Prepare Your Heart for Christmas

Advent is a time of reflection, anticipation, and preparation as we journey toward the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It’s an opportunity to pause in the midst of a busy season and focus on the profound truth of “Immanuel – God with us.”

Our 25-day Advent devotional, Behold the Savior, is designed to help you deepen your understanding of Jesus and draw closer to Him. Through the Gospel of Matthew, we explore the many facets of who Jesus is: Savior, King, Shepherd, and Light. Each day includes scripture, devotional reflections, and space for personal application to help you connect with the true meaning of Christmas.

What to Expect

• Daily reflections rooted in scripture
• Thought-provoking questions to inspire personal growth
• A focus on worshiping and responding to Jesus
• A meaningful way to engage with the Advent season

Whether you’re reading on your own, with your family, or as part of a small group, this devotional is a tool to help you experience the wonder of Christmas in a deeper way.

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Understanding True Discipleship Through Matthew 4

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Jesus’ Call to Follow Him (Matthew 4:18-22)
• Who Is the “Me” We’re Following?
• The Worthiness of Jesus
• What Does “Follow” Mean?
  • 1. To Follow Jesus Means to Live with Radical Abandonment for His Glory
  • 2. To Follow Jesus Means to Live with Joyful Dependence on His Grace
  • 3. To Follow Jesus Means to Live with Faithful Adherence to His Person
  • 4. To Follow Jesus Means to Live with Urgent Obedience to His Mission
• Counting the Cost of Discipleship
• Conclusion: Embracing True Discipleship

Introduction

We live in a day where being a Christian means almost nothing. According to research, almost four out of every five Americans identify themselves as Christians. But within this group of self-proclaimed Christians, less than half are involved in church on a weekly basis, less than half believe the Bible is true, and the overwhelming majority don’t have a biblical worldview.

Researchers have dug deeper to distinguish those who are “born-again Christians”—people who say they’ve made a personal commitment to Jesus and believe they’ll go to heaven because they’ve accepted Him as their Savior. Astonishingly, almost half of Americans fit this description. Yet their beliefs and lifestyles are virtually indistinguishable from the world around them.

Some have used this data to conclude that Christians are really not that different from the rest of the world. But I don’t think that’s an accurate interpretation. The one thing that’s abundantly clear from these statistics is that there are a whole lot of people in our country who think they are Christians but are not. There are scores of people who culturally identify themselves as Christians but biblically are not followers of Christ.

Jesus’ Call to Follow Him (Matthew 4:18-22)

Scripture Passage:

“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.‘ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (Matthew 4:18-22, ESV)

Everything revolves around that one sentence: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” What do those words “Follow me” mean?

Who Is the “Me” We’re Following?

Let’s take those words in reverse order. Who is the “me” that is being followed here? I want to put before you a quick summary of the first four chapters of Matthew up to this point because Matthew has given us a stunning, glorious picture of Jesus from various angles. When I look at these chapters, I count twenty different pictures of Jesus.

The Portrait of Jesus in Matthew 1-4

1. Jesus Is the Savior (Matthew 1:1): His name means “the one who will save us from our sins.”
2. Jesus Is the Messiah: “Jesus Christ”—Christ is not His last name; it means “the Anointed One,” the promised Messiah.
3. Jesus Is the Son of David: He is from the kingly line of David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
4. Jesus Is the Son of Abraham: Matthew takes us back to Genesis and the father of the people of Israel.
5. Jesus Is the Center of History: Everything in history points to Jesus. He is the focal point of all human history.
6. Jesus Is Fully Human: Born of a woman, He shares in our humanity.
7. Jesus Is Fully Divine: Conceived by the Holy Spirit, He is God in the flesh.
8. Jesus Is the Sovereign Over the Wise (Matthew 2): Magi from the East come to worship Him, acknowledging His kingship.
9. Jesus Is the Shepherd of the Weak: He will shepherd His people, guiding and caring for them.
10. Jesus Inaugurates a New Exodus: He fulfills the redemptive plan of God, delivering us from slavery to sin.
11. Jesus Ends the Mournful Exile: He brings hope and restoration to those in despair.
12. Jesus Loves His Fiercest Enemies: He came to save even those who sought to kill Him.
13. Jesus Is the Savior King (Matthew 3): John the Baptist declares His coming as the one who will save His people.
14. Jesus Is the Righteous Judge: He will separate the wheat from the chaff, rewarding righteousness and punishing wickedness.
15. Jesus Is Filled with God the Spirit: The Holy Spirit descends on Him at His baptism.
16. Jesus Is Loved by God the Father: A voice from heaven says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”
17. Jesus Is the New Adam (Matthew 4): He resists temptation where Adam failed, representing a new beginning for humanity.
18. Jesus Is the True Israel: He embodies the faithful and obedient servant that Israel was meant to be.
19. Jesus Is the Light of the World: Fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy, He brings light to those in darkness.
20. Jesus Is the Hope for All Nations: He reveals Himself to Galilee of the Gentiles, extending salvation beyond Israel.

