DFD 6-4 - ESTABLISHING

ESTABLISHING

What a privilege we have to help young believers become established in experiencing God’ fullness! This encouragement of others toward spiritual transformation is a responsibility for all followers of Jesus. Some call it establishing or mentoring or discipling or follow-up after a new spiritual birth, but whatever term we use, it means partnering with God and others to help another become spiritually mature. While the whole community should be a part of this transformational process, we will focus here on one-to-one relationships. There is always someone who needs your help.

And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. . . . May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes form god. (, , NLT)

WHAT IS ESTABLISHING?

1. Read .

1 Thessalonians 2:7–12 NIV84

but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, 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. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

a. How did Paul describe how he sought to establish the Thessalonians in their relationship with Jesus? (verse 7-8)

b. In what ways did Paul relate to them? (verse 7, 9, 11)

1 Thessalonians 2:7 NIV84

but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 NIV84

Surely you remember, brothers, 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 Thess

1 Thessalonians 2:11 NIV84

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,

c. What did he model and do to help their spiritual progress?

d. What was Paul’s goal for his spiritual children? (verse 12)

1 Thessalonians 2:12 NIV84

encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

e. In verse 8-11 Paul says that he not only loved the believers in Thessalonica but also demonstrated this love for them. If Paul had limited his influence to just instructing them, what impact do you think that would have had on them as they learned to follow Jesus? (See Helpful Tip in going Deeper section.)

1 Thessalonians 2:8–11 NIV84

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, 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. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,

WHY ESTABLISHING?

Establishing is like spiritual pediatrics — giving continuous help to a young believer to stimulate healthy growth toward maturity and usefulness.

2. What did Peter compare spiritual growth to? ()

1 Peter 2:1–3 NIV84

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

a. Why do babies need help?

b. Do you consider yourself a baby in Christ or a more mature follower? Explain.

3. Jesus Christ wanted His love to be multipled, so He gave His followers the Great Commission to reach the world with His gospel. What did He command them to do as part of that commission? ()

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV84

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, baptizing 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.”

4. Why was Paul concerned about establishing those he had reached? (,)

1 Thss 3:5

1 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV84

For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 NIV84

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

5. Read . Why do you think Paul was so intense and energetic about seeing people transformed in Christ?

Colossians 1:28–29 NIV84

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

THE WORTH OF EACH INDIVIDUAL

God endowed every person He created with value and dignity. Humanity was made in the image and likeness of God. In the entire universe we alone have the distinct privilege of reflecting godliness.

6. Genesis 1:26-28 reveals our origin. Based on these verse, how valuable are people to God? From where does this worthy come?

Genesis 1:26–28 NIV84

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

7. Read Psalm 8:3-8. How did the psalmist express the worth of people? Explain the significance of this for you personally and for others.

Psalm 8:3–8 NIV84

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

8. How many people did Paul mention by name in ? Why is this significant?

36

9. What does Jesus teach about the importance of the individual in ?

Luke 15:3–7 NIV84

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

10. Read . Why do you think Paul felt personally responsible for the Corinthians? (Consider the difference between the heart of a guardian and the heart of a father.)

1 Corinthians 4:15 NIV84

Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

11. As you consider your worth and the worth of others, how does your heart connect with the truths of this section?

HELPING OTHERS GROW

12. What did Paul and his companions do to help those who had recently come to a belief in Jesus Christ?

Acts 14:21–22 NIV84

They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Acts 18:11 NIV84

So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

13. What did Paul and his coworkers pray for new believers?

Colossians 1:9–12 NIV84

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Colossians 4:12 NIV84

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

14. What could you encourage new believers to do? ()

Colossians 3:16 NIV84

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

15. In what other ways could you encourage and establish them?

Mark 5:19 NIV84

Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Luke 9:23 NIV84

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

John 15:10 NIV84

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

Philippians 4:6 NIV84

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Hebrews 10:25 NIV84

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The body of Christ needs us to grow through community and develop leaders who don’t just manage but mobilize, empower, and release others into kingdom living. — Eric Sandras, PhD, Buck-Naked Faith

16. Paul used various methods to follow up with new believers. Which methods do the following verse describe?

Acts 15:36 NIV84

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”

1 Corinthians 4:14 NIV84

I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.

1 Corinthians 4:17 NIV84

For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

2 Timothy 1:3 NIV84

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

How can you help someone you know by using one of these methods?

You will want to help a new believer in these areas:

Assurance of salvation and of God’s love

Regular quiet times alone worshipping God

Scripture memory and mediatation

Bible study — understanding God’s view of reality

Prayer — personal conversation with God

Fellowship with other believers

Sharing Jesus Christ with others

Growing in love, joy, peace, patience, and so on (the fruit of the Spirit)

Learning to listen, trust, and obey God in daily life and decisions

Serving the poor

BEING AN EXAMPLE

When it comes to follow-up, more is caught than taught. — Dawson Trotman

17. What could Paul say about his example to the Philippian Church? ()

Philippians 4:9 NIV84

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

18. Read 1 Timothy 4:12. In what areas should you be an example to others?

1 Timothy 4:12 NIV84

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Jesus’ life provides the ultimate blueprint for whole-life discipleship. His disciples shared His everyday life — His highest and lowest moments. They saw Him from all sides, not just as a performer of miracles but also as a man who bore the Father’s burdens, got angry, and even wept. His investment in their lives would reap tremendous returns after His departure. We, too, have deposits to make in the lives of our brothers and sisters in the faith. — Pamela Toussaint, Homemade Disciples

19. Why is being real and authentic important as we touch the lives of others?

20. Can you say with Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” ()? What aspect of your life should be changed so that you can maintain a good example?

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV84

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

21. Think of someone you have had the privilege of leading to Christ or someone you know who is young in the faith. Remember to pray for him and consider what more you can do to stimulate this growth. Should you visit, call, or write to hi? What practical resources might help him? Should you take him with you to see a nonbelieving friend or another young believer? Summarize how you can help him and what you intend to do.

Life-giving community breeds life-giving followers . . . The early churches had a way of allowing the Holy Spirit to spend them on the horizontal, by serving and love, while simultaneously having their own lives transformed on the vertical, through worship and study. That’s the way of the Cross: to go and make disciples while we continue to apprentice ourselves to the master Jesus. — Eric Sandras, PhD, Buck-Naked Faith

SUGGESTED VERSE FOR MEDIATION AND MEMORIZATION

1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV84

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.