Intro:
• Faithfully following in the right direction –together
• Why we do this series –those around forget –and there are those who are new
• Deuteronomy 31:9– every 7 years –Yearly festivals
• These foundational beliefs and practices have bound those together who participate
• We must have the same language – playbook if we are to win as a team –alignment
• This is also a celebration and invitation
Our foundation: Built on the Word of God

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV), Ephesians 2:19–22 (NIV), Ephesians 3:10 (NIV), Matthew 16:18 (NIV)

Our vision: We will reach the world for Jesus –one person at a time
• We corporately and individually
• We are disciples – all of us
• Reach – moving forward starting here to the whole world
Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:8 (NASB95) 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Our Mission: We will make biblical disciples in relational environments
• We are all disciples who make disciples
• WE combine large church and relational environments just as Jesus and the early church did
Acts 11:25–26 (NIV) 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

A disciple is –Matthew 4:19
• I/we follow Jesus – He is Savior and Lord – we are taught to obey all that is commanded
• We are being changed by Jesus – from the inside out –
• We are committed to the Mission of Jesus

Our shared process– modeled by Jesus
1. He Shared who He was and the truth with us –those who believed He invited to….
2. He Connected with us where He gives Himself and teaches us in and through relationship
3. He trains us to Minister (from consumer to Minister) with our resources
4. He sends us out together to make Disciples
Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Shared commitment to be a part of these things and help others do the same –
This creates a CULTURE

In this series we will unpack the 7 essential characteristics/steps — changes that happen in us and are worked out through us in this process
1. Abiding,
2. Reaching the lost
3. Connecting the unconnected
4. Chasing the strays
5. Shepherding towards maturity
6. Identify, training, releasing leaders
7. Team Unity/Alignment

1. Abiding –is the source of everything else – He works –empowers
The Lord’s prayer sermon –it starts in the throne room
• Everything starts here – Jesus is the source – direction—power –companion
• We often treat God like He is our waiter rather than the one sitting at the table with us (Lance Wigton)
• Abiding is our ongoing relationship with God once we have received Him (He Shared –we accepted)
• We never move past abiding to get connected – it’s like tree rings not a graduation
• See Romans 11 – The tree of God with us as branches
• Abiding in the body, the family
John 15:1–10 (NIV) 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

God nourishing, pruning via the Holy Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and Gods people
Ephesians 4:11–16 (NIV)
Conclusion
• WE celebrate those who have done it in the past
• We encourage you to continue –
• We invite you who are here to commit to this culture – the next step

For Small Group Discussion
Opening Question: What is your go-to book of the Bible for daily devotions, and why?
Main Point: Every believer should have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that transforms the way they live in the church, home and the world.
Main Scripture: John 15:4-6
Head Questions
• What does the word abide mean? What does it mean to abide in Christ?
• What do your daily abiding routines look like?
Heart Questions
• How has your abiding relationship with God transformed the way you live?
• Has your own personal relationship with Jesus impacted those close to you? What did that look like?
Hands Questions
• What relationships in your life help you live out an abiding relationship with Jesus?
• What aspect(s) of abiding do you find challenging (prayer, Bible reading, fasting, solitude)?
How do you hope to grow?
Additional Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 2:5-6, John 10:27-30, Philippians 1:6, 1 John 3:24
For more sermon resources, podcasts, and other tools go to: https://realliferesources.org/current-series/