Apr 10, 2022 |Let's Be That

Relational and Missional Discipleship

04.10.22 | Let's Be That

Relational and Missional Discipleship

Justin Detmers

Matthew 28:18-20

As followers of Christ, we are called to invest in the lives of others. Do you have people in your life that you are looking up to, and people you are leading? Pastor Justin Detmers challenges us to value and invest in the lifelong journey of being changed by, following, and becoming more like Jesus through discipleship.

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Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20
 

“Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”

Mark 1:17
 

Relational and Missional Discipleship

Discipleship is the lifelong journey of being changed by, following, and becoming more like Jesus. This messy and grace-driven process happens best through the mutual sharing of our lives, with the Great Commandment at its heart and the Great Commission as its trajectory.

 

Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it.

Mark 8:34-35
 

True discipleship is obeying Jesus Christ and learning of Him and following Him and doing what He tells you to do, keeping His commandments and carrying out His will. That kind of a person is
a Christian—and no other kind is. – A W Tozer

 

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2
 

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law — though I myself am not under the law  — to win those under the law. To those who are without the law, like one without the law — though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ — to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people.

1 Corinthians 9:20-22
 

I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:22-23
 

Christ says, “Give me all. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good… Hand me over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked—the whole outfit. I will you give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own shall become yours. – CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

 

– Imitate the Faithful
– Pursue inside and outside relationships
– Endure the mess
– Infuse relationships with mission

 

As the soldier follows his general, as the servant follows his master, as the scholar follows his teacher, as the sheep follows its shepherd, just so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ. – JC Ryle

When you hear the word “disciple” what comes to mind?
Read Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 1:17. What did Jesus command and expect His disciples, His followers, to do with their lives?
What is relational discipleship and why might this approach be effective in our current society?
Read 1 Corinthians 9:20-23. How connected and committed are you to not just having relationships both inside and outside the church, but rooting your relationships around introducing people to and following Jesus?
Do you have mature and devoted people influencing you to follow Christ and are you in positions to influence others to follow Christ? If not, who in your life could you begin to imitate and who could you begin to influence?

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