Transforming Relationships Through Listening and Discipleship

 

Summary

In our journey towards spiritual growth and transformation, we often find ourselves hindered by self-centeredness and a lack of respect for others. This can manifest in our relationships, leading to harmful and hurtful interactions. To overcome this, we must strive to be swift to hear and slow to speak, releasing control and trusting God with outcomes. This requires a deep understanding of what truly edifies and builds others up, as Jesus taught us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The wisdom of the serpent lies in its patience and timeliness, qualities we must cultivate in our interactions.

Change begins with vision, intention, and means. We must envision a life in the kingdom, intend to glorify God with our words, and employ the means to achieve this transformation. Practices like silence and refraining from having the last word can help us gain control over our tongues. Moreover, we must address pervasive issues like lust and covetousness by learning to use our eyes differently and recognizing that life is full of goodness without these desires.

Living in disappointment and dissatisfaction often weakens us, but by celebrating God's work in our lives, we can shift our focus to gratitude and joy. This discipline of celebration helps us overcome dissatisfaction, which is often exacerbated by worldly distractions like those found in places like Las Vegas. True satisfaction comes from a life centered on God's goodness.

Confidence in prayer and witnessing for Christ are essential aspects of our spiritual journey. We must learn to speak for Christ naturally and confidently, understanding that witnessing is not about soul-winning but about sharing Christ's relevance in everyday life. This confidence extends to hearing God's voice and knowing how to live in alignment with His will.

Our churches face similar challenges, needing to focus on making disciples rather than merely perpetuating themselves. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, not just Christians, by immersing them in the reality of the Trinity and teaching them to live out Jesus' teachings. This requires a commitment to inner transformation and a willingness to learn and grow in our ordinary lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Listening and Patience: Cultivating the ability to be swift to hear and slow to speak is crucial for building meaningful relationships. This requires releasing control and trusting God with outcomes, as Jesus taught us to be wise and patient like serpents. [02:20]

- Vision, Intention, and Means: True change begins with a vision of life in God's kingdom, an intention to glorify Him, and employing the means to achieve this transformation. Practices like silence and refraining from having the last word can help us gain control over our tongues. [04:49]

- Overcoming Dissatisfaction: Living in disappointment and dissatisfaction weakens us, but celebrating God's work in our lives shifts our focus to gratitude and joy. This discipline helps us overcome dissatisfaction, which is often exacerbated by worldly distractions. [07:34]

- Confidence in Prayer and Witnessing: Developing confidence in prayer and witnessing for Christ is essential. Witnessing is about sharing Christ's relevance in everyday life, not just soul-winning. This confidence extends to hearing God's voice and living in alignment with His will. [12:00]

- Disciple-Making in Churches: Churches must focus on making disciples, not just Christians, by immersing them in the reality of the Trinity and teaching them to live out Jesus' teachings. This requires a commitment to inner transformation and a willingness to learn and grow. [18:09]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:03] - The Challenge of Listening
[03:00] - Wisdom of the Serpent
[04:12] - Vision, Intention, and Means
[05:20] - Governing Behavior
[07:15] - Overcoming Dissatisfaction
[08:29] - The Illusion of Satisfaction
[10:30] - Confidence in Prayer
[12:00] - Witnessing for Christ
[13:34] - Meditating on God's Law
[15:21] - Willingness to Change
[16:16] - Church's Focus on Discipleship
[18:09] - Making Disciples
[20:26] - Seeking God's Kingdom
[23:49] - Inner Transformation and Learning

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. James 1:19 - "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
2. Matthew 10:16 - "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."
3. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does James 1:19 suggest about the importance of listening in our relationships? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on being "swift to hear and slow to speak"? [02:20]

2. In Matthew 10:16, Jesus instructs His followers to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves." How does the sermon explain the wisdom of the serpent, and how can this be applied in our daily interactions? [03:19]

3. According to the sermon, what are the three components necessary for true change, and how do they relate to living a life in God's kingdom? [04:12]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of celebration in overcoming dissatisfaction and shifting focus to gratitude and joy? [07:34]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the practice of being "swift to hear and slow to speak" transform personal relationships and community dynamics within the church? [02:20]

2. What does it mean to have a vision of life in God's kingdom, and how can this vision influence one's intention and means for spiritual growth? [04:12]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that worldly distractions, like those symbolized by Las Vegas, contribute to dissatisfaction? How can believers counteract this influence? [08:29]

4. How does the sermon redefine the concept of witnessing for Christ, and what implications does this have for how believers share their faith in everyday life? [12:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent conversation where you were quick to speak rather than listen. How might applying James 1:19 have changed the outcome? What steps can you take to practice being "swift to hear" this week? [02:20]

2. Consider a situation where you need to exercise patience and wisdom. How can you apply the qualities of being "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" in that context? [03:19]

3. Identify an area of your life where you feel dissatisfied. How can you practice the discipline of celebration to shift your focus to gratitude and joy? What specific actions will you take to celebrate God's work in your life? [07:34]

4. Think of a person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you naturally and confidently share Christ's relevance with them this week? What specific approach will you take to make this conversation meaningful? [12:00]

5. Reflect on your role in your church community. How can you contribute to making disciples rather than just maintaining the status quo? What specific actions can you take to immerse others in the reality of the Trinity and teach them to live out Jesus' teachings? [18:09]

