Apprentices of Jesus
Matthew 16:16-18 NIV “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV 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.”
“If we make disciples, we always get the church. But, if we build the church, we rarely get disciples.” – Mike Breen, Building a Discipling Culture
The emphasis is NOT on GO; it’s on DISCIPLE!
NOVICE <---------------------------------------disciple----------------------------------------------> EXPERT
Disciple means an apprentice of Jesus and his way of life.
We must realize that a disciple is a disciple maker.
2 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 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.
Sundays + Groups + Teams + OC Connect + Catalyst + Outreach
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Disciple-making engine
Our STRATEGY and TACTICS must change with the culture we are now living in.
“We are more discipled by our politics and media than we are by Jesus.” – Ross Parsley
Disciple: A lifelong learner, follower, and friend of Jesus who helps others
become a lifelong learner, follower, and friend of Jesus.
Luke 9:23-24 NIV Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
John 10:10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
“If we want to receive the life of Jesus, we must take on the lifestyle of Jesus.” – John Mark Comer
Just One in Four Americans Is a Practicing Christian – Barna Report
Practicing Christians identify as Christian, agree strongly that faith is very important in their lives and have attended church within the past month.
“I believe with all my heart that renewal is coming to the church. But it won’t be the revival of us taking back anything; it’s gonna be the revival of us laying down everything. It’s the church returning to the way of the cross.” – Glenn Packiam, The Resilient Pastor
Become an APPRENTICE of the life of Jesus.
1. Be with Jesus.
2. Become like Jesus.
3. Do what Jesus did.