B.17: Being a Disciple of Jesus – Learning and growing in obedience to God’s Word

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How do the Scriptures impact your everyday life?

What is your greatest challenge in obeying scripture?

A Story

“I see many people who claim to be Christians all over the country. They attend church less than two times a month,” observed Tom. “It seems like being a Christian and obeying God’s word is not a high priority in their lives.” As he viewed other Christians at work and in his neighborhood, he wondered if they were obedient to Jesus’s commandments. He wondered if they were loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, strength, and neighbor as their self. Then, he reflected on his obedience to God. He wondered and knew he needed help. He needed someone to help him understand what it meant to be a follower of Christ. He wanted to know where to go for help. 

Digging Into The Bible

James 1:22

“You be doers of the Word and not hearers only.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean to be a doer of the Word?
  2. What is the context of this verse?
  3. How can we become hearers only?
  4. Why do you think the author wrote this at this time to Christians?
  5. How would you know if you are a doer of the Word?

Application & Accountability

  1. What steps can you take to know what instructions from the Word that you should obey?
  2. What areas of obedience do you struggle with?
  3. What does obedience to God say about our relationship with him? (see John 14:21)
  4. What is one step we can take to strengthen our conviction about obedience?
  5. When will you take that step?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

B.16: Being a Disciple of Jesus – I am equipped to share my faith and tell my story

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What was your spiritual upbringing?

When did you choose to accept Christ, and why?

A Story

“What is the gospel?” This question haunted the young followers of Christ who attended our small group. He had heard the term for a few years. He remembered his life was going in the wrong direction with his addiction to drugs and alcohol. He remembered crying out for help. He tried different programs for help. Nothing seemed to help until he met someone who had experienced freedom in their life through the message of forgiveness that Jesus proclaimed As he was here on earth. He remembered Jesus’ words, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near. “He then was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:14, in which he said, “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Jesus has provided the way for us to come to God, be forgiven of our sins, and experience the promise and reality of eternal life. We asked him if this sounded like good news. He smiled and said, “That is what I have experienced. We encouraged him with this verse.

Digging Into The Bible

Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes to the Jew first and then to the Gentile.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. How would you explain the gospel of Christ?
  2. How have you experienced this gospel?
  3. What does it mean to be ashamed?
  4. How is the gospel the power of God for salvation?
  5. What does it mean to the Jew first and to the Gentile?

Application & Accountability

  1. What do you need to be able to explain how you experienced the gospel message in your life?
  2. What can you do to explain your story better?
  3. What in your story demonstrates the power of God?
  4. How would you explain this good news to someone else?
  5. Whose responsibility is it to communicate this message of the gospel?
  6. When will you begin to give this good news away? To whom?
  7. How will you make this a conviction?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

B.15: Being a Disciple of Jesus Developing relationships in my church family

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What is your biggest challenge in building relationships with others in your local Church?

How have you overcome these challenges?

A Story

“I feel all alone.” This statement was expressed by a young man who was brought to a church with some friends. He came reluctantly because his experiences in the past with church were not relational and boring. He wondered if this would work. His friends brought him to the class that was working on developing true discipleship with Jesus. During his time in the class, he could ask his questions. The group and leaders answered his questions patiently. He became faithful in the group and completed his Bible study assignments. He began to experience the love of the group and the acceptance of him. This brought joy and hope for what his purpose in life was. As a disciple of Jesus, he began to feel the love of Christ through the relationships in this gathering. From there, more friendships were developed and he began to bring his seeking friend who later trusted Christ and experienced the same love and fellowship.

Digging Into The Bible

Let’s look at the verse Hebrews 10:24,25

“Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not give up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and more as you see the day approaching.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean to spur one another on toward love and good deeds?
  2. Why is meeting together so important?
  3. How do you see these meetings happening?
  4. What should happen in these meetings? What is the day approaching?

Application & Accountability

  1. How have you been encouraged in your commitment so far?
  2. What steps can you take to find this level of relationship?
  3. When would you like to get started?
  4. What is hindering you so far from being with other family members in God’s family?
  5. How do we overcome that?
  6. How can I help?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

B.14: Being a Disciple of Jesus – Developing prayer disciplines and habits

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What is the importance of prayer?
In your experience, when is the best time to pray?

A Story

“I can’t seem to get my prayer life going.” A woman in our group told the group that she had set aside time and then she said, “I try to pray but it feels like my prayers are just hitting the ceiling.” She sadly said, “I have not experienced many results from prayer. I feel frustrated because I hear about other people praying and getting results. She asked, “What do I do?” It was clarified that when it comes to prayer, it must be a relationship in which God speaks to us through His Word, and then the response is in words of thankfulness, love, and worship. It was important for her to grasp that prayer is not a list of requests but a heart connection in which God speaks, and in response to his Word and promises, we find our confidence he hears our prayers. She needed to develop some actions in her calendar to help that process. That requires some discipline.

