Category: Discipleship

Re:Verse passage – John 3:1-9 (day two) 

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” v. 4

Each week during the children’s time in worship, we are answering questions that kids have asked Pastor Jimmy in the past few months. It is a lesson in discipleship, for sure. Kids have no guile, just inquisitive spirits. All of us have questions, but often, age and pride have often dulled our willingness to ask the questions. Nicodemus fought through his trepidation, and asked Jesus to explain how a man could possibly be born twice. Yes, he came at night and away from the crowds, but he found a way to get to Jesus with his questions. Notice that Jesus did not chastise him for the hour or location of the interview, and he was patient with this sincere inquiry. For Nicodemus, he took a great risk to come to Jesus. He was in a position where people expected him to have all the answers, and yet he was humble enough to recognize his need.

Along your journey of being a disciple you will likely find yourself in both positions. Someone will ask you a tough question. Recognize their vulnerability and help them; don’t make them feel ashamed for not knowing. At the same time, examine your own journey and find someone whom you trust; ask them the hard questions. Dig into the truth of scripture together. This is how we grow.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26 (day seven) 

For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 1 Corinthians 16:18

I feel refreshed. Though my body aches and my eyes keep on closing, I have never felt more refreshed in my life. If you are unaware, I have spent the last week at Impact camp with hundreds of teenagers and a dozen churches from all across the state. You probably would not expect “refreshed” to be the word choice for that experience, but my soul and my spirit have never been more refreshed.

An intensive time of discipleship like this can be draining, but what becomes refreshing is seeing the product at the end. Watching students give their life to Christ for the very first time, students rededicating their life, and students being called into vocational ministry are well worth the time and energy that go into a week like this.

It may not be camp, but if you feel the weight of discipleship, serving, or teaching, keep looking toward the goal because your spirit will never feel more refreshed than when the people you have been leading finally get it.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26 (day six)

The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Acts 11:22

When news reached Jerusalem that Gentiles were coming to faith in Antioch, the church sent Barnabas to investigate. This was not a small development. For generations, God’s people had understood themselves through the story of Israel. Now, through Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, the nations were being gathered into God’s covenant family.

When Barnabas arrived, he “saw the grace of God” and rejoiced (Acts 11:23). What he witnessed expanded his vision of what God was doing in the world. Antioch was not the destination; it was the beginning. If God could do this among Gentiles in Antioch, where else might He work? Philippi? Corinth? Rome?

The same Spirit is still at work today. One of the challenges of discipleship is allowing God to enlarge our vision beyond ourselves, our church, and our expectations. Where might God be inviting us to see His grace at work in ways we’ve never imagined?

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.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26 (day four)

If you’ve been in church for a significant amount of time, you’ve probably experienced some of your discipleship through programs – classes, retreats, Bible study groups, etc. These things are good and helpful, but they’re not meant to make up the bulk of our experience in discipleship; they’re not the “main course.”

When we look at the early church, we see that discipleship happened primarily through relationships. We see several discipleship relationships in Paul’s life described in these texts and throughout the book of Acts. Barnabas was a mentor to Paul. He was likely older and walked him through the essentials of the Christian life and understanding the gospel. He connected Paul with ministry opportunities in Antioch and encouraged him in his work. Barnabas was one of Paul’s primary discipleship relationships. Priscilla and Aquila were peers of Paul, likely around the same age and worked alongside him in Corinth. They worked arm in arm, helping to disciple new believers like Apollos and develop the church in Corinth. They challenged, encouraged, and strengthened each other, and discipleship happened among the three of them as peers. Finally, we know Paul had several companions that he mentored and considered “sons” in the faith, including Timothy. Paul poured into Timothy and discipled him as Barnabas had done for him.

The main course of discipleship is relationships. Barnabas, Priscilla and Aquila, and Timothy represent different discipleship relationships in Paul’s life: mentor, peers, and mentee. Examine your life and relationships – who would you put in each category? Do you have a more mature believer walking with you on your journey? Do you have peer friendships that you invest in to strengthen and encourage each other in the Lord? Are you mentoring someone in the faith? If not, how might you take a step forward in one of these ways this week?

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26 (day three)

 ²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord. (Acts 11:24)

I think we can all say we would like to be remembered in the way that Luke remembered Barnabas. Luke writes specifically that he was a good man, but he expounds on why he was a good man. This world is full of “good” people that do not love the Lord. It is Barnabas’ faith and the Holy Spirit that leads him to be used by the Lord. It is the Holy Spirit and faith that produces much fruit for the Lord. Without this, Barnabas’ actions and life would simply be described as, “He was a good man.” Throughout history, countless spirit-filled Christians have gone about their lives making disciples just as Jesus said, but they may have died without somebody writing about how God used them. God tells us in Acts about Barnabas so we have an example of what He does with ordinary people when we are diligent in following Him and growing in our faith. To be used most effectively by Him, we should be growing in Him to be full of the Holy spirit and faith.

How would your life be described? Would people say you are merely a good person? Would they expound on that? Are you growing in your relationship with Him? Are you following the Lord the way you should so more disciples can be encouraged to follow?

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26
(day two) 

I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.

Out of context, this looks like a pretty dismissive verse. In light of our study on discipleship, this takes on a different dimension. Paul wasn’t trying to highlight where the church was failing; he was helping them acknowledge where they could grow. Do you see the difference? We all have growth areas in every part of our lives, and especially our faith walk. We would do well to hear this encouragement from Paul to rejoice when others can help you grow. This is the heart of discipleship. The Lord wants to refine you. Our tendency, especially as adults, is to feel like we have somehow arrived developmentally. After all, we spend so much time in school, building a career, in relationships – at some point we want to feel like we’ve got it figured out. In truth each of those areas requires constant adjustment and refinement. Our walk with the Lord is a series of becoming more like him each day, and that means allowing others to help you where you are weak.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 14:25-35 (day seven)

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27

The people had no idea that Jesus was being prophetic here. Jesus spoke in parables and illustrations; surely this was another one, right? This was horrifying! Everyone knew that if you took up your cross, then you were not returning from it. This was personal. It wasn’t just “A” cross or “The” cross; this was a call to take up your own cross. Jesus was calling each individual to be willing to start something that they would see to the end. He doesn’t just want us for a moment. He doesn’t just want us for a little bit. He wants all of us for all of time.

Except this wasn’t a parable, nor was it an illustration. Jesus was literally telling his followers what it was going to look like for them to take this road with Him. Today, he asks us to join Him on that road. Are you willing to give Jesus all of you for all of time?

I write this from Impact Camp as we prepare the campus and our student leaders for a week of immersion with Jesus. Pray for our students to become committed disciples of Jesus this week. For some it will be for the first time, for some it will be a challenge to give Jesus all of themselves, and for others it will be a calling to take their faith to the next level. Pray for our students to realize that Jesus wants all of them for all of time, as He does for you!