TPH – GO Min Discipleship Training
Week 3 – Live As the Church
WK 3 Live as the Church
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
“What is the Church?”*
If someone were to ask you this question, how would you respond? Perhaps you see the Church as being a building. Maybe you see it as a community or a gathering of people. Let’s take a look at how the Bible describes what the Church is.
The word “church” in Scripture is translated from the Greek word “ekklesia,” which means “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The Bible makes it clear that the Church is a people.
We, as Jesus’ disciples, are the Church.
The Church is the fellowship of all the Christians that there are. In essence, the Church is the family of God.
The Exponential National Report compiled in 2020 from over 20 discipleship organizations defines the Church in a similar way:
“…a spiritual family growing in surrendered obedience to all the teachings of Jesus Christ who gather together regularly under biblically recognized leadership for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission (making disciples) with a Great Commandment heart (loving God, loving people).”
CHURCH IDENTITY EXERCISE
Take some time to read the verses below and list out the various metaphors/references that are used to describe the Church.
- The Church is the body of Jesus (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:17, 12:12, 12:27; Ephesians 4:12, 5:23, 5:30; Colossians 1:24)
- The Church is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:31-32; 2 Corinthians 11:12; Revelation 19:7-8, 21:9)
- The Church is the house of God (1 Timothy 3:14-15; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 4:17)
- The Church is the family of God (Matthew 12:49-50; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 5:1)
Once you’ve completed the above, answer the following questions:
- What stood out to you from this exercise?
- In light of what you read, what do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to do?
As disciples, we not only have an individual identity—we also have a communal identity as a part of the larger Church body. We’re part of a spiritual family that’s growing together while pursuing the same mission.
So, if the Church is a family, what does this family look like? What practices or rhythms marked the early church and the Church throughout history over the last 2,000 years? The book of Acts is a great place to turn to as we consider these questions.
CHURCH CIRCLE EXERCISE
Prior to watching the video. Take out your journal or blank piece of paper and Bible.
- Read Acts 2:36-47
- In your own words, list out what the early church committed themselves to from the Scripture.
Play the Video | The Church Circle
- Keep your journal out or piece of paper and your Bible.
- Participate by drawing along with the video.
- Answer the following questions:
- What stood out to you from this exercise?
- What practices do you clearly see in your church context?
- What practices are harder to see or measure in your church context?
- What practices are non-existent in your church context?
Now that we have clarity on what the Church is, let’s take a closer look at the unique qualities that mark the spiritual family we get to be a part of.
*We use “Church” to refer to the universal body of believers, the official name of a church, or a particular denomination, and “church” for general references or when referring to the early church.
TAKEAWAYS:
- The Church is the family of God.
- As disciples, we not only have an individual identity—we also have a communal identity as a part of the larger Church body.
SPIRITUAL FAMILY
No matter what the expression of the local church you’re committed to looks like, it’s meant to be an extended spiritual family where every believer is a part of the Body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and equipped to participate in the mission of God.
What marks this spiritual family? Unity and diversity.
Let’s take a look at how these two important qualities are used to describe the Body in 1 Corinthians 12.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12-31)
This new family of God that we get to be a part of isn’t just another religious community with another holy book with unique practices. Jesus didn’t come to start another religion, but to reveal the one true God and the one true story of the whole world.
God desires to shape a new humanity, with Him as the head, us as the Body, and His Holy Spirit forming us to occupy the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1). This new humanity will be made up of many parts that operate in unity as a single Body.
How this new community of apprentices of Jesus is organized will look different all around the world. Revelation 7:9 tells us that heaven will be filled with people “from every nation, tribe, people and language.” Because there is diversity in the Body, there will also be diversity in the way the global Church goes about its mission to make disciples of all nations.
While there’s beauty in our diversity, there must also be unity in our approach—GO Ministries measures this through mentor, mission, and multiplication. More on this later in our journey, but just a reminder.
- We Mentor to Make Disciples and see God Redeem People.
- We are on Mission to see the Church Emerge and see God Renew Communities.