The Worthiness of Jesus

When you come to Matthew 4:19 and see Jesus saying to four fishermen, “Follow me,” we need to feel the weight and wonder of the One who is speaking. This is Jesus—the Savior, Messiah, Son of David, Son of Abraham, fully human, fully divine, sovereign over the wise, shepherd of the weak, inaugurator of a new Exodus, and the hope for all nations.

Do we realize who this is? When we do, we come to one conclusion: Jesus is absolutely worthy of more than nominal adherence and church association.

Church leaders, we must not reduce this Jesus to a poor, puny savior who is just begging for people to accept Him into their hearts—as if Jesus needed to be accepted by us. He doesn’t need our acceptance; we need Him. We desperately need Him.

What Does “Follow” Mean?

Now, let’s consider what the word “follow” means. I want to draw your attention to four implications that spring from this word for these fishermen and, by extension, for us.

1. To Follow Jesus Means to Live with Radical Abandonment for His Glory

In Matthew 4:17, Jesus says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” That word “repent” literally means to renounce, to turn from your sin. It’s an abandonment of our old ways and a complete surrender to Him.

The Disciples Abandoned:

• Their Comfort: Leaving everything familiar and stepping into uncertainty.
• Their Careers: Abandoning their professions as fishermen.
• Their Possessions: Dropping their nets, leaving behind material security.
• Their Position: Stepping down from societal roles and expectations.
• Their Families: Leaving their father and familial responsibilities.
• Their Friends: Forsaking established relationships for the sake of the gospel.
• Their Safety: Following a rabbi who would eventually be crucified.
• Their Sin: Turning away from their old lives and embracing righteousness.
• Themselves: Denying themselves daily to follow Christ.

In a world where everything revolves around protecting, promoting, and preserving ourselves, Jesus says, “Deny yourself.” To follow Him is to hold loosely to the things of this world and cling tightly to Christ.

This may sound extreme, but don’t forget who the “Me” is here. When you realize who Jesus is, abandoning everything makes sense. As Matthew 13:44 illustrates:

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

He sold everything with joy because he knew the value of what he had found.

2. To Follow Jesus Means to Live with Joyful Dependence on His Grace

Behold the beauty of God’s grace in these words: “Follow me.” Jesus takes the initiative to choose His disciples. He didn’t choose them because of any merit in them but solely because of mercy in Him.

Grace Illustrated Through Adoption

My wife and I struggled for years to have children and eventually pursued adoption. The process was long and grueling, filled with forms, background checks, and waiting. But finally, we held our adopted son in our arms.

Adoption begins with a parent’s initiative, not a child’s invitation. Before our son was ever born, we set our hearts on him. Similarly, before we ever sought Christ, He sought us. Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us:

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world… In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.”

Nothing in the Christian life is born out of our merit; everything is born out of His mercy.

3. To Follow Jesus Means to Live with Faithful Adherence to His Person

Jesus is not saying, “Follow this path” or “Follow these rules.” He is saying, “Follow me.” He is inviting us into a relationship with Him. He is our life.

For followers of Christ, Jesus is not part of our lives; He is our life.

4. To Follow Jesus Means to Live with Urgent Obedience to His Mission

Jesus says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” A proper understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus inevitably leads to making disciples of Jesus.

It’s impossible to believe this gospel and know this Christ and be silent. A privatized faith in a resurrected Christ is practically impossible.

Counting the Cost of Discipleship

Yes, Dietrich Bonhoeffer taught us well that the cost of discipleship is great—to live with radical abandonment for His glory, faithful adherence to His person, and urgent obedience to His mission is costly. This could cost us our lives.

But I submit to you that the cost of non-discipleship is far greater. The cost is great for scores of people in the church who are sitting comfortably under the banner of Christianity but have never counted the cost of following Christ. Many are eternally deceived.

There’s a cost that comes with monotonous, routine, religious Christianity. We’ll waste our lives away like that, and the cost will be great for us and for those who are lost in this world.

Conclusion: Embracing True Discipleship

So I urge us, in view of the majesty of the King who has called us, let’s follow Him with abandonment for His glory, with dependence on His grace, with adherence to His person, and with urgent obedience to His mission.

