Embracing the Journey of Discipleship and Legacy

Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the concept of discipleship, focusing on the transformative journey that every believer is called to undertake. We began by reflecting on the importance of worship and how it serves as a witness to the world. Worship is not just a Sunday activity but a lifestyle that reflects our commitment to God. This week, we shifted our focus to discipleship, exploring what it means to be a follower of Christ.

We read from Ephesians 4:22-24 and 2 Timothy 2:2, where Paul emphasizes the need to put off the old self, reimagine life through a biblical lens, and put on the new self. This process is continuous and requires deliberate effort. Paul uses the metaphor of a school to describe discipleship, highlighting the importance of learning, teaching, and transformation. Discipleship is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey of growth and renewal.

We also discussed the legacy of faith that has been passed down through generations. For 170 years, the Methodist community in Dripping Springs has been a beacon of faith, and it is now our responsibility to carry that legacy forward. Discipleship involves not only personal transformation but also the responsibility to mentor and guide others in their faith journey.

In essence, discipleship is about denying oneself, taking up the cross, and following Christ. It requires us to put off our old ways, reimagine our lives through the teachings of Christ, and put on a new self that reflects God's righteousness and holiness. This transformative journey is both a privilege and a responsibility, calling us to invest in the lives of others and pass on the legacy of faith.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Continuous Process of Discipleship: Discipleship is an ongoing journey that requires us to continually put off our old selves, reimagine our lives through a biblical lens, and put on the new self. This process is not a one-time event but a lifelong commitment to growth and transformation. [43:51]

2. The Importance of Legacy: For 170 years, the Methodist community in Dripping Springs has been a testament to faith and commitment. It is now our responsibility to carry that legacy forward by mentoring and guiding others in their faith journey. This involves not only personal transformation but also investing in the lives of others. [54:03]

3. The Role of Worship in Discipleship: Worship is not just a Sunday activity but a lifestyle that reflects our commitment to God. It serves as a witness to the world and is an integral part of our discipleship journey. How we live our lives outside of church is an act of worship that reflects our faith. [38:52]

4. The Call to Deny Ourselves: Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This involves laying down our old identities and taking on the identity of Christ. It is a call to self-sacrifice and a commitment to live according to God's will. [51:01]

5. The School of Discipleship: Paul uses the metaphor of a school to describe discipleship, emphasizing the importance of learning, teaching, and transformation. Discipleship involves a deliberate process of unlearning old ways and relearning new ways that align with the teachings of Christ. [41:41]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[08:44] - Announcements
[09:59] - Men's Faith Works Retreat
[11:02] - Stewardship Campaign
[12:33] - Participation in Giving
[14:30] - Biblical Teachings on Giving
[16:28] - Tithes, Offerings, and Gifts
[18:29] - Misconceptions About Tithing
[19:58] - Prayer for Offering
[32:17] - Introduction to Discipleship
[37:32] - Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:22-24
[38:20] - Series Overview
[39:32] - The Process of Discipleship
[43:51] - Continuous Transformation
[54:03] - Legacy of Faith
[57:16] - Passing on the Legacy
[01:00:15] - Prayer and Communion
[01:07:19] - Invitation to Communion
[01:21:40] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 4:22-24
- 2 Timothy 2:2

### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 4:22-24, what are the three steps Paul outlines for believers in their journey of discipleship?
2. In 2 Timothy 2:2, what does Paul instruct Timothy to do with the teachings he has received?
3. How does the sermon describe the role of worship in the life of a disciple? [38:52]
4. What metaphor does Paul use to describe the process of discipleship, and what are its key components? [41:41]

### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "put off the old self" and "put on the new self" in the context of Ephesians 4:22-24? How does this process reflect a continuous journey rather than a one-time event?
2. How does the legacy of faith, as discussed in the sermon, impact our understanding of discipleship and our responsibility to mentor others? [54:03]
3. Why is worship considered an integral part of discipleship, and how does it serve as a witness to the world? [38:52]
4. What does it mean to deny oneself and take up the cross in the context of following Christ, as mentioned in the sermon? [51:01]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: What are some "old self" behaviors or attitudes that you need to put off? How can you actively work on putting on the "new self" this week?
2. Think about the legacy of faith in your own family or community. How can you contribute to passing on this legacy to the next generation? [54:03]
3. How can you incorporate worship into your daily life beyond Sunday services? What specific actions can you take to make your everyday life a reflection of your commitment to God? [38:52]
4. Identify one person in your life who could benefit from mentorship in their faith journey. What steps can you take to guide and support them in their discipleship process?
5. Consider the call to deny oneself and take up the cross. What specific sacrifices might God be calling you to make in order to follow Him more closely? [51:01]
6. How can you create a deliberate plan for your own spiritual growth and transformation? What resources or practices can you incorporate to help you stay committed to this journey?
7. Reflect on the metaphor of the school of discipleship. What areas of your faith do you need to "unlearn" and "relearn"? How can you approach this process with intentionality and dedication? [41:41]

Devotional

Day 1: The Continuous Process of Discipleship
Discipleship is an ongoing journey that requires us to continually put off our old selves, reimagine our lives through a biblical lens, and put on the new self. This process is not a one-time event but a lifelong commitment to growth and transformation. Paul emphasizes this in Ephesians 4:22-24, where he speaks about the need to put off the old self, be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. This continuous transformation is a deliberate and intentional process that requires daily effort and dedication. [43:51]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to put off the old self and embrace the new self? How can you take a deliberate step today to align this area with the teachings of Christ?

