Before getting started
How it works
Four questions, one passage, and something concrete to go and do. Simple enough for a new believer to use alone, sturdy enough to carry a group through an entire Gospel.
The assignment
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19a–20 · BSB
We are to make disciples. What does Jesus tell us to do in making disciples? We are to baptize and teach them, right? Almost. He said baptize and teach “them to obey all that I have commanded you.”
I used to be a teacher. There is a big difference between teaching whatever you want versus teaching the curriculum of the class. If I was hired to teach a Photography class but I taught them History—no matter how much they learned—I as the teacher failed my task to teach them how to take a photo. In like manner, what Jesus says to teach them is vital in fulfilling the great commission.
Let’s actually do it. Let’s seek out what Jesus has instructed us to do, and by the empowerment of The Holy Spirit (not our own strength) seek to truly be His disciples.
The core disciple questions
These questions will bless the new believer and challenge the most seasoned saint. No matter how much we know of Christ, there is infinitely more to Him — and there is no greater goal than to know Him more.
- 01
Jesus
What does this reveal about Him?
We are not becoming disciples of one another; we are setting out to become disciples of Jesus Christ. All Scripture points to Christ (John 5:39), yet the Gospels reveal with such clarity the nature of Christ. When we see Christ as He actually is, we trust Him, and truly and joyfully desire to follow Him.
- 02
His Desires
What does He desire?
When we seek to search out Jesus' desires, we discover deeper aspects of who He is. His desires encompass His instructions, commands, parables, and nuance in His teaching. We will not only be finding commands to obey, as He instructs in the great commission, but we will be seeking out His heart.
- 03
Follow Through
What will you do about it?
In seeking to be disciples, we cannot simply study the words of our teacher, we must follow His instructions. When Jesus says to love our neighbor and we don't—we instead hate them—we are simply not followers of Jesus. And remember that His commandments aren't a burden (1 John 5:3), and there's nothing that He asks us to do that He is not wanting and willing to do within us (Philippians 2:13).
- 04
Testimonies
What happened when you did?
A place to record how and when you obeyed the commands and desires of Jesus. These stories can encourage you and others to actually and practically follow Jesus in everyday life.
How to obey
Following Jesus doesn’t come from our own strength, but from being empowered by Him (John 15:5). Six steps, every time:
- Identify a command in the teaching of Jesus.
- Pray and ask how the Lord may want you to apply it to your life.
- Admit and acknowledge inability to do the command (John 15:5).
- Remember that He is wanting to do the work in us, and pray for Him to do it (Philippians 2:13).
- Act — do the command, relying on the Spirit (Matthew 7:24).
- Worship — thank God for His provision and goodness (Psalm 106:1).
The necessity of prayer
Lastly, and most importantly: pray. Nothing can be done without the empowerment of Jesus (John 15:5). The only thing that is going to shift this devotional from simply academic to being life-changing will be a work of God driven by prayer.
- Ask God to speak to you before you read the Scripture and devotion.
- Wait on God and listen to the Holy Spirit for how He is asking you to follow the words of Jesus.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen and empower you to follow Jesus.
For The Lamb’s Reward,
JP