Keywords: Follow Jesus, Discipleship, Radical Abandonment, Matthew 4, Being a Disciple, Christian Life, Jesus’ Call, True Discipleship, Gospel, Christian Faith, Biblical Christianity

Watch the message here:

1. Understanding the Spiritual Battle in Leadership
2. Reevaluating the Ministry-Family Balance
3. The Heart of Discipleship: Identifying Your Treasure
4. Pursuing Eternal Impact Over Earthly Success
5. Surrendering to God’s Kingdom in Leadership
6. Embracing Grace in Discipleship and Leadership
7. Final Thoughts
8. Reflection Questions

As a Christian leader or someone passionate about discipleship, you understand the complexities and challenges that come with guiding others in faith. Yet, have you ever considered that your ministry is more than a series of tasks or responsibilities? It’s an ongoing spiritual battle—a war between the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God within your own heart.

Paul Tripp, a respected pastor and author, brings this profound reality to light. He asserts that ministry isn’t just about external service but involves an internal war that significantly impacts how we lead and disciple others.

Understanding the Spiritual Battle in Discipleship

“Ministry is war,” Tripp boldly states. This war isn’t about external conflicts or opposition from the world; it’s a deeper battle fought within us. As leaders and disciplers, we must recognize that the most significant challenges often stem from our own hearts.

We might blame difficult team members, lack of resources, or cultural resistance. However, Tripp urges us to look inward. The real struggle is between our personal desires and ambitions (the kingdom of self) and God’s will and purposes (the kingdom of God).

Key Scripture: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

Understanding this internal battle is crucial for effective discipleship and leadership. Recognizing it allows us to lead others from a place of authenticity and spiritual health.

Reevaluating the Ministry-Family Balance

A common concern among Christian leaders is balancing ministry responsibilities with family life. Many believe there’s an inherent tension between being faithful in ministry and faithful to family, thinking it’s nearly impossible to excel in both.

Tripp challenges this misconception. He argues that this perceived tension isn’t part of God’s design but arises when we misplace our priorities. Are we seeking personal fulfillment and identity in ministry roles that should be found in our relationship with God and our families?

God’s Design for Leaders:

• Holistic Faithfulness: God doesn’t call us to sacrifice family for ministry or vice versa. He equips us to be faithful in all areas.
• Integrated Discipleship: Our leadership should model a balanced life that values both ministry and family, demonstrating to others how to live out their faith holistically.

The Heart of Discipleship: Identifying Your Treasure

At the core of effective discipleship and leadership is the concept of treasure. Tripp introduces three critical principles that directly impact how we lead:

1. 1. Everyone Lives for Some Kind of Treasure

As leaders, what we value most will shape our ministry and influence on others. Whether it’s success, recognition, control, or genuine spiritual growth, these treasures direct our actions.

1. 1. The Treasure You Value Controls Your Heart

Our treasures are not passive; they actively influence our emotions, thoughts, and decisions. If our treasure is aligned with God’s kingdom, our leadership will reflect His purposes.

1. 1. What Controls Your Heart Controls Your Behavior

Ultimately, our treasures manifest in how we interact with others, make decisions, and guide those we disciple.

Application in Leadership:

• Self-Reflection: Regularly assess what treasures are influencing your leadership.
• Alignment with God’s Will: Ensure that your desires align with God’s purposes to lead effectively.

Pursuing Eternal Impact Over Earthly Success

In today’s culture, success is often measured by visible metrics—attendance numbers, program growth, or public recognition. While these can be indicators of impact, they shouldn’t be the primary goal of Christian leadership.

Tripp reminds us that earthly successes are temporary and can never fully satisfy the deep longings of our hearts or the true needs of those we lead. As discipleship-focused leaders, our aim should be to make an eternal impact by investing in the spiritual growth and transformation of individuals.

Key Insight for Leaders:

• Focus on Eternal Treasures: Prioritize what has lasting value—spiritual maturity, character development, and a deeper relationship with God.
• Avoid the Pitfall of Personal Ambition: Be wary of allowing personal goals to overshadow God’s mission.

Surrendering to God’s Kingdom in Leadership

Navigating this internal war requires intentional action:

1. 1. Honest Self-Examination

Questions to Ponder:

1. 1. • Whose kingdom am I truly serving in my leadership?
      • What treasures am I seeking through my ministry?
      • Have I placed personal ambitions above God’s purposes?
   2. Embracing “Kingdom Confusion”

Acknowledge areas where personal desires conflict with God’s will. Seek God’s guidance to realign your heart and leadership practices.

1. 1. Surrendering Personal Agendas

Trust in God’s Plan: Believe that His purposes are greater than any personal ambition. Lead with humility, recognizing that effective leadership comes from submitting to God’s authority.

Scriptural Assurance for Leaders: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” — Luke 12:32 (NIV)

Embracing Grace in Discipleship and Leadership

Grace is foundational in Christian leadership and discipleship. Recognizing our own need for grace allows us to lead others with compassion and authenticity.

Practical Steps:

• Daily Dependence on God: Start each day by surrendering to His will and seeking His guidance.
• Modeling Grace to Others: Let your leadership be characterized by patience, understanding, and forgiveness.
• Encouraging Growth: Create environments where those you lead feel safe to grow, fail, and learn.

