Upload
robyn-butler
View
215
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Apprentice of Jesus Participant Preparation
Mirroring the Methods of the Master
Investing in Disciples Equipping Disciple Makers
7/15
2
PARTICIPANT PREPARATION
Assisting a Person to a
Pre-Covenant Relationship
3
DISCIPLE
Strong’s Dictionary (from Greek, first century)
A learner, pupil
Indicating thought accompanied by endeavor
Denotes one who follows one’s teachings
A disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher
4
PARTICIPANT PREPARATION
Have you made the wonderful discovery
of the
Spirit-Filled Life?
5
WHO’S ON THE THRONE?
6
GENESIS 1 - 3
Genesis 1 and 2
Prior to “The Fall of Man” - Man is created In God’s Image
7
CREATED IN HIS IMAGE
Genesis 1 and 2
• Worship
• Relationship
• Free Will
• Significance
8
THE FALL
• What we worship?
• Who we are in relationship with?
• Self-centered view of the world?
• Search for self esteem and self worth?
Genesis 3
9
IMAGE OF GOD
Worshipers
• Not just something we do; it defines who we are.
• It’s the motivational core of our lives.
• All we do expresses worship.
• We either worship God – or something else – or ourselves.
10
RELATIONSHIP
Revelation Receivers
• Ability to hear, understand and apply God’s Word
• Ability to know and understand God
• Built for dependent relationships and this need preceded sin
• Our need for help is part of life’s design
11
FREE WILL
Interpreters• Ability to think or “meaning makers”
• Live our lives according to our interpretations
• Thinking conditions our: emotions sense of identity view of others agenda for solutions
willingness for counsel
* Why we need a framework for interpretations
12
SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE
Identity in Christ• Abundant life is the experience of God’s love,
forgiveness and power in the midst of life’s problems.
• Biblical self-concept is an accurate perception of self, God, and others based on God’s Word.
• Abide is the focus on Christ’s Lordship moment by moment.
• We were created so that everything in our lives draws its meaning and purpose from the person, presence, and purpose of God.
13
THE FALL
Genesis 3
• Eve saw the fruit as “desirable for gaining wisdom.” Satan told Eve that she would be independently wise.
• Satan’s promise of autonomous personal wisdom, without any need for God or His revelation So that people can discern life on their own
• Sinful unbelieving turning away hardened hearts Know that sin is deceitful
• As long as sin remains, we will have pockets of “spiritual blindness.”
14
THE FALL
* In relationships, there is a constant war of words, competition for power, and mutual condemnation - which is rooted in a deep battle about who or what will rule our lives.
* The voices of the world appeal to a core delusion in our sinful hearts, the desire to be god, able to understand and live life on our own.
15
THE BIBLE
* Only The Whole of the Gospel can make sense of life.
Real Knowledge begins with knowing Him
Wisdom is the fruit of worship and received on bended knee.
* My interpretations all rest on some view of God, myself, and others. And they always tell me what to do with both my heart and my hands.
16
THE WHOLE OF THE GOSPEL
Bible - is a narrative, a story of redemption, and the chief character is Jesus Christ.
• God harnesses nature and controlled history to send His Son to rescue rebellious, foolish, and self-focused men and women.
• He freed them from the bondage to themselves, enabled them to live for His Glory, gifted them with eternity in His presence, far from the harsh realities of the Fall.
• Christ delivers us from slavery to sin, defeats the enemy, and leads us in the way to go.
17
3 GRAND THEMES OF THE STORY OF REDEMPTION
“God’s Sovereignty” His plan
• Calling people to Himself
• Forming them into His likeness
• Preparing them for an eternity with Him
18
3 GRAND THEMES OF THE STORY OF REDEMPTION
“God’s Grace” Defines the story and gives it direction
• Grace enables, empowers me to think, say and do things I could not do in my own strength.
• Grace transforms, radically changing every aspect of our lives.
• For relationship to grow – need “Economy of Grace”
19
3 GRAND THEMES OF THE STORY OF REDEMPTION
The center of the story is The Lord – “Theme of Glory”
• The agenda is bigger than myself; it offers me something truly worth living for.
20
THEMES OF REDEMPTION
* Our goal is to help one another live with a “God’s Story” mentality.
Our mission is to teach, admonish, and encourage one another to rest in His sovereignty, rather than establishing our own, to rely on His grace, rather than performing on our own, to submit to His Glory rather than seeking our own.
1 Sovereignty 2 Grace 3 Glory
1
2
3
21
ANSWER JESUS’ 3 QUESTIONS TO PETER
Who do you say I am? Identity
Do you love me? Security
Will you stay with me? Significance
Barriers
Fear rooted in shame (measuring up)
Hiding rooted in insecurity (image management)
Blame rooted in denial (rationalism)
22
3 BARRIERS TO SPIRITUAL TRUTH
First - Emotional Barrier
• Usually have been wounded by a religious person
• Typically are emotionally argumentative
* They must be loved into the Kingdom
23
3 BARRIERS TO SPIRITUAL TRUTH
Second – Intellectual Barrier
• Typically a serious seeker and wants enough information to make an intelligent decision
• Introduce to: Lee Strobel – The Case for Christ C. S. Lewis – Mere Christianity Francis Schaffer – The God Who Is There
24
3 BARRIERS TO SPIRITUAL TRUTH
Third – Lifestyle Barrier
• Typically are living in a way that they know would have to change for them to get serious
• Graciously share it with them and pray
• Won’t show much interest until reaching a point of despair
“People don’t care how much you know –
until they know how much you care.”