- We Multiply to see a Global Movement and God Restore Creation
God is using diverse models and leaders to reawaken the global church to His heart to reach every nation and tribe. As a part of the Body of Christ, we each have a role to play, and that role is unique to how God has made us and the giftings and abilities He’s given each of us. We’ll discover what exactly those giftings are in the next section.
DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY EXERCISE
Throughout our journey together we will be participating in Discovery Bible Studies. We will learn more about this later, but in the meantime, let’s simply participate together.
Read: Revelation 7:9-17
- Read the Scripture in two different translations.
Reflect:
- In your own words, rewrite the Scripture.
Respond: Answer the following questions:
- What stood out to you in this Scripture?
- What does the Scripture say about us as people?
- What do you feel the Holy Spirit calling you to do in response to what you have heard?
- Who do you feel called to share what you learned this week?
Takeaways:
- The spiritual family we’re a part of is marked by unity and diversity.
- Because there is diversity in the Body, there will also be diversity in the way the global Church goes about its mission to make disciples of all nations.
EQUIPPED TO SERVE
“It is not so much the case that God has a mission for his church in the world, as that God has a church for his mission in the world. Mission was not made for the church; the church was made for mission—God’s mission.” – Christopher Wright, Mission of God
God’s heart is to see you and every other believer mobilized in God’s mission – participating in disciple-making. This is not a job reserved for “professionals.” The local, global, and historical Church is made up of ordinary apprentices of Jesus just like you, and each one of us is united by the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
It’s through the Holy Spirit that we are each given gifts for the good of one another. It’s also through the Holy Spirit that we are equipped to do the work God has called us to.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it… So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers [APEST], to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:7, 11-16)
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)
Just as we each have a unique role to play in the Church, we also have unique cultures and contexts in which we are called to serve.
As a disciple, God has called you to be a local leader. A local leader is someone who identifies as a disciple of Jesus and has the potential to make disciples or is currently making disciples in their culture and context.
Knowing your culture and context is both simple and biblical.
“Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”’” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Who is your neighbor? If God’s mission is to redeem the whole world, and God’s Church exists to live out that mission, then anyone can be your neighbor—even people who don’t look like you, talk like you, act like you, or live like you. (We’ll discuss culture and context more in depth next week.)
Jesus has given us all we need to faithfully—in unity—pursue the mission He has for us.
As a part of a spiritual family, it’s vital we discover and live into our gifts so that as a Church body, we grow in maturity, become more like Christ, and live out the calling He has for us.
The question then becomes: Have you found your place within the Church?
APEST EXERCISE
In his book 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ, Alan Hirsch describes our APEST gifts as having both Functions and Calling. So, before we begin the APEST exercise, let’s determine the difference:
- Function: The actions or activities assigned to a particular person, thing, or organization; functions embody the purposes for which something is designed or exists.
- Calling: Distinctly personal; involves a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence linked to personal destiny.
Note: In the excerpt from the book, he will use “functions” to describe the more corporate, organizational, dimensions of APEST, and “callings” to describe how each function would be expressed through the actual lives of individual believers. Calling is therefore the personal living expression of individual destiny as well as corporate function.
EXERCISE
- Read part of Chapter 7 from 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ.
- Answer the following questions:
- Calling: Who am I (apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, teacher)?
- Function: How am I living into my identity in my current context?
- For the Huddle:
- List out everyone in your group.
- Pray for them by name.
- Write out what you see in them?
- Write an A, P, E, S, or T next to their name.
- Write an affirming statement that corresponds to their calling/function.
As you discover your gifts, remember that you have a crucial role to play in the Body of Christ.
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” – Teresa of Avila
Takeaways:
- The Holy Spirit equips us to do the work God has called us to do.
- It’s vital we discover and live into our gifts so that as a Church body, we grow in maturity, become more like Christ, and live out the calling He has for us.
AUTHORITY AND POWER
The beauty of being a disciple of Jesus is that He not only equips us with everything we need to make disciples but also gives us the authority and power to do great things in His name. This authority and power are an important part of our identity.
