02 Make Disciples, Not Just Attendees

Opening Song

“We gather to be formed in God’s presence so we can be sent into our community”

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

After greeting prayer: “Lord, open our eyes this week to those who are curious about faith.”

Announcements:

We’re not spectators here, we’re participants. Giving and filling out a Connect Card are practical ways to let us know you’re with us on mission.

You can complete a Connect Card at sangamonvalley.net/ConnectCard or by using a green outlined paper Connect Card today.

Giving: You can give in the box, online, through the app, or by mail.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT: ____

Sunday, March 29th - Water Baptism - First step of obedience, walking in new life with Christ.

Sunday, March 22nd - Team Member Training - for all who serve

Monday at 1:30p - Kids Bounce

These are not events to attend — it is an environment to build relationships.

Prayer for...

Sermon

THE TENSION

(Why This Matters - Name the struggle)

Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

ACTIVITY ON TWO BOARDS:

When someone becomes a new disciple of Jesus, what do you think Jesus expects them to do?

Examples:

Read the Bible

Pray

Go to church

Follow Jesus

Love people

Share their faith/hope

Now let’s ask a different question. What are the things churches sometimes focus on the most?”

Funny Examples:

Music style

Music volume

Length of the sermon

What programs we offer

Service times

Building updates

Pause. “None of those things are bad. But notice something: Jesus never said, ‘Go and make attendees.’ He said, ‘Go and make disciples.’”

MY STORY

(Relatable Entry Point - vulnerable authenticity - emotional connection)

As we were just looking at what Jesus actually asked new disciples to do, I’ll be real, there have been seasons in my life where that list made me a little uncomfortable.

Not because I disagreed with it, but because I realized something:

Sometimes when we don’t feel confident about discipling people, we start hoping for programs to do the work for us.

Early in serving Jesus, there were moments when I’d think, “What we really need is another class… another structure… another ministry.” And sometimes those things are helpful. Programs can serve the mission.

But if I’m real, part of what was driving that thinking was insecurity.

I wasn’t always sure, “How do I actually disciple someone?”

But over time, as I spent time with people—opening Scripture together, praying together, talking about what God was teaching us—I began to see something.

Disciple-making isn’t complicated. It’s relational.

Jayden and Nathan disciple a guy at the gym

Tom disciples guys at a coffee shop

Pastor Elizabeth disciple people at the Y

I disciple people not just in person but also on Zoom

Some of the most meaningful moments I’ve had in ministry haven’t happened in a structured program. They’ve happened sitting across a table with someone, asking simple questions:

What is God teaching you right now?

What are you wrestling with?

How can I pray for you this week?

And then watching what happens when someone begins to grow… and eventually starts helping someone else follow Jesus.

The more I read what Jesus actually said about discipleship, and the more I watched how He did it, the less concerned I became about creating more programs.

Because Jesus didn’t start with programs.

He started with people.

He walked with them.

He taught them.

He prayed with them.

He sent them.

And what I’ve realized is that when we understand what Jesus meant by making disciples, the mission becomes much less intimidating.

We stop thinking, “We need something bigger.”

And we start realizing, “Maybe God is simply inviting me to walk with one person.”

And that’s exactly what Jesus was inviting His first disciples into.

THE SCRIPTURE

(Context, Characters, Read)

Matthew 4:19 “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.””

Context: In Matthew 4:19, Jesus is beginning His public ministry in the region of Galilee after His baptism and temptation in the wilderness. He has started proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17), announcing that God’s reign is breaking into the world through Him. As He walks along the Sea of Galilee, He encounters ordinary fishermen—Simon Peter and his brother Andrew—working their family trade by casting nets into the water. Rather than recruiting religious scholars or leaders, Jesus calls these everyday workers with a simple but life-altering invitation: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In that moment, Jesus is not only inviting them into relationship with Him; He is beginning to form the first disciples who will carry His mission forward.

The call contains the whole pattern of discipleship: follow Jesus, be transformed by Him, and participate in His mission to reach people.

Jesus describes Discipleship: 1) Follow 2) He’ll Change you 3) focus on others

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

THE DISCOVERY

(What We See Unfolding — 3 Movements: What does this reveal about God? - What does this reveal about us? - What lie is being confronted?)

A Disciple Follows Jesus Personally

“Follow me”

Discipleship is relational

Learning from Jesus

Walking with Jesus

Obeying Jesus

Local churches support this

A Disciple Is Being Changed by Jesus

“I will make you”

Jesus is not looking for perfect people

He is going to transform us as we surrender to Him

We will learn, grow, and surrender our lives to Him

This happens through:

Scripture, Prayer, Groups, Obedience

A Disciple Helps Others Follow Jesus

“Fishers of men”

Disciples from the start were to focus on others

Disciples share their faith

Disciples invest in others

Disciples help people grow

IDENTITY SHIFT

(Who does this reveal God to be? Who does this reveal us to be?)

Jesus Calls People Into Transformation

Jesus is the Lord of the Mission - the authority, mission, and power is His

Jesus multiplies His work through people

We Are Followers First

We are being Formed, not just informed

We are participants in the Mission

PRACTICE OBEDIENCE

(Next Steps - Application)

1. Always Start with Prayer

2. Identify One Person to Invest In

3. Meet With Them

4. Ask Questions (which means you listen)

a. What is God teaching you?

b. What are you struggling with?

c. How can I pray for you?

Worship Thru Music

Commissioning:

This week, build one relationship. Pray for one person far from God.

As you depart…Take one step toward discipling someone.