25
Come away with Me for a while. The world, with its nonstop demands, can be put on hold. Most people put Me on hold, rationalizing that someday they will find time to focus on Me. But the longer people push Me into the background of their lives, the harder is it for them to find Me.
JESUS CALLING
26
You live among people who glorify busyness; they have made time a tyrant that controls their lives. Even those who know Me as Savior tend to march to the tempo of the world. They have bought into the illusion that more is always better: more meetings, more programs, more activity.
JESUS CALLING
27
I have called you to follow Me on a solitary path, making time alone with Me your highest priority and deepest Joy. It is a pathway largely unappreciated and often despised. However, you have chosen the better thing, which will never be taken away from you. Moreover, as you walk close to Me, I can bless others through you.
Song of Songs 2:13, Luke 10:42
from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
JESUS CALLING
28
Faithful – Loyal, Steadfast
Trustworthy in the fulfillment of promises or obligations
Available – Ready, Prepared
Capable of being utilized and trained
Intentional – Purposeful, Deliberate
Disciplined to follow a plan
Teachable – Acquiring knowledge or skill, trainable
Ready and willing to learn
Hungry – Desire, Longing
Passion to go deeper in Spiritual Walk
THE CALLING OF A DISCIPLE
Disciples Need To Know What They are Saying “Yes” to:
F. A. I. T. H.
Disciples Need To Know What They are Saying “Yes” to:
F. A. I. T. H.
I
29
R12 CHRISTIAN “The Executive Summary” *
• Surrender to God “All In”
Romans 12:1 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”
30
R12 CHRISTIAN “The Executive Summary”
• Separate from the world Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
31
R12 CHRISTIAN “The Executive Summary”
• Sober in self-assessment Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”
32
R12 CHRISTIAN “The Executive Summary”
• Serving in love Romans 12:9-10 – “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
33
R12 CHRISTIAN “The Executive Summary”
• Supernaturally responding to evil with good
Romans 12:14, 21 – “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
* from Living on the Edge by Chip Ingram
34
APPRENTICE OF JESUS
Five Behaviors of a Disciple
35
APPRENTICE OF JESUS
A Disciple is one who puts Christ first by…
• Having a personal relationship with Jesus• Being held accountable within a small group• Serving others through acts of love and
compassion to build God’s Kingdom• Demonstrating a life of stewardship• Sharing the Gospel – reproducing Disciples
Maturing in these five dimensions results in a high impact Christian with a Biblical world-view, reproducing to the fourth generation.
36
APPRENTICE OF JESUS
Having a real relationship with JesusA disciple sees and knows Him as a living friend, not just a historical figure. The relationship is personal, not institutional, and it is motivated by how the Disciple can give glory to God in all aspects of their life. By practicing the Spiritual Disciplines, one will come to know Jesus as both Savior and Lord.
37
APPRENTICE OF JESUS
Accountability within a small groupGives others the right to speak into your life as you progress in putting off the “old self.” The Twelve Disciples comprised the first small group because Jesus knew that becoming an intentional authentic Christian could not be accomplished in isolation.
38
APPRENTICE OF JESUS
Serving others through acts of love and compassion
This is reflected through our spiritual gifts as we seek to glorify God. A Disciple will answer the call to act for those in need. Jesus came to serve, and as a Disciple, we are compelled to follow His example as we build the kingdom.
39
APPRENTICE OF JESUS
Demonstrating a life of Stewardship
A Disciple readily acknowledges that God created the universe and owns it all. Because God owns everything, we acknowledge that we are simply stewards of the gifts of time, talent, resources, relationships, and truth. God gives us enough time to do everything He wants us to do.
40
APPRENTICE OF JESUS
Sharing the Gospel – Reproducing DisciplesSharing the Gospel, modeling a Christ-centered life, and nurturing other Disciples is our fundamental calling from Christ. We are called to share our own personal faith journey, for the purpose of bringing others to Christ. We live our lives reflecting authenticity and transparency to reflect his Lordship. We invest our life in the lives of others to help engage, equip and encourage Disciples for Christ. The cycle of Christian life is perpetuated when a Disciple’s life is committed to reproducing more Kingdom builders.
41
GROWTH TOOLS
How Christians Grow
“Means of Grace”
9 Growth Tools by Dr. Charles Lake
of Growth Ministries
42
GROWTH TOOLS
Truth from God’s Word
Defined Wisdom communicated in His infallible Word.
