Main Idea: Being a Disciple is a lifelong commitment and a full-time calling, not a part-time responsibility.
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22
- Be A Disciple: “Come Follow Me.”
- Make More Disciples: “Fish for People.”
Key Point: Jesus was not calling these men to a short-term assignment or a part-time job. That’s because discipleship is a lifelong commitment and a full-time calling; not a part-time responsibility.
- Discipleship is not something we clock into and clock out of every time we go to church and leave again. It is an ongoing, everyday commitment to follow Jesus faithfully.
Southwest’s Mission and Vision
Mission: “The church exists to develop lifelong disciples of Jesus who glorify God, love others, and make more disciples.”
- Develop Lifelong Disciples = “Be One.”
- Make More Disciples = “Make One.”
- This is based on the greatest commands and the Great Commission (Matthew 22:34-40; 28:18-20).
Vision: “We strive to be a diverse church family where each individual commits to growing with God, connecting in community, and living like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Mutual Responsibilities
- The church as a whole has a responsibility to develop lifelong disciples who glorify God, love others, and make more disciples.
- Church leaders have a unique responsibility to facilitate this (Ephesians 4:11-13).
- But each member is also individually responsible for being a disciple, making disciples, growing with God, connecting in community, and living like Jesus.
Healthy Churches are Equipping Churches.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16
- Church leaders are called to equip God’s people for works of service (v. 12).
- Each member must participate in the work God has given us (v. 16).
Notice the references in this passage to our vision statement:
- Grow with God (become mature, we will grow, mature body)
- Connect in Community (unity in the faith, joined and held together)
- Living Like Jesus (works of service, each part does its work)
Healthy Churches, Healthy Disciples
- Healthy churches develop lifelong disciples, help people grow, facilitate Christ-centered relationships, and equip people to serve.
- Healthy disciples focus on “be one, make one”, grow with God, connect in community, and live like Jesus.
Bill Hull: “Discipleship isn’t a program or an event; it’s a way of life. It’s not for a limited time, but for our whole life. Discipleship isn’t for beginners alone; it’s for all believers for every day of their life. Discipleship isn’t just one of the things the church does; it is what the church does.”
Why The ABC’s are an Unhealthy Scorecard for Churches
Some churches slide into thinking that success as a church comes down to the ABC’s:
- Attendance: The More the Merrier
- Building: Bigger is Better.
- Contributions: Strong and Stable
When this happens, discipleship and spiritual growth can be neglected because there is too much focus on being bigger and better.
- Spiritual Co-Dependency: When church members who want to outsource their responsibilities hire or appoint church leaders who need to be needed, both sides enable the other to ignore their Biblical calling to serve and equip.
- In Kingdom Minded Churches, leaders challenge and equip the members to serve (with grace, patience, and support), and the members rise to the occasion.
Summary: Be One, Make One.
Every Christian is called to be a full-time, everyday disciple of Jesus.
Faith in Action:
- Be One. Spend time with Jesus (prayer, worship, Bible reading) every day this week.
- Be One. Pray to God and talk with other Christians about specific ways you can grow as a disciple this year.
- Make One. Choose one person who isn’t a disciple yet that you will pray for and reach out to in 2026.
Study and Reflection:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” -Luke 9:23 (NIV)
Read: Luke 9:1-6 and 18-27.
In these stories, we see the disciples spending quality time with Jesus, professing their faith that he is the Messiah, being sent out to do ministry, and being challenged to follow Jesus every day.
- In your own words, what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? How is this different (if at all) from being a Christian or a believer?
- When Jesus first called Peter and the other disciples, he emphasized following him and being sent out into the world. How do you see those two themes in the stories you read in Luke 9?
- What kind of risk or cost did the disciples take on when they became disciples? What about when Jesus sent them to do ministry?
- What kind of risk or cost do we face as disciples of Jesus today?
- What we believe about Jesus will determine how devoted we are to him. If he is just a myth, idea, or wise philosopher, we won’t be willing to sacrifice much for him. With that in mind, why was it so significant for Peter to declare that Jesus is the Messiah?
- Jesus says being a disciple requires carrying our cross every day. What does it mean to you to “carry your cross?” Do you ever find it challenging to live as a disciple when you’re not at church (e.g. school, work, home)? What makes it more challenging to follow Jesus in those contexts?
- Jesus speaks about having the right priorities in Luke 9:24-25. As we begin a new year, how can you let this passage guide your thoughts and transform your heart about what to focus on?
- Thinking back to the sermon, what responsibilities do church leaders and church members have in accomplishing the mission God has given the church? What is one way you could get more involved in Kingdom work this year?