Relational Discipleship: Investing in Lives for Christ
Summary
In our journey of faith, we are reminded of the profound importance of relational discipleship, as exemplified by Jesus and echoed in the teachings of Paul. Robert Coleman's insights in "The Master Plan of Evangelism" highlight the necessity of personal association in nurturing disciples. This is not merely about evangelism or Christian nurture in theory but involves the sacrifice of personal indulgence to truly invest in others. As we reflect on 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12, we see Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica as a model of relational engagement. Paul likens his care for the Thessalonians to that of a nursing mother, emphasizing gentleness and affection. This imagery underscores the importance of sharing not just the gospel but also our lives with those we seek to disciple.
Paul’s approach was not just about preaching; it was about living out the gospel through authentic relationships. His labor and toil among the Thessalonians were a testament to his commitment to integrity and hard work. The Thessalonians were witnesses to this dedication, which was not just about making converts but about developing maturing disciples. Paul’s exhortation to walk in a manner worthy of God serves as a reminder that our actions must align with our words. As followers of Christ, we are called to demonstrate the gospel through our lives, ensuring that our actions validate the message we proclaim.
The call to discipleship is a call to personal sacrifice, patience, and commitment. It requires us to invest our lives in others, nurturing new believers and helping others overcome doubts on their journey to faith. This commitment to sharing both the gospel and our lives is essential in bringing hope to those in need. As we conclude this series, let us hold fast to the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24, embracing the call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This is the essence of living a mission-driven life, both locally and globally, as we strive to develop maturing followers of Christ.
Key Takeaways
- Relational discipleship requires personal sacrifice and investment. It is not enough to preach the gospel; we must also share our lives with those we disciple, as Paul did with the Thessalonians. This involves a commitment to nurturing authentic relationships that foster spiritual growth. [02:39]
- The imagery of a nursing mother in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 highlights the gentleness and care required in discipleship. Just as a mother nurtures her child, we are called to care for those we disciple with tenderness and affection, sharing not only the gospel but also our lives. [04:21]
- Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica exemplifies the importance of integrity and hard work in discipleship. His labor and toil were a testament to his commitment to living out the gospel, reminding us that our actions must align with our words. [05:22]
- Discipleship is not just about making converts but about developing maturing followers of Christ. This requires patience, commitment, and a willingness to invest in others, helping them grow in their faith and overcome doubts. [06:16]
- The call to discipleship is a call to personal sacrifice, as Jesus taught in Matthew 16:24. We are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, sharing both the gospel and our lives with those in need of hope. [07:52]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - The Essence of Discipleship
[02:39] - Sharing the Gospel and Ourselves
[04:21] - Gentleness and Care in Ministry
[05:22] - Integrity and Hard Work
[06:16] - Developing Maturing Disciples
[07:52] - The Call to Personal Sacrifice
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
- Matthew 16:24
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12, how does Paul describe his relationship with the Thessalonians, and what imagery does he use to convey this relationship? [02:39]
2. What actions did Paul and his companions take to ensure they were not a burden to the Thessalonians, according to the sermon? [05:22]
3. How does the sermon describe the balance between preaching the gospel and living it out through relationships? [06:16]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the essence of living a mission-driven life, as highlighted in Matthew 16:24? [07:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What might Paul mean when he encourages the Thessalonians to "walk in a manner worthy of God"? How does this relate to the concept of relational discipleship? [06:16]
2. How does the imagery of a nursing mother in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 enhance our understanding of the gentleness and care required in discipleship? [04:21]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that personal sacrifice is necessary for effective discipleship? How does this align with Jesus' call in Matthew 16:24? [07:52]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of integrity and hard work in the context of discipleship, and why are these qualities essential? [05:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to sacrifice personal indulgence for the sake of investing in someone else's spiritual growth. How did that experience shape your understanding of discipleship? [00:57]
2. Consider the relationships you currently have. How can you be more intentional about sharing not just the gospel, but also your life with those you are discipling? [02:39]
3. What specific steps can you take to ensure that your actions align with your words, especially in your role as a disciple-maker? [06:16]
4. Identify a person in your life who might benefit from a deeper relational engagement. What practical actions can you take to nurture this relationship with gentleness and care? [04:21]
5. How can you incorporate the principle of "walking in a manner worthy of God" into your daily routine? What changes might you need to make to live this out more fully? [06:16]
6. Reflect on the call to deny oneself and take up the cross as described in Matthew 16:24. What personal sacrifices might this entail for you in your current context? [07:52]
7. Think about a recent situation where you had to demonstrate integrity and hard work in your faith journey. How did this impact your witness to others? [05:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Relational Discipleship Requires Personal Investment
In the journey of faith, relational discipleship stands as a cornerstone, demanding personal sacrifice and investment. This approach is not merely about preaching the gospel but involves sharing one's life with those being discipled. The example set by Paul in his ministry to the Thessalonians illustrates this principle vividly. He did not just deliver sermons; he lived among the people, investing time and energy into building authentic relationships that fostered spiritual growth. This kind of discipleship requires a commitment to nurturing others, often at the expense of personal indulgence, as it involves a deep, personal association that goes beyond mere words. [02:39]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV): "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
Reflection: Who in your life can you invest in more deeply this week, sharing not just your words but your time and presence?
Day 2: Gentleness and Care in Discipleship
The imagery of a nursing mother in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 provides a powerful metaphor for the gentleness and care required in discipleship. Just as a mother tenderly nurtures her child, those who disciple others are called to exhibit the same level of affection and patience. This involves sharing not only the gospel but also one's life, creating a nurturing environment where spiritual growth can occur. The emphasis is on building relationships characterized by tenderness and genuine care, which are essential for helping new believers grow in their faith and overcome doubts. [04:21]
Isaiah 40:11 (ESV): "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate gentleness and care in your interactions with others this week, especially those who are new in their faith journey?
Day 3: Integrity and Hard Work in Ministry
Paul's ministry in Thessalonica is a testament to the importance of integrity and hard work in discipleship. His labor and toil among the Thessalonians were not just about making converts but about living out the gospel through authentic relationships. This dedication to integrity ensured that his actions aligned with his words, providing a powerful witness to the truth of the gospel. As followers of Christ, we are called to demonstrate the gospel through our lives, ensuring that our actions validate the message we proclaim. [05:22]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your actions align with your words, particularly in your work or ministry this week?
Day 4: Developing Maturing Disciples
Discipleship is not just about making converts; it is about developing maturing followers of Christ. This process requires patience, commitment, and a willingness to invest in others, helping them grow in their faith and overcome doubts. Paul’s ministry serves as a model for this kind of relational engagement, where the focus is on nurturing authentic relationships that foster spiritual growth. The call to discipleship involves a commitment to sharing both the gospel and one's life, bringing hope to those in need and guiding them on their journey to faith. [06:16]
Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV): "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: Who can you mentor or guide in their faith journey, helping them move from spiritual milk to solid food?
Day 5: The Call to Personal Sacrifice
The call to discipleship is a call to personal sacrifice, as Jesus taught in Matthew 16:24. This involves denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and following Him, sharing both the gospel and one's life with those in need of hope. It is a mission-driven life that requires a willingness to put aside personal desires for the sake of others, investing in their spiritual growth and well-being. This commitment to personal sacrifice is essential in developing maturing followers of Christ, both locally and globally. [07:52]
Luke 9:23-24 (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. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice self-denial this week, in order to better serve others and follow Christ more closely?
Quotes
In his book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, author Robert Coleman talks about the necessary building blocks of developing disciples. To borrow our West River language, the necessary building blocks to develop maturing followers of Christ. Listen to what Coleman writes. [00:00:16] (20 seconds)
There's a lot of talk in the church about evangelism and Christian nurture, but little concern for personal association when it becomes evident that such work involves the sacrifice of personal indulgence. [00:01:06] (16 seconds)
For you, remember, brothers, our labor and toil, we worked night and day that we might not be a burden to any of you while we proclaim to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct towards you believers. [00:03:24] (21 seconds)
It wasn't just spoken words. The preaching of the gospel to the Thessalonians, that was important. But the proclamation of that message was paired with relational investment. This wasn't just about making converts. It was about authentic relationships that led to developing, maturing disciples. [00:04:46] (23 seconds)
Now, verse 9 and 10 continue on to remind us that following Christ into the world requires of us, just as it requires of us. It requires of Paul and his companions both hard work and integrity. [00:05:08] (14 seconds)
Living the life of a disciple is not merely about proclaiming the gospel, but demonstrating it through our actions and relationships as well. And for you and I, it is no different. [00:06:07] (14 seconds)
As we follow Christ out into the world, not only are we to make it a priority to communicate the gospel, with our words, it is essential that the life others observe us living is a validation, a reinforcement of the words that we preach. [00:06:21] (17 seconds)
See, as we follow Jesus out into both our local and global context, whether it be investing our lives into the life of a new believer, nurturing them as they grow, or the intense investment of helping clear the path, tearing down the walls of doubt on someone's journey towards a decision to surrender their life, the bottom line is a commitment to share both the gospel of Christ and our lives, like we see here in 1 Thessalonians 2, takes patience, it takes commitment, it takes investment, and it takes time. [00:07:14] (38 seconds)
It takes loving, personal sacrifice to share both the gospel of Christ and our lives. with those around us in desperate need of the hope found in Christ. [00:07:52] (14 seconds)
The journey of a local church called Westover with a purpose to develop maturing followers of Jesus Christ as we look towards a vision of being a church both gathered and scattered, holding in front of us the words of Christ found in Matthew 16 24 along the way. If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [00:08:13] (23 seconds)
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