Everyday Discipleship Wk 5
Teaching #5: “The Call to the Great Community!”
(If you are just beginning your journey, please click HERE to read the introduction
grace abounds! Don’t quit; keep going! Find a pace that works for you.]
5) Calendar a weekly time for spiritual friendship: Y or N
+ Disciple = intentionally following Jesus’ way and teachings
+ Discipleship = intentional journey and life-long commitment to learn and manifest the fruit of who I am in Christ
+ The “Big Three” = transformative practices of Bible intake, prayer intimacy, and spiritual friendships
+ Great Community = intentional community of disciples who are called in love, gathered for love, and sent on mission
1) The Great Community is the “church” (ekklesia in Acts 11:26), which literally means, “the called out gathering or assembly.” While it can be used to describe any assembly of people, in the New Testament it is the work of the Holy Spirit to ingather those who have been called in Christ for God’s will. The church is God’s idea; not mine or yours!
2) Read 1 Peter 2:4-12. Why is God calling us out of the world and into fellowship with Him and one another?
+ Meditate upon this truth within the context of Matthew 5:13-16. How is Jesus calling us to be His church?
4) Read Acts 2:38-47. What brings the church together? What were some of the activities of the early church?
5) We are the church! Jesus is the head, and we are the many members of His one body. This imagery gives the body structure and purpose. Read Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-16; Romans 12:4-8; and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
6) We are commanded to gather as the church. Read Hebrews 10:23-25. Why are we supposed to gather today? What difference does it make to gather regularly?
7) The kingdom of God is a relational kingdom! As fellow members of the church our relationships have significance. What is the “so that” of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:22-23 and how does that connect to the new command of John 13:34-35? What then is the ultimate purpose of all that we do as the church and as a local assembly of believers?
+ “so that the world may know that You sent Me, …”
+ “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, …”
Action Items for this week:
1) Bible intake for this week: John 13-21 & Acts 1-12.
2) Write a SOAP journal entry for either each chapter or each day. Bring your notebook. Are you willing to share?
3) Review this handout as you prepare to read your Bible every day. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you “become” conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
4) Memorize Matthew 5:14 and be intentional about gathering with your local assembly of believers (church).
If you would like to watch this lesson on YouTube, click HERE.
If you would like to view the entire service including music, etc. click HERE.
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Everyday Discipleship Wk 4
Teaching #4: “The Third of the Big Three:
The Importance of Spiritual Friendship!”
(If you are just beginning your journey, please click HERE to read the introduction
3) Pray every day and during Bible time: Y or N
4) Read and reflect on the Tyranny of the Urgent: Y or N
5) Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:17 & Lord’s Prayer: Y or N
Discipleship is the intentional journey to Christlikeness; it’s a life-long commitment to learn and manifest who you are as a disciple through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
+ How did Judas know where to find Jesus? (Luke 22:47)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
+ How do Mark 2:2-5 & Galatians 6:1-2 teach us about how to fulfill the law of Christ as a spiritual friend?
+ “that they may be perfected in unity, so that…” (23)
+ “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
2) Write a SOAP journal entry for either each chapter or each day. Bring your notebook. Are you willing to share?
3) Review this handout as you prepare to read your Bible every day. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you “become” conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
4) Memorize John 13:34-35 and be intentional by setting up a weekly time to invest in your spiritual friendships.
If you would like to watch this lesson on YouTube, click HERE. (This link will be live shortly)
If you would like to view the entire service including music, etc. click HERE.
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Everyday Discipleship Wk 3
Everyday Discipleship with Real People
Teaching #3: The Second of the Big Three:
The Gift of Intimacy with God and How to Pray God’s Word!
The Second of the Big Three:
The Gift of Intimacy with God and How to Pray God’s Word!
1) Bible intake of Matthew 1-28 & Mark 1-12: Y or N
2) Study the handout on the Five Finger Method: Y or N
3) Use the S.O.A.P. Bible journaling technique: Y or N
4) Pray before and after my Bible time: Y or N
5) Memorize Mark 1:17 & Galatians 5:22-23: Y or N
A disciple is a person who intentionally follows the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ. Last week, you were taught the importance of Bible intake through the five-finger method of getting a grip on God’s Word. Today, you are going to learn how to follow Jesus’ example of Bible intake and prayer, twined together as Jesus prayed the Word.
The ways of Jesus that you will encounter in Luke this week. Read Luke 4:1-13, 16, 42; 5:16; 6:12; and 22:39-46.
+ Jesus defeated Satan by praying the Word all three times (4:4, 8 & 12).
+ “as was His custom” (4:16)
+ “went to a secluded place” (4:42)
+ “often slip away to the wilderness and pray” (5:16)
+ “He went off to the mountain to pray” & “He spent the whole night in prayer to God” (6:12)
+ “as was His custom” (22:39)
+ “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (22:40).
+ “Yet not My will, but Yours be done” (22:42).
The Three Obstacles to Intimacy with God
- Superficiality! (Luke 6:46-49)
- Failure to Prioritize! (Mark 8:35-37)
- Wrong Focus: Information vs. Intimacy! (2 Tim. 3:1-7)
When am I to pray?
