spiritual rhythms of multiplying disciples
TRANSCRIPT
Spiritual Rhythms of Multiplying DisciplesThird Edition
B
SPIRITUAL RHYTHMS
Copyright 2016Southern Baptists of Texas Convention
P.O. Box 1988 • Grapevine, TX 76099-19884500 State Hwy 360 • Grapevine, TX 76051
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ESV Copyright and Permissions InformationThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway,a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise noted all scriptural Bible references are NASB®
Copyright © 1995 Lockman Foundation
Spiritual Rhythms of Multiplying Disciples
Introduction
Spiritual Multiplication
Spiritual Rhythms
Fellowship with God Identity in Christ
Fighting for Holiness Identity in Christ
Impacting @ Home Impact for Christ
Impacting Believers Impact for Christ
Impacting the Lost Impact for Christ
Bible Reading Helps
Appendix
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CONTENTS
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Spencer Plumlee (Primary Author)Spencer Plumlee serves as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Mansfield, Texas. He has a master of divinity and Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Shelley have
three beautiful children - Seth, Noah and Paige. Spencer’s greatest joy is seeing disciples multiplying for the glory of God.
Education Doctor of Philosophy, Systematic TheologySouthwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Master of DivinitySouthwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
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Lance Crowell (Secondary Author)Lance serves the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention as an associate in the Church Ministries department. His areas of ministry include discipleship, online training, men's, family, young adults and young
married ministries. Lance says, “Discipleship changed my life! The direction of my life has never been the same since my collegiate director took me under his wing and taught me what it means to be and make disciples.”
EducationLance accepted God's call to the ministry while studying engineering at the University of Houston. He served at Sagemont Church in Houston before coming to the SBTC.
Bachelor of Science, Electrical EngineeringUniversity of Houston
Master’s Degree, Telecommunication EngineeringUniversity of Houston
Master of Divinity Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Special ThanksEditors: Mitch Tidwell • Judy Van Hooser • Kayla WelchFaith Syphrett • Houston Arledge
Graphic Designer: Allen Sutton
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
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Every person who claims Christ Jesus as Lord does so because those early disciples passed on their faith to a new generation. Today there are millions of Christians in the world. Every one of these millions can be traced back to the empowered effort of the 12 disciples. Stop and consider: millions of Christians today claim Christ because 12 men, including the apostle Paul, were obedient to take the gospel to the world. Christianity grew to where it is today, because these men were not content to retreat with the gospel in the darkness, but rather passed it on to the next generation.
You and I are called to the same task which led to millions of Christians today: spiritual multiplication. We are called to live out and share on our faith, just like those early disciples. We are called to pass on our faith in such a way that it continues to grow. This is our task. Overwhelming, isn’t it?
We are so glad you’ve picked up this booklet because it’s designed to make multiplication simple. We’ve attempted to produce a simple tool to help you live out and pass on your faith. As we do this together, we join in the task given to Christians around the world. As wonderful as this number is, it has been estimated that 4.2 of the 7.7 billion people in the world live in places where less than 2% of the population is Christian (imb.org). The urgency of multiplication is as real today as it’s ever been.
So, let’s get started. Let’s multiply.
RHYTHMS INTRODUCTION
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There are many ways to set up a disciple-making group. The following provides a sample approach. Every disciple-maker and group functions differently so find what fits you and those you are discipling, just make sure to be clear and consistent.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE MEET?We suggest once a week formally. If this is not possible, once every two weeks can work. Beyond that it becomes very difficult to work deeply in the lives of people to the level that is necessary for true disciple-making. Making disciples requires more than just official meetings. Interacting and engaging them in casual and relaxed environments allows for the building of lasting disciples.
FIVE C’S TO HOSTING A DISCIPLE-MAKING GROUP
1. CONNECT WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP (10-15 minutes)How are things going? (small talk) – This step allows the group to build community and rapport in a very relaxed manner. The key here is to focus on building relationships, not on talking about the material. Make these first few minutes fun and engaging. This step is vital to developing trust.
