Main Thought
EQUIPPING is an essential part of discipleship! Every Nation Church Las Vegas believes every member should be a minister. (Biblically, the word minister was used to describe anyone who served God and made disciples - not a word that described “professional Christians.”) Everyone should be equipped with skills to do basic ministry: things like praying for others, making invitations, sharing the gospel and our faith stories. We are often equipped in the context of intentional relationships. In our relationships, we can see and set good examples. We can receive and give clear assignments. Then, after the work is done, we can have accurate assessments. If we want more people to make disciples, then we need to equip and be equipped to make a difference.
Main Passages
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
- Luke 10:1-2 (ESV)
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
- Luke 10:17-19
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
- Ephesians 4:11-12
Discussion Questions
Who has been an example of faith for you? What have you learned from them?
What’s one “skill” that every Christian should have? How did you learn it?
What’s one way you’d like to grow as a minister for Jesus? What’s one skill of habit you’d like to develop, and who can help you learn it?