Dallas Willard once said the greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who are identified as “Christians” will become disciples- students, apprentices, practitioners, of Jesus Christ. Join us as we share our vision for a church filled with disciples who are being transformed into people of love Christ.
Transformational Discipleship
Speakers
Sarah Blount
Lead Pastor
Notes
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Help people know God by practicing the way of Jesus
- Presence of God
- Transformational Discipleship
- Kingdom Community
- Sacrificial Mission
TRANSFORMATIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
We pursue transformational discipleship by focusing on spiritual formation
and every Christian’s destiny to progressively grow in Christlikeness.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
To live is to be formed.
Christian Spiritual Formation = The Process of being formed into people of love in Christ.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
We become what we behold. We look like what we look at.
You will, in portion to the passion and sincerity of your devotion, grow into the image of Him whom you adore.
TRANSFORMATIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
A disciple is a practitioner (someone who practices) an embodied way of life, one who is diligently working to be with and become like their master.
Discipleship is being with another person in order to become capable of doing what that person does or to become like what that person is. An “apprentice” of Jesus is learning from him how to lead their life as he would lead their life if he were them. - Willard
The true-born artist will “want to find a master” and “bind themselves to him.” Once he finds the master, the apprentice will “take great pains and pleasure in constantly copying” the best things from the master. Choose the master who has the greatest reputation, and if you copy from him every day, it will be against nature if you do not grasp some of his style and of his spirit. - Becoming Michelangelo
EVERY CHRISTIAN’S DESTINY
Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Around 63 percent of Americans self-identify as Christians, but quite a few surveys put the number of Americans who are following Jesus at around 4 percent. - Practicing the Way
John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
PROGRESSIVELY GROW
2 Corinthians 3:8 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
Spiritual formation is not a journey to get to Jesus it is a journey with Jesus.
IN CHRISTLIKENESS
To grow in Christlikeness we must abide in Christ.
John 1:35-38 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
menó - μένω - to stay, abide, remain
John 8:31 If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
John 15:4, 8-9 Abide in me as I abide in you. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.
It isn’t only that the apprentice abides in (binds himself to) the Master; the Master also abides in (binds himself to) the apprentice.
It is a mutual dynamic that expects our life to be spiritually and practically in vital connection with Jesus, and that expects Him to indwell us in an active, real way. In no way is the responsibility for abiding only upon the believer. - Guzik
It is only by union with Him that any branch can bear fruit: once that union is broken, the sap no longer flows; and fruit in that branch is no longer possible.
Union with Christ is the source of any Christlike fruit produced in our lives.
PURSUE
The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who… are identified as “Christians” will become disciples- students, apprentices, practitioners, of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence. - Willard
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Sermon Series || Vision Series - Transformational Discipleship || John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.”
Spiritual Formation. We become what we behold. We look like what we look at.
You will, in portion to the passion and sincerity of your devotion, grow into the image of Him whom you adore. Who or what are you beholding/adoring, and who are you becoming?Transformational Discipleship. Around 63 percent of Americans self-identify as Christians, but quite a few surveys put the number of Americans who are following Jesus at around 4 percent. In what ways are you following Jesus? What areas are you struggling to follow Jesus?
How does knowing that it’s not just that the apprentice must abide in Jesus but that Jesus also abides in the apprentice affect how you live as a disciple?
Read John 15 together. Discuss union with Christ and producing Christlike fruit.
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Let’s Get Dusty || Discipleship 101 Parts 1 & 2
Power Verse: Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7
Discussion Questions:
What is a rabbi? A teacher
Who is our teacher? Jesus
What does it mean to be a disciple? To learn from our Teacher
What does it mean to get dusty? To follow closely behind
Where can you see in your own life how you've grown in discipleship? -
Let’s Get Dusty || Discipleship 101 Parts 1 & 2
Power Verse: Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7
Discussion Questions:
What is a rabbi? A teacher
Who is our teacher? Jesus
What does it mean to be a disciple? To learn from our Teacher
What does it mean to get dusty? To follow closely behind
Where can you see in your own life how you've grown in discipleship? -
Faith || week 4 || Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego (Daniel 3)
Power Verse: "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Hebrews 11:6a
Learn the Power Verse motions here!
Discussion Questions:
Who did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego love? God
Did they bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar? No!
What did King Nebuchadnezzar do to them? Threw them in the fire
How many people did the people find in the fire? 4!
Did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego die? No!
Did they have faith that God would save them? Yes!
Who did God send to save them? An angel
Did they smell like smoke after they got out? No! -
Faith || David & Goliath (1 Samuel 17) || same lesson all month!
Power Verse: "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Hebrews 11:6a
Learn the Power Verse motions here!
Discussion Questions:
Who were God’s people? The Israelites
Who were God’s enemy? The Philistines
What was the name of the giant? Goliath
Why did David think he could win the battle? Because God was with him
What gave David faith? God’s Word
How many stones did David gather? 5
Where did the stone from the slingshot hit Goliath? In the head
Who won? David!
What can you do when you need faith? Say your power verse