Empowered to Disciple: Seeing Potential in Others
Summary
In today's gathering, we began by expressing our gratitude to God for His countless blessings, acknowledging His role in our lives as the provider of health, strength, and sustenance. We celebrated the miraculous recovery of Dana, who recently underwent a kidney transplant, as a testament to God's power and faithfulness in answering prayers. This moment of worship set the stage for our new series, "Disciple Maker," which focuses on the importance of discipleship in our Christian journey.
The series aims to inspire us to not only follow Jesus but also to help others grow in their faith. We reflected on the story of Barnabas from Acts 9, who played a crucial role in the early church by supporting Saul (later Paul) when others were skeptical of his transformation. Barnabas exemplified the qualities of a disciple maker by seeing potential in Saul and advocating for him. This story challenges us to look beyond people's pasts and see what God can do through them.
Discipleship requires intentionality and commitment. It involves creating space in our lives to invest in others, whether through small groups, one-on-one mentorship, or family discipleship. We are reminded that the gospel doesn't always come in a neat package; it works through the twists and turns of life, redeeming and transforming us. As we pour into others, we also grow and are transformed.
The call to be a disciple maker is a call to action. It requires us to be willing to see, lead, and work. We must be intentional about creating opportunities to disciple others, understanding that it may require sacrifice and effort. However, the impact of our investment can be profound, as seen in the life of Paul, who went on to write much of the New Testament and plant churches across Asia Minor.
As we embark on this journey, we are encouraged to take the next step, whether by joining a grow group, leading one, or simply being open to how God wants to use us. We closed with a prayer, asking God to help us become disciple makers and expressing gratitude for those who have discipled us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Gratitude and Worship: Starting our day with gratitude and worship aligns our hearts with God's presence and reminds us of His faithfulness. Worship is not just about what God has done but also about who He is—our provider, healer, and redeemer. This posture of thankfulness sets the tone for our spiritual journey. [00:00]
2. Seeing Potential in Others: Like Barnabas, we are called to see beyond people's pasts and recognize their potential in Christ. Discipleship involves seeing others not just for who they are today but for who they can become through God's transformative power. This perspective encourages us to invest in others' spiritual growth. [12:22]
3. Intentional Discipleship: Discipleship requires intentionality and commitment. We must create space in our lives to invest in others, whether through small groups, mentorship, or family discipleship. This intentional investment is crucial for spiritual growth and community building. [22:44]
4. The Gospel's Redemptive Power: The gospel works through the complexities of life, redeeming and transforming us despite our imperfections. It is not about having a perfect life but about experiencing God's grace in our ups and downs. This understanding empowers us to share the gospel with others authentically. [18:34]
5. The Impact of Discipleship: Investing in others can have a profound impact, as seen in the life of Paul, who was discipled by Barnabas. Our efforts in discipleship can lead to significant spiritual growth and influence, extending beyond what we can imagine. This encourages us to be faithful in our role as disciple makers. [25:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [02:00] - Celebrating Dana's Miracle
- [03:45] - Introduction to Disciple Maker Series
- [05:30] - The Role of Barnabas
- [06:05] - Personal Discipleship Stories
- [08:53] - The Shift in Discipleship Focus
- [12:22] - Seeing Potential in Others
- [18:34] - The Gospel's Redemptive Power
- [20:57] - Intentional Discipleship
- [22:44] - Making Time for Discipleship
- [25:36] - The Impact of Discipleship
- [32:56] - Encouragement to Take the Next Step
- [34:56] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Disciple Maker"
Bible Reading:
- Acts 9:26-28
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Observation Questions:
1. What role did Barnabas play in Saul's acceptance by the early church, according to Acts 9:26-28? How did Barnabas' actions demonstrate his qualities as a disciple maker? [12:22]
2. How did the sermon describe the transformation of Saul into Paul, and what was Barnabas' contribution to this transformation? [25:36]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the importance of seeing potential in others, as Barnabas did with Saul? [12:22]
4. How does the sermon highlight the significance of gratitude and worship in aligning our hearts with God's presence? [00:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does Barnabas' willingness to see potential in Saul challenge our perceptions of others' pasts and their potential in Christ? [12:22]
2. How does the sermon suggest that intentional discipleship can lead to profound spiritual growth and community building? [22:44]