2. CATCH UP FROM THE LAST GROUP-TIME (15-20 minutes)A good place to begin this portion is to unpack how things have progressed from the last meeting’s action steps (Step 4, Create). What victories and struggles did you see? What’s on your mind? Push into an intentional time of accountability with the group. In order to make true progress, everyone must be honest and vulnerable.
• NOTE: If you need to linger in this phase due to an issue or struggle, then stay a while! Do not move on until the group is ready. The goal is spiritual multiplication, not completion of curriculum.
• However, if the group is stuck on this phase week after week not making progress, there may be deeper issues beyond the scope of the meeting time. Sometimes people do not want to grow and be challenged, they just want to talk. You must not stay here forever.
MECHANICS OF A DISCIPLE-MAKINGGROUP MEETING
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3. COVER THE CONTENT (20-30 minutes)What is the lesson/truth for the week? What is the new content that needs to be discussed? It’s not about the curriculum; however, a growing disciple must be developing in God’s truth. Remember, it’s a discussion, not a lecture. The goal is obedience leading to multiplication, not simply knowledge.
4. CREATE ACTION STEPS AND MARKERS (10-15 minutes)Everyone needs clear next steps and focal points. What are the expectations before the next time everyone meets? Look for progress. It may be slow and hard, but over time they will make strides.
5. CONCLUDE AND PRAY (5-10 minutes)Model and teach them how to pray.
TOTAL TIME: 60-90 minutes
GROUP COVENANTAs you start the group, take time to establish the expectations and goals of your time together. From the beginning, explain that multiplication is the purpose for the group. Include in this document the ultimate goal of reproduction: what each participant experiences needs to be passed on to others in such a way that they can pass it on to others. You also need to clarify expectations about the work load, confidentiality and commitment to show up. Have these expectations and goals ready to handout at the first meeting. As you communicate this information, also make it clear that some of them may not be ready to join this group and that is okay. Give them a gracious way to exit the group with an open invitation in the future when they can commit.
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One of the most well-known and important passages in all of Scriptures is the Great Commission, found at the end of Matthew’s gospel. This command of Jesus, to his disciples and all believers, is the cornerstone of the Christian life. Yet, this foundational commission is often confused and misunderstood in the church today, resulting in a limited and often faulty picture of the Christian mission.
MATTHEW 28:18-2018 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
ULTIMATE GOAL Make disciples that make disciples Jesus provides the foundation and core of the Christian life through this passage when he commands them to “make disciples.” The rest of these verses unpacks how the disciples are to accomplish this task.
IMPERATIVES OF BEING AND MAKING DISCIPLESMISSION “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations...” This can be translated “go” or “as you are going.” Christ commissions the disciples to be on mission taking the good news around the world. Two thousand years later believers are still on that same assignment, that all peoples may hear.
EVANGELISM “...baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” The implication is that people are being saved. Disciples are to share the good news of the gospel as they go. Baptism was synonymous with salvation in the first century and Jesus is declaring that his followers will reach people with the lifesaving news of salvation.
DISCIPLESHIP “...teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” The focus here is not about education but on teaching for obedience. Many today have defined a disciple on how much they have learned about God. This is wrong! The teaching is only effective where there is obedience.
DISCIPLE-MAKING
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A DEFINITION OF DISCIPLE-MAKING A disciple is a fully committed follower of Christ that embraces the message of Jesus through spiritual growth and maturity, the mission of Jesus through penetrating lostness (missions and evangelism) and the method of Jesus through life on life spiritual multiplication.
THE GREAT COMMISSION MISSION DIAGRAM This diagram is not perfect in anyway, but it can help anyone see a better picture of what it means to become a disciple-maker as taken from the words of Scripture.
Another illustration of the process of making disciples can be demonstrated by an airplane. The fuselage and wings must all be working properly for the plane to fly. When the church is on mission, training in discipling and evangelizing the lost, then they are able to produce disciple-makers who replicate their faith in the lives of others.
Missions, evangelism or discipleship in and of themselves are not enough. The message of Christ involves all three of these working in the life of every individual believer. Remembering that the ultimate goal is always to be and make disciples of Christ who make disciples.
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While multiplication is exciting, we recognize there are a few misconceptions about how our effort and God’s grace work together. As we’ve interacted with followers of Christ throughout the years we’ve seen two dangers related to our effort and God’s grace.
