jesus?

when I am on the bleachers or sidelines—is what I am saying or doing helping people be more like Jesus?

when I am at family gatherings—at the dinner table—or eating with friends? is it shaping my family to be more like Jesus?

what would it look if you had a discipleship view for what you are already doing? how would that change? how would that change your teaching or coaching? your parenting? your marriage? your friendships? your working out life? your hanging out life? your clients—-am I helping to disciple them in some way?

I actually think this idea of disciple making permeating your life comes as the result of you seeking and being with Jesus. abiding in the vine—organically and strategically!

one of the most practical ways that you can have discipleship permeate your life—is taking advantage of your meal times to meet with others. you usually have to eat—sometimes 3x a day at least. how can you use what you are already doing—to invite someone to join you or a small group of people to meet and talk about Jesus? study God’s Word together.

Lesson #3:

3. Disciple-making should include studying and applying God’s Word. (and that may sound obvious)...but if you think about the ingredients of discipleship...you need what we have talked about:

—words and actions in a lifestyle

—relationships - you have to share the same oxygen space

—but it has to be centered on Jesus and His Word.

if you are going to help shape and form someone to be more like Jesus—at some point you have to talk about God’s Word.

Paul makes it very clear - 1 Thessalonians 2:4

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV

4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

Paul is entrusted with the Gospel—that is what he speaks and uses to apply God’s Word

going back to Jesus’ disciple-making command

Matthew 28:20 NIV

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

one of the best disciple-making strategies is to get together with other people—and read and discuss God’s Word.

and it can be so simple. “Let’s study Mark 1 together.” Let’s study Mark 2 together. Let’s use Right Now Media—(explain that)

as Baer says you don’t have to be the sage from the stage...

but the guide from the side...

you don’t have to have all the answers...

but the reason I bring this up—I have been a part of smaller groups that don’t always focus on God’s Word. we just come together, share requests and life (and that’s good) but I have always sensed they are missing something. I have been a part of accountability groups that just confess sin and challenge one another—but never really focused on Jesus. and after a while i kind of left discouraged from those groups and hopeless.

now you need that deep honesty—but you also need to focus on Jesus and His Word because that is where our hope is!

It’s only in focusing on Jesus—that I am amazed—and then transformed. you need all of those.

4. The most intense way to make disciples is in smaller _____________. (numbers)

looking back at Mark 3...Jesus specifically chose 12. 12 (not more than that) to be His closest followers. and Jesus shared His most intimate moments with them (not everyone). and even within the 12, He had the three—Peter, James, and John that He shared even more intimate moments like when He was transfigured on the mountain in His glory, and then he had the 1 — John. Gospel of John calls him the one Jesus loved.

Jesus certainly ministered and discipled the crowds (fed the 5,000), preached sermons, he sent out the 70/72. but the smaller the group, the most intense it became.

I actually believe we need all those layers of relationships:

—crowd

—larger gathering

—smaller gatherings

—and then most intensely like Jesus—do we have a few people who really know us well—that we can disciple and they can disciple us...

people who can tell when something is burdening us and bothering us.

this may be friends who do this. and you can’t have that really deep level with everyone — we don’t have that kind of relationship capacity.

this may be a mentor type person to do this (btw—some tips on mentoring)

do you have 1 or 2 or 3 who you really can press into and they can press into you to make you more like Jesus. often this happens over food, coffee, dessert, walking together, life together. it doesn’t happen in a large group or classroom (though those are important)

and if you don’t have that—how can you develop it? are there are a couple of people in your life (Usually the same gender) who you can get together with monthly?

5. Use the ___________________ to make disciples (local church) (Acts 2:42-47) Don’t forget discipleship happens in the gatherings of the life of the church.

and this takes me to example #3: The Early Church

Acts 2:42–47 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

sometimes I think people think only real discipleship happens 1 on 1 or outside the church gatherings...but the early church had all types of gatherings—centered on God’s Word, communion, prayer. large groups, smaller groups. use the life of the church to help disciple others. pour into our children and students in those ministries. be a part of a group of some kind —whether that’s Sunday morning or Ripples or creating your own. all of these are supposed to be for the purpose of making disciples.

6. Trust God for the growth. in other words—you are not in control!

1 Corinthians 3:6–7 NIV

6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

growth can happen instantly, and it can take time.

discipling others doesn’t all depend on you—praise God!

in fact, you can’t change anyone, yet God somehow uses you and me to be weak vessels, weak instruments in his hand to change others. you don’t have the capacity to impact everyone, but you can impact someone. through Jesus.

you can’t control it—so don’t try to—but be faithful to the opportunities you have to plant the Word of God in people’s lives.

I want to respond with communion. and I think this is a very appropriate way to respond today.

If you need communion elements and did not get them—would you raise your hand?

taking communion together is a way for us to be discipled—to be with Jesus, become like Him, and be empowered to make disciples.

Acts 2:42 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

the breaking of bread—is probably a reference to eating in homes but also the Lord’s Supper.

Taking communion together as a the church family is a way for us to disciple one another in the ways of the Lord.

Just a reminder this is open to anyone who has said “yes” to Jesus. Jesus is your Savior and Lord. If you are not sure, we would ask you to not partake and just watch what is going on.

before Jesus went to the cross, he had what is called the Last Supper with his disciples—another conversation to help make them more like Himself and shape them and form them.

He said in Luke 22:15

Luke 22:15 NIV

15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

notice—they are together—eating together! Jesus again eating with them. and He gives us something to eat—bread and the cup to be reminded of what he has done.

Luke 22:19 NIV

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

of course, the Jewish disciples—Jewish background—knew that originally the bread was a reminder of the unleavened bread during the OT feast of Passover—where God delivered them from Egypt.

Jesus gives it new meaning—there is a new deliverance coming from your sin...because of my bread—my body, my sacrifice I am about to do no the cross. when you eat from this, you are reminded that you don’t work for it—I gave it to you. I died with my body so you could live. (bread of life)

Luke 22:20 NIV

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

in the original Passover meal, there were probably 4 cups that the Jews took. Most scholars think that Jesus is taking the 3rd cup, which symbolized redemption—a freeing from slavery—and giving it new meaning.

just as the Israelites were redeemed or freed from slavery—through the shedding of blood (the Passover Lamb that they spread on the doorpost), now we are also redeemed or freed from our sin, through Jesus’ blood.

As Cathy continues to pray, would you take a moment and give thanks to God for Jesus’ body and blood. He enables you to become a disciple.

as you continue to pray, ask God how you can continue to grow—organically and intentionally? (surrender and a plan?)

would you take a moment and pray about someone who needs the good news of Jesus—the body and blood that doesn’t know? pray for your one—someone God has put in your life that needs Him?

how can you help form or develop someone to be more like Christ (maybe it’s more at home—at work, on a team, at the gym, your neighborhood, maybe in your class or student small group, kid’s class) is there at least one person you can help develop?

let’s pray...

close with designating someone to pray.

Colossians 1:28–29 NIV

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.