When Jesus commissions His Church to go out and make disciples, He reminds us that everything is subject to His authority. There is power in the name of Jesus, and everything and everyone must ultimately submit to Him (Philippians 2:10-11).
At the same time, He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit so we can be His witnesses wherever we go. The Holy Spirit is what allows us to do even greater things than Jesus did during His time on earth.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
As disciples, we carry the authority of Jesus, but with this authority also comes great responsibility to live into that authority. Just like Jesus saying to the twelve in Luke 9, he sends out the twelve and then throughout the chapter has some very harsh things to say to them:
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:23-27)
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” (Luke 9:41)
…”For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48b)
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
The authority God has given us through His Holy Spirit is not ours to keep. It’s not to gain the whole world, to say, ‘look at me,’ build ourselves up, or be the greatest. It’s meant to be shared with others.
It’s the difference between Luke 9 Jesus giving the disciples the authority and Luke 10 (we will dive deeper into this later).
When we use the gifts God has given us with the authority God has given us to make disciples, others are empowered by the Holy Spirit to share their gifts and authority as well.
This is the mission of GO Ministries: to empower local leaders to make disciples. When people are empowered to step into God’s calling in their lives, we believe the miraculous will happen.
We’ve been given the Holy Spirit to guide us as we make disciples. We’ve also been given the authority and power found in the name of Jesus. Scripture even tells us that clear signs and miracles will accompany us as we are sent out:
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17-18)
Did you know that there are 40 miracles recorded in the book of Acts? Out of those, 39 happened outside a church setting as the apostles took the Gospel into new contexts.
Like Jesus’ ministry, these miracles were demonstrations of God’s power and gave credibility to the Gospel message the apostles were sharing. As you can imagine, it would be hard to argue something was true if you saw with your own eyes a blind man seeing, a paralyzed person walking, or a person filled with demons suddenly acting like a normal person after years of torment.
How does this apply to our mission to make disciples today?
We, too, should embrace the role of the miraculous as we make disciples.
After all, we are God’s agents in the world. As we discovered in Week 1, we’re called children of God, ambassadors, saints, and even priests.
What do priests do? They are mediators—go-between agents—enacting heavenly plans on earth.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
“…To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6)
Around the world, physical healings, prophetic words, and prayers resulting in deliverance are catalyzing disciple-making movements. And it’s all through the power and authority of God.
This is the same God we serve today. These signs and wonders are still relevant to us today.
Seeing these things in our own efforts to make disciples will require being in tune with the Holy Spirit. It will require being firmly planted in God’s Word and listening for God’s voice in all circumstances.
Ultimately, it will be the Holy Spirit who will prompt and lead us to pray for others, step out in faith, and expect the miraculous to happen.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Jesus gives us authority and power to do great things in His name.
- We should embrace the role of the miraculous as we go out and make disciples.
TEAM HUDDLE/FACILITATOR’S GUIDE
Spend about 45-60 min discussing the following questions, creating “I will” statements, and praying for one another as you review what you learned this week.
QUESTIONS
- How did this last week shape how you think about the nature and calling of the church?
- Where in your life do you feel like you are missional? Where do you feel idle and off a missional course?
- What stood out to you from the first section titled “What is the Church?”?
- How have you experienced the miraculous in your own life?
- What exercise impacted or challenged you the most this week? Why?
- Church Identity
- Church Circle
- Discovery Bible Study: Revelation 7
- APEST Exercise
- What was your biggest takeaway from this week?
CREATE “I WILL” STATEMENTS
- What’s one practical way you can respond to what God’s been teaching you this week?
- As we look toward Week 4: Plant the Gospel (Part 1), when will you plan on making space for the lessons this week?
PRAYER
Pray for each person by name, specifically praying for something that came up in your huddle conversation. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Pray for continued excitement throughout the 6-week huddle.
- Pray about the opportunity to overcome a challenge that was shared.
- Pray about an “I will” statement for the following week.
