Category: Church On A Mission

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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:

In what ways have you seen God at work within you this week? Within your family? Within others you may interact with? 

In what ways have you resisted God’s work within you this week? 

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When Peter first set out to preach the gospel, the Scriptures tell us that 3,000 people came to faith in Christ (see Acts 2:41). He probably didn’t have any idea what was about to happen, but as Christianity continued to spread people began to expect the unexpected. 

As we go out to make disciples, we read these kinds of stories and may dream of reaching thousands of people with the gospel, or we may dream of having that one friend or family member cross the line of faith. 

Sometimes, these dreams may be fulfilled quickly. You may share the gospel and your story of transformation with somebody else and God may be working deep beneath the surface in their life in ways you weren’t aware. After sharing your story, they place their faith and trust in Christ. 

Other times, you may share your story only to have your friend turn away. In these moments, don’t be too discouraged or hard on yourself. Instead, continue to keep them in your prayers. Keep planting and watering seeds, and allow God to take care of the growth in their life. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     1 CORINTHIANS 3:6-9 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Can you think of some other ways to expect the unexpected when it comes to making disciples?

REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Are you overcommitting?Practice slowing down and living life at the pace of your soul by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know it’s impossible to know with 100% certainty what will happen when I set out to make disciples of all nations. Because of this, may I set out with the confidence that You are the one ultimately at work. I may plant or water a seed, but You are the one who makes it grow. May I rest in this truth today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Romans 10:15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Some followers of Jesus are passionate about the prospect of making disciples. So much so that they’re willing to jump into the deep end and go to the ends of the earth. 

We may read their stories and feel inspired by their courage to live in a third world nation among the poor and destitute to share the message of Jesus with others. 

But being inspired by what somebody else does may not lead to transformation within us. We may feel inspired by what somebody else is doing, but still be fearful to walk across the room we’re in and start up a conversation with a colleague. For reasons we may not fully understand, we may be fearful to share an encouraging story, or even to ask somebody if we can pray for them. 

But in the end, God has chosen you (and me) and make disciples. Despite a world population of 8 billion people, He had a desire, a plan, and a purpose for you. What a privilege to have opportunities to share His story with others! 

READING & PRAYERS:

     ROMANS 10:15 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: You may not work full time for a local church, but you are in full time ministry. How may God be inviting you to reflect His love and grace upon somebody today? 

REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Are you overcommitting?Practice slowing down and living life at the pace of your soul by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I have thought it should be somebody else’s role to make disciples. While there may be others who are more gifted in Evangelism, You have still chosen me to be part of Your grand story. May I not disregard this privilege. Instead, may I completely embrace it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Let’s face it, making disciples isn’t an easy task. Jesus initially told eleven men to make disciples of all nations. Imagine what thoughts went through their mind. What an enormous task! 

At any time, some of them could have had this Unhealthy Thought: God doesn’t want me to make disciples. Somebody else is much more qualified. 

But listen up, because this is important — they were perfectly qualified to tell others the story of God, to share the good news of Jesus, and to share their own life story of transformation.

Admittedly, you may struggle with the same unhealthy thought. Surely somebody else is much more qualified! But in the end, all who have professed faith in Christ are qualified when it comes to making disciples. Think differently with this Healthy Thought: God has given me my own story of transformation to share with others around me.

READING & PRAYERS:

     1 PETER 2:9 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: What is one part of your story of transformation you can be ready to share with others at any time? 

REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Are you overcommitting?Practice slowing down and living life at the pace of your soul by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today has been an excellent reminder that if I don’t feel prepared to share a part of my story of transformation, I probably haven’t been spending enough time meditating on how much transformation You are currently doing within me. Because every time I do take opportunities to dwell on Your transforming power, I’m amazed at just how much You have done in and through me. May I enter into the remainder of my day ready to share the wonders of Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Slowly read the above verse again, allow the words to root themselves more deeply into your heart and soul. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Other translations read, …by the renewing of your mind.

Each translation is communicating the same principle: we are transformed by changing the way we think. 

Unfortunately, we all have unhealthy thoughts which are in need of real transformation. When it comes to being a disciple of Jesus, we may be tempted to think this Unhealthy Thought: I don’t know what it looks like to be a disciple. 

Maybe being a disciple isn’t regularly on your mind. Or maybe you just haven’t sought out an answer as to what it looks like. But thinking you don’t know what it looks like to be a disciple won’t lead to real transformation. Instead, begin to think differently about being a disciple. Remember this Healthy Thought: The primary goal of the Christian life is to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     MATTHEW 28:19-20, ACTS 1:8, ROMANS 12:2 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: How may God be inviting you to be with Jesus and become more like Jesus today? 

REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Are you overcommitting?Practice slowing down and living life at the pace of your soul by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today I’m grateful for the reminder of just how important it is for me to focus on my own discipleship. While I don’t know what all this week may bring, I pray that I will be intentional in taking opportunities to be with Jesus, would grow in wisdom and discernment of how to become more like Jesus, and that You will continue to mold and shape me into someone who will live like Jesus. Amen. 

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