Final Thoughts

Ministry and leadership are indeed a spiritual battle—a fight for our hearts and loyalties. But it’s a battle that has been won through Christ’s victory. Our role as leaders and disciples is to choose daily to serve God’s kingdom over our own.

Let’s commit to:

• • Prioritizing God’s Kingdom in Leadership

Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He will provide all we need for effective ministry (Matthew 6:33).

• • Investing in Eternal Treasures

Focus on discipleship and spiritual growth that have lasting impact beyond our earthly life.

• • Leading from a Place of Grace

Allow God’s grace to transform your leadership, making it a reflection of His love.

By doing so, we not only find fulfillment in our leadership but also empower others to grow in their faith, multiplying the impact for God’s kingdom.

Reflection Questions

1. 1. What treasures are influencing your leadership?

Identify any personal desires or ambitions that may be affecting how you lead and disciple others.

1. 1. How can you align your leadership with God’s kingdom purposes?

Consider practical steps to refocus your leadership on God’s priorities.

1. 1. In what ways can you model grace in your leadership?

Explore how embracing grace can enhance your effectiveness as a leader and discipler.

Watch the message from Paul Tripp here:

If it is that clear, why do we ignore Jesus and pursue other things so far down the list of “to-dos”?

[tweetable]Bottom line: we don’t know how to make a disciple and/or we ignore how Jesus made disciples.[/tweetable]

I haven’t written an article in a long while. I’ve been honestly rethinking everything I know about the missional “movement” and asking why aren’t we seeing more missional community churches multiplying missional communities to saturate a city?

To ask this question though, I couldn’t just point fingers. I had to ask this of myself. I have multiplied missional communities and trained many leaders to do so, but the number of disciples made now making disciples is embarrassingly low in my life.

However, I have found a way to surround myself with some pretty smart dudes that don’t mind me ranting and being honest about the missional community movement and my own lack of disciple making. But, now, I think I’ve figured out in my head and heart why this is and am starting the process of working it out with my hands.

The cart before the horse

Think about that saying for a second. How stupid. Why would anyone put the cart before the horse? The reality is that most don’t know that is what they have done, because (I hope) they wouldn’t purposely put a cart before the horse. I know I didn’t, but that is exactly what I did for the past 8 years in this missional life.

For me, the cart was multiplication. For others it could be a church building, a church service, prayer groups, budgets, people showing up to an event or some sort of service, etc.

Let me focus on my cart. Multiplication. Like most of the things listed above, multiplication is healthy and a good thing . . . but it’s not the ultimate thing.

[tweetable]With discipleship you will get multiplication, but just because you multiply doesn’t mean you necessarily get discipleship.[/tweetable]

If the focus is on multiplication, we will do whatever we must to raise up new leaders and send them out. The focus becomes on what they do, instead of who they are andwhat they believe. This is a huge distinction for discipleship.

Training and our lives becomes: “How can I quickly give information to someone so that they can go do this themselves?” instead of “How can I disciple people so that they are bringing every area of life under the Lordship of Jesus and go to show off how great our Dad is?”

What’s even more crazy is when we put the mindset of multiplication first. When that happens the one thing that will really irritate you is when people don’t get it, or when they question things. When multiplication is made ultimate what happens when major, deep issues that are lording over people’s lives come up that need you to stop and take time to work through?

In reality, when multiplication (and many other things) become our primary priority, then people aren’t seen as the Imago Dei, but a tool that helps you “win.” When it’s not primariy, discipleship gets in the way. Some discipleship may still happen, but becomes shallow instead of deep and life transforming submitting every area of life to the Good News.

I believe this is exactly why we see Peter and the other disciples saying some very stupid things while living with Jesus. Jesus desired discipleship over all other things, knowing this is exactly how others would see who his Dad truly was.

They knew they could say whatever they desired to Jesus. He was with them, one of them and desired the best for them. They didn’t feel like a tool to be used or a project to be converted. They felt they were a person to be loved.  A person to be believed in. A person to be discipled. A person to be more like Jesus, so they could taste and see that the Lord is good.

Breakfast with a beard

As I was downloading some of this information with a good friend of mine, Zac Gandara, over breakfast, he started to drop some knowledge on my head.

We’ve both learned a lot through our relationships with 3DM. Zach drew the familiar triangle with UP, IN, and OUT listed at the points:

He told me, the following:

Seth, you will never have issues making friends with outsiders. You naturally have many relationships with many who are not yet believers. You will naturally have the “in” relationships found in community with like minded people who desire to make disciples . . . but what I don’t hear from your mouth is much of Jesus or Dad. Because you are so focused on the OUT portion of the triangle, you have really started to ignore the most important part of the triangle and the one that Jesus focused on primarily: the UP relationship with Dad. When that part is missing, true discipleship will not happen. Something is happening because you’ll always have many relationships, but the good news will not be at the center of these relationships. If that is missing . . . so is discipleship.

