Famous First and Last Words – STUDY GUIDE

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Icebreaker: How has discipling someone, or being discipled, influenced your walk with Jesus?

Sermon Title: Life in the Red Letters – “Famous First and Last Words” – Matthew 28:18-20

Group Discussion:

Read John 8:31-32, 13:34-35, & 15:8 – The best way to make a disciple is to be the best disciple you can be. Using these scriptures, define what a disciple of Jesus is meant to look like. How can we use these as a “disciple litmus test” to self-evaluate as we strive to become lifelong disciples?

Read John 17:6-19 – The best way to make a disciple is to do it like the best disciple-maker. Spend some time exploring how we can routinely practice each of these Seven Rhythms presented by Jeff in his sermon: (1) Prayer and fasting, (2) Inviting people along, (3) Eating together, (4) Serving together, (5) Lifelong learning, (6) Resting-Sabbath, and (7) Maturing and Multiplying. Also, this week review the 7 Disciple Making Rhythms resource in the Sermon Study Resources on our Church Center app.

Read Acts 6:7, Acts 17:6, & Ephesians 2:20 – The best way to make a disciple is to learn from the best disciple-makers. The original 12 disciples’ teaching, leadership, and faithfulness produced measurable growth; their impact was disruptive and far-reaching, and their teaching and authority formed the doctrinal and structural foundation of the early church. Considering these truths, why is it important to be wise about who we allow to shape us spiritually? Discuss signs that may help us discern whether someone is genuinely living by faith rather than simply appearing spiritual.

Spiritual Disciplines & Action Steps: Review resources for this series on our Church Center app: Church Center / Home / Sermon Resources, such as the 7 Disciple Making Rhythms resource along with the FREE book downloads offered on that site: https://discipleship.org/blog/7-disciple-making-rhythms-for-your-group/ and Family Discipleship: Present & Future: https://renew.org/the-present-future-state-of-family-discipleship/

In your devotion time this week, read Acts 2:42-47 & 1 Thessalonians 2:8 and then prayerfully consider the nuances and value of relational discipleship. Explore what this kind of “life-on-life” discipleship-mentorship can look like for you today (e.g., whether by being discipled or discipling others or preferably both), and what steps can you take to cultivate it more intentionally within your own life. Who could you ask to be your mentor; likewise, who could you mentor?