Objective To demonstrate His likeness in all our actions and reactions
Temptation
Defined Enticed to do evil by offering some seeming advantage
Objective Finding and taking the way of escape
43
GROWTH TOOLS
Trials
Defined Tests of various sorts that God allows
Objective To joyfully persevere and trust Him
Thorns
Defined Factors God chooses not to remove but to give you grace to conquer
Objective Accept what you cannot change and seek His spiritual strength
44
GROWTH TOOLS
Challenges
Defined Taking a step in faith, not knowing the outcome
Objective Obey in faith that God will reveal the next step
Conflicts
Defined Inter-personal relationships that challenge our unconditional love for others
Objective Respond in a Christ-like manner, not permitting bitterness to take hold
45
GROWTH TOOLS
Loneliness
Defined Times of weariness when God seems to have withdrawn
Objective To live by faith and not by feelings
Discipleship
Defined Exercising the disciplines of the Christian faith
Objective To be Christ-like in our actions and reactions
46
GROWTH TOOLS
Blessings
Defined Faithfulness of God to reveal His love
Objective Attitude of gratitude to the Lord, in everything give thanks
Growth Tools: Instruments God uses to grow us
• Being a disciple involves a cooperative effort between Christ and His follower
• Discipleship is the practice of growing believers and cultivating the fruit of the Spirit
47
GOD’S 4 CALLS
48
GOD’S 4 CALLS
To follow and obey Christ, you need to answer
4 calls
49
GOD’S 4 CALLS
External Call = Gospel
Internal Call = Holy Spirit
50
GOD’S 4 CALLS
Call to repentance and Faith “Jesus as Savior”
Job 42:6; Matthew 3:2; Jeremiah 5:3; II Peter 3:9,
John 3:16; Matthew 22:14; Ephesians 4:1
51
GOD’S 4 CALLS
Call to a Covenant Relationship “Jesus as Lord”
Living under His authority
Matthew 7; Exodus 19-24; Genesis 1-
11
52
GOD’S 4 CALLS
Call to Follow as a Disciple “Be a disciple and make disciples”
Evangelism, Discipleship, Cultural Mandate
John 8:31-32; Luke 14:26-27;
Matthew 28:19; Luke 5:1-11
53
GOD’S 4 CALLS
Call to Purpose “I have been uniquely designed
to…as my role in Kingdom building and bearing Jesus’ fruit”
Acts 20:24; Romans 8:28; Acts 26:16; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 5:15-16
54
GOD’S 4 CALLS
Most people are intimidated by this because it can’t be accomplished by “performance.”
The Performance Trap
by Steve Wood
Lead Pastor, Mount Pisgah UMC
55
“The Normal Christian Life”
by Dr. Allan Coppedge
56
THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE
Stage I: Becoming a Christian Salvation
• The Lamb of God (Genesis 12)
Stage II: Following Jesus Disciple
• Relationship with Jesus• Learner – Pupil• Imitate the teacher
* Nothing happens until these two happen!!
57
THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE
Two clear choices we must make:
• Becoming a Christian• Following Jesus as a Disciple
Where am I in the process?
What’s the next good thing God wants me to do?
Discipleship is part of Wesleyan heritage
* If you miss any of Stages I, II, or III – you will not be what you want to be!!
58
THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE
Stage III. Baptized by the Spirit
• Cleansing of self-will to Jesus’ way• Surrendered life to the Trinity• Learn to pray in the Spirit
Stage IV: Living as a disciple in the fullness of the Spirit
• Let the Lord have full control• Uniquely designed for a Kingdom
purpose• Prayer partner with accountability
59
HOLINESS
5 Habits of Holiness
Living on the Edge by Chip Ingram
60
5 HABITS OF HOLINESS
Personal Integrity
• Speak the truth in love
Training Apparatus: Confession
Ephesians 4:15, 25
61
5 HABITS OF HOLINESS
Emotional Control
• Be angry and do not sin
Training Apparatus: I feel…when you do…I would like
Ephesians 4:26-27
62
5 HABITS OF HOLINESS
Employment Stewardship
• Put on work ethic
® Training Apparatus: Good Mentors/ Accountability Partner
Ephesians 4:28
63
5 HABITS OF HOLINESS
Speech Patterns
• Say only what helps
® Training Apparatus: Silence & Solitude
Ephesians 4:29-30
64
5 HABITS OF HOLINESS
Positive Attitudes
• Be kind to one another
® Training Apparatus: “Matthew 5:24 Principle” – be reconciled to your brother
Ephesians 4:31-32
65
GOOD TO GREAT
“Good to Great in God’s Eyes” by Chip Ingram
• Think great thoughts• Read great books• Pursue great people• Dream great dreams• Pray great prayers
• Take great risks• Make great sacrifices• Enjoy great moments• Empower great people• Develop great habits
66
GOOD TO GREAT
• Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit does not rule out having a clear target for your discipleship
• “Intentionality” – Your faith can’t be a random growth process
• Applying truth to your life is first quality, then quantity