He then went on to show me the life of Jesus and how Jesus continually concentrated on his relationship with Dad (which informed his identity as God’s Son), which then informed his relationships with his disciples and the world.

Nailed it.

When we focus on our identity in Christ (the “Up” relationship), the “In” and “Out” will be informed and formed by the gospel . . . the good news.  If our “In” and “Out” relationships are informed by our “Up” relationship then discipleship will flow out of that.

Jesus’ discipling culture

Jesus wanted to fill the world with disciples who would show off his Dad in heaven. He did this by gathering twelve of the weirdest people he could have. Notice that he didn’t gather the smartest people, the ones with the most competency, but he gathered those that would actually follow him. He gathered the ones that would show up (a whole book could be written on this).

What did he do with those twelve? He lived with them for three years before he ever released them on their own to multiply. Jesus knew that if multiplication was going to happen that would be like the original group, he would have to go deep with a few, instead of shallow with a lot.

To go deep with a few, Jesus knew the only way this was going to happen was to live life with his disciples and to teach them holistically where the gospel was hitting every area of their lives. In essence, Jesus knew he’d have to teach them head knowledge, heart knowledge, and hand knowledge . . . they’d have to know what Jesus was teaching, believe in what Jesus was teaching, and do what Jesus was teaching.

Jesus refused to put anything ahead of discipleship. He wanted those twelve men to have full access to him so they could see what he required of them. This meant these men were allowed into Jesus life at a very deep level, every day, and completely unchained.

We see this was happening because of how comfortable these men became with Jesus. They yelled at Jesus on the boat when the winds and waves came. Peter said many things that got him in trouble. James and John asked their mom to make sure they could sit next Jesus in heaven. I could go on.

Why do we see this? Because they were being discipled and when this happens all our muck and crap comes to the surface where the good news needs to be applied so we believe the good news and its power to set us free instead of being chained and enslaved to sin and guilt and shame.

Through 3DM Launch, I’ve learned four stages of leadership development.

• I do you watch
• I do you help
• You do I help
• You do I watch

You can also use the MAWL method

• Model
• Assist
• Watch
• Leave

Here’s the big difference between us and Jesus. Jesus was willing to spend three years of life with the few in stages 1 and 2. He knew if he did when the disciples were sent out they’d look a lot like him instead of a muddy image of the original.

We want to hurry through the first two stages so we can send out more people, or we want to spend all our time in stage 1 so that we become a functional savior for people and they are never released.

David Rhodes showed me that if you look in the book of Acts you notice something pretty awesome. Look at what the dispcles are doing. They are preaching, taking care of the poor, praying, healing, being family, and suffering. What you’ll notice is when you cover up who is actually doing it you’d assume it’s Jesus. The “copy” or the multiplication that happened, looks almost identical to the original.

Why? Because Jesus actually discipled deep with a few, instead of shoveling information down the throat of many.

To be continued . . .

—

Original post can be found at Gospel Centered Discipleship here:  How to Ignore Jesus While Accepting Your Christianity

When I think of “risk” or “danger”, I think grandiose, larger than life, beyond my ability. I think of the great missionary to India and pioneer of Protestant Missionary Movement, William Carey, who said: “Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God.” While this is an inspiring slogan, even biblical, many of us struggle to attempt even mediocre things for God. Why?

Why We Don’t Risk

There are a variety of reasons we struggle to risk for the kingdom. One of those reasons is that we are surrounded by minimized risk – comfort, convenience, and a false sense of security to go with it. I wake up in my air-conditioned home, turn on my coffeemaker to make my coffee, sit down in my comfortable chair and then open the Word of God without a thought that any of it could be taken away at a moments notice.

I glide on comfort. The comfort and convenience of my life give me a false sense of security. I unconsciously do the math and deduce that my money purchased all of this, and so I trust in vocational or financial gods to promote my false sense of security, all while calling myself a follower of Jesus.

When I’m on mission in the Majority World, in places like Kampala, Uganda or Mae Hong Son, Thailand, I am constantly reminded that Christ is my security. I’m surrounded by discomfort and inconvenience. In rural Thailand, I woke up to the sound of Buddhist temple gongs going off and roosters cock-a-doodle-doing through the wee hours of the morning. I made my coffee with hot water and a portable paper strainer. There was no comfortable chair, only hard ground to sit on.

When I opened the Word of God, I did so with a heightened (and realistic) sense of my need for God, the urgency of his mission, and the security that only Christ can provide.

Take Up Your Cross?

