Embracing the Journey: Discipleship and Kairos Moments

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the concept of "The Walk," a journey of everyday living with God that draws us closer to Him. This journey is marked by essential Christian practices that shape our lives as disciples. We began by reflecting on the Sea of Galilee, a place of significant events in Jesus' ministry, and how it serves as a metaphor for our own spiritual journey. Jesus called His followers to a life of discipleship, inviting them to repent and believe in the good news of the Kingdom of God. This call is not just a one-time event but a continuous cycle of growth and transformation.

We delved into the idea of "Kairos moments," those significant times when God breaks into our lives, offering opportunities for change and deeper understanding. These moments can be both challenging and beautiful, prompting us to reflect, repent, and believe. The circle, our shape for today, symbolizes this ongoing cycle of discipleship. It begins with recognizing a Kairos moment, observing and reflecting on it, discussing it within a community, and then moving towards a plan of action, accountability, and implementation.

Repentance, as Jesus taught, is about changing our minds and hearts, leading to a transformation in our lifestyle. It involves being honest with ourselves and others, acknowledging our shortcomings, and seeking forgiveness. Belief, on the other hand, is about embracing the good news that we are fully known and fully loved by God. It requires us to make plans for change, hold ourselves accountable, and take action.

As we continue on this journey, we are reminded that each Kairos moment is an opportunity to grow closer to God and to live more fully in His Kingdom. This process of continuous breakthrough is a powerful method for spiritual growth, allowing us to lay down our lives and take up our cross daily.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Walk of Discipleship: Our journey with God is a daily walk that involves essential Christian practices. This walk is about making disciples of ourselves and others, sharing the transformative love of God with the world. It is a continuous process of growth and learning, marked by moments of repentance and belief. [14:15]

2. Understanding Kairos Moments: Kairos moments are significant times when God intervenes in our lives, offering opportunities for change and growth. These moments can be both positive and negative, but they all serve as invitations to deepen our relationship with God and others. [30:31]

3. The Cycle of Repentance and Belief: Discipleship is a cyclical process that begins with recognizing a Kairos moment, followed by repentance and belief. Repentance involves changing our minds and hearts, while belief is about embracing the good news of God's love and making plans for transformation. [33:19]

4. The Importance of Community: Discussing our Kairos moments with trusted friends or a spiritual community is crucial for growth. It allows us to be honest about our shortcomings and to receive support and accountability as we seek to change. [37:13]

5. Living the Good News: Believing in the good news means understanding that we are fully known and fully loved by God. This belief should lead to actionable changes in our lives, as we seek to live in right relationship with God and others, embodying the values of the Kingdom of God. [39:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [13:22] - Invitation to Community
- [14:15] - The Walk: Essential Christian Practices
- [19:41] - The Sea of Galilee: A Metaphor for Our Journey
- [20:19] - Jesus Calls Us to Discipleship
- [26:31] - Balancing Love for God and Others
- [28:33] - The Circle: A Method for Continuous Breakthrough
- [29:47] - Chronos vs. Kairos: Understanding Time
- [30:31] - Recognizing Kairos Moments
- [33:19] - The Cycle of Repentance and Belief
- [34:56] - Embracing Change and Growth
- [36:22] - Steps of Repentance
- [37:13] - The Role of Community in Transformation
- [39:20] - Believing the Good News
- [46:37] - Personal Reflection and Action
- [56:38] - Prayer and Thanksgiving
- [59:00] - Offering and Community Announcements
- [01:07:59] - Celebrating Birthdays and Anniversaries
- [01:11:58] - Closing Blessing and Sending Forth

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Walk"

Bible Reading:
1. Mark 1:14-15 - "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'"
2. Matthew 6:25-34 - Jesus teaches about worry and trusting in God's provision.
3. Acts 2:42-47 - The early Christian community and the importance of fellowship and shared life.

