A VISION SERIES CONNECTING THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP SEPTEMBER 20, 2015
BRENTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH MATTHEW 4:18-22; JOHN 12:24-26 SEPTEMBER 20, 2015 TEACHING PLAN PREPARATION > Spend the week reading through and studying Matthew 4:18-22 and John 12:24-26. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation. > Determine which discussion points and questions will work best with your group. > Pray for our pastors, the upcoming group meeting, your teaching, your group members, and their receptivity to the study. HIGHLIGHTS BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: The passage in today s study from Matthew 4 includes Jesus call to discipleship which was answered by the first disciples. Then in John 12, we read about Jesus expectation for those who answer His call to discipleship. TEACHING AIM: As a result of today s study, you will be reminded of the life-changing power of discipleship. 2 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church
INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going. In the 2013 movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, based on a classic short story, Ben Stiller stars in the title role as Walter Mitty, a man whose life up until the time we meet him has been consumed by daydreams of adventure and greater purpose than he knows in real life. When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, Walter takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined. (Adapted from IMDB.com). The plot of the movie hinges on how Mitty had to choose between maintaining his old way of life or responding to an invitation to do something radically different. The call to follow Jesus presents us with a similar opportunity. We must step out in faith and follow Him obediently. All kinds of factors might keep us from saying yes in a given situation. We might be worried that others will take advantage of us, that our time or energy will be wasted, or that we suffer personal harm or loss as a result. While there is an element of risk when you are obedient to God, we will discover this week that we will never regret responding obediently to the call to discipleship. 1 What is the most important question you ve ever said yes to? 2 What was your decision-making process before you said yes to that question? What kinds of things did you consider? 3 Do you generally find it easier to say yes or no? Why? A disciple is someone who knows and follows Jesus. When Jesus called the first disciples, He gave them an invitation to a life that was more fulfilling than anything they had known. This life-change would be transferable through them to others, including the next generation. If we are going to make a gospel impact in the decades ahead, we must 3 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church
be a church of disciples who go and make other disciples. UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about a particular topic. After Jesus baptism and temptations in the wilderness, Jesus began His public ministry by proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. He also gathered disciples, taught, healed, and cast out demons. He performed these tasks in Galilee (northern Israel), though people from throughout Israel followed Him. The first text we will look at today focuses in on Jesus call of His first disciples. > Have a volunteer read Matthew 4:18-23. As Jesus began His public ministry, He gathered together a group of disciples. From what you know about Scripture and the Christian life in general, what is the purpose and function of a disciple of Jesus, both then and now? What do you notice about the way the men in Matthew 4:18-22 responded to Jesus? What might be some excuses that men like these could have given for not saying yes to Jesus? Jesus extended a simple call to the fishermen that day: Follow Me. He was inviting them to leave their old way of life and follow Him instead. Following Jesus as disciples involved a number of things, according to the custom of the time. First, becoming Jesus disciples meant accepting Him as their Master. Second, it meant letting Jesus teach them. The disciples would spend much time listening to Jesus teach and memorizing His lectures word for word in the manner of the day. This memorization of the Master s teaching would later become the basis of Jesus teaching portions in the four Gospels. Third, they would become disciples by watching Jesus actions. They 4 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church
would live with Him and come to know Him intimately. Fourth, they would join Jesus in His mission to the world. Rather than offering a host of excuses about why the time wasn t right or what they might need to do instead, they simply agreed. These men said yes to Jesus, and their lives were forever changed. Peter, Andrew, James, and John responded immediately and wholeheartedly to Jesus call. What must you believe about God in order to obey Him when He speaks to you, as they did? Obeying God does not require perfection or even readiness on our part. Jesus is willing to take us just as we are at a given moment. The only thing required to say yes to God is faith. When we are willing to obey Him, we are expressing confidence in His character. We are saying with our willingness to respond that we trust the direction in which He will lead us. We are affirming that we believe He loves us and has our best interests at heart. Read these verses again and circle or write down all the things it says these men left to follow Jesus. Why do you think they were willing to leave everything behind to follow Jesus? Look back at Matthew 4:17. Based on Jesus message, into what kind of life was He inviting these men? As those who are following Jesus, there is a call on our lives to pursue Him. We are to live for something more than just getting through the day until tomorrow; we are meant to be engaged in extending God s kingdom in the world. Peter, Andrew, James, and John left their families and their livelihood behind to pursue Jesus. They left behind the chance to lead their own life in exchange for being led by Jesus. Notice these men are called in pairs. Read Acts 2:44-46. Are we ever meant to grow in Christ alone? Why or why not? 5 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church
Jesus never intended for anyone to grow alone. Instead, He chose to redeem us all into one body, the church. To be sure, we grow in Christ in daily prayer and Bible reading, but sustained growth cannot happen alone. We have others to learn from. This is why connecting people to Jesus through discipleship is such an important part of the mission of our church. We must be at this work of disciplemaking together. Verse 23 sums up Jesus ministry on earth. What were the three aspects of His ministry, and why was each important? As disciples, in what work is Christ asking us to join Him? How do we do this as individuals and as a church? Verse 23 is a summary statement of the type of ministry that Jesus engaged in while on earth. The implications of these verses show us these new disciples were with Him as He did the things described in verse 23. They taught, proclaimed the gospel, and healed diseases. To grow in Christ is to follow Jesus, to go where He is going. These men denied their families, professions, and worldly possessions to follow Jesus, and they did so with urgency. > Have a volunteer read John 12:24-26. This passage from John s Gospel comes immediately following Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which marked the beginning of the end for Jesus earthly ministry as the cross drew near. In verse 24, Jesus described the necessity of His crucifixion, although the disciples did not understand this yet. Why did Jesus say the crucifixion had to happen? 6 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church
