Discipleship Essentials*
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I recognize that all too often I desire to have the “security” of things, rather than the only true security—Your Lordship in my life. When Jesus sent the disciples out to cast out demons, heal and teach about the Kingdom of God, they took nothing with them, and yet they were supplied with all they needed. I pray right now that I will put my full and complete trust in You. I pray that I will have confidence in You no matter what. Use me today, by the power of Your Holy Spirit to bring honor to Yourself. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
Luke 6:12-16; 9:1-6, 10
12One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. 13At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:
14Simon (he also called him Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), 16Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
1One day Jesus called together his twelve apostles and gave them power and authority to cast out demons and to heal all diseases. 2Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3“Don’t even take along a walking stick,” he instructed them, “nor a traveler’s bag, nor food, nor money. Not even an extra coat. 4When you enter each village, be a guest in only one home. 5If the people of the village won’t receive your message when you enter it, shake off its dust from your feet as you leave. It is a sign that you have abandoned that village to its fate.” 6So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick….10When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida
Background on the Text – Who Wrote It? Why Was It Written? Who Was the Audience?
When Luke wrote his Gospel, very few people knew about Jesus, but His fame and influence were spreading quickly, because of the power and authority of the early church. While Christians were “marginalized” in every possible way, the faith continued to grow, because Jesus was alive in His followers. Luke wanted to make sure that everyone had the opportunity to get to know Jesus, and to experience His greatness and power. He also wanted to make sure as more and more time passed from the time of Jesus’ ministry on earth to the “current” day of his time that the accounts of what actually was said and done didn’t get lost. Thank God that He led Luke to record the Good News of Jesus, as well as the first couple decades of the life of the early church, so we could read the accounts and be encouraged, amazed and challenged!
Observation – What Does the Text Say?
Interpretation – What Does the Text Mean?
Application – How Can I Respond to the Text’s Insights and Teachings?
Each Week’s Check List.
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Growth Point |
How |
Encouraged and strengthened me by |
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Fallen short areas |
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What will I do with these insights? |
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What did God say to me today? |
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Share insights and growth points |
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Changed/transformed how? |
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Thoughts...A Plan for Making Disciples!
Jesus’ plan for making disciples was quite amazing in the amount of faith it required of the disciples! They were asked to leave Jesus and to go out into the surrounding cities and villages sharing the Good News in word and power! They were to cast out demons, heal all the sick and teach the people of God’s coming Kingdom. AND they were to do this without taking along any provisions whatsoever for the journey. This plan challenges us who serve Jesus in the first years of the 21st century. We plan our work and work our plan, and want to have itemized lists and details of resources available, where, when, and how the plan is going to happen. I am not advocating that we ought to live our lives as followers of Jesus without a plan. What I’m saying is that the disciples went out with a total reliance on Jesus’ word as their plan. They believed that If Jesus said they didn’t need any provisions that they didn’t. They believed that they would be able to cast out demons, heal and teach. They believed that the Kingdom of God could grow through their efforts. The question for us is: Do we still believe it? Do we believe that we make a difference—that we may make all the difference for someone out there who doesn’t yet know Jesus, and hasn’t experienced His truth and saving power? Jesus told us to go and make disciples of ALL nations—and that is still the plan! May we respond and live it!