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1. A thought from me
This week as I was thinking about discipleship, I sensed God speak to my heart with these words: You cannot disciple yourself. To be a disciple means that you are a student, an apprentice, and a follower. This truth is so important because it helps us see the value in relationships. We all need someone mature in the faith to teach, inspire, and encourage us to follow Jesus closely. So many today are focused on a personal relationship with Jesus and ignore the necessity of Christian community. The Barna organization recently reported that 2/3 of Christians today say they can follow God without other believers. They believe they can live for God without being in a community with other believers. This idea would have been foreign to the disciples of Jesus. How could they disciple themselves? They could not learn unless there was someone to learn from. The disciples needed Jesus. Paul needed Barnabas. Timothy needed Paul. How could they carry out the mission of Jesus by themselves? It would be impossible. They needed one another. So do we. 2. Quotes from others “The one indispensable requirement for producing godly, mature Christians is godly, mature Christians.” - Kevin DeYoung “There are only three ways to teach a child. The first is by example, the second is by example, the third is by example.” - Albert Schweitzer 3. Questions to consider Who is speaking into your life? Who is encouraging you to follow Christ? Who is inspiring you to a greater commitment to know and serve Jesus? Let's continue on our journey as followers of Jesus, Loren Hicks Host of The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast Create of The 5 Minute Discipleship Journal P.S. Have you joined The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Community?
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Shared by Loren Hicks | Wednesday, March 17, 2021
1. A thought from me I have been thinking this week about the way Jesus made disciples. While Jesus sometimes taught thousands of people at a time, he spent the majority of his time with 12 guys. Only 12. This strategy doesn't make sense to us. Couldn't Jesus have made a more significant impact if he had discipled 50 or even 100 people? Why spend three years with only 12 men? Jesus understood that discipleship requires relationship. It cannot be accomplished in a large group meeting. By keeping the group small, Jesus had the time to go deep in relationship and in content. The results speak for themselves. With the power of the Holy Spirit, these men launched the church of Jesus Christ, and 2,000 years later, we too benefit from their discipleship. Imagine the impact of your life if you invested in only two people for a year. The following year you would disciple two more people, and those you previously served would each disciple two people. The impact would be exponential. The Jesus way of discipleship works. Let's follow it. "...and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:20) "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2) 2. Quotes from others "Success should be measured not by how many disciples are made, but by how many disciples are making other disciples." - Bill Hull "Jesus gave the command to make disciples to you. And part of being a disciple, in fact, is to disciple. Part of growing in maturity is helping others grow in maturity." - Mark Dever 3. A question to consider Discipleship is not only the task of pastors and ministers. It is the calling for every believer. Who is God calling you to disciple? Let's continue on our journey as followers of Jesus, Loren Hicks Host of The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast Create of The 5 Minute Discipleship Journal P.S. Have you joined The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Community?
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Shared by Loren Hicks | Wednesday, March 10, 2021
I hope you are having a wonderful week! Here are three things to inspire and encourage you as you follow Jesus. 1. A thought from me How many sermons have you heard? How much Scripture have you read? How many wonderful Christian books have you read? I’m guessing the answer to these questions is…. a lot! Here’s something to remember. We don’t grow spiritually just because we receive information. When we hear the Word and obey it, that is when we apply it to our lives, spiritual growth occurs. Knowledge alone is not enough. It must be applied. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:22-24) 2. Quotes from others “Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of the years, but by obedience to the will of God.” - Oswald Chambers. “Physical maturity is bound to time. Spiritual maturity is bound to obedience.” - John Bevere. 3. A question to consider In which area of your life is God calling to greater obedience? Let's continue on our journey as followers of Jesus, Loren Hicks Host of The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast Create of The 5 Minute Discipleship Journal P.S. Have you joined The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Community? 
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Thank you for reading! You can get more inspiration for discipleship and spiritual growth by subscribing to my email newsletter. The "3 Things" Newsletter comes out each Wednesday morning. Enter your email and join us now. |