From Believers to Disciples
Thursday, January 11, 2007
From Believers to Disciples Calendar
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A note about online study
“Study to show yourself approved by God …” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
Heavenly Father, the focus of my prayer today is my own commitment to You. I pray that by the power of Your Holy Spirit in my life, that You will empower me to put Jesus first in all that I think, say and do. I pray that before I speak or act that I will consider whether the words or actions will bring Jesus glory and honor, will seek to advance His Kingdom, and if they won’t that I will stop and pursue a different course of action. God, I thank You that salvation is free, and that once I have received it You give me a life of meaning and purpose as Your disciple. Thank You for giving me the opportunity not only to know and believe in You, but to follow You and let others see You in my life. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today: Luke 9:57-62
57As they were walking along someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you no matter where you go.”
58But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head.”
59He said to another person, “Come, be my disciple.”
The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
60Jesus replied, “Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach the coming of the Kingdom of God.”
61Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”
62But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
From Today’s Reading, a Believer …
Looking at Luke 9:57-62 as a whole, what “title” would you give the passage as a believer in Jesus Christ? Why?
Let’s Go Deeper in Our Walk with Jesus
What are the similarities about the “excuses” made by the “would be disciples” in Luke 9:57-62? What does this say about our desire to walk with Jesus as His followers?
From Today’s Reading, a Disciple of Jesus Will …
Moving from being a believer to being a disciple is a matter of the WILL. We must submit our wills to the will of Jesus. That means putting first what Jesus puts first. According to Luke 9:57-62, what does Jesus put first? Once You answer that question, make a commitment to submit Your will to being and doing that today!
Ministry, Mission, Outreach, Service Opportunities to Consider
(Highlight one area where people can make a commitment to serve Jesus. May be at New Life, in the community, etc. This may stay the same all week.)
Same question as yesterday: Have you visited a nursing home or personal care home yet? A general rule of thumb is that residents in homes get more visits on the weekends than on weekdays, so if your schedule permits why not go today or this evening!
My Journal
Note any thoughts from Through the Bible or the Daily Reading here:
Growing and Going!
Jesus wanted us to be aware that following Him is not a part-time task, that it must consume us. Most of us don’t “work” for God full-time, that is most of us aren’t “professional” Christians. By that I mean we aren’t pastors or missionaries or church staff members. BUT we are full-time workers for Jesus regardless of our vocations. We don’t just follow Jesus on Sundays, or in the evenings. We follow Him 24/7. When we go to work, we are to do everything we do as unto the Lord. In ALL of our relationships we are to let others know that Jesus is first in life. We don’t have to preach a sermon to do that. In fact, the most convincing message that non-believers can “hear” is a life lived faithfully in the name of Jesus, that gives the recognition to Jesus calmly and clearly. Let’s live that kind of lives—full-time—today!