Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse passage –Mark 1:1-4; Luke 4:42-44; Acts 5:42; 11:19-21 (day five)

Is this the kindest “No” you’ve ever seen. Jesus is doing incredible ministry- healing and casting out demons. Really good work. Meeting needs. Encouraging others. Bringing hope and joy. Yet, Jesus decides to leave them, even though they beg Him to stay.
It’s much easier to discern between right and wrong, good and bad, healthy and unhealthy. But Jesus gains clarity and certainty between better and best- much more difficult. Don’t overlook Jesus’ intentional rhythm of “time alone with God” (When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place;). Jesus then responds with fresh conviction and courage. Telling them “no” could not have been easy, but Jesus moves on in order to fulfill his mission. Does our time alone with God bring clarity, courage, and conviction? Does our time alone with God result in trust and obedience?  All are needed. All are required.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 6:12–16; 8:1; 9:1–6; 10:1–17 (day five)

“The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

The focus and freedom Jesus gives to His followers in verse 16 are so transformational. It’s like a mission and ministry reset in one statement. As He sends these believers out, Jesus reminds them that the subject and content of their message is Him. When we share God’s Word with God’s love and with God’s presence and power, we have no room or opportunity to take credit or claim any kind of contribution. It is ALL HIM. That kind of focus removes any distraction or temptation to add to or take away from the message of Christ. Our thoughts and message when we serve and minister must be laser focused on Christ and His place and power in our lives. But there’s also freedom, freedom from our pride and insecurity. We are not center stage when we do ministry and missions. It’s Him. We do not lose or fail when we are obedient. Just as true, we do not win or triumph when we are obedient. It’s Him. We have the freedom to follow and trust the results to His sovereignty. We, like the message, the efforts, and outcomes (when we serve and minister) are in His hands.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17; Hebrews 5:11–13; Romans 16:17–18 (day five) 

There is a tendency to equate the Christian life primarily with feeling and doing- to the exclusion of thinking. No doubt those are important. This week, however we are encouraged, even challenged to consider that our thinking and learning are a significant part of our spiritual growth and maturity in Christ. Doctrinal truths are vitally important to deepening relationships with Christ and with other believers. In our Romans passage Paul points out that this facet of discipleship impacts unity and community. We must listen, learn, and grow both on our own and with one another. When this happens in vibrant interpersonal fellowship, there is healthy accountability, palpable community, and strengthening unity. A healthy Church body learning and growing in unity, in our current culture, is an anomaly as well as a testimony to the grace and wisdom of the Living God!

Re:Verse passage – John 15:6–10; Hebrews 12:10; Acts 13:2–3; Colossians 4:2–4 (day five)

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too,”

Our study this summer has been so rich and encouraging. We are studying biblical discipleship, spiritual formation, and Christian maturity. This week we focus on spiritual disciplines- regular and intentional actions, rhythms, and patterns we practice for the purpose of growing deeper in our relationship with Christ. It is easy to think of these only in terms of what I need to do on my own and by my self. The “individualism” of western culture can influence us in this way. The title of our series (Deepening Disciples: Formation through Relationships) reminds us that biblical discipleship also has a facet that requires community and accountability and demands BOTH personal and corporate disciplines. I’ll share some thoughts from Donald Whitney-

“So while some Disciplines are practiced alone, some are to be practiced with others… Both the personal and interpersonal Disciplines are means of blessings for followers of Jesus and a part of growth in godliness, for the Bible teaches both. Moreover, Jesus practiced both, and becoming like Jesus is the purpose of practicing the Disciplines. Christians are individuals, but we are also part of the body of Christ. We experience God and we grow in His grace through both personal and interpersonal Spiritual Disciplines.”

Re:Verse passage – Ephesians 5:21–6:4; Matthew 12:46–50; 19:27–30  (day five)

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬  ‭How many times have you read, studied, recited, and heard sermons preached on this text?  If you’re like me, probably several. It’s a familiar passage to most believers. The first three verses in Ephesians 6 are unique. This passage is one of only two places in the scriptures that are written TO children- addressed directly to them. This week, parents and grandparents, we need to make sure we say this to them. “The Bible is for you.”  We should read the scriptures to them and over them. We should help and encourage them to read the scriptures on their own. We should encourage their questions and comments. We should help them understand and process the truths of the scriptures. We should instill a love and curiosity for the scriptures – regular/frequent questions and conversations about the scriptures. This is a pattern and process we can establish early and often for “deepening disciples” in the home. If we look from a larger and longer perspective, this is not a new concept. Having children engage and understand the scriptures has always been a part of God’s design for families to foster discipleship as well as spiritual understanding and growth.
“You must read this Book of Instruction to all the people of Israel when they assemble before the Lord your God at the place he chooses. Call them all together—men, women, children, and the foreigners living in your towns—so they may hear this Book of Instruction and learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully obey all the terms of these instructions. Do this so that your children who have not known these instructions will hear them and will learn to fear the Lord your God. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Re:Verse passage – Colossians 1:9–11, 28B–29; 4:2–4; Ephesians 4:11–16; James 1:2–4(day five)

