Embracing Discipleship: Trust, Doubt, and Community
Summary
In a gathering of a faith community, the focus was on the concept of discipleship and the role of believers in fulfilling what is known as the Great Commission. The discussion was part of a series titled "DNA," which aimed to explore the foundational elements of the church as depicted in the Scriptures. The series previously covered topics such as the Great Commandment, emphasizing faith and intimacy, and the Great Community, highlighting discipleship and fellowship. The current topic addressed the call to ministry and missions, urging members to trust and obey, and to find their way in following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The narrative began with a story about Jim Putnam and his colleague Brandon, who were preparing to lead a seminar for a prominent church facing internal disagreements about the nature of small group ministry. Upon arrival, they posed a simple yet profound question to the church's leaders: "What is the purpose of the church?" The unanimous answer was "to make disciples." However, defining what a disciple is proved to be more contentious, leading to conflict and the potential for division within the church.
This anecdote served as a backdrop for a deeper exploration of the term "disciple." The gathering was reminded that a disciple is someone who trusts and follows Jesus and helps others to do the same. This definition was further illuminated by the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20, where Jesus commands his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey his commands.
The concept of doubt was also addressed, as it is a natural part of faith. Doubt does not necessarily challenge the existence or the power of faith but often arises when one is actively living out their faith and taking risks. The disciples themselves experienced doubt even as they were called to make more disciples, illustrating that the process of discipleship is ongoing and that one is never fully prepared to be a disciple maker.
The gathering was encouraged to participate in the disciple-making process, recognizing that it is a collaborative effort within the church community. Personal anecdotes highlighted the various individuals who had contributed to the speaker's own spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of collective support in the journey of faith.
The gathering concluded with a call to action, inviting those who were ready to commit to the disciple-making process to stand and affirm their willingness to trust and follow Jesus and to help others do the same. This act of standing was seen as a physical demonstration of one's readiness to accept Jesus' call, regardless of any doubts or uncertainties about how that call might manifest in their lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Discipleship is an active, ongoing process that involves both trusting and following Jesus and helping others to do the same. It is not a static state of being but a dynamic journey that requires continual growth and commitment. [49:15]
- Doubt is not the opposite of faith but rather a companion to it. It often surfaces when faith is put into action, and it is through engaging with doubt that one's faith can be strengthened and deepened. This understanding can provide comfort and encouragement to those who experience doubt in their spiritual journey. [41:56]
- The Great Commission is not just a historical command but a living mandate that applies to all followers of Jesus. It is a collective responsibility that transcends time and place, calling each believer to contribute to the mission of making disciples. [45:35]
- The process of making disciples is inherently collaborative, involving various members of the faith community at different times and in different roles. This collective effort underscores the importance of community and shared responsibility in the spiritual growth of individuals. [53:15]
- Responding to the call to make disciples requires a willingness to begin before feeling fully prepared. It is in the act of making disciples that one learns and grows as a disciple maker, much like how one learns to be a parent through the experience of parenting. This perspective encourages action and participation, even amidst feelings of inadequacy. [43:14]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 28:16-20 (The Great Commission)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial question Jim Putnam and Brandon asked the church leaders, and what was their unanimous answer? ([34:20])
2. According to the sermon, what is the definition of a disciple? ([48:55])
3. How did the disciples react when they saw the resurrected Jesus, and what does this reveal about their faith? ([37:46])
4. What are the two parts of Jesus' role in the Great Commission as described in the sermon? ([43:52])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the church leaders struggled to agree on the definition of a disciple? How does this reflect on the importance of having a clear understanding of discipleship? ([35:03])
2. How does the concept of doubt, as discussed in the sermon, relate to the process of making disciples? ([41:53])
3. What does it mean to trust and follow Jesus in the context of the Great Commission? How does this trust manifest in practical terms? ([46:50])
4. How does the collaborative nature of disciple-making, as highlighted in the sermon, impact the way we approach our role in the church community? ([53:15])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced doubt in your faith journey. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? ([41:17])
2. The sermon emphasized that making disciples is a collaborative effort. Identify one person in your church community who has helped you grow spiritually. How can you express your gratitude to them this week? ([53:15])
3. Jesus' command to make disciples involves both baptizing and teaching. What specific steps can you take to help someone in your life trust and follow Jesus? ([48:55])
4. The sermon mentioned that we often feel unprepared to make disciples. What is one area where you feel inadequate, and how can you take a step of faith to begin despite that feeling? ([42:31])
5. How can you incorporate the practice of teaching others to obey Jesus' commands in your daily life? Think of a practical example where you can apply this teaching. ([50:25])
6. The sermon concluded with a call to action. What is one specific action you can take this week to respond to Jesus' call to make disciples? ([56:44])
7. Consider the role of doubt in your faith. How can you use your doubts to strengthen your faith and encourage others who may be experiencing similar feelings? ([38:20])
Devotional
Day 1: Journeying in Active Discipleship
Discipleship is a path of active engagement, not a destination to be reached. It requires a continuous commitment to growth and a willingness to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, while also guiding others along the way. This journey is marked by a series of steps taken in faith, each one leading to deeper understanding and closer relationship with Christ. [49:15]
Hebrews 5:12-14 - "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: In what ways are you actively participating in your own discipleship journey, and how are you contributing to the discipleship of others?