Week 4 – Live As the Church
WK 3 Live as the Church
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
“What is the Church?”*
If someone were to ask you this question, how would you respond? Perhaps you see the Church as being a building. Maybe you see it as a community or a gathering of people. Let’s take a look at how the Bible describes what the Church is.
The word “church” in Scripture is translated from the Greek word “ekklesia,” which means “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The Bible makes it clear that the Church is a people.
We, as Jesus’ disciples, are the Church.
The Church is the fellowship of all the Christians that there are. In essence, the Church is the family of God.
The Exponential National Report compiled in 2020 from over 20 discipleship organizations defines the Church in a similar way:
“…a spiritual family growing in surrendered obedience to all the teachings of Jesus Christ who gather together regularly under biblically recognized leadership for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission (making disciples) with a Great Commandment heart (loving God, loving people).”
CHURCH IDENTITY EXERCISE
Take some time to read the verses below and list out the various metaphors/references that are used to describe the Church.
- The Church is the body of Jesus (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:17, 12:12, 12:27; Ephesians 4:12, 5:23, 5:30; Colossians 1:24)
- The Church is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:31-32; 2 Corinthians 11:12; Revelation 19:7-8, 21:9)
- The Church is the house of God (1 Timothy 3:14-15; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 4:17)
- The Church is the family of God (Matthew 12:49-50; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 5:1)
Once you’ve completed the above, answer the following questions:
- What stood out to you from this exercise?
- In light of what you read, what do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to do?
As disciples, we not only have an individual identity—we also have a communal identity as a part of the larger Church body. We’re part of a spiritual family that’s growing together while pursuing the same mission.
So, if the Church is a family, what does this family look like? What practices or rhythms marked the early church and the Church throughout history over the last 2,000 years? The book of Acts is a great place to turn to as we consider these questions.
CHURCH CIRCLE EXERCISE
Prior to watching the video. Take out your journal or blank piece of paper and Bible.
- Read Acts 2:36-47
- In your own words, list out what the early church committed themselves to from the Scripture.
Play the Video | The Church Circle
- Keep your journal out or piece of paper and your Bible.
- Participate by drawing along with the video.
- Answer the following questions:
- What stood out to you from this exercise?
- What practices do you clearly see in your church context?
- What practices are harder to see or measure in your church context?
- What practices are non-existent in your church context?
Now that we have clarity on what the Church is, let’s take a closer look at the unique qualities that mark the spiritual family we get to be a part of.
*We use “Church” to refer to the universal body of believers, the official name of a church, or a particular denomination, and “church” for general references or when referring to the early church.
TAKEAWAYS:
- The Church is the family of God.
- As disciples, we not only have an individual identity—we also have a communal identity as a part of the larger Church body.
SPIRITUAL FAMILY
No matter what the expression of the local church you’re committed to looks like, it’s meant to be an extended spiritual family where every believer is a part of the Body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and equipped to participate in the mission of God.
What marks this spiritual family? Unity and diversity.
Let’s take a look at how these two important qualities are used to describe the Body in 1 Corinthians 12.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12-31)
This new family of God that we get to be a part of isn’t just another religious community with another holy book with unique practices. Jesus didn’t come to start another religion, but to reveal the one true God and the one true story of the whole world.
God desires to shape a new humanity, with Him as the head, us as the Body, and His Holy Spirit forming us to occupy the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1). This new humanity will be made up of many parts that operate in unity as a single Body.
How this new community of apprentices of Jesus is organized will look different all around the world. Revelation 7:9 tells us that heaven will be filled with people “from every nation, tribe, people and language.” Because there is diversity in the Body, there will also be diversity in the way the global Church goes about its mission to make disciples of all nations.
While there’s beauty in our diversity, there must also be unity in our approach—GO Ministries measures this through mentor, mission, and multiplication. More on this later in our journey, but just a reminder.
- We Mentor to Make Disciples and see God Redeem People.
- We are on Mission to see the Church Emerge and see God Renew Communities.
