Disciple
Youth
Obey.
May 18, 2022 • Michael Fitzgerald
Our disciple series has us looking at the steps a follower of God takes to stay going God’s way on the path He has for us. Jesus says in Luke 9:23b | …“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” Disciples obey God’s Word by putting it into action. Watch as we learn from King Josiah that obedience begins with our heart. Discussion A lot of us look like Christians, act like Christians and claim to be Christians but are living a different lifestyle apart from our peers at church. What do your actions show- obedience to God's word or going your own path? Explain. Does your heart truly desire to obey God’s commands like Josiah’s did? Why or why not? What enjoyment do you get out of obeying God’s commandments? What transformation have you seen in your life through being obedient?
Know.
May 11, 2022 • Michael Fitzgerald
After a disciple believes in Jesus, they get to know his commands through His Word. Psalm 119 shows us that staying pure, or navigating the path that goes God’s way, requires a passion for Scripture – learning it, studying it, loving it, and even memorizing it. So what makes Scripture so critical for God’s followers? Discussion Questions: 1. On a scale of 1 to 10…. What percentage of your free time is spent in God’s word? Using the same scale How would you currently rate your thirst to learn more about God? Explain your answer. 2. Do you avoid reading the Bible because you are afraid it might shed light on darkness in your life? Explain your answer and what convictions are you currently facing? 3. God created us to have a relationship with Him and He has given us His word to not only communicate with us but also to transform us. How have you experienced His transformation in your life through His word? 4. What habits can you establish to have more time in God’s word?
Take Up Your Cross
April 27, 2022 • Michael Fitzgerald
God’s followers are to live as his disciples – going the way He directs, even when they are tempted to follow sin instead. At the crossroad, we should choose to take the path that leads to the cross — it is an opportunity to make the most of, just like we saw through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. So how can we live and act as disciples, the way God’s followers should? That exact question was asked long ago— Psalm 119:9a | How can a young person stay pure? In other words, how can we stay on the path God has for us, rather than stumbling into the cycle of sin-death-repentance over and over again? It’s not easy. In fact, Jesus says— Luke 9:23 | “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” Following Jesus as a true disciple requires giving up your own way to go God’s way. And that cross that our theme verse says to take up is not always easy to carry. We see a clear example of the disciple, our theme verse describes, in Jesus’ forerunner— John the Baptist. Join us as we begin this new study! Discussion Questions: Read Luke 9:23. What does "taking up your cross" mean? What does a disciple of Jesus look like? What convictions/distractions do you currently have that prevent you from being a disciple that is sold out to Jesus? Knowing there is a potential cost to following Jesus, are you willing to submit your life to Him or turn away from Him? Explain your answer. In your own words, how might you keep your way pure> Use Psalm 119:9-16 for reference.