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Observation Questions:

1. What are some of the significant events that took place around the Sea of Galilee during Jesus' ministry? How does this location serve as a metaphor for our spiritual journey? [19:41]

2. How does the sermon describe a "Kairos moment," and what are some examples given of these moments in our lives? [30:31]

3. What does the sermon suggest is the cyclical process of discipleship involving repentance and belief? [33:19]

4. How does the sermon highlight the role of community in discussing and processing Kairos moments? [37:13]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In Mark 1:14-15, Jesus calls for repentance and belief in the gospel. How does the sermon interpret this call as a continuous cycle rather than a one-time event? [33:19]

2. The sermon mentions that Kairos moments can be both positive and negative. How might these moments serve as opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation? [30:31]

3. Reflecting on Matthew 6:25-34, how does the sermon suggest we should approach worry and anxiety in light of God's provision? [42:16]

4. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early Christian community. How does the sermon emphasize the importance of community in our spiritual journey and growth? [37:13]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent Kairos moment in your life. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to ensure it leads to spiritual growth? [30:31]

2. The sermon discusses the importance of repentance as a change of mind and heart. What is one area in your life where you feel called to repent and seek transformation? [36:22]

3. How can you actively engage with your spiritual community to discuss and process your Kairos moments? What steps can you take to build deeper relationships within your community? [37:13]

4. In what ways can you incorporate the practice of observing, reflecting, and discussing into your daily walk with God? How might this practice help you recognize and respond to God's presence in your life? [36:22]

5. Consider the concept of living the good news, as mentioned in the sermon. What specific actions can you take this week to embody the values of the Kingdom of God in your interactions with others? [39:20]

6. Reflect on the balance between loving God and loving others. How can you ensure that your spiritual practices are in harmony with your daily life and relationships? [26:31]

7. Identify a person in your life who might benefit from hearing the good news. How can you share your faith journey with them in a way that is inviting and genuine? [14:15]

Devotional

Day 1: The Daily Walk of Discipleship
Our journey with God is not a one-time event but a continuous walk that involves daily practices and decisions. This walk is about making disciples of ourselves and others, sharing the transformative love of God with the world. It is a process of growth and learning, marked by moments of repentance and belief. As we walk with God, we are invited to lay down our lives and take up our cross daily, allowing His love to transform us and those around us. This journey is a commitment to live out the values of the Kingdom of God in our everyday lives. [14:15]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one daily practice you can incorporate into your routine to deepen your walk with God?


Day 2: Recognizing Kairos Moments
Kairos moments are significant times when God intervenes in our lives, offering opportunities for change and growth. These moments can be both positive and negative, but they all serve as invitations to deepen our relationship with God and others. Recognizing these moments requires us to be attentive and open to the ways God is speaking to us. By observing and reflecting on these moments, we can discern how God is calling us to change and grow. These moments are opportunities to experience God's grace and love in new and profound ways. [30:31]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a recent Kairos moment in your life? How might God be inviting you to respond to it?


Day 3: The Cycle of Repentance and Belief
Discipleship is a cyclical process that begins with recognizing a Kairos moment, followed by repentance and belief. Repentance involves changing our minds and hearts, leading to a transformation in our lifestyle. It requires honesty with ourselves and others, acknowledging our shortcomings, and seeking forgiveness. Belief, on the other hand, is about embracing the good news that we are fully known and fully loved by God. This cycle is an ongoing process that invites us to continually grow closer to God and live more fully in His Kingdom. [33:19]

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-20a, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to repent and believe in God's transformative love today?


Day 4: The Role of Community in Transformation
Discussing our Kairos moments with trusted friends or a spiritual community is crucial for growth. It allows us to be honest about our shortcomings and to receive support and accountability as we seek to change. Community provides a space where we can share our struggles and victories, learn from one another, and encourage each other in our walk with God. By engaging with others, we can gain new insights and perspectives that help us grow in our faith and live out the values of the Kingdom of God. [37:13]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community can you share your Kairos moments with for support and accountability?


Day 5: Living the Good News
Believing in the good news means understanding that we are fully known and fully loved by God. This belief should lead to actionable changes in our lives, as we seek to live in right relationship with God and others. Embracing the good news involves making plans for transformation, holding ourselves accountable, and taking action. As we live out the values of the Kingdom of God, we become witnesses to His love and grace in the world, inviting others to experience the same transformative power. [39:20]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you live out the good news in a specific area of your life today?