- We Multiply to see a Global Movement and God Restore Creation
God is using diverse models and leaders to reawaken the global church to His heart to reach every nation and tribe. As a part of the Body of Christ, we each have a role to play, and that role is unique to how God has made us and the giftings and abilities He’s given each of us. We’ll discover what exactly those giftings are in the next section.
DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY EXERCISE
Throughout our journey together we will be participating in Discovery Bible Studies. We will learn more about this later, but in the meantime, let’s simply participate together.
Read: Revelation 7:9-17
- Read the Scripture in two different translations.
Reflect:
- In your own words, rewrite the Scripture.
Respond: Answer the following questions:
- What stood out to you in this Scripture?
- What does the Scripture say about us as people?
- What do you feel the Holy Spirit calling you to do in response to what you have heard?
- Who do you feel called to share what you learned this week?
Takeaways:
- The spiritual family we’re a part of is marked by unity and diversity.
- Because there is diversity in the Body, there will also be diversity in the way the global Church goes about its mission to make disciples of all nations.
EQUIPPED TO SERVE
“It is not so much the case that God has a mission for his church in the world, as that God has a church for his mission in the world. Mission was not made for the church; the church was made for mission—God’s mission.” – Christopher Wright, Mission of God
God’s heart is to see you and every other believer mobilized in God’s mission – participating in disciple-making. This is not a job reserved for “professionals.” The local, global, and historical Church is made up of ordinary apprentices of Jesus just like you, and each one of us is united by the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
It’s through the Holy Spirit that we are each given gifts for the good of one another. It’s also through the Holy Spirit that we are equipped to do the work God has called us to.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it… So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers [APEST], to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:7, 11-16)
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)
Just as we each have a unique role to play in the Church, we also have unique cultures and contexts in which we are called to serve.
As a disciple, God has called you to be a local leader. A local leader is someone who identifies as a disciple of Jesus and has the potential to make disciples or is currently making disciples in their culture and context.
Knowing your culture and context is both simple and biblical.
“Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”’” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Who is your neighbor? If God’s mission is to redeem the whole world, and God’s Church exists to live out that mission, then anyone can be your neighbor—even people who don’t look like you, talk like you, act like you, or live like you. (We’ll discuss culture and context more in depth next week.)
Jesus has given us all we need to faithfully—in unity—pursue the mission He has for us.
As a part of a spiritual family, it’s vital we discover and live into our gifts so that as a Church body, we grow in maturity, become more like Christ, and live out the calling He has for us.
The question then becomes: Have you found your place within the Church?
APEST EXERCISE
In his book 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ, Alan Hirsch describes our APEST gifts as having both Functions and Calling. So, before we begin the APEST exercise, let’s determine the difference:
- Function: The actions or activities assigned to a particular person, thing, or organization; functions embody the purposes for which something is designed or exists.
- Calling: Distinctly personal; involves a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence linked to personal destiny.
Note: In the excerpt from the book, he will use “functions” to describe the more corporate, organizational, dimensions of APEST, and “callings” to describe how each function would be expressed through the actual lives of individual believers. Calling is therefore the personal living expression of individual destiny as well as corporate function.
EXERCISE
- Read part of Chapter 7 from 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ.
- Answer the following questions:
- Calling: Who am I (apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, teacher)?
- Function: How am I living into my identity in my current context?
- For the Huddle:
- List out everyone in your group.
- Pray for them by name.
- Write out what you see in them?
- Write an A, P, E, S, or T next to their name.
- Write an affirming statement that corresponds to their calling/function.
As you discover your gifts, remember that you have a crucial role to play in the Body of Christ.
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” – Teresa of Avila
Takeaways:
- The Holy Spirit equips us to do the work God has called us to do.
- It’s vital we discover and live into our gifts so that as a Church body, we grow in maturity, become more like Christ, and live out the calling He has for us.
AUTHORITY AND POWER
The beauty of being a disciple of Jesus is that He not only equips us with everything we need to make disciples but also gives us the authority and power to do great things in His name. This authority and power are an important part of our identity.