Day 2: Embracing Doubt as a Faith Companion
Doubt is not a sign of weak faith but a natural aspect of a faith that is alive and growing. It often emerges when faith is put into practice and can lead to a deeper, more resilient belief. By acknowledging and wrestling with doubts, believers can find a more authentic and robust faith. [41:56]
Jude 1:22 - "Be merciful to those who doubt;"
Reflection: Can you identify a doubt you have recently experienced in your faith journey? How can you address this doubt in a way that strengthens your relationship with God?
Day 3: Living the Great Commission Today
The Great Commission is a timeless call to action for all believers, not just a historical event. It is a personal invitation to engage in the mission of expanding the kingdom of God by making disciples in every corner of the world. This mandate is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago, beckoning each follower of Christ to take part. [45:35]
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to live out the Great Commission in your own community?
Day 4: The Collaborative Nature of Discipleship
Discipleship is not a solo endeavor but a communal one, involving the collective efforts of the church body. Each member plays a unique role in nurturing the faith of others, just as they are supported in their own spiritual growth. This shared journey underscores the importance of fellowship and mutual edification within the community of believers. [53:15]
Ephesians 4:15-16 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Reflection: Who has played a significant role in your spiritual development, and how can you actively support someone else's growth in faith?
Day 5: Beginning Before Fully Prepared
The call to make disciples does not wait for one to feel fully equipped. Instead, it is in the process of disciple-making that believers learn and grow. Just as parenting is learned through the act of parenting, so is disciple-making honed through the practice of guiding others in their faith. This call to action encourages stepping out in faith, even amidst uncertainty. [43:14]
1 Thessalonians 3:10 - "Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith."
Reflection: What is holding you back from engaging in disciple-making, and how can you take a step of faith to begin this process today?
Quotes
1) "Doubt is not an antithesis. It's not an argument with faith that just coincides with faith. At any time I'm living out my faith and I've got skin in the game and I'm called to take risks, then yes, doubt will be there." [41:56] (Download)
2) "It's the process of making disciples that teaches me what it's like to be a disciple maker. You cannot wait until you are fully ready. There is no such thing." [43:14] (Download)
3) "Sometimes it was a ministry leader, L.J. Evers. Sometimes it was a Young Life leader, Mark Moyer. Sometimes it was an older brother, Kyle Sobis. Different people have taught me and helped me do different things at different times." [53:15] (Download)
4) "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Translation, you can trust me. So we come to the Great Commission having received marching orders from God the Son." [44:26] (Download)
5) "Surely I am with you always, even to the end of age shows me that Jesus ain't just talking to the people in front of him. He was talking to us. And so it would seem, it would apply to every single disciple of Jesus." [45:35] (Download)
6) "A disciple is somebody that trusts in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and a disciple is somebody that obeys Jesus. That we trust Jesus and for our sake we'll use the word follow, and then we follow Jesus." [46:37] (Download)
7) "A disciple, our church's definition of a disciple then, is someone that trusts and follows Jesus and helps other people to trust and follow Jesus." [49:15] (Download)
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