Making Disciples

It’s Not About What YOU Can Do…

Brooke Brown
Small Group Leader

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. - Acts 20:24

As a woman with a physical disability that involves a significant speech impairment, I often struggle with feeling like I have to work three times as hard as my nondisabled peers to prove my worth in all facets of life, despite knowing in my soul that my true worth comes from being an image bearer of God. It’s easy to forget when my intelligence and abilities get consistently underestimated because my speech and body mechanics are vastly different than most other women. Many men shy away from pursuing a relationship with me for the same reason. It’s extremely frustrating and makes me want to set out to disprove every point. I know I have gifts and talents of value that people should appreciate despite my limitations… or so I would’ve said until 2016.

The years since then have been a harsh barrage of physical suffering and emotional trials, but Jesus has sat with me through it all, helping me find light, blessing, and freedom in every dark corner. With each challenge I come up against, He points me back to the same basic lesson.  It’s not about what I (or you) can do in spite of my weaknesses, but instead what He can do WITH them.

We should not seek approval or value from others, but rather be confident in the value of the purposes for which God created us (Ephesians 2:10, 13). Also, remember that just like Luke is explaining in today’s verse, The Lord has given every single one of us a gift and ministry area in which to serve others. No exceptions, ever (1Peter 4:10-11). 

The next time you feel weak or inadequate, I encourage you to meditate on these passages: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 5:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:4-7, and Psalm 139:14-16. Take to heart what God says about who you are, and the Plans He has for you. When you feel secure in His Word, keep moving forward by His Spirit.

Do you know what your gift/ministry is?

What blessings have you received from trusting God to use your suffering and weakness?

How do they affect your ministry?

Prayer: Dear Lord, Please help me never lose sight of who You say I am and what You created me for. Thank you that Yours is the only approval I need and I don’t have to seek the ever-changing approval of other people. Show me how you want my weaknesses to be seen for Your Glory. I love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Unique Ways to Disciple

Richard Kogler
Highlands Group Leader

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” - 1 Peter 4:10-11 

In John 14:15, Jesus tells us “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”. And his last commandment, The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18:20, is one of his most important for all believers. But many of us struggle with what it means to make disciples, and more to the point, how do we, as individuals, obey this command?

Too often we tend to focus on a narrow view of the discipleship process, envisioning a role as a bible scholar and teacher. But in reality, discipleship in its purest form involves simply coming beside another believer, mentoring them and supporting their development as mature Christians in any and every way possible. It’s an obedient and humble serving posture that we are called to adopt, just as our Lord demonstrated. 

Towards that end God has equipped each of us with specific spiritual gifts that if acted upon, will help us to disciple others. Since most of us are taught most effectively by example, if you demonstrate the spiritual gifts of hospitality or mercy, your care and concern for others will serve as a powerful lesson to younger believers around you. They will see you mirroring Jesus’s example and it will serve to instruct them on what it means to be a fully committed mature follower of Christ. Or if you have the gift of giving or generosity, your actions will serve to reinforce for younger Christians that all of our possessions and wealth comes from God, and everything we have is really his. By freely and cheerfully giving back our God-given treasure to our church and to those in need, we instruct and therefore disciple other believers through our example. 

Understanding, acknowledging and acting upon the spiritual gifts that God has given to each of us is not optional (see James 2:26) and as mature Christians we need to continuously use our gifts to accomplish the will of our Lord, so that God may be always glorified. In doing this we also serve as examples to others and help disciple them, just as the life of the Apostle Paul was a powerful example to those around him. For certainly, there is no better example of a disciple maker in Scripture than Paul. 

Prayer: Lord God, bless and praise Your wonderful name.  All glory and honor is yours, Holy Father. Help me always be faithful a follower of your Word, and help me use the powerful spiritual gifts you have generously given to each of us. To help further your Kingdom and show my love for you and your son, don’t let me just talk about your Word, but let me be a faithful doer of your Word. Help me disciple other believers by my example and show the world what it means to be a true Christian.