Unless Jesus died, He would not be able to be resurrected and secure eternal life over death for the children of God. How does this sacrifice also speak to the life of a disciple? From Jesus additional teaching in verses 25-26, what do you understand about the requirements and expectations of disciples of Christ? How does this text help you also understand the potential impact of Jesus disciples in the world? Just as Jesus life on earth was marked by sacrifice, so will be the lives of His disciples. The first disciples sacrificed their familiar lives in order to follow Jesus, and in return they experienced a life that was more fulfilling than anything they had known. As Jesus disciples today, we too are called to lives of sacrifice, wherein we give up our comforts and personal pursuits in order to put the mission of connecting people to Jesus first in our lives. We would not have a relationship with Jesus today were it not for the obedience of those first disciples, and many people may never have their own relationships with Jesus if we are not also obedient to this call. Look again at verse 25. What does Jesus promise to those who serve faithfully as His disciples? What impact does that promise have on your life today? Living in obedience to God s call to discipleship has an eternal impact on our lives. Jesus goes so far as to say that God the Father will honor those who serve Him in this way. Responding to Jesus call to discipleship and then living it out by going and making disciples is central to the Christian life. 7 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church
APPLICATION Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives. 1 How does our discussion of discipleship challenge you today? 2 Being a disciple of Christ has an impact now and for eternity. Do you feel like you are living in a way that is impacting the kingdom? Why or why not? 3 What is one step you can take this week to more obediently live out Jesus call of discipleship? 4 Think about the programs and ministries of Brentwood Baptist. Which ones highlight the importance of being a church of disciples who go and make disciples? With which of these have you had personal experience? What did you learn about discipleship through those experience? 5 How do Life Groups specifically help us grow together as Jesus disciples? What is the purpose of group discipleship in the life of the church? P R A Y Thank God for the gift of Jesus Christ. Pray that He would help you learn what it means to grow in Christ. Ask that you would experience the love and joy of following Jesus, going where He leads, and connecting people to Him through discipleship. 8 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church
FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your group with some or all of the following information: > Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: In what ways is God calling you to step out in faith and obey Him this week? How might stepping out in faith and obedience grow your faith and change your perspective? Have you noticed an opportunity for you to play a part in making disciples through a specific relationship you have or a specific service opportunity at our church? What step do you need to take in obedience in the coming days? > A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering. > The challenge to memorize John 12:24-26. 9 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY SEPTEMBER 20, 2015 MATTHEW 4:18-22 4:18. Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee when He encountered Andrew and Peter, described here as Simon, who was called Peter. This statement likely means that Simon by this point had already received the nickname the Rock. When Jesus walked up to the two men, they were standing either on the shore or in the water and throwing a circular casting net. After throwing the net into the water, the fishermen would drag the net with the trapped fish to land. 4:19. Follow Me, Jesus called out to Peter and Andrew. Prior to this time, Andrew and Peter had not devoted themselves exclusively to following Jesus. From this point on, they gave themselves full-time to serving their Master. Following Jesus as disciples involved a number of things, according to the custom of the time. First, becoming Jesus disciples meant accepting Him as their Master. Whatever He commanded, Peter and Andrew would do. Such commitment required faith in the One to whom they were committing themselves. Second, it meant letting Jesus teach them orally. The two men would spend much time listening to Jesus teach and memorizing His lectures word for word in the manner of the day. This memorization of the Master s teaching would later become the basis of Jesus teaching portions in the four Gospels. Third, Andrew and Peter would become disciples by watching Jesus actions. They would live with Him and come to know Him intimately. Fourth, they would join Jesus in His mission to the world. 4:20-22. And I will make you fishers of men! Jesus concluded. A disciple is one who studies under a teacher. Peter and Andrew were being called to go beyond mere study to become laborers alongside Jesus. Jesus called them to a change of vocations. No longer would they devote themselves to the trade of commercial fishing. From this point on, the brothers would cast a net for their Master to draw others to Him. The words make you indicate that Jesus Himself would equip them for the work to which He was calling them. This promise foreshadows the two fishermen s later commissioning as apostles (Matt. 10:1-5). 10 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY SEPTEMBER 20, 2015 JOHN 12:24-26 Up to now the hour has always been coming, but now it has come. Rejection by the Jews coupled with interest by Gentiles evoked the parable of the seed. Only when the kernel of wheat dies does new life come, and that is what will happen to Jesus. Like seed, he will be planted in the ground; and like that seed, he will give birth to a glorious new plant. Indeed, it will produce not only a plant but many seeds. Not only does this principle of dying and rising apply to Christ; it becomes a whole mindset for his followers. The word life is mentioned three times in verse 25. But the first two translate psuche and the third zoe, an obvious difference referring to life in this world (physical) and life eternal. But what does verse 25 mean? Presumably this call to obedience is predicated on the demonstration that Christ would do anything the Father asked. Those who wanted to follow him (whether disciples or inquiring Greeks) had to follow that same pattern. 11 Connecting Through Discipleship Brentwood Baptist Church