Day 2: The Importance of Legacy
For 170 years, the Methodist community in Dripping Springs has been a testament to faith and commitment. It is now our responsibility to carry that legacy forward by mentoring and guiding others in their faith journey. This involves not only personal transformation but also investing in the lives of others. Discipleship is about passing on the legacy of faith to the next generation, ensuring that the teachings of Christ continue to impact lives for years to come. [54:03]

2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can mentor or guide in their faith journey? What practical steps can you take this week to invest in their spiritual growth?

Day 3: The Role of Worship in Discipleship
Worship is not just a Sunday activity but a lifestyle that reflects our commitment to God. It serves as a witness to the world and is an integral part of our discipleship journey. How we live our lives outside of church is an act of worship that reflects our faith. Worship involves every aspect of our lives, from our daily actions to our interactions with others. It is a continuous expression of our love and devotion to God. [38:52]

Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine beyond Sunday services? What is one specific way you can live out your faith as an act of worship today?

Day 4: The Call to Deny Ourselves
Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This involves laying down our old identities and taking on the identity of Christ. It is a call to self-sacrifice and a commitment to live according to God's will. Denying oneself means putting aside personal desires and ambitions to follow the path that Christ has set before us. It is a daily decision to prioritize God's will over our own. [51:01]

Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it challenging to deny yourself and follow Christ? How can you take a step today to surrender this area to God's will?

Day 5: The School of Discipleship
Paul uses the metaphor of a school to describe discipleship, emphasizing the importance of learning, teaching, and transformation. Discipleship involves a deliberate process of unlearning old ways and relearning new ways that align with the teachings of Christ. It is a continuous journey of growth, where we are both students and teachers, learning from Christ and teaching others. This process requires humility, dedication, and a willingness to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. [41:41]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: What is one old habit or mindset that you need to unlearn in your discipleship journey? How can you actively seek to relearn and align this area with the teachings of Christ today?

Quotes

1. "The idea is that you cannot expect to be transformed if you don't participate in the process. If you're waiting for lightning to strike or waiting for somebody to do it for you, no, it requires for you to step into that. That's what Paul's saying. It's a deliberate process. In this school of discipleship, we're called to learn. We're called to be transformed." [48:41] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We recognize that we cannot say that we live in the kingdom and continue to live and act as if we live in this present evil age. And it's a lot of work. In concept, it's easy to understand. It's very simple. Put off one, rethink how you're doing things, and put on the new. That's very simple. It is extraordinarily complicated and taxing and requires our deliberate focus to make happen." [48:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The hardest thing is to deny ourselves. We have, the main issue, I don't know if you've put this together or seen this, the main issue in our culture today is not political, it's not even really social. It is based around identity. Identity. And what Holmes talks about is that we are really good at creating a God in our own image who is like us, who accepts our indiscretions, who gives us a license and leniency, and then we label this God the God of love." [51:01] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We do this as an act of love toward God. We recognize that we cannot say that we live in the kingdom and continue to live and act as if we live in this present evil age. And it's a lot of work. In concept, it's easy to understand. It's very simple. Put off one, rethink how you're doing things, and put on the new. That's very simple. It is extraordinarily complicated and taxing and requires our deliberate focus to make happen." [47:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The picture also Paul uses when he says put off the old is a rotten, rotten garment. You ever have those? Men love those, by the way. You know why we love them? Because they're broken in. Because it's that T-shirt we love, we've had that's older than our children, that it just fits to our body. It's that pair of jeans we've worn down that looks like at any moment that if we touch it, it's just going to fall to pieces." [46:21] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We have confessed our sin and repented, and we have turned to Christ and said, I will live this life following after Christ. We have already done that. And because we have done that, we can no longer live that we used to live. Paul says that these two things are simply incompatible. They cannot exist together. And because God has granted us this grace, we should live this way. We should put off the old. We should reimagine what it means to follow Christ, think about it, turn over in our minds a different way of thinking, and in turn put on the new." [43:07] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We need to quit looking around for our parents. Their time has come and gone. They're still there. They're still advising. They're still a part, but now they have turned that over, whether deliberately or unconsciously to us, and it dawned on me, we are leading now. We're doing, our children are doing for us what we once did with our parents. Tell this story. Talk about this. My grandparents are gone, and the legacy they passed on has now landed, and I'm trying to pass that on to my children." [56:49] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Think about the people that helped you and become those people for others. That's passing on the legacy. If we do that, then 170 years from now, someone else will be telling the story of what we did with the legacy that was given to us, and they will become the stewards of it. That's what discipleship is. passing on to the next generation what has been passed on to us. May we do that in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." [59:27] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The truth of the matter is, at some point, those garments that we love are too rotten for us. We just can't wear them. what we come to discover as we adjust our thinking is we realize that the way we used to do things, we just can't do anymore. And not because somehow God will love us more if we change our behavior, but precisely because He loves us already. we've already experienced the power of salvation in our life. We've already experienced it. We've already experienced what it means to be transformed." [47:33] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The first two things that have to happen for us to be in a correct attitude and posture to follow Christ is we have to deny ourselves, we have to take on the identity of Christ and who he calls us to be, and we have to be willing to lay down our life for the purpose of the gospel. That's the school to which Paul is calling, the Ephesians, and by extension, us." [52:35] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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