Nearing His earthly departure, Christ’s concern focused upon His disciples, whom He had selflessly served and deeply loved. They would not be abandoned. Although Jesus Himself had to return to heaven, the Holy Spirit was commissioned to supply the spiritual intimacy that the disciples had enjoyed in His presence. Christ’s instruction regarding the Spirit’s work … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: John 1:40-46, 4:28-30, Luke 24:4-53, Acts 1:6-8, Matt. 9:36-38, Luke 15. Memory Text: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:8) In many respects this week’s study is a continuation of the previous lesson. Christ established spiritual leaders for the … Continue reading –>
Sister Xiang was riding on the train when a woman had a health emergency. Another woman hurried to help the sick woman, praying over her and crying, “You should believe in God.” The woman’s words remained with Sister Xiang, even after she left the train. She searched for a Christian church and found a house … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, The First Evangelists, pp. 349-358; The Last Journey From Galilee, pp. 488-496; and The Sermon on the Mount, pp. 298-314, in The Desire of Ages. The Training of the Twelve, pp. 17-24; The Great Commission, pp. 25-34; and The Seven Deacons, pp. 87-96, in The Acts of the Apostles. … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for Discipling Spiritual Leaders March 12, 2014] 1. Choosing the Twelve. Did Jesus choose the twelve disciples because of their broad experience and proven leadership skills? Did He take a chance with each one? Or did He know they’d come out all right? But wait a minute. Did they? How could someone walk with Jesus … Continue reading –>
Future generations testify regarding the success of previous efforts. Whenever those efforts generate lasting results, the principles underlying those accomplishments should be studied and replicated. Did Christ’s disciple-making methodology produce significant outcomes? Of course it did. It changed the world. None of us, in fact, would be reading this Bible study guide more than 2000 … Continue reading –>
My parents tell me that one Sabbath morning when I was two years old, the elder kept praying and praying in church, and I got tired of kneeling on my two-year-old little knees, so I finally stood up on the pew and started shouting, “Amen! Amen! Amen!” Even at two years old I must have … Continue reading –>
Wax on… wax off. Wax on… wax off You might recognize that phrase from the 1984 hit movie, “The Karate Kid.” A young student is expecting to learn karate but his teacher, Mr. Miyagi, gives him seemingly mundane jobs that are unrelated to karate. Daniel, the young star of the movie, is given the task … Continue reading –>
It is of no small interest and importance that in choosing leaders, Jesus picked from among the humbler, less-educated class of people. Christ did not choose the learning or eloquence of the Sanhedrin. Passing by the self-righteous teachers, the Master Worker chose humble, unlearned men to proclaim the truths that were to move the world. … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Knowledge that includes an experience in faith, hardship, sanctification, and self-sacrifice along with doctrine prepares disciples to become leaders. [Lesson plan for Discipling Spiritual Leaders March 10, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read John 16:7-12. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 6:20-49. In what ways are both knowledge and experience revealed in these texts? That is, how are they blended here in a way that shows why both are needed, not only in our own walk with the Lord but in disciple-making, as well? Spiritual knowledge is indispensable for spiritual transformation. Christ Himself was … Continue reading –>
Information was an irreplaceable component of Jesus’ message. Information alone cannot transform, but every transformation includes information. Certainly, concepts possess no inherent power for initiating change; God’s Spirit, however, working through human hearts, constitutes the irreplaceable element necessary for conversion. Read John 16:7-14. What is Jesus saying here that helps us to understand how limited … Continue reading –>