DANGER OF LEGALISM Legalism is any attempt to earn God’s favor. It’s preoccupied with always striving to arrive at a destination but never getting there. We simply are never good enough when the focus is on earning. Legalism ultimately loses sight of what God has already done for us in Jesus.
DANGER OF “EASY BELIEVISM” This attitude completely removes the idea of effort from the Christian life and severs the connection of faith and works. Pushing a shallow view of “faith alone,” it makes faith nothing more than intellectual agreement or an isolated event. This belief argues that the life of the follower of Christ does not need to be changed by faith in Christ.
THE ANSWER The answer to both these dangers is the truth: worksare not required for conversion, but they are a mark of true conversion. Said another way, saving faith is transforming faith. Real faith will always produce a real change. Or as Dallas Willard has famously said, “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning.” (The Great Omission, 34)
DISCIPLINES IN MULTIPLICATION
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ARRIVING While many would agree with the connection of faith and works, most drift into a legalistic view of the spiritual disciplines. For many people spiritual disciplines are the way we “get closer” to God. They function as the way we have God pay attention to us. In this mindset, we assume we have not yet received what we need from God so we must work hard to get closer to him. Education and knowledge have become the means to our intimacy with Christ.
So what’s the answer to rejecting this arrival mentality?
ANSWER: Abide, don’t arrive. The truth about our identity in Christ is that we’ve already arrived. Through the forgiveness we have in Jesus Christ, we are in Christ. Our union means we have a connection through which forgiveness and his power flow into our lives.
Please don’t misunderstand us. The key to knowing and walking with God is not based on our current emotional status. Truly, we sometimes feel distant from God. In seasons of discouragement or difficulty it is very easy to feel far away from God. Despite how we feel, the truth is this: if you know Jesus, you are the beloved child of God. Abiding means we live in the truth that is in Jesus. In him we already have everything we need.
ABIDING VS. ARRIVING
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Did you notice the lines flowing from the inside of that circle? They represent our investment in others. When I abide in what Jesus has done for me, it frees me to invest sacrificially in the lives of others. This mindset also empowers us to love people with the same love Christ has showered on us.
While abiding is a call to continue or remain in Christ, it’s not passive. Here are four ways discipline and effort work in abiding.
ABIDEIn John 15, Jesus told the disciples that he is the vine and we are the branches. This illustration emphasizes our unending connection to Christ that begins at conversion. However, it also emphasizes how we are called to act. This is why Jesus gives the command to abide.
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DISCIPLINE IN ABIDING PARADIGMTo effectively abide, we exercise disciplines to:
1. REMEMBER This discipline functions as a means to help believers remember what they already have. Every day we are told we need more - more money, more recognition, more respect, more, more, more. The disciplines, such as scripture reading, remind us that we already have all we need.
2. ENJOY This discipline provides an avenue through which we experience what God has given us. Scripture memory, for example, becomes a way I not only remember but also taste and see that the Lord is good. I’m able to truly relish in the goodness of God’s grace.
3. APPLY Effort also gives me an opportunity to live in the power I’ve already been given. Discipline and hard work in God’s kingdom, then, is not an attempt to get closer to him, but rather a reaction to what he’s already done. Consequently, it’s not until I actually begin to obey God that I really experience and see his power.
4. MULTIPLY This discipline becomes an effective way to invest in others. As we abide in Christ, we have everything we need. At that point we are able to pour into others the peace and satisfaction we enjoy. In abiding, multiplication truly becomes an overflow of our relationship with Christ.
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SPIRITUALMULTIPLICATION SESSION 1
MATTHEW 28:18-20 (ESV)18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end ofthe age.”
MAKING DISCIPLESThe Great Commission describes the goal of the church as making replicating disciples. While it doesn’t directly define a disciple, the witness of the Bible sheds further light on what a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ actually entails. The Bible speaks to our identity in Christ (vertical relationship with God) and our Impact for Christ (horizontal relationship with others). When we speak of the vertical and horizontal relationships we are providing a picture of our intimacy with God and how that relates to our intimacy with others. This image will be seen throughout this material.