6. Consider a personal habit or behavior you wish to change. How can you apply the sermon’s framework of vision, intention, and means to achieve this transformation? What is your first step? [04:12]

7. How can you cultivate confidence in prayer and hearing God's voice in your daily life? What practices will you implement to strengthen this aspect of your spiritual journey? [12:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating the Art of Listening
In our fast-paced world, the ability to listen deeply and speak thoughtfully is often overlooked. This practice is essential for nurturing relationships and fostering spiritual growth. By being swift to hear and slow to speak, we release the need to control conversations and outcomes, trusting God to guide us. This approach aligns with Jesus' teaching to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, emphasizing patience and discernment in our interactions. [02:20]

James 1:19-20 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you felt the urge to dominate. How can you practice being a better listener in your next interaction?


Day 2: Vision, Intention, and Means for Transformation
True transformation begins with a clear vision of life in God's kingdom, a heartfelt intention to glorify Him, and the means to achieve this change. This involves practices like silence and refraining from having the last word, which help us gain control over our tongues. By focusing on these elements, we align our lives with God's purpose and cultivate a spirit of humility and grace. [04:49]

Proverbs 16:1-3 (ESV): "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to align your words and actions with your vision of living in God's kingdom?


Day 3: Celebrating God's Work to Overcome Dissatisfaction
Living in a state of disappointment and dissatisfaction can drain our spiritual vitality. By celebrating God's work in our lives, we shift our focus from what we lack to the abundance of His blessings. This discipline of celebration fosters gratitude and joy, helping us resist the allure of worldly distractions and find true satisfaction in God's goodness. [07:34]

Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV): "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel dissatisfied. How can you celebrate God's work in that area today?


Day 4: Confidence in Prayer and Witnessing
Confidence in prayer and witnessing for Christ is crucial for a vibrant spiritual life. Witnessing is not merely about soul-winning but about sharing Christ's relevance in everyday life. This confidence also involves hearing God's voice and living in alignment with His will, allowing us to naturally and confidently share our faith with others. [12:00]

Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent opportunity to share your faith. How can you prepare yourself to speak more confidently and naturally about Christ in your daily interactions?


Day 5: The Church's Call to Disciple-Making
Churches are called to focus on making disciples, not just Christians. This involves immersing individuals in the reality of the Trinity and teaching them to live out Jesus' teachings. Such a commitment requires inner transformation and a willingness to learn and grow in ordinary life, aligning with the Great Commission's call to make disciples of all nations. [18:09]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV): "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"

Reflection: How can you contribute to your church's mission of making disciples? What steps can you take to support others in their journey of faith?

Quotes


To overcome this, we must strive to be swift to hear and slow to speak, releasing control and trusting God with outcomes. This requires a deep understanding of what truly edifies and builds others up, as Jesus taught us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The wisdom of the serpent lies in its patience and timeliness, qualities we must cultivate in our interactions. [00:02:20]

Change begins with vision, intention, and means. We must envision a life in the kingdom, intend to glorify God with our words, and employ the means to achieve this transformation. Practices like silence and refraining from having the last word can help us gain control over our tongues. [00:04:49]

Living in disappointment and dissatisfaction often weakens us, but by celebrating God's work in our lives, we can shift our focus to gratitude and joy. This discipline of celebration helps us overcome dissatisfaction, which is often exacerbated by worldly distractions like those found in places like Las Vegas. [00:07:34]

Confidence in prayer and witnessing for Christ are essential aspects of our spiritual journey. We must learn to speak for Christ naturally and confidently, understanding that witnessing is not about soul-winning but about sharing Christ's relevance in everyday life. [00:12:00]

Our churches face similar challenges, needing to focus on making disciples rather than merely perpetuating themselves. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, not just Christians, by immersing them in the reality of the Trinity and teaching them to live out Jesus' teachings. [00:18:09]

We have to have some knowledge about the things that really do build people up. Edification means to build up what really does help people, and here Jesus is teaching about being wise as a serpent and harmless as doves. [00:03:18]

The discipline of celebration is tremendously helpful because when you celebrate, you take the things that God has done in your life and you focus on them and you praise God for them and you dwell on them. [00:07:34]

Confidence in praying means really a sense of I know how this works, I know what happens, I know why it works. I am practiced in this. That doesn't mean you know you're a technician of some sort; it just means you know this, you know how it works, you're comfortable with it. [00:10:30]

Witnessing for Christ naturally, in a way that sort of doesn't require you to gasp and dive in, there's a sort of natural transition. Say, well, you know, Jesus had something to say about that. What do you think of that? [00:12:00]

Churches must focus on making disciples, not just Christians, by immersing them in the reality of the Trinity and teaching them to live out Jesus' teachings. This requires a commitment to inner transformation and a willingness to learn and grow. [00:18:09]

We need to be willing to be very different from what we are, and we need to be willing to learn as we go with Jesus throughout our days because that's where we do our learning is in our ordinary life. [00:28:31]

The best thing we can do for folks who are faithful members of our churches but really haven't moved here is to take the ones who are ready to go on and lead them on, and they will minister just by their very being to everyone around them. [00:27:05]

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Transcript
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