Jesus put risk like this: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23). Disciples are called to risk, to risk our lives, and to do it daily. This doesn’t have to be grandiose. Here’s why. In the Roman Empire it was ordinary for sentenced men to carry crosses to thier execution. Why? Bearing the cross publically displayed a criminal’s submission to the state, his humbling before the governing authorities.

It’s like wearing a sign that says: “You thought you could outwit the authorities, but we caught you and now you must humble yourself before us.” Taking up a cross, initially, isnt death; it is submission to the governing authorities. It’s about submission not crucifixtion.

Now, think about the implicaiton for taking up your cross. For a disciple to take up his cross, then, is not merely an act of self-denial but, more importantly, submission to Jesus as your governing Authority, as your Lord. It is saying “no” to being your own authority, following yourself, and yes to Jesus’ authority. No to your own will and yes to his will.

Where are you saying no, and how can you start saying yes? Perhaps you are saying no to your neighbors. No, you can’t come over. No, you can’t borrow my stuff. No you can’t eat my food, and no, you can’t hear the gospel! What if you reversed those nos to yeses? What if you actually submitted to Jesus’ command to love your nieghbor as yourself (Lev 19:18; Matt 19:19), and to not withhold any good from outsiders (Prov 3:17; 1 Pet 2:17)?

You would start saying: Yes, you can come over. Yes, you can borrow my stuff. Yes, you can eat my food, and yes, let me tell you why – the generous gospel of grace!

The Dangerous Gospel

Is the gospel dangerous? Absolutely. It demands your life, submission to King Jesus instead of submission to self. In fact, it will actually call us to die to ourselves, and for some to even risk their lives. But the logic of the gospel is not denial for denial’s sake. The gospel isn’t ascetic. Rather, the gospel is hedonistic; it offers life in death and security in risk.

Jesus follows his famous cost of discipleship call with a gospel of reward promise: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Lk 9:24). Lose your life, not just to lose it but also to gain it. Lose your life and you will save it. When we lose our lives for Christ, we gain our lives in Christ. What feels like sacrifice will become service.

The gospel is dangerous because it asks for our whole life, but it also more secure than comfort because it gives you a real life. Jesus takes our whole life, but in exchange, he gives us a better one.

In the end, risk is actually minimized only in the gospel of Christ, because Jesus is the only one who can save us from death. If this is true, then mediocre, even grandiose risk is well within our ability. The Spirit of God wants to unleash disciples who take up their cross and submit to Jesus daily.

His presence and power in each of us is just waiting to be released, as we turn in submission to Jesus Christ as our Lord. So go ahead, attempt some great things for God, knowing that God delights to do great things through you!

You can download a PDF of this post here: PDF

Over the next three years of his ministry the Gospel story takes us on the journey with those initial twelve disciples as Jesus teaches them and sends them out. This is not armchair discipleship. It is not a distance-learning theology course. Rather it is practical, hands on training. Healing the sick. Proclaiming the good news of the kingdom (Matt 10: 7-8). Feeding the hungry. (Matt 14: 16). His final command does nothing to let them or us off the hook. Go into all the world, make disciples of all nations, baptise them and teach them to obey everything he commanded (Matt 28: 19). Being a fan of Jesus is easy. Discipleship is a completely different ballgame.

Down the years the church has wrestled with the question of what it means to make disciples. Many Christians have been content to leave it in the hands of professional Pastors, Evangelists and Teachers. But what if Jesus never meant it to be that way? In recent years discipleship has become something of a buzzword in the West. Increasingly people are waking up to the reality of a call that is for all believers.

Meanwhile, over the last thirty years Disciple Making Movements have been growing around the globe, often in unlikely places and from small beginnings. Groups of ordinary Christians committed to prayer and making disciples who make disciples. Many of these movements use obedience-based Bible studies as their primary means of discipleship. A study of Scripture that asks: what does this tell me about God and people? What will I do to obey it? And who else will I tell?

Discovery Bible Studies are becoming more well known as a discipleship tool for churches – but that is not their original purpose. Around the world they are being used to disciple a new generation of seekers to faith. Groups that are founded in Discovery often go on to multiply because obedience, sharing the Gospel, and making disciples are all built-in from the outset.

The Discover App is a great tool for exploring Discovery Bible Studies, with believers and non Christians alike. It is currently available in ten different languages with more on the way. It is already being used ti disciple people around the world. For many of us we no longer need to travel to reach the nations. The nations are on our doorsteps as international students, immigrant families, refugees flock to the cities.

Not everyone will respond but those who do may go on to seed movements. Taking the Gospel into places and to people that we may never be able to reach ourselves. If we invite a person to our church we maybe grow the kingdom by one. If we teach a person to make disciples wherever they are and with whoever they meet, it may never stop growing.