Quotes


So we gather as Christian community to make disciples, to make disciples of us first, and then apprentice others into discipleship, to share what we have discovered is so amazing with others. Our worship series is The Walk. We have been looking at those essential Christian practices that make up the Christian life. [00:14:15] (32 seconds)


Jesus called people to learn to follow, and discipleship is a daily life of laying down our lives and taking up our cross. Today we're going to learn about a method of recognizing the Lord's voice of what God is doing in our lives. Mike Breen calls it a method of continuous breakthrough as we grow in this life of discipleship, and it begins with situations, moments in life. [00:28:43] (33 seconds)


Kairos moments are when our eternal God breaks into our temporal circumstances. Mike Breen says, God gathers up the loose ends of our lives and knots them together in God's hands. But that's what Kairos moments are. They can be personal, just you. They can be something we share together. This was a Kairos moment for me. [00:31:06] (31 seconds)


Jesus said, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news. Jesus is presenting. Our life of discipleship as cyclical, as ongoing. The kingdom of God has come near, he said. We tend to think not in that life is in cycles, but life is linear. That in the life of faith, we go from outside of God's grace, unbeliever, to salvation, to heaven. [00:33:19] (33 seconds)


So this circle represents this journey into the kingdom of heaven where we lay down our lives and pick up our cross. And it starts with repentance. In Greek, the word that we say repent, the Greek word is metanoia. And it literally means change your mind or change your heart. When we hear the word repent, sometimes we can get nervous because it has been used as condemnation, sometimes along with a threat of hell. That is not what the Greek word means. And it is not what Jesus meant. [00:35:36] (35 seconds)


Repentance means being honest about our own failure fail, failings or sin, letting others see them and looking at them honestly, ourselves. So we repent, but we don't stop there. We keep going. Sometimes we are truncated in our spiritual growth because we just stop there and we don't go to believe. Jesus said, believe the good news. [00:37:13] (31 seconds)


Repent and believe the good news. Tim Keller said, this good news is that we are fully loved and fully known. Most of us assume, or at least I do, you can only have one or the other. You can only be fully loved if you're not fully known. And you can only be fully known, but not fully loved. But with Christ, we are fully loved and fully known. [00:39:20] (33 seconds)


So believe in the good news. It starts with, plan. Make a plan for that change. Let's say your, let's say your Kairos moment was a debt collector called because your credit card debt has been going up and up and up. And in your reflection and your discussion, you realized that you were spending money to fill up an emptiness in your life. And so you make a plan to notice that emptiness, to respond in a new way, by the way, often when we go through this learning, we discover that we have substituted something or someone for God. [00:39:33] (46 seconds)


In Matthew 6, Jesus walked his disciples through this learning circle. They had had a full day. Jesus had been preaching up on a hill, and he had been telling people. He was addressing things and telling people amazing things. He was addressing murder, and adultery, and divorce, and lying, and revenge, and loving enemies, and mercy, and giving, and prayer, and fasting. It was a lot. And as people were hearing it, it caused some internal kairos moments, as they recognized the difference between what Jesus was saying and the way they lived. [00:41:02] (46 seconds)


And Jesus made the whole thing the most complicated to develop. The Bible says, in the book of Acts, we see the redemption of the place that was abandoned with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Lord was not so focused on the dead or the cross. He actually, took the part of the faces of the face of the Bible, and the face was on God, the Black -and -white. He had His only true name. His name was Jesus. [00:42:50] (17 seconds)


So, to become the Son is not to be Words, but to be the Spirit of the Lord. And he said, I'm going to become the Son of the Lord. I'm going to become, I'm going to become the One who becomes the Word of the Lord. So, this is literally saying, I'm going to be the Son of the Lord. And he said, I'm going to become the Discussion continued that it would lead us to the question, why am I worrying about this when God is in charge? [00:43:56] (19 seconds)


We are so blessed that we, in our giving and in creating this community, make a space where we can sing together. There are so few places where we can uplift each other, where we can discover, each one of us, that we are fully seen and fully loved by God and find ourselves looking to fully see others and love God. Loving others. [00:59:44] (31 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?