From Believers to Disciples
Friday, February 9, 2007
From Believers to Disciples Calendar
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“Study to show yourself approved by God …” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
Pray that we will commit ourselves to becoming more like Jesus each day, and for the Holy Spirit to be poured out among us to empower us to fulfill that commitment!
Heavenly Father, my prayer focus for Monday is my prayer focus as I end the week! Please fill every person associated with New Life—and with Your great Church universal—with the Holy Spirit that we may become more like Jesus every day. I pray that by our lives others will be drawn to be part of Your eternal and ever growing Kingdom! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today: Matthew 10:24-32
[Jesus said,] 24“A student is not greater than the teacher. A servant is not greater than the master. 25The student shares the teacher’s fate. The servant shares the master’s fate. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, how much more will it happen to you, the members of the household! 26But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. 27What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ears, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
28“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
32“If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. 33But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.
From Today’s Reading, a Believer …
Read Matthew 10:24-32 as a whole once more. What do you see today that you haven’t seen so far with regard to what it means to be a believer in Jesus?
Let’s Go Deeper in Our Walk with Jesus
After reading today’s Scripture, what do you see as one necessity for moving from believers to disciples?
From Today’s Reading, a Disciple of Jesus Will …
What actions that you have written down this week in your efforts to follow Jesus more faithfully have you actually carried out? Look back over the studies for the week and consider which items on your lists have been accomplished and which ones need further attention—and maybe even the Holy Spirit’s empowerment—to be accomplished!
Ministry, Mission, Outreach, Service Opportunities to Consider
Have you considered serving on the Community Vacation Bible School Team this summer as a way of deepening your own discipleship in Jesus’ name? One of the realities of our lives as disciples of Jesus is that as we prepare to lead or teach others, we always up end becoming better leaders and teachers ourselves! Last year several dozen children made first time commitments to Jesus as a result of their participation in CVBS. Prayerfully, consider how you may be a part of it this year! Contact Children’s Nurture Facilitator Shelly Rinamin for more information!
My Journal
Note any thoughts from Through the Bible or the Daily Reading here:
Being and Doing Like Jesus!
As our week of focusing on what it means to be and do what Jesus is and does comes to a close consider this: have you lived this week more like Jesus? Have you carried out any thoughts, words or actions to which you can point and say, “That was more like Jesus?” After all, the purpose of our study is not that we will have more information week after week, but that we will be more like Jesus and live more like Jesus week after week! As we go about this day, let’s remember that only what we DO with what we have learned from God’s word impacts others, and demonstrates to them that God is real and true. Words often ring hollow, but actions speak volumes. My our lives be a “bible” for others today that they may know Jesus, and know His word is true!