Are you ready to be a Fisher of men? Perhaps the Discovery Bible Studies can help you make disciples who make disciples. Let’s keep the movement rolling…

The Discover App is a free Discovery Bible Study App for Apple and Android. It is currently available in English, Arabic, Somali, Dari, Pashto, Indonesian, Turkish and Uyghur. It will soon be released in Swahili, Urdu and Spanish.

Tweet this: [tweetable]By God’s grace, you can thrive over the long haul in ministry. @dwaynebond[/tweetable]

Here are five ways to experience health and longevity in ministry:

Identify any unrealistic ministry expectations

While it is commendable to enter ministry with plans for success and hopes for longevity, your expectations have to be realistic. Being unrealistic or utopian about what life should look like brings frustration and leads to discouragement. What you hoped that ministry would be like and the disappointment of that not taking place must be faced and addressed. If not, the tension between your expectations and reality will wreak havoc on your heart, mind and soul. Understand what these expectations are, the motivation behind them and determine whether they are realistic or not.

Develop intentional rhythms of refreshment

Finishing well is the desire of every leader who accepts the prodding and call to engage in local church ministry. What are the rhythms that need to be considered in order to make it over the long haul? Consider how or whether you disconnect from ministry to be refreshed. Take an honest look at how you maintain healthy emotions, mind, soul and body. Oftentimes, resilience in ministry is lacking because these four areas are neglected. But as you address these areas, endurance in ministry becomes possible.

Tweet this: [tweetable]Take an honest look at how you maintain healthy emotions, mind, soul and body. @dwaynebond[/tweetable]

Tweet this: [tweetable]Resilience in ministry is lacking because emotions, mind, soul and body are neglected. @dwaynebond[/tweetable]

Recognize that you need a self-care plan

Everything on earth requires maintenance – cars, homes, and especially our bodies. Serving in ministry is rewarding, yet hard work. As your heart and soul pour out for the good of others, they need replenishment. As your body intrinsically responds to the pace of ministry, it needs attention. Developing a self-care plan allows you to stay healthy while being a blessing to others. Depression, anxiety, despair, obesity, adrenal fatigue, and emotional eating are real possibilities for a pastor or ministry leader. However, putting a plan in place that includes accountability before the onset of these debilitating challenges could help to circumvent them.

Tweet this: [tweetable]Developing a self-care plan allows you to stay healthy while being a blessing to others. @dwaynebond[/tweetable]

Embrace the changing world around you

The world is changing at a fast pace. With this transforming world comes the need for the ministry leader to adapt to the nuances of the new world. Not only is technology contributing to this increased pace of change but also the rise of multi-ethnic communities as well. Understanding how to reach ethnic minorities will be critical for the developing and maturing leader who wants to reach, not only those who look like him but all people.

As in Acts 13, the church is sent to address this multi-ethnic world. It starts with recognizing that a homogeneous ministry population could be a red flag or indicator that more than one ethnicity has not been intentionally considered. As our neighbors, communities and cities change, so should our ministries. Instead of relocating the church due to an influx of ethnic minorities, we need to embrace the change and execute ministry with a robust understanding of those who need the gospel.

Understand your heart and get equipped to counsel others

When ministering to others, it’s so easy to miss your own heart. In helping others, we lose sight of our own hearts and where we are with the Lord. We need training on how to read our own hearts and lives. Leaders aren’t burning out because they aren’t effective and gifted leaders. Burnout is happening at epidemic proportions because leaders have lost sight of their hearts. Since most of our ministry training is geared toward filling our heads and equipping our hands to do the work, we have missed out on how to be soul-aware and self-aware. We need help to unearth our feelings, thoughts, and relational concerns. Consequently, as we grow in tune with our hearts, we are able to better help others. We need help before we can help others with compassion and authenticity.

Tweet this: [tweetable]Burnout is happening at epidemic proportions because leaders have lost sight of their hearts. @dwaynebond[/tweetable]

Looking for a mentor to help you thrive over the long haul in ministry? Want personalized coaching to help you keep from burning out?  Check out this Coaching Cohort with Dr. Dwayne Bond called Enduring In Ministry:

Click to tweet: [tweetable]One of the most important steps towards healing in adoption and foster care is to process loss and new realities. @jasonkovacs[/tweetable]

Here are 7 ways for moving forward:

1. Grieve your shattered dreams

The pain that parents experience in adoption and foster care often begins when our dreams feel like they have been shattered. Our vision for our family and our children has imploded and we are forced to reckon with the loss of our expectations. Our reality is not what we thought it would ever be, nor what we might ever want it to be. One of the most difficult and important steps towards healing and help is to process this loss and the new reality. To ignore it, which can be very tempting, is not wise and usually doesn’t last long or end well.

