Embracing Change and Unity in Our Discipleship Journey
Summary
### Summary
Good evening, everyone. Tonight, we focused on reflecting on our journey through the discipleship material we've been studying for the past nine months. We began by discussing the importance of praising God and using our social media platforms to share blessings rather than complaints. This led us into a deeper conversation about what we've learned through our discipleship journey.
We emphasized the significance of grace, understanding that it is unmerited favor from God, and how this foundational truth impacts our lives. We also discussed the challenges and fears associated with obedience to God, both individually and as a church. Change is inevitable in our Christian walk, and it can be daunting, but it is necessary for growth. As a church, we must be open to the changes God is leading us through, trusting that He is the potter and we are the clay.
We also touched on the importance of unity within the church, even when we have disagreements. Our commonality in Jesus Christ should always bring us back together, allowing us to move forward in the same direction despite our differences. I shared my personal experiences and the need for pastoral support, highlighting the value of having other pastors to discuss and wrestle with challenging issues.
We concluded by introducing our next study, which will delve into the 50 core truths of the Christian faith. This study will be more intellectually challenging but equally important as our previous discipleship material. We will start with the doctrine of the Bible, exploring its inspiration, authority, and truth. This foundational understanding is crucial as we continue to build our faith on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Praise: Praising God shifts our focus from our problems to His greatness. It transforms our perspective and aligns our hearts with His will. By sharing our blessings on social media, we can spread positivity and encourage others to see God's goodness in their lives. [09:59]
2. Understanding Grace: Grace is God's unmerited favor, a gift we cannot earn. This foundational truth reminds us of God's immense love and mercy. Embracing grace helps us live in humility and gratitude, knowing that our salvation and blessings are not based on our efforts but on God's generosity. [14:15]
3. Embracing Change: Change is a constant in our Christian journey, both personally and as a church. It can be scary, but it is essential for growth. Trusting God as the potter who shapes us, we must be open to His transformative work, even when it challenges our comfort zones. [21:54]
4. Unity in Diversity: Our unity in Christ should supersede our differences. Disagreements are natural, but they should not lead to division. By focusing on our common faith in Jesus, we can navigate conflicts with grace and continue moving forward together in our mission. [23:33]
5. The Importance of Obedience: Obedience to God brings blessings and aligns us with His will. Even when it's difficult, stepping out in faith and following God's leading results in spiritual growth and tangible benefits. Our discipleship journey has shown us the value of building our lives on the cornerstone of Christ rather than on traditions or personal preferences. [42:33]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[09:59] - The Power of Praise
[11:12] - Social Media and Positivity
[12:01] - Reflecting on Discipleship
[14:15] - Understanding Grace
[21:08] - Challenges of Obedience
[21:54] - Embracing Change
[23:33] - Unity in Diversity
[24:32] - Pastoral Support and Encouragement
[25:22] - Pastoral Connection Group
[26:16] - Wrestling with Doctrinal Changes
[27:25] - Tradition vs. True Bible Teaching
[28:10] - The Cornerstone of Christ
[37:20] - The Importance of Obedience
[42:33] - Building on the Right Foundation
[44:02] - Introducing the Next Study
[45:26] - The Doctrine of the Bible
[49:38] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 64:8 - "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."
2. Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 64:8 teach us about our relationship with God? How does this relate to the concept of change discussed in the sermon? [21:54]
2. According to Ephesians 4:3, what should we strive to maintain within the church? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on unity in diversity? [23:33]
3. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the purposes of Scripture? How does this passage support the introduction of the new study on the doctrine of the Bible? [49:38]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that we are the clay and God is the potter help us embrace change in our personal lives and as a church? [21:54]
2. Why is it important to focus on our common faith in Jesus when disagreements arise within the church? How can this focus help us maintain unity? [23:33]
3. What does it mean for Scripture to be "God-breathed," and how does this understanding impact our approach to studying the Bible? [49:38]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your social media habits. How can you use your platforms to share blessings and praise God more effectively? [11:12]
2. Think about a recent change in your life or within the church. How did you respond to it? What steps can you take to trust God more during times of change? [21:54]
3. Identify a situation where you had a disagreement with someone in the church. How did you handle it? What can you do to ensure that such disagreements do not lead to division? [23:33]
4. Consider the concept of grace as unmerited favor from God. How does this understanding affect your daily life and interactions with others? [14:15]
5. Reflect on a time when you struggled with obedience to God. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them? How can you encourage others who are facing similar struggles? [42:33]
6. How can you support and encourage your pastors and church leaders, especially when they are making difficult decisions or facing challenges? [24:32]
7. As we begin the new study on the doctrine of the Bible, what steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Scripture and its authority in your life? [49:38]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Praise
Description: Praising God shifts our focus from our problems to His greatness. It transforms our perspective and aligns our hearts with His will. By sharing our blessings on social media, we can spread positivity and encourage others to see God's goodness in their lives. When we choose to praise God, especially in difficult times, we are reminded of His sovereignty and faithfulness. This act of worship not only uplifts our spirits but also serves as a testimony to others about the power and goodness of God. [09:59]
Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you intentionally praise God for His presence and faithfulness during that time, and how can you share this testimony on social media to encourage others?
Day 2: Understanding Grace
Description: Grace is God's unmerited favor, a gift we cannot earn. This foundational truth reminds us of God's immense love and mercy. Embracing grace helps us live in humility and gratitude, knowing that our salvation and blessings are not based on our efforts but on God's generosity. Understanding grace changes how we view ourselves and others, fostering a spirit of compassion and forgiveness. It allows us to rest in the assurance of God's love, freeing us from the pressure to perform or earn His favor. [14:15]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How does understanding His grace change your perspective on that situation, and how can you extend that same grace to someone else today?
Day 3: Embracing Change
Description: Change is a constant in our Christian journey, both personally and as a church. It can be scary, but it is essential for growth. Trusting God as the potter who shapes us, we must be open to His transformative work, even when it challenges our comfort zones. Embracing change means recognizing that God is always at work in our lives, molding us into the image of Christ. It requires faith and courage to step into the unknown, trusting that God's plans are for our good and His glory. [21:54]
Isaiah 64:8 (ESV): "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you are resisting change. What steps can you take to trust God more fully in this area and allow Him to shape you according to His will?
Day 4: Unity in Diversity
Description: Our unity in Christ should supersede our differences. Disagreements are natural, but they should not lead to division. By focusing on our common faith in Jesus, we can navigate conflicts with grace and continue moving forward together in our mission. Unity in diversity means valuing each person's unique contributions while maintaining a shared commitment to the gospel. It involves listening, understanding, and loving one another despite our differences, reflecting the unity that Jesus prayed for among His followers. [23:33]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Think of a recent disagreement you had with a fellow believer. How can you seek reconciliation and unity, focusing on your shared faith in Christ rather than your differences?
Day 5: The Importance of Obedience
Description: Obedience to God brings blessings and aligns us with His will. Even when it's difficult, stepping out in faith and following God's leading results in spiritual growth and tangible benefits. Our discipleship journey has shown us the value of building our lives on the cornerstone of Christ rather than on traditions or personal preferences. Obedience is an act of trust and surrender, demonstrating our commitment to God's authority and His plans for our lives. [42:33]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: Consider an area where you feel God is calling you to step out in obedience. What practical steps can you take today to follow His leading, and how can you trust Him for the outcome?
Quotes
1. "It's amazing what praising can do. So we should praise. We should praise God. I know why a lot of people don't like to get on social media. Yeah, I don't know why we're so obsessed with putting that on. But I wrote a post this evening. I just said, You know, maybe if you would... There's a lot more to praise God for. Than there is to complain about. And so maybe make your Facebook posts about blessings rather than bellyaching about everything." [09:59] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reality of our Christian life is change is always going to come. Right? Because, I mean, even the very essence of what God has taught us, he calls us, he calls himself the potter and we're the clay. Right? And so, what happens with the clay? He's constantly breaking it down and remaking it, reshaping it. Well, if we're the clay, that means that changes... Change is going to be constant within us. Sometimes that, that change is scary." [21:08] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "A growing church is a changing church. Right? But as a pastor, it is my responsibility as the one who is trying to follow the head, Jesus, and to shepherd our flock, while he's also shepherding me, is to say, hey, listen, there's some changes that need to be made. Let's see why these changes need to be made. And then let's obey. Sometimes that's scary, though. This is why I try to be methodical, slow and methodical about changes before just saying, hey, all of a sudden we're going to just change this, that, and the other, is because I recognize that all of us struggle with change." [21:54] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we're obedient to God, we begin to see God do great things. This is one of my encouragements to us as a church. Even if at times change is hard, I promise you, if we will be obedient, we're going to receive the benefits that God already has for us. Remember, this isn't about earning his benefits. His benefits are already there." [40:16] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Christ is our cornerstone. He is the place that we build everything on our life but I'm afraid in my own life as well that so often I built it on my tradition and not on the cornerstone of Christ so it's important to go through that discipleship that we've gone through this eight months to say all right let's see where our foundation truly lies is it in Christ or is it my own personal feelings or is it in the tradition of the church I grew up in or is it in the tradition of my own religiosity where is my foundation." [42:33] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The main thing that we're going to see that we're going to look is that at the doctrine of the bible and this will be several parts part one is the inspiration of scripture the main things that we'll see from this study are the following that god is the author scripture was written by human authors under the guidance of the holy spirit all scripture is god breathed inspiration extends to the words of scripture the spirit and the human authors wrote together various modes of inspiration were used and as a result of its inspiration scripture is authoritative and true." [48:08] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If I'm preaching and teaching us that the word of God is our only authority for faith and practice don't you think it's a good idea for us to understand the whole of the doctrine of scripture right and so um and we continue to build on that and so um" [49:38] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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