Personal Discipleship
A growing relationship with Christ is central to the life of a believer. It is not only church attendance, but it is connecting with God on the heart level. It is a healthy growing focus upon Christ-likeness. One of the core verses that focus upon spiritual formation is Romans 12:1-2. As followers of Christ, we need a consistent cleansing of the lies of the world with the truth of God's Word.
The essence of spiritual discipleship:
Stop. Focus. Listen. In a culture of instant gratification, we have to discipline ourselves to sit still and listen to God’s leading. Salvation is only the beginning. From salvation until the end of life, God calls to grow toward Christ likeness. It is a continual process of listening, learning and responding to God.
Discipleship centers upon grace. It is a reminder every day to wake up and realize that God gives us the mercy to live. Paul reminds the believer in Ephesians 3:19, “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Spiritual formation is not only obeying scripture but it is to build a life of discipline. A person does not become a devoted follower of Christ overnight; it takes many years of discipline and obedience. It is not simply devotion to a set list to check off each morning, but it is a continual focus upon Jesus Christ. The impact that occurs when believers live like Christ stems from a hunger for God’s Word. The discipline of waking up each day to spend quality time with God is to build godliness. A disciple seeks to display the fruits of the spirit. The evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control in a believer’s life points people to Christ.
Make it personal. My personal walk with God is the most important aspect of life. Many times in my life I would neglect an intentional time with God because I was "too busy" doing ministry for God instead of "being" close God. When this would happen it would show up in my life. The need for a daily intimate time with God is what builds a person’s heart to serve. When I surrendered to the call to ministry, I learned to discipline myself to have a daily quiet time. The one issue that came up was there were days that I would do it out of routine and not always heartfelt. I need to evaluate my heart so I rely on His strength and not my own. Spiritual formation is what gives me the strength to serve in ministry every day. My prayer life has grown due to the fact that I need His leading in all aspects of my life.
Personal discipleship flows into leadership. In regards to preaching and teaching, spiritual formation is the foundation. I have found that in my weaknesses I learn to rely on God’s strength. During the preparation of a message, praying through the text helps transform my life before it is even taught. Spiritual growth occurs when I surrender my own thoughts, preconceived notions, and experiences to the authority of God’s Word. The reason this is important is that each time I teach God’s Word, it must permeate my life. It is not simply communication of God’s Word but a radical desire to obey and apply it. Spiritual growth is a revolving response from God’s Word and applied to life. I am only as strong as a leader and I am strong in my walk with God each day. Spiritual formation is the most important aspect of a leader for a lifelong commitment to ministry.
The personal life of a leader is more important than the their public life. God looks at the heart of each leader.
NSN Part 3: Words are Heavy
Navigating social networking is a key part of today's culture. How do parents lead their families to use social networking in a healthy way? How do we use social networking as a tool for ministry? Words are heavy. We have all seen it happen as cyber bullying or an emotional outburst on Facebook or twitter. As followers of Christ, we have the power of the Holy Spirit. In one minute words can bring encouragement and life to others. In another minute our words can hurt deeply.
Words reveal our heart.
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34
You see, the words that come out of our mouth originate from the heart.
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2
Just because we have freedom of speech does not mean it gives us a right to publicly hurt others. But what if we are just being honest? We always need to be transparent but use words that display love and kindness. Social networking gives us an opportunity. Use it to encourage others or tear others down.
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29.
Tips to remember when updating your status:
- Is what I am about to write consistent with what God says about me or others? -Do I need to stop, pray and ask the question, "is this the wise thing to do?" - If I post this, do I know it is entirely true? - Will what I say be used to build others up or tear others down? - What I write is permanently sealed online if captured at the moment I post.
What would you add? What are your thoughts about the power of words?
Source SM Review: Volume #2
Teaching series: “Focus”- Why we are here and what God has called us to be as a ministry!
Main Teaching point: God wants us to live a sacrificial life of worship.
Length of service: 55 minutes. 2 separate services for middle and high school.
Message Explanation: Jared did a great job explaining the importance of living a life of worship. It is much more than music but a daily sacrifice to God in all areas of life. Key scripture: Romans 12:1-2 – “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you."
Element of fun: We showed a video of one of our leaders named Jason. He has a great sense of humor and did a great job making a video of some guidelines for the student ministry! This is only the beginning of creating videos for the ministry!
Music Set: Our God, Mighty to Save, Awakening, Heart of Worship (closing).
Favorite Moment: Seeing students worship God freely. One great moment was seeing brothers embrace and pray with each other at the altar. It is amazing to see God's Spirit moving in the student ministry.
Next week: We are off for Memorial Day weekend. We are beginning a new summer series called "Doin Work" starting on June! We will be teaching through the book of James in June and July. We are looking forward to the lives that will be changed this summer!