+ Find Jesus praying in the Gospels and take note of it.
+ Read and reflect on Jesus’ prayer in John 17.
+ Read and reflect on Jesus’ prayer in Luke 10:21.
+ Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:17. It’s only 3 words!
Tips to Praying Scripture
+ S.O.A.P. moves you to pray the Word.
+ Move God’s Word from your head to your heart.
+ Pray God’s Word when you don’t have words or when you are not sure if your words are “in His name.” A great first step is the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13):
“Pray then in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’”
Action Items for this week:
1) Bible intake for this week: Mark 13-16 & Luke 1-17.
2) Write a SOAP journal entry for either each chapter or each day. Bring your notebook each week.
3) Review this handout as you prepare to read your Bible every day. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you “become” conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
4) Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and practice praying the Lord’s Prayer each day, found in Matthew 6:9-13
5) Read and reflect on the Tyranny of the Urgent handout.
If you would like to watch this lesson on YouTube, click HERE.
If you would like to view the entire service including music, etc. click HERE.
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Everyday Discipleship Wk 2
Everyday Discipleship with Real People
Teaching #2: The First of the Big Three:
The Importance of Bible Intake & Reflection!
The First of the Big Three:
The Importance of Bible Intake & Reflection!
2) Have you started a journal? Did you bring it with you?
A disciple is a person who intentionally follows the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ. Last week, you were asked to memorize Mark 1:17. Did you memorize God’s Word?
+ The Promise = “I will make you become…”
+ Read 1 John 5:3-4.
Are you experiencing His commands as burdensome?
Do you have a Bible you can understand? YES or NO
Are you willing to listen and obey? YES or NO
IF SO, what do you do with your Bible? GET A GRIP ON GOD’S WORD!
1. Hear (pinky finger)– Romans 10:17 & Galatians 1:3-5
2. Read (ring finger) – Revelation 1:3 & 2 Timothy 3:16-17
4. Memorize (pointer finger) – Psalm 119:9-11, 105-106
5. Meditate (thumb) – Psalm 1:2-3 & Joshua 1:8
Seize the Moment
Action Items for this week:
3) Pray through this handout as you prepare to read your Bible every day. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you “become” conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
If you would like to watch this lesson on YouTube, click HERE.
If you would like to view the entire service including music, etc. click HERE.
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Everyday Discipleship Wk 1
Everyday Discipleship with Real People
Teaching #1: “The Journey to Christlikeness!”
Teaching #1: “The Journey to Christlikeness!”
Christian Discipleship is the intentional journey to Christlikeness!
Read Romans 8:29:
+ “predestined to become”
+ “conformed to the image of His Son”
God chose you to look like Jesus!
Look at the context. Read Romans 8:26-28:
+ “according to the will of God” (27)
+ “to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (28).
What is that purpose? “To become conformed to the image of His Son – to be God’s “image bearer” (Genesis 1:26-28).
Read Colossians 1:15.
+ “the image of the invisible God”
When we look like Jesus – Christlikeness – we do that which Christ came to do (Luke 19:10 & Matthew 28:18-20)!
17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
+ The Call = “Follow Me”
Discipleship is the life-long journey of learning and manifesting who you are as a “disciple” through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. A disciple is a person who intentionally follows the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ.
FOCUS: The call of discipleship requires you to “follow” Jesus. The promise of discipleship requires you to trust the work of the Holy Spirit to “make you become.”
Read Philippians 2:12-13.
+ “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”
+ “it is God at work in you … for His good pleasure”
Christian Discipleship is a BOTH-AND: Hard work + a lot of trusting God! This journey is a long obedience in the same direction of Christlikeness (Matthew 11:28-30)!
Read 1 Timothy 4:7b-8.
+ “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness”
+ “godliness is profitable for all things”
We are to train ourselves according to godliness – the pattern of Jesus’ life (“godliness” = “Christlikeness”).
Action Items for this week:
1) Start the 90-Day New Testament Reading Challenge, reading Matthew 1-21 this week. Pick up a reading plan.
2) Start a notebook or journal about your reading plan. Bring it next week as I will teach you how to write a SOAP journal entry for either each chapter or each day.
3) Pray through this handout as you prepare to read your Bible every day. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you “become” conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
If you would like to watch this lesson on YouTube, click HERE.
If you would like to view the entire service including music, etc. click HERE.
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Advent 2023 (Wk 5)
Back to the Future
Conclusion: Pastor Jerry shares
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Advent 2023 (Wk 2)
God So Loved the World
14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever a]believes will in Him have eternal life.
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Advent 2023 (Wk 1)
A Return to Bethlehem
And the government will a]rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
Quotes from a version by Casting Crowns (verse 4)
The little Lord Jesus, lay down His sweet head
Lord of all creation, lay down His sweet head
The Savior of the nation, lay down His sweet head
at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
For one will hardly die for a righteous man;
though perhaps for the good man
someone would dare even to die.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
If you would like to watch this presentation on YouTube, click HERE.
If you prefer the entire service with music and announcements, etc., click HERE.
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