Digging Into The Bible

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Be joyful always. Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What did you discover are the key components I these prayer instructions?
  2. How can you be joyful always?
  3. How do you think you pray continually?
  4. What helps you give thanks in all circumstances?
  5. Which one of these three instructions do you have the most trouble with?

Application & Accountability

  1. What would help you make this area more real in your life?
  2. What steps can you take to start working on this?”
  3. When would you see yourself working on the other areas?
  4. How will you make progress in this area of your life so that it is a conviction?
  5. When will you get started, and how will you have accountability?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

B.13: Being a Disciple of Jesus – Grasping the Word of God

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In what ways do you put Christ first in your life?
What things get in the way?

A Story

A young man who was a former marine began to attend church after being away from consistent church attendance and Bible study. He came to the Belong class and learned what the qualities of a disciple were. He was impressed by Jesus’ words: “If you abide in my Word, then you are truly a disciple of mine.” This began to lay the foundation of his conviction about being a man who abides by the word of God. Through his study of the Bible in the Navigator 2-7 series, he began to develop habits of reading the Bible, hearing the word of God and taking notes, studying the Bible, and memorizing scripture. He began to meditate on scripture. The deepening conviction was watered by the verses from Psalm 119, 9-11 by the phrase “Thy Word have I treasured in my heart….”

Digging Into The Bible

Psalm 119:9-11

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word. I will seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commandments. I have treasured your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What progress have you made in treasuring the Word of God in your life?
  2. Give me a situation where you have lived according to God’s Word?”
  3. What can you do to treasure God’s word in your heart?
  4. How will you make progress in this area of your life so that it is a conviction?
  5. When will you get started, and how will you have accountability?

Application & Accountability

  1. What steps do I need to take to recognize that I have been crucified with Christ?
  2. How do we apply “I no longer live?”
  3. What can you do to make Christ lord over the areas of your life?
  4. Select an area in which he is not Lord. Explain how you can make him Lord.
  5. What steps can you take to put him first?
  6. When will you get started?
  7. Who will keep you accountable for this decision?
  8. How will you know this is a conviction?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

B.12: Being a Disciple of Jesus and Putting Christ first in my life.

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In what ways do you put Christ first in your life?
What things get in the way?

A Story

A businessman was exploring his faith and wanted to grow stronger. He had committed to follow Jesus as his savior and Lord but struggled with life decisions. His boss at work was demanding more of his time, which was costing his family and other relationships. It especially impacted his time with the Lord. He found himself valuing sports and money. His career was competing for his time.  This was having a negative impact on his faith. He was encouraged to remember that God wants to be first in his life. When this occurs in his value system, then there is spiritual alignment takes place. He wanted to know more scripture that would help him.

Digging Into The Bible

Galatians 2:20:

I am crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?
  2. How does it mean for Christ to live in me?
  3. How can I no longer live?
  4. What does it mean the life I now live in the flesh?
  5. What does living by faith require?
  6. How did Jesus love us and give his life for us?
  7. What does this all mean?

Application & Accountability

  1. What steps do I need to take to recognize that I have been crucified with Christ?
  2. How do we apply “I no longer live?”
  3. What can you do to make Christ lord over the areas of your life?
  4. Select an area in which he is not Lord. Explain how you can make him Lord.
  5. What steps can you take to put him first?
  6. When will you get started?
  7. Who will keep you accountable for this decision?

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  1. How will you know this is a conviction?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

B.11: Doctrines in the Bible

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What makes knowing the doctrines of the Bible valuable in your everyday life?

What is your scope of understanding the teachings of the Bible?

A Story

In a small group one night, different teachings were discussed. The discussion was about what would make a doctrine in the Bible. It was evident to all that when someone reads the Bible, there is history, stories, poetry, and prophecy. Where do the doctrines come from? For a doctrine to be discovered, there must be several passages that speak to that teaching. For example, one man said he was confused about the Holy Spirit. He had read only one verse and was drawing all kinds of conclusions about the Holy Spirit. Who is he? Where did he come from? How do we connect to him? These discussions were difficult. The leader suggested that they study all the verses in the Bible about the Holy Spirit. When they did that, they learned from all the passages about what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit. The conclusion was drawn that when we have a doctrinal question, we must go to the whole Bible to discern what the doctrine (teaching) is.

As you grow as a Christian, it is an important foundational time to be sure that certain doctrines are solid in your thinking as a follower of Christ. Many false doctrines are taught which are not in the Bible. Therefore, people get deceived. What are the critical doctrines or teachings that we need to know clearly? A new believer in the Navy began to follow Christ, but his doctrinal foundation was weak, and he was fooled by teachings from Bahai.

