Jesus says to go and make disciples.  Disciplemakers should baptize and teach followers of Christ to keep the commands of Christ.  Matthew 28

Matthew records that Jesus told people that the greatest commandment is to Love God.  Matthew 22

Moses writes in Deuteronomy 6 that people should love God and keep his commands.

These commands that I give you should be pressed upon your heart.  Let the Bible touch the motivation of everything you do. 

Once you let the Bible in your head and in your heart you should;

repeat it over and over to your children.
talk about it at home and on the road
When you get up and when you lie down
Put it on the door of your house and take it into the community.
Keep it on your hands and on your forehead. 

I am looking for others on this journey who will Study the Bible, Pray it through, live it out and talk about it.  This seems to be a pattern from the Old and New testaments of the Bible.  

What could happen in a church where the followers of Christ would take on this kind of a way of life?

The difference between leaders and disciple makers

Bill Allison at Cup O' Joe with Bill - 5 weeks ago

*Thinking out loud... * *Leaders ask: *"What's working?" - Hence an obsession with currently trending models/systems of ministry—and those who make them happen. *Disciplemakers ask:* "How can we imitate Jesus' disciplemaking way of life together?" - Hence an obsession with the person of Jesus Christ as found in the Gospels—and a deep friendship with those who share this obsession. The questions we ask take our lives in a direction... to somewhere and someone. Where and to whom are your questions taking you? *More fodder for reflection:* (read the rest at-  http://www.cupojoewithbill.com/search/label/leadership  )

Jesus prays for those who will get the message

Jesus talks about the message that brings eternal life.  He says He completed the work that his Father gave him.  Then he goes on to pray for those who are living out the Word.  They are taking on the message and the way of life.  

This work that Jesus completed is before Jesus dies on the cross and before he is raised back to life.  The work must have to do with making disciples.  It must have to do with the plan of giving this message to those who will make disciples.

He does not say preachers.  It is disciples that make disciples.  Even today people will listen and respond to those who are sharing the message.  

Jesus even prayed for all who would someday respond to the message.  

Disciples that make disciples that make disciples .  .  .   .

John 17

Bible authority over my traditions

Only say what the Bible says.  I just heard about a church that gives points and prizes to children for wearing a tie to church.  Really?  

Some people use church to fight for their old traditions.  Are we still saying that God wants us to dress up and put on our best clothes for Him?  That all sounds nice.  Except that the Bible does not say that.  Does the Bible teach that we should pray before we eat?  I just have not found that verse.  "Pray this prayer and you will go to heaven?"  I just can't find that verse.  Should we end our prayers by saying "in Jesus name".  Show me the verse.  

We contribute to this when we say the Bible says something, but I just don't remember where.  It is just to easy today to search and find the verse.  It is worth it to do the work.  

It is not that any of this is wrong.  I will not put words in the mouth of God.  I can apply the scripture to my life and show how in my life I am trying to live to please God.  But, God knows.  I think my motives are pure.  But God will be the judge. 

I am making plans to read through the Bible again next year.  Looking for a Chronological Bible.  I would love to have others join in so we could talk about it each week.  Let me know if you are interested.  

What you do comes from who you are.

I think he was in 9th grade.  A student in our youth ministry.  Being a good youth pastor I would try to go to visit our student's activities.  So, one afternoon I show up a students school soccer game.  This student was sharp but a little on the quiet side.  But, on the field he took charge.  A strong communicator telling other players who to cover or who to pass the ball to.  It was there that I saw such strong leadership.

But, this student was not a leader in our church or youth ministry.  He was willing, but he did not see what he could do as a leader. 

Kids grow up.  It seems as an infant they think the world is about them.  Through the elementary grades their parents are heroes with unlimited knowledge and strength.  Through the teen years a person starts to understand who they are.  What if adults would help students see who they are?  Often adults like to tell students what to do.  There is a difference.  

In I John 3, it talks about God's love.  Love is giving with no motive to get anything back.  God gives without expecting anything in return.  As if God needs something that I could give to him.  The way he gives love is like the way I like fudge on a hot fudge sundae.  Don't hold back.  Don't be stingy.  Then he calls us his children.  There is something about how a dad loves his children.  That describes my relationship with God.  He says that we are in Him and He is in us.  

Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.  I John 3:6

At the very core of who I am, I am connected with God.  This is a loving fathering relationship that helps me through this life.  Living in Him will bring success.  Not that I would or could stop sinning.  The continual habits of sin will lose their grip on my life.  

Do, do, do or be, be, be.  When I know who I am, I start to understand what I can do.  Rather than keep a list of rules in a religion, God invites us to walk in relationship with him.  Bad actions will slowly change to good as I walk in a healthy relationship with God.  

A good leader should help people see who they are.  A good disciple maker needs to help others see who they are in Christ.  Walking "In Christ", is a life changer.  So I pray, God help me to live my life In Christ.

a church like Jesus did

Jesus' class picked up at Jacob's well.  It was there that Jesus showed love to a woman who found living water.  He took his class on a field trip and showed them how to love the world, one person at a time.

I had a pastor like that.  Bill Tweeddale took me with him almost every week.  We would go to the hospital and talk to people and pray for them.  We went to peoples houses to visit and pray.  He always offered to share how you could know for sure that you would go to heaven.  I watched him lead people to put their trust in Christ as their savior and Lord.

It just does not work inside of a building.  What would it be like if Jesus spent most of his time with his team inside a building.  He could teach information.  Rather he trained in a new way of life.

I wonder if we were supposed to do church more like Jesus did.

questions a disciple maker would ask

Jesus ask the man, "what do you want me to do for you?"-  Mark 10:51


What do you want?  Or what do I really want?  


I saw Travis last week.  He reminded me of how I would ask him and Alex tough questions each week.  Somewhere I learned that Jesus made disciples by asking questions.  We did that for a few years while we were in Tampa.


My questions were usually along the lines of What is God teaching you?  Or what are you reading in the Bible?


I know what it is that I am trying to teach.  When you tell me what you heard, you tell me what you have learned.  A teacher does not teach until the student learns.  A teacher learns what he has taught when he asks the student what he has learned.


Lecture is the most ineffective form of communication.  Yes, it is fast.  But lecture is one way and has the lowest retention.


Jesus taught the big crowds with his disciples close by.  Then he ask questions to those he was discipling.  So, as a pastor I must meet with people to hear what they are learning.  I plan to do this this week.  


Impress at a distance, but impact is up close.