The Journey

A LACK OF ALIGNMENT and where it has gotten us as a country:
• Some don’t know what and why this country was about. Some came here so they could freely do what they wanted. There’s no longer a common accepted history, common goals, nor common values.
• As a church, this has been our goal, as well—that those who grew up here would remember, and that those who are new would join us. The church is God’s Plan A; there’s no Plan B.
• We have become God’s foreigners or aliens; we’re citizens of God’s Kingdom. (1 Peter 2:11-12)

OUR PURPOSE FOR THIS SERIES:

• Point people back to the founders’ intent
• Equip people to make disciples
• Be aligned as a church

THE CHURCH’S MISSION—an overview of a disciple’s journey:
• Question: What was your understanding of the gospel invitation?
• Vision: We will reach the world for Jesus one person at a time.
• Mission: We will make biblical disciples in relational environments.
• Obedience to Christ is a part of historic Christianity.

Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV) 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

TRUTHS WE MUST EMBRACE: The gospel includes a crossing over into a new life.
Galatians 2:20 (NLT) My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1. The gospel presentation: Jesus is Messiah, Savior, and Lord to those who believe.

Romans 1:5–6 (NLT) 5Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. 6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.

2. We were called to be disciples—not Christians.
• Did you know that you were called to be a disciple of Jesus?
• Jesus had disciples, and He sent His disciples to make disciples.

3. What is a disciple? A discipleship definition is in the invitation, the call to be a disciple.

Matthew 4:19 (ESV) And he said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19 (NIV) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
o “Come, follow me”: following Jesus
o “and I will make you/send you out”: being changed by Jesus
o “Fishers of men/to fish for people”: committed to the mission of Jesus
o Are you a disciple?

THE ANALOGY OF A JOURNEY

4. The Journey’s Route (with Jesus as our model: how He made disciples was then reproduced and imitated):
• Share, Connect, Train for Ministry, and Make Disciples
o He shares who He is and Himself—we accept or we don’t.
o He connects with us in relationship, and He connects us with others who will teach us love for God and others. In connection, we learn the way, the truth, and the life.
o We are being trained for ministry, which is service to the Lord and others. This also teaches us humility.
o Then we are released to make disciples. We are sent and able.

Attributes we learn:

• To believe and obey Jesus, faith, and how to follow Him
• Love for God and others
• Humility to serve God and others
• Intentionality, reproducibility, faithfulness, & courage

See John 14:1–22, John 8:31, and John 15: 8-13

5. Where? In the five spheres, found the book of Ephesians. We’ll start looking at them next week.
• My question to you: Are you truly living in the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints? (See Jude 3–5)

APPLICATION
• Let’s be aligned, together as the Lord’s people.
• Step forward as disciples. Will you learn, connect, serve, or be on mission? What’s your next step?

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Matthew 4:19, 22:34-40, 28:18-20; Luke 9:23; Matthew; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Timothy 2:2

Icebreaker: Plan a road trip—it has to be over 500 miles. Use as many different modes of transportation as you can. You have unlimited funds and a week to travel. Where will you go? What map will you use? How will you get there? What will you do? What adventures could happen along the way?

1. Share something that was significant to you from the sermon.
2. Read Luke 9:23 & Matthew 22:37-40. What do these passages tell you about the journey of being a disciple of Jesus?
3. When you hear spiritual maturity what comes to mind? A) What has been your destination or goal in your relationship with Jesus?
4. Read 1 Corinthians 11:1 & 2 Timothy 2:2. What relationships have been a part of your personal discipleship journey so far?
5. Think of the five spheres in your life: abiding, church, home, world, and spiritual realm. Which sphere is the dominate sphere at this time in your life? In what ways is walking with Jesus having an impact in each of the spheres?
6. Make it real: Take action on what God is showing you. Share with your group how you want to respond.