God has a plan which can be summarised in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). He invites us to join Him in being disciples of Jesus Christ who make disciples of Jesus Christ. A disciple is the lifelong process of becoming a follower and learner of Jesus Christ in response to the gospel message. Being a disciple of Jesus is not a once-off decision, but it is a continuous, ongoing, daily lifestyle. We have been entrusted with the greatest love story in the history of the universe. How do we respond?
In Matthew 16:24-27 Jesus has told us how we should respond – deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. How we respond to this command shows whether we have in mind the concerns of God or whether we are concerned with merely human things.
The challenge for us then is whether we will seriously come to terms with what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. It is only when we take this call seriously that we find true life. True life is found in losing one’s life for Christ’s sake. How sad and tragic it would be if we lived most of our life outside of God’s purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ. What will we do with the gospel and the call to make disciples of Jesus?
Discussion Questions
1. What “anchors” from your old life might still be holding you back from fully following Jesus? How can you identify and “pull up” these anchors to move forward in your faith journey?
2. How does your daily life reflect the call to “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus”? Are there specific habits, relationships, or pursuits that need to change for you to live this out more fully?
3. When was the last time you responded to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to share the gospel or serve someone in need? What fears, distractions or excuses tend to keep you from noticing or acting on these opportunities?
4. If Jesus returned today, how would He evaluate the things you value, work for, and spend your time on? What adjustments might you need to make so that your life is more aligned with Jesus’ priorities and the call to make disciples?
5. If the mission to seek and save the lost is at the very core of God’s heart, how might you get more involved in God’s mission? Are there specific people groups or missionaries that you individually or your Life Group could adopt to pray and support?