I’ve mentioned before that I fancy myself as a curator of resources. This week I’ve added two resource pages to the site as landing pages containing lists of posts by topic. There is a “Scriptures for or about…” page and a “Prayers for…” page.
Here is a current list of the contents on each page: Continue reading
I mentioned in a recent post about God’s power in us that I’ve been working on writing some posts about spiritual warfare and encountering Satan and evil spiritual and supernatural forces. Some of the most important things we need to know when engaging in spiritual warfare is that we have power and authority from God. Therefore, this post is primarily going to be focusing on instruction on the authority that God gives us and encouragement to start using that authority.
It’s so important that we discuss authority because if we don’t know we have it, we won’t use it. This is like a $100 bill in your pocket that you don’t know is there! If you don’t use it, it won’t do you any good. It reminds me of the time when I had sold my college textbooks back to the bookstore at the end of the semester and pocketed my refund. I packed that pair of pants away and forgot that the money was in my pocket. Several months went by when that money would have come in really handy. I had the money the whole time. I just wasn’t aware of it and didn’t use it. That is, until one day when I wore those pants again and stuck my hand in my pocket. That was a great day!
Authority is delegated power. It’s a power granted to one person by someone else who is IN authority. Authority is being in charge, in control, or in command. The person in authority is the one legally giving the orders, and the ones to whom those orders are given MUST comply.
As a Christian, we have authority over the enemy, given to us by God (more about this throughout the post).
This is important because if God gave us authority over the enemy, that then means WE are the ones in charge and the enemy must comply. Or as a child might put it, the devil is “not the boss of us” or our situations and circumstances. Therefore, we need to stop acting like he is and stop acting like we’re powerless.
There needs to be authority for things to be in place. Satan always wants to stop it. However, the devil and his forces HAVE to recognize our influence as believers.
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (KJV)
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)
If authority is delegated power, then where does it come from? All authority comes from God.
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Romans 13:1 (NLT)
The value of authority rests in the power behind it. God is the power behind our influence. When we use our God-given authority, HIS power backs us up.
Even Jesus was under God’s authority. He was not out doing his own works in his own name. Jesus does what God does or God’s will.
“So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” John 5:19 (NLT)
“I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.” John 5:30 (NLT)
We are also under God’s authority. James 4:7 says that we should submit ourselves to God, then resist the devil and he will flee. To “submit” here indicates that to get our power and influence we have to obey and follow the one who gives it to us. Subordinates not obeying or submitting their upper authority will get their own power revoked. This means that we have to FIRST be submitted to God under HIS authority (to his teaching and his Word), just as Jesus was. We must follow and obey God and his Word. This submission to a higher authority then gives us our authority within which we operate and have power, God’s power working with and through us.
We have some new little neighbor kids who just moved here from Phoenix a couple months ago. They’ve been coming to the back of the neighborhood where we live and playing in our creek/ditch. Their mom said it’s their favorite place in the whole neighborhood because of the trees and rocks and creek and such. They come catch tadpoles and frogs and crawfish.
I got an idea for act of kindness that my daughter and I could do for these little ones. I can’t take credit for the idea though. It came from my friend Kim. She and her daughter painted some rocks and put them out on walking paths as a surprise for some little girls in their neighborhood to find on their walks. This was such a great idea that my daughter and I decided to duplicate it for our new neighbors.
We painted some rocks in some fun designs and then set them all out in our creek for the kids to find when they come back to play sometime. The anticipation has been so exciting as we’ve been waiting on them to come back to find their surprises. We’ve even talked about expanding our idea to set little decorated rocks out at the base of some of our neighbors mailboxes as an act of kindness for them too so they might have a little fun surprise when they get their mail. Then we discussed even making more to take to some nature trails to lay out for other families and kids to find out some point, and we talked about making some to put in geocaches we find too.
Doing good deeds and seeing the creative ways that others have done good deeds has been a wonderful way to pass the time recently during the COVID-19 pandemic as so many of us are homebound. We love watching clips lately from Some Good News, or following Good News Movement and Global Positive News on Instagram. It’s also fun to get inspiration from those internet or Pinterest posts tagged “faith in humanity restored”. If you’re ever having a bad day these are all good places to focus on the good, pure, lovely and admirable things.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
However, these are also some great places to get some good ideas for some good deeds! Jesus tells us to love our neighbor. (I’ve even written before about loving your actual neighbor.)
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 (NIV)
This commandment is only second in importance to loving God with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength. I also personally believe that the second command—to love our neighbor—is one way HOW we go about showing our love for God in a tangible, practical way. We can do this by doing good deeds, loving people, and showing God’s compassion and kindness toward them. It really does stand out in today’s narcissistic and self-entitled culture where people rarely go out on a limb for another.
This week I was very inspired by our pastor’s message, “Can I Really Live Like Jesus?”. I’d like to share this sermon resource with you because it was just so good and so practical. I loved Pastor Whit’s stories, analogies, and visual/video clip examples that he used (funny, relatable, and some tear-jerkers). You know I love a good analogy! 😉 It reminded me of how Jesus would use parables to illustrate his teachings. I would love to encourage you to go watch or listen. I sometimes fancy myself a “curator of resources”, and this is a good one!
I’ll post the YouTube Video (message starts at 37:45), and below that I’ll include a message summary, adding some of my own notes and complementary scriptures that came to mind. BONUS: I’ve also added an instructional image straight from my brain at the bottom (Well…almost straight from my brain; I did my best!).