When Jesus commissions His Church to go out and make disciples, He reminds us that everything is subject to His authority. There is power in the name of Jesus, and everything and everyone must ultimately submit to Him (Philippians 2:10-11).
At the same time, He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit so we can be His witnesses wherever we go. The Holy Spirit is what allows us to do even greater things than Jesus did during His time on earth.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
As disciples, we carry the authority of Jesus, but with this authority also comes great responsibility to live into that authority. Just like Jesus saying to the twelve in Luke 9, he sends out the twelve and then throughout the chapter has some very harsh things to say to them:
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:23-27)
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” (Luke 9:41)
…”For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48b)
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
The authority God has given us through His Holy Spirit is not ours to keep. It’s not to gain the whole world, to say, ‘look at me,’ build ourselves up, or be the greatest. It’s meant to be shared with others.
It’s the difference between Luke 9 Jesus giving the disciples the authority and Luke 10 (we will dive deeper into this later).
When we use the gifts God has given us with the authority God has given us to make disciples, others are empowered by the Holy Spirit to share their gifts and authority as well.
This is the mission of GO Ministries: to empower local leaders to make disciples. When people are empowered to step into God’s calling in their lives, we believe the miraculous will happen.
We’ve been given the Holy Spirit to guide us as we make disciples. We’ve also been given the authority and power found in the name of Jesus. Scripture even tells us that clear signs and miracles will accompany us as we are sent out:
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17-18)
Did you know that there are 40 miracles recorded in the book of Acts? Out of those, 39 happened outside a church setting as the apostles took the Gospel into new contexts.
Like Jesus’ ministry, these miracles were demonstrations of God’s power and gave credibility to the Gospel message the apostles were sharing. As you can imagine, it would be hard to argue something was true if you saw with your own eyes a blind man seeing, a paralyzed person walking, or a person filled with demons suddenly acting like a normal person after years of torment.
How does this apply to our mission to make disciples today?
We, too, should embrace the role of the miraculous as we make disciples.
After all, we are God’s agents in the world. As we discovered in Week 1, we’re called children of God, ambassadors, saints, and even priests.
What do priests do? They are mediators—go-between agents—enacting heavenly plans on earth.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
“…To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6)
Around the world, physical healings, prophetic words, and prayers resulting in deliverance are catalyzing disciple-making movements. And it’s all through the power and authority of God.
This is the same God we serve today. These signs and wonders are still relevant to us today.
Seeing these things in our own efforts to make disciples will require being in tune with the Holy Spirit. It will require being firmly planted in God’s Word and listening for God’s voice in all circumstances.
Ultimately, it will be the Holy Spirit who will prompt and lead us to pray for others, step out in faith, and expect the miraculous to happen.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Jesus gives us authority and power to do great things in His name.
- We should embrace the role of the miraculous as we go out and make disciples.
TEAM HUDDLE/FACILITATOR’S GUIDE
Spend about 45-60 min discussing the following questions, creating “I will” statements, and praying for one another as you review what you learned this week.
QUESTIONS
- How did this last week shape how you think about the nature and calling of the church?
- Where in your life do you feel like you are missional? Where do you feel idle and off a missional course?
- What stood out to you from the first section titled “What is the Church?”?
- How have you experienced the miraculous in your own life?
- What exercise impacted or challenged you the most this week? Why?
- Church Identity
- Church Circle
- Discovery Bible Study: Revelation 7
- APEST Exercise
- What was your biggest takeaway from this week?
CREATE “I WILL” STATEMENTS
- What’s one practical way you can respond to what God’s been teaching you this week?
- As we look toward Week 4: Plant the Gospel (Part 1), when will you plan on making space for the lessons this week?
PRAYER
Pray for each person by name, specifically praying for something that came up in your huddle conversation. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Pray for continued excitement throughout the 6-week huddle.
- Pray about the opportunity to overcome a challenge that was shared.
- Pray about an “I will” statement for the following week.