3. What does the sermon imply about the redemptive power of the gospel in the complexities of life, and how does this understanding empower us to share the gospel authentically? [18:34]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the impact of discipleship through the example of Paul and Barnabas, and what does this teach us about the potential influence of our investment in others? [25:36]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when someone saw potential in you, similar to how Barnabas saw potential in Saul. How did that impact your spiritual journey, and how can you apply this perspective to others in your life? [12:22]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of intentionality in discipleship. What specific steps can you take to create space in your life for investing in others, whether through small groups, mentorship, or family discipleship? [22:44]
3. Consider the twists and turns in your own life. How has the gospel worked through these complexities to redeem and transform you? How can you share this authentic experience with others? [18:34]
4. Identify one person in your life who you believe has untapped potential in Christ. What practical steps can you take to encourage and support their spiritual growth, as Barnabas did for Saul? [12:22]
5. The sermon calls us to be disciple makers. What sacrifices or efforts might this require from you, and how can you prepare yourself to embrace this call to action? [25:36]
6. Reflect on the role of gratitude and worship in your daily life. How can starting your day with gratitude and worship align your heart with God's presence and faithfulness? [00:00]
7. Think about the people who have discipled you. How can you express gratitude for their influence in your life, and how can you pay it forward by investing in others? [34:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude Aligns Our Hearts with God
Gratitude is a powerful practice that aligns our hearts with God's presence and reminds us of His faithfulness. By starting our day with thankfulness, we acknowledge God as our provider, healer, and redeemer. This posture of gratitude sets the tone for our spiritual journey, allowing us to focus on who God is rather than just what He has done. Worship becomes a transformative experience when we recognize God's constant presence in our lives, guiding us through every circumstance. [00:00]
"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods." (Psalm 95:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What are three specific things you can thank God for today, and how can you incorporate gratitude into your daily routine to align your heart with His presence?
Day 2: Seeing Beyond the Past
Discipleship involves seeing potential in others, just as Barnabas did with Saul. Barnabas looked beyond Saul's past and recognized what God could do through him. This perspective challenges us to see others not just for who they are today but for who they can become through God's transformative power. By investing in others' spiritual growth, we participate in God's redemptive work, helping them realize their potential in Christ. [12:22]
"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 life might need encouragement to see their potential in Christ? How can you intentionally support and invest in their spiritual journey today?
Day 3: Intentionality in Discipleship
Discipleship requires intentionality and commitment. It involves creating space in our lives to invest in others, whether through small groups, mentorship, or family discipleship. This intentional investment is crucial for spiritual growth and community building. By prioritizing discipleship, we create opportunities for others to grow in their faith and for us to deepen our own spiritual journey. [22:44]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to create space in your life for intentional discipleship, and who can you invite to join you in this journey?
Day 4: The Gospel's Transformative Power
The gospel works through the complexities of life, redeeming and transforming us despite our imperfections. It is not about having a perfect life but about experiencing God's grace in our ups and downs. This understanding empowers us to share the gospel with others authentically, knowing that God's redemptive power is at work in every situation. [18:34]
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:3-5, ESV)
Reflection: How have you experienced God's transformative power in your life, and how can you share this testimony with someone who needs to hear it today?
Day 5: The Lasting Impact of Discipleship
Investing in others can have a profound impact, as seen in the life of Paul, who was discipled by Barnabas. Our efforts in discipleship can lead to significant spiritual growth and influence, extending beyond what we can imagine. This encourages us to be faithful in our role as disciple makers, knowing that our investment in others can have lasting effects for the Kingdom of God. [25:36]
"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." (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who has invested in your spiritual journey, and how can you honor their impact by investing in someone else's life this week?