When you pray, what do you pray for? When you pray, whom do you pray for? Our Re:Verse passages this week give us really good guidance. As we think about “Deepening Disciples” (theme for this study), we must remember that it is in and through relationships that discipleship often happens. Reading the prayers of Paul this week, I was reminded and challenged to be invested and connected to others in a way that would prompt me not only to pray for their needs and circumstances, but also their spiritual growth and maturity. When people ask me how they can pray for me, I am quick to mention temporal, physical, and spiritual needs and concerns. But Paul shows us another facet of praying for one another: Praying also for spiritual growth and maturity, including patterns, habits, and fruit that will enhance and evidence a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. When these kinds of prayers are a part of our regular petitions for ourselves and for others, there will be deepening relationships, as well as deepening discipleship.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18 (day five)

“because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;”

As we think about “growing” in our faith this week, Paul gives a specific indicator of spiritual growth and maturity. It is a litmus test for the progress and authenticity of discipleship. Here’s how Websters defines litmus test: “a decisive indicator that evaluates the true nature, quality, or authenticity of someone or something based on a single factor.”
Not only Paul, but John also echos that love for other believers is a clear sign of the presence and activity of God in the life of believers. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14).  This is not only a New Testament concept. David also writes in Psalms, “As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.” 16:3
Our actions and attitudes toward other believers indicate and testify to spiritual growth as well as the presence of Christ in our lives and hearts. Is it clearly evident (to ourselves and others) that we love other believers?  And is it clearly evident that our love for one another is dynamic in that it is growing (deepening)?  Do we “pass this litmus test”?

Delighting in Christ’s people is normal, healthy Christianity.”- Donald Whitney

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:4-5, 9-11; Acts 8:9-13, 34-39 (Day Five)

When was the last time you clearly saw God at work?  May I suggest that every time we witness a person following Christ in believer’s baptism, we clearly see God at work. God has not only saved them from their sins, but He has also continued that work (Philippians 1:6) calling and leading them to take the next step in their faith walk- baptism.

Maybe all of us need to be reminded that God is still at work growing His Kingdom. Maybe all of us need to be reminded of the sermon that each person being baptized is preaching: Salvation has come by the grace of God (Titus 2), and that baptism portrays that we have died with Christ and have been raised with Him (Romans 6).

Maybe we all need to remember what new and fresh faith feels like- the honesty and vulnerability on display to publicly profess and testify about our faith in Christ. Maybe we need to remember names, faces, and relationships that were a part of our faith story (2 Timothy 3:14).

So, the next time you see a baptism:
Will you be reminded?
Will you remember?
Will you rejoice?
God is clearly at work!!

Re:Verse passage – John 3:1-9  (day four)  How does our Re:Verse passage make you feel?  Hopeful? Inquisitive? Confused? Relieved?  Nicodemus exhibits some of these emotions.

We are privy to his honest conversation with Jesus. We get to see and sense the savior’s heart and kindness towards those who are genuinely seeking Him. Jesus demonstrates patience, gentleness and truthfulness to Nicodemus. Don’t leave out the last one. Above all else, even bringing confusion and tension, Jesus points to and tells Nicodemus the truth.

For me, I tend to feel alarmed. Here’s one of the most religious men that you will ever meet. A devout knower and keeper of the scriptures. A religious leader. He was extremely religious but not redeemed- born again. Had tons of scriptural knowledge. Knew and followed the scriptures devoutly. Yet, he was NOT a believer.  Jesus hones in on it from the start. It’s a warning that we all must heed. This rebirth and new life happens internally. In the heart- a place where priorities, values, actions and attitudes are formed. Leading to trust and surrender. Nicodemus had missed it. What he had in his head and his mind had not transformed his heart.

But, I am also encouraged that Jesus goes straight to the truth that Nicodemus must hear and wrestle with- being born again. When I am confused or am unaware of God’s truth and wisdom, I am encouraged that God through His Spirit will challenge and confront me with the truth I must trust and follow. My honest conversations these days are in large part, daily asking and begging the Lord to patiently and constantly show me the truth and wisdom I must follow and obey. What about you?  Are you willing to have an honest conversation with the Lord? Will you listen to the truth He will speak?

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26 (day five) I love the picture of faith formation and growth in the Acts 18 passage. It is powerful, intentional, and relational. It is happening at work, home, and church. I wonder and pray about conversations and observations between parents and their children from these past two weeks (VBS and Youth Camp). I know of children and teenagers who will go into their homes where not everyone is a believer. They will be the catalysts that God will use to cause a “household” to believe. I know of many parents determined to influence and deepen faith in their homes. Creating and carving out moments for biblical and spiritual conversations and teaching is a monumental task. I know of workplaces where believers work, serve, and witness together.
Would you describe your faith in these places and contexts as intentional, powerful, and relational?  Paul seemed optimistic and confident as he was always looking for and aware of, people and places for new life and growth. May we be just as hopeful and determined that our faith can flourish in these places with our family, church body, and coworkers as well.