Make Disciples
HS Retreat
Character and Competency
He was GOOD and He was GOOD AT 1 Timothy 4:11-16 putting these things into practice, though Practice! very few things in life come naturally Chart! 1 Cor 9:24-27 Be Intentional - be convinced of why you’re running “I do not run aimlessly” John 14:15-17 Be Strong and Be Encouraged - the Spirit goes with you and empowers you you don’t have to DO! remember how this began; GRACE! Heb 12:1-3 Be Motivated - fix your eyes on Jesus - the finisher May you continue this line of discipleship 1 What is God’s plan for you? 2 What areas of your character is the Lord changing? 3 What “skills” would be helpful for disciple making?
Go!
a. Prepare (for what?) - know the cost, see the worth of Jesus! - opportunities, challenges James 3:13-18 - what is the condition of our heart? - examine your heart b. Learn - knowledge (heavenly wisdom) - from someone so that you can teach someone - but more than just knowledge (mind and heart) > I know the story and it hits me / I’m impacted by the stuff I "know" c. Set an Example Phil 4:9, Phil 3:17 - this gets into your habits, your patterns d. Teach - authentic faith (that impacts every part of life) - why do I need to make disciples? - you have unique (God ordained) relationships - how did the early church grow? conversion-discipleship, do people still come to Jesus? what is our part in that? 1 Who can we disciple in our own lives? 2 How can we build a stronger relationship with God? 3 Who in our lives is discipling us? Do you have someone discipling you?
The Cost
- We need a shifting perspective on our place (to be low servants) and purpose (to have eternal impact) - Key Words: “rubbish”, “found in Him”, “press on”, and “hold true” - Luke 9:57-58 reality: not easy - Luke 9:59-60 reality: Kingdom most important - Luke 9:61-62 reality: make a commitment What promises can we hold on to when following Jesus gets tough? John 16:33 1 What are some habits that we fall back into from our old life before it had Christ working in it? 2 Why are we sometimes tempted to look back? 3 What are some reasons you might be hesitant to commit to using your time to serve Christ? 4 Why is the pursuit of safety and comfort often at odds with discipleship? 5 How can we practically make sure that Christ alone is our source of comfort?
Fight to Follow
Spiritual Growth is picured as a Plant A seed can’t stay a seed, it has to change If you pursue You - we miss our purpose If we pursue Christ - we find meaning 2 Corinthians 4:18 - don’t waste your life by focusing on worldly things; this is temporary - Seek Christ - Spend our lives on others - Separate from our desire for self-rule Why do we serve? We emulate the Rabbi who served us first; we identify with Him - Make Distance (from the World) Do the people we spend time with see evidence of our faith? We can’t follow Christ if we don’t know Christ The call is to commit our WHOLE life; what needs to die? (Luke 14:27) Ephesians 4:14 Grow, mature, hold fast 1 What are some areas in our lives where we need to “die to self” (give up control and submit to God’s plan?) 2 What are some things you used to enjoy that you now see as ungodly? 3 Is Jesus the master of you life? Are you mastered by something other ham Christ? 4 What are some good things you need incorporate into your life that will brighten your witness for Christ?
Follow the Leader
A look at the Person and Diety of Jesus: We have to know the truth; we can’t follow someone we cannot trust? What is Truth? (John 18:38) Pilate asked and walked away, he didn’t stick around for the answer Truth: a description of reality as it actually is John 8:12 - I am the Light of the World darkness - lies vs. light - truth John 8:31-32 - if you are a disciple, you know truth, it sets you free; not tied down with “do”, be free Psalm 119:105 - your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path John 21:19-22 - The grace found in the call 1 What is Truth? Why would we walk away from the Truth? 2 What about Jesus do we learn from the Bible to be truth? What does Jesus say about who He is? 3 What compels you to obey the command to follow Him when He calls? 4 What does it mean when Jesus says that He is the Light of the World? 5 Does sin stop us from ability to be a disciple? to make disciples? Why not?
Dust
Why would Peter think that he could walk on water? 1st Century Jewish Community - Bet Sefer - Bet Talmud - Bet Midrash Talmidim (disciple) A disciple knows what the Rabbi knows, so that he can do what the Rabbi http://does...he wants to be like his Rabbi! - Halevai Sh’titkasea ba-avak shel harav shelcha Y’shua ha Maschiach! “May you be covered in the Dust of your Rabbi” - Heve metabek bafar chamim! “May we be covered in his righteousness” 1 Marc said that he wanted to do what was right in the small things (the subtle things), in the grey http://areas...what are some examples of the “small” areas of life we should pay attention to and strive to honor the Lord in? 2 What is the thing you have devoted you life to the most so far? Do you see that changing as you get older? What are some of the things that will affect your future? (there is more to it than mere fate and chance right?) 3 How does it make you feel to think that Jesus believes in you? That he has a purpose and a plan for you?! How would you describe God’s purpose for you?