Empowered to Make Disciples

Main Thought

Christians are meant to be like Christ. Jesus Christ empowered people! He empowered people when He walked the earth, and continues to do so through His Holy Spirit. Jesus empowers us confidently. This is striking because no one is more aware of our failures and flaws than Jesus. Yet our victory in Him is secure, which gives us the confidence we need to try, fail, and “grow as we go.” Jesus empowers us supernaturally. We aren’t limited by our natural abilities. We’re supported by God’s supernatural power. Our efforts for God can be even greater than we expect. Finally, Jesus empowers us immediately. Anyone can be a witness who tells others about what Jesus has done for them. 

Main Passages

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit…”

- John 20:21

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

- Acts 1:8

17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

- Acts 9:17-22

Discussion Questions

1. Which of the three main points (Jesus empowers us confidently, supernaturally, and immediately) excites you the most? 

2. Which of those three things challenges you the most?

3. How can you step out in faith and obedience in a way that challenges you, based on this discussion?

Make Disciples. Make a Difference.

Main Thought

We need strength for life. It’s a marathon. On top of that, a life in which we partner with God to make disciples has its own unique set of difficulties. But God wants to empower us! He wants to strengthen us as we “wait” on Him. Waiting on God means taking the time and turning to Him, even if we’re experiencing tension. That’s where we find the supernatural strength we need to make a difference. We’re also called to empower others. This process takes perseverance, but there are earthly and eternal prizes to be won by those who press on. We make a difference when we make disciples.

Main Passages

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

- 2 Timothy 2:4-6

29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

- Isaiah 40:29-31

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to you when we talk about being empowered by God? How does God’s empowerment help us?

2. Have you ever been empowered by God or a leader to make a difference, or have you empowered someone else? What was that experience like?

3. What’s the hardest part about waiting on God for you? Why?

Making an Impact

Main Thought

Everyone wants to make an impact. As Christians, we get to make an impact that’s felt for all eternity! Jesus sends us out to go as the Church, His representatives in the world. Revealing Jesus to the world is a part of every Christian’s purpose while living on earth. We should also go according to the Great Commission. The Great Commission is a command that comes with a basic plan of action. We engage nations, or “people groups,” for Christ. There are big “people groups,” like countries, and small ones, like groups of friends. We’re called to baptize people who respond to the gospel and teach them to obey God. This is a tall task - but we can go with confidence. Jesus promised to be with us as we set out to answer His call.

Main Passage

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 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.””. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:16-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Discussion Questions

1. Do people see Jesus through you? Why or why not?

2. What’s the easiest part of answering the Great Commission (Christ’s command to make disciples) for you? 

3. What’s the hardest part of answering the Great Commission?

Pray that God’s Holy Spirit would be present with everyone this week, and present opportunities for us to make disciples.

EQUIPPING > TEACHING

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

1. Who has been an example of faith for you? What have you learned from them?

2. What’s one “skill” that every Christian should have? How did you learn it?

3. 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?

Dictator, to Disciple, to Disciple-Maker

Main Thought

As disciples, we follow Jesus into transformation and life change. The life of Saul - who became the Apostle Paul - displays this clearly. Saul started as an opponent of Christianity who sanctioned persecution against early believers. Then, he had his own life-changing encounter with Jesus. He became a disciple and grew in faith around other disciples. Eventually, Paul was empowered to make a difference while in community with other believers. God calls us to experience these three things as we follow Jesus as well.

Main Passages

3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

- Acts 9:3-6

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

- Acts 9:10-12

19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

- Acts 9:19-22 (NIV)

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever had your own life-changing encounter or moment with Jesus. What happened? How has your life changed since then?

2. Our goal is for “each one to reach one” this year. Is there an unchurched person around you that you can engage for Christ this year? If not, then how can you begin to form those connections?

Establishing Strong Foundations

Main Thought

Foundations are essential for physical buildings and our spiritual lives. They predict future growth. They allow us to endure difficult circumstances. We need to beware of bad foundations that can’t bear the storms of life. They’re built when we do the opposite of what Christ says (bad activity), or when we do nothing about what Christ says (inactivity). Only God can give us the opportunity to establish a foundation strong enough to last into eternity. Strong foundations are built when we’re established in the Faith; this includes faith in Christ, baptism, and repentance. We must also establish a habit of Bible reading and prayer. Strong, spiritual foundations are impossible without this. Finally, God wants us to be established in a community of believers. These things won’t make our lives storm-free, but they can help us become storm-proof. 

Main Passages

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

- Matthew 7:24-27

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

- Acts 2:22-24, 37-38

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

- Acts 2:42

Discussion Questions

1. Do you feel that you have a strong spiritual foundation? Why or why not?

2. When it comes to being established in the Faith, the Word (and prayer), and Community, where are you strongest? Where can you improve?

3. How can these three things help us develop storm-proof lives?

Family Questions

1. Do you believe in Jesus?

2. Do you read the Bible and pray?

3. Do you have Christian friends?

Engage the Lost

Main Thought

What do most of us do when we’ve discovered something we love, or when we’ve received good news? We share! The story of Jesus Christ is good news - and we’re called to share. In Every Nation, we call this “engaging” people with the gospel. One method to engaging lost people (those who are unchurched  or dechurched) is to remember the acronym B.L.E.S.S. The letter “B” stands for begin with prayer. Evangelism is a spiritual act as much as it is a practical one. We need God’s help! The letter “L” stands for listen to them. As the old saying goes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The letter “E” is a crowd favorite - eat a meal with them! The first “S” stands for serve a need (which allows us to impact their lives), and the second “S” stands for share a story. This is our chance to communicate how Jesus impacted our lives. It’s a lot easier to be a witness for Christ to others when we want to B.L.E.S.S them.

Main Passages

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

- John 15:1-2

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 

- John 15:8-11

18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 

- Mark 5:18-19

Discussion Questions

1. Which letter in the B.L.E.S.S. acronym is easiest for you to do? Which is the hardest?

2. How might using the B.L.E.S.S. approach make you a more effective and consistent witness for Christ?

3. Who can you look to B.L.E.S.S. this week? Which letter from that acronym will you apply?

Family Questions

1. What does it mean to bless someone? Can blessing someone help them learn about God?