Pastor Greg continues his series “THE GAP” this week by teaching us about what true Christian discipleship really is. He shows us how to clear the Discipleship Gap in our lives.
MESSAGE NOTES
When you think about discipleship for the Greeks it meant a Discipleship of Philosophy.
When you think about discipleship for the Jews it meant a Discipleship of Principle.
When you think about discipleship for the Pharisees it meant a Discipleship of Procedure.
When you think about discipleship for the John the Baptist’s followers it meant a Discipleship of Protest.
When you think about discipleship for Jesus’ followers it meant a Discipleship of Partnership.
And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach ~ Mark 3:14
For Jesus, it was the relationship with a person that really mattered and not just a following of the teacher’s philosophy that is important.
Meta (GREEK) ~~ With (ENGLISH)
Refers to a relationship of association and companionship.
How do you clear the Discipleship Gap? We have to move from the level of Simply Curious to Truly Convinced and then, to the Fully Committed, in our discipleship relationship with Jesus.
As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. ~ John 6:66
So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” ~ John 6:67
Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.
We have believed and have cometo know that You are the Holy One of God.” – John 6:68-69
TODAY’S BIG QUESTION
What kind of a disciple am I and how big is my Discipleship Gap?
Christianity is a RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD not a RELIGION ABOUT GOD.
The true measure of committed discipleship is determined by the type of relationship that
I have with Jesus and the depth of our relationship with Jesus is the true measure of our
Discipleship Gap. The deeper the relationship, the shorter the gap. ~ Pastor G
GO DEEPER
ALOHA GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
READ: Mark 3:14
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What does it mean that Jesus wanted these disciples to be with Him?
2) Why do you think He chose them out of all the options He had?
3) Do you think He knew Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny Him and all the rest would abandon Him even at this point when He first chose them?
4) Why do you think it was so important to Him that these twelve “be with Him?”
READ: John 6:26-34
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) When Jesus says the people should work for “the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you” what is He referring to?
2) Why do you think the people bring up manna and bread at this point in their conversation with Jesus? What experience had they just had with Him? Do you think they wanted this kind of “free lunch” to be a regular thing for Jesus to provide to them?
3) What is Jesus referring to in verse 33 when He says: “For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world?” Why do you think He chooses this illustration at this point? When the people answer “Give us this bread” what do you think their motivation is?
READ: Read John 6:35-40
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What does Jesus mean when He promises those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst again? What do you think the people thought He meant? Why did Jesus put it this way?
2) Do you think the people understood what Jesus was claiming when He said He had come down from heaven?
READ: Read John 6:41-58
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Why do you think Jesus speaks this way to the crowd? Do you think He was expecting people to react differently?
2) How would you have reacted to someone telling you that you needed to eat their flesh and drink their blood to inherit eternal life?
3) What do you think He meant by this? Is he speaking metaphorically? Does He mean it literally? Was there another way for Him to say it that wouldn’t have been so controversial?
READ: Read John 6:59-65
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Do you think Jesus’ statement in verse 63 is a clue for what He means when He refers to eating His “flesh?” If so, what is it?
READ: Read John 6:66-69
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Many of Jesus’ disciples (not the Twelve) deserted Him because of this teaching. Again, why do you think Jesus taught this lesson in this way? We know He wasn’t advocating literal cannibalism. If He had just spelled it out more clearly for them do you think the other disciples would have stayed?
2) When Jesus asks the Twelve if they are going to leave Him to, what do you think His primary concern is at this point? If He knew from the beginning who would betray Him, who would deny Him and who would abandon Him it seems like He already knows the answer so why ask it?
3) What do you think of Simon Peter’s answer? Do you think he was sincere or was he just telling Jesus what He thought Jesus wanted to hear? How did Jesus receive Peter’s words?