Messengers, Part 2 (31)
Discipleship in Luke
We are messengers, but it’s not our message – it’s God’s. We had better be extra careful to check our sources, be silent until we know what we’re talking about, and then deliver an accurate message – or better yet – show people where to learn for themselves. Good News that’s false – is not Good at all. Nothing hurts more than false hope.
info_outline
Messengers, Part 1 (30)
Discipleship in Luke
In Luke 14 at the dinner, Jesus tells a story about another dinner – the Kingdom feast. We will look at the characters in Jesus’ story and we find ourselves there: we are the “slaves,” the messengers. Scriptures used: Romans 10:1-2 James 3:1-2 Luke 14.15-24; Matthew 22.1-14
info_outline
Satan’s Sirens, pt2 (29)
Discipleship in Luke
Practical steps for killing Excuses, Justifications and Rationalizations, and replacing them with adaptations, improvisations and overcoming. We can categorize our lives, and look for them – to root them out. Then, connect with a Godwor disciple for accountability & help. Finally, choose one or two and work on them one bit at a time.
info_outline
Satan’s Sirens (28)
Discipleship in Luke
Satan’s Sirens … Excuses, Justifications and Rationalizations. These three are alluring, enticing, just like the beautiful singing sirens of mythology that lured sailors to their death – Satan’s sirens kill us. The solution is for us to recognize things that tempt us to these things, then treat them as challenges and opportunities. We should adapt, improvise, overcome … we should put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6).
info_outline
Grow Some Go Some (#27)
Discipleship in Luke
Grow Some Go Some … congratulations are due to those of you who are still listening & studying, and especially to those of you who are DOING the assignments. Following Jesus was hard when he was in human form, and it’s still hard. Now … time to get to work for real.
info_outline
From Now On (#26)
Discipleship in Luke
From now on … these lessons will be less formal, shorter … and use excerpts from Luke to continue our studies. Most importantly, it’s about helping you to start actually doing the stuff Jesus did … on purpose. Make a real change. Do three things, right now:
info_outline
Wrap Up (#25)
Discipleship in Luke
it’s time for us to review and settle some things. Remember our purpose, our actions and our priority. And then … DO what Jesus said.
info_outline
Talents (#24)
Discipleship in Luke
This lesson is about the parable of talents (found in Matthew 25.14-30 & Luke 19.12-27). It’s about how you live as a disciple of Jesus … steadily giving more in quality and quantity purely for the purpose of bearing increasing fruit and glory to God.
info_outline
Recovering the Lost (#23)
Discipleship in Luke
Jesus explains why he left the religious folks to go seek sinners and call them to repentance. We are introducing the “Lifecycle” of disciples … those who come to Jesus for various reasons, then go all-in, are born again, and then live and grow. Scriptures highlighted in this lesson include: Luke 15, Matthew 6.20-21, Colossians 3.1-2, Philippians 3.12-21, and Matthew 25.14-30.
info_outline
Teleios (#22)
Discipleship in Luke
Teleios is a Greek word used commonly to describe a certain kind of maturity – the maturity which is understood to include productivity. Only when a thing has reached ‘teleios’ is it considered to have arrived at its full potential. Each one of us should strive to arrive at our full teleios state
info_outlineReviewed purpose, actions, and introduced the priority of Jesus: “Seek first the kingdom of God & His righteousness.” Also introduced the idea of justice/righteousness in the bible, so we’d know what it means to pursue justice. (See Luke 11.37-44, especially verse 42)
Returned to review several scriptures that cover the ideas of “pathway” in the bible. The idea is to help you understand what it means to “make straight” your pathway, or to ‘prepare’ yourself and your field. The scriptures mentioned are also listed here (in no particular order):
Psalm 27:11; Psalm 143:10-12;
Proverbs 3:1-7; Proverbs 9:13-18; Proverbs 15:19;
Proverbs 16:17; Proverbs 6:6-11
Luke 11:4; Luke 10.2-5; Luke 3:3-7; Luke 7.18-30
Matthew 6:13; Isaiah 26:7-10; Isaiah 40:1-11
Jeremiah 31:9; Acts 13:6-12; Revelation 2:12-17; Romans 13:7-14
Plus, on your own you can find lots of passages that use words like: stumble, fall, path, way, walk, etc. The bible is loaded with these references, because we are to see our lives as a journey that we walk through. Much of what is important in life is learning to walk wisely and in paths that make us progressively stronger and more mature. While we walk, we prepare ourselves, our paths and those who travel with us.
To turn these ideas into action, you’ll need to do a bit of homework. I introduce you to the “three column” bible study method. this is where we take a sheet of paper, and lay it landscape, draw two vertical lines so that the paper is divided up into three columns. In the left column, write out the scripture (using this week each one of those listed above) word for word. In the middle column, write it out in your own words, and label the far right column “I WILL,” and write down your action items – things you’ll DO.
Remember that discipleship isn’t acquired by classroom education and books … it’s a skill, and you must actually practice. This “act” part of what is done is important, for without it, you’ll never grow.