Digging Into The Bible

Let’s look at the verse 2 Timothy 3:16:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for doctrine, for rebuke, for correction and training in righteousness.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What are the most critical doctrines that one needs to know?
  2. Suggested list: Deity of Christ; The Triune God; Authority of the Bible; Salvation by Grace; Forgiveness of sins; Return of Christ; The Power of the Presence of the Holy Spirit.
  3. Which of these doctrines do you feel you have a supporting number of verses for?
  4. Try to explain a doctrine with supporting verses.

Application & Accountability

  1. What steps would you need to take to strengthen your doctrinal foundation?
  2. Which doctrines are harder for you to understand?
  3. What steps will you take first?
  4. How will you know that you have a conviction about a doctrine?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

B.10: Sabbath Rest

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What is the greatest source of finding rest for your soul?

What is God’s plan to give you rest?

A Story

While attending a seminar on emotional health, Peter Scazzero emphasized that an important element of emotional health is planning a weekly Sabbath. Over the years, this practice of taking a rest day has moved from Saturday to Sunday. Then, even with that in normal church scheduling, Sunday became the day of worship and rest.  One pastor reported being so busy that he couldn’t take a sabbath. He said, “I will never get it all done without a sabbath. The pastor reported later that he was so tired and burned out. He recognized that the sabbath was encouraged to see him refresh his heart, soul, and body so he could be more refreshed and then carry out the work more wholeheartedly. However, often schedules have become so full that many folks have not set aside a time for Sabbath rest. Let’s explore where you are in your convictions on Sabbath Rest.

Digging Into The Bible

Exodus 20:8-11:

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. How do you evaluate your schedule in getting proper rest and refreshments?
  2. How do you experience this passage about Sabbath rest?
  3. What experiences have you had in relation to taking a planned rest time each week?
  4. Based on this passage, what do you learn about the sabbath?
  5. Based on this passage, what is rest?
  6. Tell me about times when you were burned out and totally exhausted.

Application & Accountability

  1. How do you see the sabbath in your calendar weekly helping you in your spiritual development and rest?
  2. Why do you think this would be important?
  3. What could you do to make this happen?
  4. When will you get started?
  5. How will you know this is a conviction?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

B.9: Life Planning

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How has God helped you in planning your life?

Where does your personal responsibility come in?

A Story

Writing goals and life planning were encouraged in the Navigators. Many methods and systems were helpful. Later, In the Ministry Coaching experience, the training was in the “Four Core” system. The four core represents 4 Key areas to be coached into planning. The first is the Life Plan. Life planning is picking seven accounts in one’s life that one would want to make deposits (action steps) into. The second is Business or Ministry Vision. Here, the client dreams or has a vision of where their business or ministry will go in the future. Then it moves from there to Business and or Ministry Plan and then to Priority Management. It is essential that with vision and plans, one must choose the most important thing to put on the calendar first. Using this plan for the last 15 years has been extremely helpful in staying on target and choosing the most important things first. A plan is essential with wise and good accountability.

Digging Into The Bible

Proverbs 16:9   

“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Ephesians 5:15-16:

“See that you walk circumspectly, redeeming the time for the days are evil.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. How would life planning help you “redeem the time?”
  2. What experience have you had in life planning?
  3. What can you do better to redeem the time you have been given?
  4. What does circumspect mean?

Application & Accountability

  1. How can you use life planning to apply to this verse?
  2. When do you want to get started on a life planning process?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

B.8: Rule of Life-Life Planning

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What do you feel about the statement, “Those that fail to plan, plan to fail”?

What has been your experience in developing a life plan?

A Story

Over the years, a great scripture on life planning is Proverbs 16:9: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” The privilege of life planning and understanding that plans do not always work out the way one desires needs a response. It can be comforting to know that the Lord has directed one’s steps even when one steps off the path.  God will direct a person’s steps. Over 15 years ago, coaching was available to help one build a life plan. This provided a very helpful process to think through multiple areas of life as accounts. How would one plan to deposit into different parts of life such as spiritual, family, marriage, finances, health, friendship, leadership, and serving and fun? This life planning was a great help.  An excellent resource on this is Living Forward by Daniel Harkavy.

Digging Into The Bible

In Proverbs 24:3,4 in the living Bible, it says,

“Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by staying abreast of the facts.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What do you observe from this passage?
  2. What does wise planning mean?
  3. Where does “common sense” fit into life planning?
  4. How do we stay abreast of the facts in our life and its many facets?
  5. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days so we can present to Him a heart of wisdom,” What does it mean to number our days?

Application & Accountability

  1. How does the teaching on life planning apply to this verse?
  2. What barriers do you experience in thinking about life planning?
  3. What do you see as your first step?
  4. When will you get started in setting up a rule of life?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible: