Transforming Lives: The Call to Discipleship
Summary
The journey of starting a new church is filled with unexpected challenges, but it’s also a unique opportunity to refocus on what truly matters: making disciples of Jesus. In a culture marked by brokenness, pain, and spiritual death, the answer is not more programs or bigger gatherings, but lives transformed by the gospel. When people genuinely follow Jesus, their hearts are changed from the inside out, and that transformation has the power to impact entire cities and even nations. The call to make disciples is not reserved for a select few; it is the purpose of every follower of Jesus.
Looking at Matthew 4, Jesus calls ordinary people—fishermen—to follow Him. He doesn’t seek out the most qualified or the most religious, but those willing to leave behind their old lives and step into a new relationship with Him. Discipleship is fundamentally about following Jesus, becoming more like Him, and helping others do the same. It’s not about having all the answers or being perfect; it’s about taking daily steps of obedience and inviting others along for the journey.
Practical steps for engaging in disciple-making begin with personal commitment. First, follow Jesus wholeheartedly—do something every day that draws you closer to Him. Second, seek out someone to disciple you; humility and teachability are essential. Third, look for someone you can disciple, even if they’re just one step behind you in their faith journey. Discipleship is not a program or a class, but a relationship centered on the Word of God, marked by love, accountability, and obedience.
The vision is not to simply add people to a church, but to multiply disciple-makers who are sent out to impact their neighborhoods, workplaces, and the world. True discipleship leads to multiplication, not just addition. It’s a process of being changed by Jesus and then being sent to help others experience that same transformation. Even without a building, the mission remains clear: forsake distractions, repent of anything that has taken priority over Jesus, and live lives that multiply His influence in the world.
Key Takeaways
- The culture around us is marked by brokenness and death, but the gospel offers true life. The church’s role is not to mirror the world’s problems or simply provide more religious activity, but to embody the transforming power of Jesus. When hearts are changed by Christ, the ripple effect can transform entire communities. [06:17]
- Making disciples is not a special calling for a few, but the purpose of every believer. Jesus’ invitation to “follow me” is for ordinary people, and the expectation is that followers of Jesus will help others follow Him. This is not optional or something to wait on; it is the core of Christian living. [13:41]
- You cannot lead others where you have not gone yourself. True disciple-making begins with personal obedience—daily practices that draw you closer to Jesus. The authenticity of your walk with Christ is the foundation for helping others grow in their faith. [16:03]
- Discipleship is relational, rooted in the Word of God, and requires obedience. It’s not just about knowledge or friendship, but about loving accountability and mutual growth. If there is no relationship, no engagement with Scripture, and no call to obedience, it isn’t true discipleship. [25:07]
- Multiplication, not just addition, is the goal. The church is not a jar to be filled, but a funnel through which people are transformed and sent out. The vision is to see a movement of disciple-makers who impact the world, not just to create another Sunday service. [31:01]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Church Update: Navigating Unexpected Challenges
[03:00] - The Multiply Series: Vision and Purpose
[04:30] - The State of Our Culture: Brokenness and Death
[06:17] - The Church’s Response: Are We Different?
[09:35] - The Real Solution: Making Disciples
[11:30] - Matthew 4: Jesus Calls the Disciples
[13:41] - The Call and Promise: “Follow Me, I Will Make You Fishers of Men”
[16:03] - Step 1: Start Following Jesus
[18:42] - What Would Others Learn from Your Life?
[20:00] - Step 2: Ask Someone to Disciple You
[21:31] - Step 3: Disciple Someone Else
[25:07] - Step 4: What Does Discipleship Look Like?
[28:07] - Obedience and Accountability in Discipleship
[29:21] - Step 5: Multiplication, Not Just Addition
[31:01] - The Funnel vs. The Jar: A Vision for Multiplication
[32:49] - Closing Challenge and Prayer
Study Guide
Impact Church Small Group Bible Study Guide: Multiply – Making Disciples
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### Bible Reading
Matthew 4:18-22 (ESV)
> While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
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### Observation Questions
1. Who did Jesus call to follow Him in Matthew 4, and what were they doing at the time?
2. What was Jesus’ promise to those He called in this passage?
3. How did the fishermen respond to Jesus’ invitation?
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between simply attending church and actually making disciples? [29:21]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose ordinary fishermen instead of religious leaders or scholars to be His first disciples? What does this say about who can be a disciple-maker? [13:41]
2. The sermon says, “You can’t lead others where you have not gone yourself.” What does it mean for someone to follow Jesus wholeheartedly before trying to disciple others? [16:03]
3. The pastor described discipleship as “relational, rooted in the Word of God, and requires obedience.” Why are all three of these elements necessary for true discipleship? [25:07]
4. The sermon contrasts “multiplication” with “addition” in the church. What is the difference, and why is multiplication the goal? [31:01]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to “do something every day that draws you closer to Jesus.” What is one specific thing you can do this week to intentionally follow Jesus more closely? [16:03]
2. Is there someone in your life who is following Jesus in a way you admire? What would it look like to ask them to disciple you, or to learn from their example? [20:00]
3. Think about your own faith journey. Is there someone who might be just one step behind you that you could encourage or disciple? What is one practical way you could reach out to them this week? [21:31]
4. The sermon said, “If you met with someone for discipleship and you never opened the Bible, you had friendship, not discipleship.” How can you make sure your spiritual relationships are centered on God’s Word? [25:07]
5. The pastor talked about the importance of accountability and obedience in discipleship. Is there an area of your life where you need accountability or need to take a step of obedience? How can your group support you in this? [28:07]
6. The vision is to multiply disciple-makers, not just add people to church. What is one way you can help multiply Jesus’ influence in your neighborhood, workplace, or family? [31:01]
7. Are there any distractions or priorities in your life that have taken the place of Jesus? What would it look like to “forsake distractions” and repent, as the pastor challenged us to do? [32:49]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help each person in the group take a next step in following Jesus, being discipled, or discipling others. Pray for courage to obey and for God to multiply His work through your lives.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Calls Ordinary People to Follow Him
Jesus chose ordinary fishermen, not religious elites or scholars, to be His first disciples, showing that anyone can be called to follow Him. The call to “Follow me” is not about qualifications or background, but about responding to Jesus’ invitation with obedience and trust. When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they left behind their nets, their family, and their old way of life to step into a new relationship with Him. This reminds us that discipleship begins with a simple but profound step: saying yes to Jesus, no matter where we come from or what we think we lack. [13:41]
Matthew 4:18-22 (ESV)
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Reflection: What is one thing you sense Jesus asking you to leave behind so you can follow Him more fully this week?
Day 2: Discipleship Means Helping Others Follow Jesus
Followers of Jesus are called to help others follow Him; making disciples is not a special calling for a few, but the purpose of every believer’s life. Jesus’ promise, “I will make you fishers of men,” means that as we follow Him, He transforms us into people who draw others to Him. This is not about having all the answers or being perfect, but about being willing to share your journey and invite others along. Imagine if someone watched your life for 30 days—would they learn how to follow Jesus? The call is clear: as you follow Jesus, help someone else take their next step too. [16:03]
Matthew 4:19 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can intentionally encourage or invite to take a step closer to Jesus this week?
Day 3: Discipleship Happens in Relationship and Community
True discipleship is rooted in real relationships, not just programs or classes; it’s about sharing life, love, and the Word of God together. Jesus called His disciples into friendship and community, not just to attend events. Discipleship flourishes when we are honest, vulnerable, and willing to walk alongside others—learning, confessing, and growing together. If you want to be discipled, look for someone who follows Jesus the way you want to, and ask for access to their life. If you want to disciple others, invite them into your life, not just your schedule. [25:07]
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Reflection: Who in your community group or church could you invite into a deeper, more intentional relationship for the sake of discipleship?
Day 4: Discipleship Centers on God’s Word and Obedience
Discipleship is not just about gaining knowledge, but about learning to obey Jesus’ teachings together, with the Bible at the center of every relationship. If you meet for discipleship and never open the Bible, you have friendship, not discipleship. The Word of God must be the foundation, and obedience is the fruit. This means holding each other accountable, confessing sin, and encouraging one another to actually live out what Jesus commands. Discipleship without obedience is incomplete; it’s in the doing, not just the knowing, that transformation happens. [28:07]
James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Reflection: What is one command of Jesus you know but have struggled to obey? How can you take a concrete step of obedience this week?
Day 5: Multiplication, Not Just Addition, Is the Mission
The goal is not to fill up a church building, but to multiply disciple-makers who are sent out to impact the world for Jesus. Church is not a jar to be filled, but a funnel through which people are transformed and then sent out to help others follow Jesus. This means living with a sense of mission—whether that’s across the world or across the street—and prioritizing making disciples over simply attending services. Ask God to show you where He is sending you, and be willing to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of His mission. [31:01]
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Reflection: Where is God calling you to “live sent” this week—at work, in your neighborhood, or beyond—and what is one step you can take to share Jesus there?
Quotes
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