2. Remember the trauma and remember the grace

The second thing we can do is to remember our children’s stories and where they have come from. Again, this is not easy. Sometimes the behaviors that come from trauma and the behaviors that come from rebellion and sin are not clearly discernable. This is where we desperately need to be reminded not only of the trauma that has been experienced but the grace of God. His grace covers suffering, trauma, and all sin.

3. Find refuge in the gospel offer of hope for the weary, shamed, and guilt-ridden parent

As parents we can feel a thousand forms of guilt and shame, rightly and wrongly. None of us are perfect and adoption and foster care often puts our capacity for grace to the most extreme test. All kinds of feelings and reactions we never knew existed within us are exposed. For many, the road has been long and painful and we are tired. I feel tired of being tired and constantly facing trial after trial with our children and their pain. Here is where we need to find refuge again and again in the promises of the gospel. He is with us in the mess. He is not surprised. He still loves us deeply even knowing our deepest thoughts and fears.

4. Care for yourself

In order to care for our kids we need to receive care ourselves. Most adoptive parents I know find it hard, if not seemingly impossible, to find the time or energy to care for themselves or receive the care of others (if there are any others around still). This is where we need to be creative and vigilant. We cannot neglect our own souls or we will drown too.

Click to tweet: [tweetable]In order to care for our adoptive or foster kids we need to receive care ourselves. @jasonkovacs[/tweetable]

5. See your child(ren) through new eyes

The way we see our children impacts how we feel and think about them. This impacts the ways in which we react and respond to them in the small things and big things. What would be like to see our children the way the Lord sees them. Shifting to this vision is often a process and one that is ever evolving.

6. Develop a family game plan

Without a vision and a plan the Bible says we will perish (Prov 29:18). The older I get the more I am convinced that even a poor plan is better than no plan. When we stop moving forward there is dimishing hope, but if we continue to move forward with a plan there is hope that things can change and things can become better. A plan is a means of doing our best by God’s grace to step forward with wisdom and care for ourselves, our children, and our family. A good family plan involves knowing what support is available and asking for help.

Click to tweet: [tweetable]A good family plan for adoptive or fostering parents involves knowing what support is available and asking for help. @jasonkovacs[/tweetable]

7. Get a mentor or coach

We all know the power of mentorship. That one leader or leaders that step into your life at just the right moment, with just the right kind of experiences, tools and resources, to help you take the next step, get over the next hurdle, face the next challenge or solve the next problem as a leader. Adoption and foster care are no different. They both may require the kinds of tools and resources that you may not have at the moment. They both may require wisdom that you may not have at the moment. They both may require experience you may not have at the moment. But supporting yourself with great mentors will always yield a bounty of fruit in wisdom, tools and resources for the long haul.

Interested in going deeper and getting personal coaching for Adoptive/Fostering Parents?

Check out this coaching cohort for adoption and foster care support:

Here are five ways you can do this:

1. Create a vision for whole church care

You can aim to create a care ministry or you can seek to develop a culture of care. Creating a culture in your church where every person sees themselves as an instrument of God’s grace to care for one another is the biblical approach. A care ministry has value but tends to involve a select few individuals who have a particular passion. Those people make great leaders and your most ardent advocates for creating a culture. To move your church towards every-person taking responsibility for care start by writing down a vision. It can be simple. Then share it with your church.

2. Equip others

When you start talking publicly about being a church that cares deeply for one another and the city you will start having people come to the pastors for help. That is natural. Pastors are the most visible and natural leaders and providers of care within the church. But to move towards everyone taking responsibility for the vision you have to have healthy boundaries. You also have to train your other elders, pastors, staff and small group leaders with basic care skills. Enlist them in sharing and owning the vision. Equip them to begin stepping into situations where they can provide care and counsel. They will model to the church the simplicity of taking time to care for one another.

3. Utilize resources

While equipping your leaders and members with a basic theology of gospel change and care recognize that there are situations where more specialized help is needed and available. Get to know those within your church who have more experience and particularly those who work as vocational or professional counselors. Partner with them and ask for their supplemental help in caring for one another.

4. Remember you need care yourself

No one is beyond the need for the grace and mercy of Christ. A healthy, thriving, sustainable culture of care comes from daily dependance, confession, and trust in Christ. You cannot give what you do not have. The fruit of this is a deepening love and humility. As a leader in the church practice this and model this and others will follow.

5. Get a coach

One way to develop a culture of care is to get a mentor or coach who can help you navigate the ins and outs of developing a culture of care. Remember, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You probably already know the power of mentorship. That one leader that steps into your life at just the right moment, with just the right kind of experiences, tools and resources, to help you take the next step, get over the next hurdle, face the next challenge or solve the next problem as a leader. When it comes to developing a culture of care in your church, seek out and find a mentor or coach who can help you go further, faster.

Want personalized coaching to help you develop a culture of care in your church?

Check out this coaching cohort with Jason Kovacs: