Embracing Discipleship: Transforming Resolutions into Rhythms
Summary
As we step into the new year, it's a time for reflection and setting intentions. Many of us make resolutions, but often find they don't stick. Instead, we should focus on building rhythms in our lives that align with the life Jesus models for us. Resolutions are about behavior modification, while rhythms are about lifestyle transformation. Jesus invites us to follow Him, not just as believers, but as disciples—apprentices who learn from the Master. This involves being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing what He did.
In the Jewish educational system of Jesus' time, becoming a disciple was a rigorous process. It required dedication and a willingness to learn from a rabbi. Similarly, being a disciple of Jesus today means intentionally arranging our lives around His teachings and practices. It's not just about attending church or identifying as a Christian; it's about a deep, transformative relationship with Jesus.
The distinction between being a Christian and a disciple is crucial. The term "Christian" is mentioned only three times in the New Testament, while "disciple" appears 269 times. Jesus called us to be disciples, not just followers in name. Discipleship is about being an apprentice, learning from Jesus, and allowing Him to shape our lives.
As we embark on this journey, we must understand that being a disciple is our responsibility. It's not about being passively taught; it's about actively seeking to be with Jesus, to learn from Him, and to emulate His life. This requires a mindset shift from being an employee of God to being an apprentice, where mistakes are part of the learning process and grace abounds.
In this new year, let's commit to making it our best spiritual year ever by seeking God's kingdom first. This involves creating rhythms that prioritize our relationship with Jesus, allowing His power to transform us. As we engage in practices like prayer and fasting, we open ourselves to God's work in our lives. Let's embrace the call to be apprentices of Jesus, ready to follow Him more fully and make room for His presence in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Resolutions vs. Rhythms: Resolutions often fail because they focus on behavior modification, whereas rhythms are about lifestyle transformation. By building rhythms that align with Jesus' teachings, we can live the life we truly desire. [38:57]
2. The Call to Discipleship: Jesus invites us to be His disciples, not just believers. This involves being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. Discipleship is about a deep, transformative relationship with Jesus. [39:46]
3. Understanding Discipleship: The term "disciple" appears 269 times in the New Testament, highlighting its importance. Being a disciple means being an apprentice, learning from Jesus, and allowing Him to shape our lives. [44:23]
4. Our Responsibility as Disciples: Discipleship is our responsibility. It's about actively seeking to be with Jesus, to learn from Him, and to emulate His life. This requires a mindset shift from being an employee of God to being an apprentice. [47:08]
5. Seeking God's Kingdom First: To make this our best spiritual year, we must seek God's kingdom first. This involves creating rhythms that prioritize our relationship with Jesus, allowing His power to transform us. [55:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - New Year's Resolutions
[05:00] - Resolutions vs. Rhythms
[10:00] - Practicing the Way
[15:00] - The Call to Discipleship
[20:00] - Understanding the Jewish Educational System
[25:00] - What is a Disciple?
[30:00] - The Responsibility of Discipleship
[35:00] - Insights from Apprenticeship
[40:00] - The Difference Between Christian and Disciple
[45:00] - Seeking God's Kingdom First
[50:00] - Engaging in Prayer and Fasting
[55:00] - Embracing the Call to Follow Jesus
[01:00:00] - Worship and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 4:18-20
- Matthew 6:33
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Jesus calling Simon and Andrew to follow Him in Matthew 4:18-20? How did they respond to His invitation? [39:46]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three goals of an apprentice in the context of discipleship? [43:35]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between being a "Christian" and a "disciple"? [44:23]
4. What does Matthew 6:33 suggest about the priorities of a disciple of Jesus? How does this relate to the concept of seeking God's kingdom first? [53:48]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have chosen fishermen like Simon and Andrew to be His disciples, and what does this choice tell us about the nature of discipleship? [39:46]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of rhythms over resolutions. How might this concept of rhythms apply to one's spiritual life and relationship with Jesus? [38:57]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being a disciple requires a shift from being an "employee of God" to being an "apprentice"? What implications does this have for personal spiritual growth? [47:08]
4. How does the sermon interpret Matthew 6:33 in the context of making this year the best spiritual year ever? What practical steps are suggested to seek God's kingdom first? [55:20]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are they more like resolutions or rhythms? What changes can you make to develop rhythms that align with Jesus' teachings? [38:57]
2. Consider the call to discipleship in your own life. How can you intentionally arrange your life to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do what He did? [39:46]
3. The sermon challenges us to move from being a face in the crowd to an apprentice of Jesus. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus and move beyond being just a follower in name? [46:17]
4. How can you shift your mindset from being an "employee of God" to being an "apprentice"? What practical actions can you take to embrace this new perspective? [47:08]
5. In seeking God's kingdom first, what are some distractions or priorities in your life that need to be reevaluated? How can you create space for God's presence and guidance? [53:48]
6. The sermon mentions the practice of prayer and fasting as a way to open ourselves to God's work. What specific prayer or fasting practice can you commit to in the coming weeks to enhance your spiritual journey? [57:48]
7. Reflect on the idea of making mistakes as part of the learning process in discipleship. How can you embrace grace and allow yourself to learn from mistakes in your spiritual walk? [49:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Transforming Resolutions into Rhythms
Resolutions often focus on changing specific behaviors, but they can be fleeting and difficult to maintain. Instead, consider establishing rhythms in your life that lead to lasting transformation. These rhythms align with the life Jesus modeled, emphasizing a lifestyle change rather than mere behavior modification. By integrating practices that reflect Jesus' teachings, you can cultivate a life that is deeply rooted in spiritual growth and transformation. This approach encourages a shift from temporary resolutions to enduring rhythms that nurture your relationship with Jesus. [38:57]
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one daily rhythm you can establish that aligns with Jesus' teachings and supports your spiritual growth?
Day 2: Embracing the Call to Discipleship
Jesus calls us not just to believe in Him but to be His disciples—those who actively follow, learn from, and emulate Him. Discipleship involves a deep, transformative relationship with Jesus, where we seek to be with Him, become like Him, and do what He did. This journey requires intentionality and dedication, as it is about arranging our lives around His teachings and practices. By embracing this call, we move beyond mere belief to a life of active apprenticeship under Jesus, allowing His presence to shape and guide us. [39:46]
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally arrange your daily life to be more aligned with the teachings and practices of Jesus?
Day 3: Understanding the Role of a Disciple
The term "disciple" appears 269 times in the New Testament, underscoring its significance. Being a disciple means being an apprentice who learns from Jesus and allows Him to shape their life. This role goes beyond identifying as a Christian; it involves a commitment to learning from the Master and embodying His teachings. Discipleship is about a transformative journey where we actively seek to be molded by Jesus, embracing His way of life and allowing His influence to permeate every aspect of our being. [44:23]
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you open yourself to being shaped and molded by Jesus in your daily life?
Day 4: Taking Responsibility for Discipleship
Discipleship is a personal responsibility that requires active engagement and a mindset shift. It is not about passively receiving teachings but about actively seeking to be with Jesus, learn from Him, and emulate His life. This shift involves moving from being an employee of God to being an apprentice, where mistakes are part of the learning process and grace abounds. By taking responsibility for our discipleship journey, we commit to a life of growth and transformation, allowing Jesus to guide and shape us. [47:08]
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to actively engage in your discipleship journey and take responsibility for your spiritual growth?
Day 5: Prioritizing God's Kingdom
To make this our best spiritual year, we must prioritize seeking God's kingdom first. This involves creating rhythms that prioritize our relationship with Jesus, allowing His power to transform us. By engaging in practices like prayer and fasting, we open ourselves to God's work in our lives and make room for His presence. Embracing the call to be apprentices of Jesus means being ready to follow Him more fully and allowing His influence to guide our actions and decisions. [55:20]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: How can you prioritize seeking God's kingdom in your daily life, and what practices can you incorporate to support this focus?
Quotes
What we really need is to build rhythms and not resolutions. You see, resolutions are about behavior modification, whereas rhythms are about our lifestyle. Resolutions are restricting, whereas rhythms free us to live the life we want. Resolutions are pass-fail. You either did it or you didn't. Rhythms are practiced one day at a time. [00:38:41] (34 seconds)
In order to really understand what a disciple is, we need to understand the Jewish educational system of Jesus' time. See, when a child was young, in elementary school age, they went to Bet Sefer, it's called. It means the house of the book. And in that time, they would go to the house of the book. And they would memorize the Torah, which is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament's first five books of our Bible, too, called the Torah. [00:40:33] (34 seconds)
If we are not intentionally being formed by Jesus, we are likely, being unintentionally formed by something else. I'm going to say that again. If we are not intentionally being formed by Jesus, we are likely being unintentionally formed by something else. So, how can we be a disciple of Jesus? [00:42:48] (29 seconds)
The three goals of an apprentice. Number one, be with the rabbi. Number two, be like the rabbi. And number three, do what the rabbi does. As you would follow your rabbi, day in and day out, these things would be different. Number two, be like the rabbi. And number three, be like the rabbi. three things would be your focus. That is being a disciple. [00:43:32] (28 seconds)
In the New Testament, the word Christian is used three times. Three. The word disciple is used 269 times. That's a big difference. Christian, Jesus did not call Christians. He called disciples. Christian was actually started as kind of a way of putting down the followers of Jesus. And then eventually they took that on as an identity. Christian, it means little Christ. That's a good thing. [00:44:00] (40 seconds)
Being a disciple or an apprentice of Jesus is our responsibility. We are responsible to arrange our lives in a way where we are being with Jesus. We are becoming like Jesus so that we can do what Jesus did. Jesus says, come follow me. It is the disciples job to do the following. [00:47:21] (26 seconds)
Becoming an apprentice is a decision to be something rather than just learning to do something this is my trade this is who I am going to be not you're not just teaching they're not just teaching you about it they're teaching you to be it masters are investing in you you're not just an employee. [00:50:02] (25 seconds)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. When Jesus said this, it was in the context of saying don't worry what you're going to eat. Don't worry what you're going to eat. Don't worry what you're going to eat. Don't worry what you're going to wear. God knows. But seek his kingdom first and this others will be added. [00:54:02] (27 seconds)
We seek God's kingdom first by being with Jesus, by becoming like him, and by doing what Jesus did. And I don't know about you, but I am pretty far from looking like Jesus in many areas of my life. But I believe he is leading us as a church all into a new level of apprenticeship to him. [00:54:51] (29 seconds)
Transformation is possible if we are willing to arrange our lives around the practices, rhythms, and truths that Jesus himself did, which will open our lives to God's power to change. This is what I want for us in this year and every year. I want transformation. I need transformation. [00:55:23] (28 seconds)
The thing about being apprentice to Jesus is that he doesn't leave you out there on your own. An apprentice is with the master. God sent the Holy Spirit to be with us every step of the way, and empower us to be with the Lord. with Jesus, to be like Jesus, and to do what Jesus did. [01:01:07] (26 seconds)
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