VERTICAL RELATIONSHIP: IDENTITY IN CHRIST When the Bible speaks of our relationship with God, it first speaks of humanity as alienated from God because of sin. This alienation not only carries the sentence of death, but also declares us enemies of God. Upon our repentance of sin and faith in Christ Jesus, however, God miraculously saves us from the sentence of death and adopts us as his own children.
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From this point forward, believers are given not only forgiveness and grace, but also a brand new identity. The Bible gives numerous descriptions to this identity in Christ. There are two key images we will examine here: adopted by Christ and united with Christ.
ADOPTED BY CHRIST Adoption speaks to the process God has undertaken to move us from being children without a home to children of the living God. This process does not result in us just merely being a part of God’s family, but an heir! This is a supernatural process which has occurred because of the completed work of Jesus. See Paul discuss this in his letter to the Romans:
ROMANS 8:12-1712 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
BEING A CHILD AND HEIR SPEAKS TO TWO ISSUES:
LOVING FATHER (Romans 8:15)Upon receiving Christ as savior, we are adopted as God’s child. This status means we can now relate to God as a loving father.
JOINT HEIR WITH JESUS (Galations 3:29, Romans 8:16-17)Part of being God’s child is also being an heir. We have a rich inheritance in Jesus Christ that begins when we put our faith in Christ and is fully realized when we meet him face to face at our death or his return.
UNITED WITH CHRISTUnion with Christ is the foundation for our identity in Christ. It refers to the relationship between the believer and Jesus Christ, emphasizing a connection each convert has with his or her savior. This connection is not only legal; it is also spiritual.
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ROMANS 6:1-7What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set freefrom sin.
LEGAL (Romans 8:1-4) Because we are connected to Christ by grace through repentance and faith, we receive his righteousness. Our legal standing because of Jesus, is not guilty.
SPIRITUAL (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19) There is also a connection to Christ through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the power within us which allows us to be who God has called us to be. We do not strive merely in our own strength but his. So what happened to Christ physically has happened to the believer spiritually– death and resurrection. Now believers have the power of the resurrection in the Spirit unleashed in their lives.
When we truly embrace our identity in Christ, at least four realities emerge. These truths change our life and future. 1 Corinthians 15 is a great chapter to read and study to reinforce these truths. These are truths to think about and rejoice in everyday.
1. WORTH (Romans 8:1-39; Ephesians 2:4-9; Matthew 6:25-34)We begin to find our sense of worth and value as a person in Christ. Our sense of importance or meaning doesn’t rest in a job or a paycheck or a resume, but our worth rests in Christ.
2. HOPE (1 Corinthians 13:13; Romans 15:13; Revelation 22:18-21) Another practical result of finding our identity in Christ is true hope. Our worth rests in Christ and our hope of fulfillment isn’t contingent upon what we have or who we are. Identity in Christ leads us to long for none other than Christ and his return.
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3. JOY (James 1:2-4; Philippians 1:3-5; 1 Peter 1:1-8)Joy is resting in the truth that Jesus is better. The person who finds his or her identity in Christ is the one who truly believes nothing will ever satisfy like Christ. There is a peace in Christ which allows us to deal with even the most difficult circumstances.
4. VICTORY (1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 2 Corinthians 2:14)Finally, identity in Christ ultimately leads to victory through Christ. We are resting our satisfaction and worth in Christ and our hearts do not long for lesser pleasures of this world or what our flesh has to offer. Instead, we are led to a victorious life as we pursue holiness.
REVERBERATEDiscuss how you are learning to live these out in your life. Take time to share your testimonies with one another.
HORIZONTAL RELATIONSHIPS: IMPACT FOR CHRISTThe Bible consistently moves from talking about our relationship with God to our relationships with others. In fact, it consistently teaches that this vertical relationship will have a significant influence on our relationships with others.
EPHESIANS 2:17-2217 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Here Paul connects the incredible goodness of God’s grace to our relationships with one another. The very unity of the church is not contingent on similarities or affinities among groups of people, but on Christ. In other words, our vertical relationship with God has a direct bearing on our horizontal relationships with others as they are now designed to be impacted by Christ.
