Message: “Discipleship and Stuff” from Rev. Ken Green

Just before Jesus’ ascension, He gave His disciples the “Great Commission,” the charge for the church to be in the disciple-making business. The command gives a single focus the church’s energy and time…and yet it doesn’t direct us in mechanical or formulaic steps towards growth. In Jesus’ own words, this endeavor begins with the Holy Baptism, where God connects us with Jesus through His grace and by the power of his Word—we have new life and become followers of Jesus because we there are joined with Him. This ongoing adventure of walking with Jesus is designed by God to be guided by a life-long learning of God’s Word (“teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you,” Jesus tells His disciples). As a baptized follower of Christ, how are you continuing to learn and put into practice what Jesus commands in His Word? Have there been times when you have sensed that you were growing daily to be more like Jesus, walking more closely on the path He has laid out for you? How was God at work in your life during those times? What would you say are the identifying marks of those who are following Jesus?

Scripture References: Matthew 28:16-20

Related Topics: Discipleship | More Messages from Ken Green

From Series: "The Marks of Jesus' Disciples"

At the heart of being Christian, there is this core concept of following Jesus. The disciple follows his or her master, imitating the master and learning along the way. The church is in the disciple-making business, connecting people to Jesus and leading them in the process of walking in His ways. This discipleship process is never completed for any of us in this life—we are continually learning and growing as we follow Jesus until He brings us to our heavenly home. • What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus, a Christ-follower? • What are the core marks of those who follow Jesus faithfully? What does being a disciple look like? • How are disciples shaped and formed as they continue to walk with Jesus? And we always remember that God’s design is not to make us out to be “cookie-cutter Christians”—rather, discipleship is a process, a life-long learning adventure. It is, at its core, the art of following Jesus every day, knowing that Jesus has promised to be with us always, expecting that we will “bear much fruit” as we remain in Him and He remains in us.