Here I am God, Send me! Go and make disciples. Ummmm... Discipleship can be tough and there can be some obstacles that make us a bit reluctant. Today we are talking about Acts 9, being a reluctant disciple-maker and 5 reasons God gives us to be hopeful about our calling.
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LIFE HACK: Easy Fall Dessert for a CrowdIt would cost me our entire Christmas budget to bring a PSL to everyone at group get-togethers. Fret not, there is another easy dessert that won't break the bank, tastes like fall, and feeds a crowd.
Easy Crock - Pot Cinnamon Apples
*Note, that this is a Lauren recipe, which means I do a little of this and that - you make this your own! It would be hard to mess up - unless it caught on fire somehow. That's a hard recovery ;)
Feeds: 8-10
Time: prep 20 minutes - cook time varies (2 min to 3 hours)
Ingredients:
Instructions:
God has given every Christian a calling: to go make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19-20
A disciple is a student or follower of Christ.
Discipleship isn't just about intellect or organization!
Sometimes there are obstacles to fulfilling our calling and it makes us reluctant to obey.
Today we looked at Ananias in Acts 9:10-25 and how we can be encouraged to GO even when it seems impossible, painful, intimidating, and unknown.
Five Hopes for the reluctant disciple-makerNO 1: Go anyway
We need to be obedient even when we don’t understand because WE CAN TRUST God!
NO 2: It's not about us.
God reminds Ananias that He is God and that God needs to be at the center of God’s universe.
“He is a chosen instrument of MINE”
NO 3: God has a greater purpose than we can see
When we are reluctant we need to remember that God has a great purpose especially when there is suffering. Because there will probably be suffering if you are following Jesus.
NO 4: Remember that God transforms hearts not us
There is no limit to God's power at work: within days Saul when from killing people who said Jesus was the Messiah to preaching Jesus was the Messiah!!
NO 5: Keep growing and maturing
Sometimes we feel reluctant because we are scared we don’t know the answers, but remember we are called in 1 Peter to give a defense for the hope we have - that word defense means apologia - we are to be apologists of the faith. We need to be faithful with the intellect and the sphere of influence God has given us. That means growing and maturing in our knowledge and love and faith.
My ReluctanceIt's hard to keep making disciples when we get hurt by people. When they are mean, or just vanish, or even flaky. I have found myself violating God's command to love others as I love myself.
When we struggle to love others we need to repent and ask God for help. We need to cling to passages like Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you."
Discipleship ResourcesThese are resources I mentioned on the show. Amazon links are affiliate links.
Discipleship Plans: Foundations 7.00Digital File - PDF
Get instant access to eight discipleship plans covering foundational principles of growing in Christ:
These eight mini bible studies are an excellent resource for one on one and group discipleship. Encourage other women to know Jesus through discussion questions and topical Scriptures, or use them for personal study to learn more about foundational principles of growing in Christ.
Access these on you iPad, smart phone, or computer - instantly!
Add To Cart Know Why You Believe $12.63 By Paul E. Little Discipleship Plans: Identity 7.00Digital File - PDF
Get instant access to three discipleship plans on the topic of Identity in Christ:
These five mini bible studies are an excellent resource for one on one and group discipleship. Encourage other women to know Jesus through discussion questions and topical Scriptures. Or use them for personal study to learn more about identity in Christ.
Access these on you iPad, smart phone, or computer - instantly!
Add To Cart Know What You Believe $12.09 By Paul E. Little The Gospel Project Big Picture CardsLifeway has a preschool and elementary version (pictured is preschool - Jesus Saves pack).
Additional Resources Organic Discipleship: Mentoring Others Into Spiritual Maturity and Leadership (Revised Edition) $11.95 By Dennis McCallum, Jessica Lowery Handbook for Christian Maturity: Bible Study (Ten Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity) By Bill Bright The Gentle Art of Discipling Women: Nurturing Authentic Faith in Ourselves and Others $14.90 By Dana Yeakley The Master Plan of Evangelism $5.57 By Robert E. Coleman Personal Disciplemaking: A Step-By-Step Guide for Leading a New Christian From New Birth to Maturity $15.99 By Christopher Adsit
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