“The destiny of your life is to become like Jesus.”[1] The idea is…Yes, it is possible to live like Jesus! In fact, we are told to do so in several places in scripture. Jesus even says to numerous people, “Follow Me…”
“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29 (NLT)
“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 (NLT)
“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:15 (NLT)
“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 (NLT)
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
“Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” John 12:26 (NLT)
God wouldn’t tell us to do something that’s impossible to do. If he tells you to do it (i.e. live like Jesus), then it’s completely achievable.
The word used to describe this is “discipleship”. A modern day equivalent could be “apprenticeship”, except a disciple takes learning a step further into becoming exactly like the person they are following or learning from.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40 (ESV)
“The call to follow Jesus is a call to follow the way of Jesus.”[2]
In recent posts we’ve focused on discipleship and Jesus’ instruction to us to make disciples. First we talked about discipleship not being a one-time event but more of an ongoing process. Then we focused on the steps Jesus took to model discipleship for us. Last week we spent some time on looking at how we can teach others and some examples of how and what to teach. This week we’ll look at some steps and practical ways to follow other parts of Jesus’ example of discipleship.
Jesus’ Example of Discipleship
In order to be a model, you can follow Jesus’ example and the example of his disciples and followers before us. Remember…it’s a multiplication process! Show others how to live and follow Christ by your own actions, attitudes, and behaviors. Go and be a model, an example, and bear fruit for others to see and follow. What kind of an example are you leading? Are you imitating Jesus? Do your actions, attitudes, and words reflect Christ? Be the kind of disciple that God would want multiplied.
“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:15 (NLT)
“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 (NLT)
“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” John 15:16 (NLT)
“But you must always act like your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:48 (CEV)
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].” Matthew 16:24 (AMP)
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)
“Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” 1 Peter 5:3 (NLT)
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)
“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.” Titus 2:7 (NLT)
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children” Ephesians 5:1 (NIV)
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
“My friends, I want you to follow my example and learn from others who closely follow the example we set for you.” Philippians 3:17 (CEV)
“I beg you, then, to follow my example.” 1 Corinthians 4:16 (GNT)
“Not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.” 2 Thessalonians 3:9 (NASB)
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all].” 3 John 1:11 AMP
We’ve been talking lately about Jesus’ instruction to us to make disciples. We’ve learned that it’s not a one-time event but more of an ongoing process that’s going to require a little more effort on our part. Last week we discussed how Jesus modeled and practiced discipleship as an example to imitate with several steps are parts in the process.
Jesus’ Example of Discipleship
This week I’d like to give more practical insight into our role of discipleship and what it might look like as we follow Jesus’ example of these same steps. Today’s post will focus on what it means to teach as you disciple others. We’ll discuss ways to practically do this, and I’ll share loads of resources with you! (Consider bookmarking this page as a future reference for your discipling journey!)
The word disciple, as a noun, actually means a learner or a student, and as a verb, it means to teach or to instruct. Thus, the first and foremost thing we should be doing after we win people to Christ is to ensure that they are being taught. We can do some of the teaching ourselves by answering questions, sharing what God is teaching us, and studying along with them in a bible study or small group. Additionally, we can lead them to teaching via inviting and taking them to church with us or encouraging them to find a good, teaching church home of their own.
Overall, Jesus sent his disciples out TO disciple, to teach and tell others about himself and to make followers. He calls us to do the same.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 (NIV)
“Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” Mark 16:20 (NIV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14 (NLT)
“Parents, don’t be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 (CEV)
“Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:2-8 (NLT)
“You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.” Titus 2:15 (NLT)
“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
“He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”” Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT)
“These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:2 (NLT)
In the previous post we discussed the importance of Jesus’ mandate to make disciples and that it is not just an event of merely converting people to Christianity but an ongoing process of teaching people to follow Jesus Christ. In essence, to disciple someone is to teach them how to be a Christian, a follower of Christ. Discipleship is the process by which Christians grow and are equipped to follow Jesus and mature spiritually.
John Piper says of discipleship that it’s a lifetime of process—“So get them converted. Baptize them. And then spend a lifetime teaching them to obey all that Jesus said. That is what the verb “disciple” in the New Testament would include.”[1]
Now that we know that it’s an ongoing process and not an event, it can feel a bit intimidating. HOW then do we do disciple? Fortunately, we have an example of the process to follow and imitate!
Follow Jesus’ Example of Discipleship
As mentioned in the last post, to disciple someone is to teach them. The original Greek words used in the New Testament for “disciple” are “Matheteuo” or “Mathetes” which as a noun means a learner, pupil, or disciple and as a verb means to disciple, enroll as a scholar, instruct or teach. Below are just a few scriptures (there are over 40 total in the New Testament) about Jesus going around teaching: Continue reading
I’ve been really proud of my kids over the years for inviting other kids to church on a regular basis. They’ve had friends, kids from school, and their teammates accompany us to church on a number of occasions. In doing so many of them have been saved (i.e. they asked Jesus into their heart and professed him as Lord and Savior). However, their job is not done once their friends are saved. Jesus didn’t call us just to win people to the Lord but to also disciple them. It’s a journey that starts at salvation, but then progresses forward as they grow in their walk with God.
We continue to bring them with us to church and get them plugged into a small group. We get them a Bible if they don’t have one. Every once in a while we initiate casual conversations about God and Jesus, and we check in on them and to see if they have any questions, concerns, or struggles that they’ve been wrestling with in this new way of life. Modeling our relationship with God and talking about it in everyday, teachable moments is part of an ongoing process. Then we teach them to invite others too and continue this process themselves, but STILL continue to walk alongside them to helping them to grow and learn.
It’s like two sides of a coin—evangelism and discipleship. We need both to accomplish Jesus’ mandate and commission to us. Evangelism is important, but it’s not the end. Furthermore, discipleship can’t begin without evangelism first. Someone has to be “won over” before becoming a follower.
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