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DEVOTED TO CHRIST, Week 2

To Grow as a Disciple

If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Day 1
Too often, followers of Jesus believe that worshiping regularly with other believers demonstrates maturity.  Of course, that’s an important ingredient for growth.  But it is not the mark of maturity.

Others see themselves as mature because they are consistently reading and studying their Bibles. They memorized verses and meet with others to study together.  That too is an important factor in spiritual growth. But it is not the mark of maturity.

Some think they have reached spiritual maturity when they are able to fill a valuable role of service to the church.  Others feel they have reached spiritual maturity because they have been a Christian longer than anyone they know.  Some feel they’ve arrived when the pastor asks them for advice.  But none of these is the mark of spiritual maturity.

Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Question:  How would you describe a disciple? ___________________________________________________
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Write out three ways you would like to grow spiritually over the next 12 months.
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Day 2
So what we’re aiming for is not a huge complicated definition, but a clear, easy to understand definition of what a disciple would look like.

Matthew 4:19 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said…

Two words from Jesus was a simple invitation to accept Jesus’ authority and truth at head level.

Definition of “follow me” means:  the same way with.

Jesus had a heart for the broken, was sick to His stomach over people who were without a spiritual foundation, and thought it was better to serve than be served.

Question:  Which areas are you “the same way with Jesus?” _____________________________________
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Question:  What areas would you ask God to help you grow in? ________________________________
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Day 3
Matthew 4:19-20 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

This tells us that discipleship involves Jesus molding our hearts to become more like His.

We call this process of transformation “sanctification.”

“Will make” means:  ‎to render or "make" one or oneself anything, or cause a person or thing to become something.

The Holy Spirit begins the transformation “sanctification.”  We begin to see things differently, the world, what we value, and what we consider to be important.

Question:  Could you name some areas where your views and /or values have changed to be more like Jesus’? ___________________________________________________________________________________
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Question:  What areas of your heart would you like to see change in? ___________________________
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Romans 8:29 - For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
 

To be conformed is to have our form changed with another.  PREFIX “Con” means “with.”                                                                                            
The goal of A DISCIPLE is to be changed to “conform” to the shape of God’s son—to think and act like Jesus.

Prayer:  Lord, change the areas of my life and heart that are not like yours.

Day 4
Matthew 4:19-20 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 

The final three words in verse 19 indicate a response to action, and verse 20 tells us how long it took to obey Jesus.  The disciples of Jesus recognize that he or she is saved for a purpose.  This means that we join Jesus on His mission to love and to reach a hurt and lost world.

Knowledge without action is useless.  When our heart is transformed, it moves you into action!

Question:  Do you have knowledge about Jesus’ heart that has not moved you into action? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is stopping you? ____________________________________________________________________________
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Question:  If you could do anything for Jesus and money was not an issue or a concern, what would you do? ____________________________________________________________________________________
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Question:  Who is your provider? ________________________________________________________________

Question:  What is stopping you from moving forward? ________________________________________
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Day 5
Look over the last four days. How would you assess your spiritual growth? _____________________
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Some ideas:  If you are new in your spiritual walk, consider joining Base Camp, January 16th (4 weeks). If you have been following Jesus and would like to know what your next steps are, Sign up for Next Steps. Starts February 6th (4 weeks). Maybe you would like to lead or join a community group, sign up now- Groups begin Jan. 16th.

The big picture:  A growing disciple of Jesus is a person who is following Jesus (head), is being transformed (heart), which leads to a commitment to the mission of Jesus (hands).

Prayer:  Lord, remove any fear I might have in me that keeps me from being on mission with you.

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