Quotes
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Man, it's wonderful just to start your week and start your day in worship. There is something about worship that puts your heart in the right place, and we thank God for this privilege. I, man, I was worshiping, and I looked over at Dana, and just a couple of months ago, Dana had a kidney transplant and so I wasn't expecting to see Dana when I came out but when I saw him man I almost had to run across the floor because the Lord has answered our prayers hallelujah somebody man I got caught up. [00:01:35] (43 seconds)
And then today, this new series, Disciple Maker, is all about how God wants to use you to reach and help others to grow. I just want you to catch that. I want you to know this, that part of us following Jesus Christ is not just about you following Jesus Christ, but it's about the people that God wants to reach through you. So this series, I'm going to look at, it's going to be four parts to this series in the month of February. We're going to look at four different people in Scripture about how God used them to reach others, and they became a Disciple Maker. [00:05:17] (32 seconds)
And I began to realize something, that as people began to show up, I began to watch that the goal used to be how many people could show up. But I began to realize that the goal was not how many people could show up. The goal was how many of those that showed up were actually going out and making disciples in other places? Amen. Amen. I began to understand, it began to click to me, it began to register to me that part of what God is trying to do in my life was that he kept reminding me, make sure you are pouring into the lives of others. [00:09:10] (34 seconds)
If there's anybody that ever understood this, today's passage speaks to a man that understood this, a follower of Christ. His name is Barnabas, and his story, we meet him in Acts chapter 9, but he's really first introduced around the end of Acts chapter 4. His name is Barnabas, and his original name is Joseph. They change his name to Barnabas, and his name literally is translated, the son of encouragement. Or literally, he is the one that knows how to encourage others. [00:10:08] (32 seconds)
And one of the things that it requires, if you're going to be a disciple maker, that you've got to be willing to see people not for where they are today, but where God wants to take them tomorrow. This is the picture of what a disciple maker does. They see people. They see people. They see the work and the hand and the desire that Jesus wants to do in their life. Friends, there are people all around you that want to follow Jesus Christ, that want to grow in their walk with Jesus Christ, but perhaps they need you. [00:12:39] (33 seconds)
The gospel is not about how good you are, how smart you are, how talented you are. No, the gospel is that you have some good days and some bad days, but he has redeemed you. He has healed you. He has forgiven you. He is working on you. And every single person in the room has a past, is an X something or another. And if you are not, then perhaps you don't realize who you are and perhaps you're still in it. But when you know who you are and you know what Christ has done, you understand, thank you God for what you've done in my life. [00:18:08] (36 seconds)
You're here today because somebody discipled you and somebody prayed for you and somebody checked in on you and somebody texted you and somebody said, I'm praying for you and I'm thinking about you. Did you go to church today? Somebody was thinking about you, and because that is the case, you gotta be willing to see those around you. Gotta be willing to see them, gotta be willing to see them. Here it is, a disciple maker must be willing to see, but here it is, a disciple leader must be willing to lead. [00:20:14] (28 seconds)
I think about a couple of guys. They had a small group. These brothers had gotten together, and they were a part of their small group. And one of the brothers said this. Matter of fact, he said these words. He said, I told those guys stuff I don't think I'd ever told anybody. He said, but it became a safe place for me. It became a place where I could be myself, where I could heal my wounds, and where I could make war on sin, and where I could find care and accountability and belonging. [00:27:30] (29 seconds)
And I believe that the world is going through so much now with loneliness being an epidemic, and with mental health challenges. And I believe one of the ways that the church has to be able to answer and address these issues is through biblical community and small groups. I believe that's a place that we can find the hope that we often are looking for. And here's what you must know is that when you begin to put in the work in your group as you gather and as you check on and as you care for whatever size group you may be, that sometimes God wants to then work through you to reach others. [00:27:79] (36 seconds)
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