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IMPACT FOR CHRISTImpact for Christ involves helping people discover and take the next step in their journey. Everyone has a next step he or she needs to take, spiritually speaking. For those who don’t know Christ, repentance of sin and faith in Christ is the first step. For those who do know Christ, we will never finish growing in our walk with the Lord this side of heaven. This is not to put us on a treadmill of performance trying to earn God’s favor, but rather to recognize the simple truth that we are called to follow Jesus.
LUKE 9:23-24 (ESV)23And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
True impact for Christ happens when we take the living and active word of God and invest it into the hearts of people. This living word is the lifesaving message of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection. Through applying the word to hearts, God continually retrains us to long for him and in so doing, changes our actions.
The primary way the vertical (relationship with God) influences the horizontal (relationship with others) is through shaping the goal of relationships. For the believer whose identity is in Christ, the goal of every connection they build is to see those relationships impacted for Christ. This impact consists of investing the words of Christ in the hearts of people. This investment is centered around remembering there are only two things eternal - the word of God and the souls of men and women. In other words, impact for Christ looks like continually investing the eternal word of God into the lives of others.
Family World
Impact for Christ
Church
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DISCIPLES MAKE DISCIPLES
One of the analogies Jesus used to describe this kind of investment in the lives of others was the parable of the sower. In Mark 4:1-9 Jesus describes this investment as seed sowing. The life-changing power of the gospel is sown into hearts and produces a crop.
Impact for Christ is sowing the gospel of Christ into the hearts of people. This happens in a variety of places and situations. Thethree places we will focus on will be our families, our churches and
the world.
SUMMARY: Multiplication happens when we live out and pass on a Christ-centered identity and impact.
DISCIPLE-MAKING IS SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION
A PICTURE OF MULTIPLICATIONAs each person begins to live out and pass on his or her faith, he or she entrusts this task to others. Once multiplication begins, the growth is exponential.
We each have and need different relationships in our lives. The icons in the image represent the different spheres of influence in our lives to make disciples at: home, church and in the world.
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WHAT IS SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION?Definition: Multiplication is living out and passing on the gospel to faithful people who will live it out and pass it on to others.
The task is not complete until the one invested in begins to live out and pass on his or her faith to others.
2 TIMOTHY 2:2 (ESV)“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teachothers also”
In this verse, Paul challenges Timothy to commit to a process of ministry multiplication. The key to understanding this ministry of multiplication is found in not only what he is told to do, but also in the way Timothy is told to do it. He is called to pass on his faith to those who will be able to pass it on to others. While Christ instructed the Apostles not to go to the Gentiles at first, we know the call to carry the gospel eventually extended to the entire world as recorded in Acts. This investing and sending out was the principle Jesus also modeled through his ministry. Jesus spent his earthly ministry investing in those who would, in turn, pass on this faith to others.In many ways, the church exists today because these disciples faithfully passed on the faith.
ACTS 1:8 (ESV)“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
DISCIPLE-MAKING LIVED OUT: TIME WITH GOD As you begin this journey, we want you to do a few things this week.
FIND TIME ON YOUR OWN TO PRAY to the Lord and ask him to refine you in this process. Pray that he will cleanse you of any sin in your life which would impede the work he wants to do in your life. Turn away from any sin in your life. Talk through this with your disciple-maker in your next meeting. If you don’t know how to pray, ask for help.
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BEGIN TO START THE RHYTHM of spending time with God every day. We want you to commit to find time every day. If this is new to you, don’t worry about how long; just begin to read something your disciple-maker provides from the scriptures every day.
SUGGESTION If you don’t know where to begin reading the Bible, start
with 1 John or John. They will both give you a great picture of the work of
God and the word of God. Talk with your disciple-maker about this next
week. Be honest about how your time went and don’t be afraid to ask
questions.
PREPARING FOR MULTIPLICATIONBegin to pray that God will bring you people for you to disciple when the
time is right. It is never too early to begin praying.
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SPIRITUALRHYTHMS SESSION 2
In session one, we discussed the focus of multiplication- living out and passing on identity and impact. In this session we want to discuss how we practically live this out. What are the keys to living out and passing on identity and impact for Christ? It starts by recognizing the heart is the key.
“Disciple-making is a matter of the heart”
THE HEART OF THE MATTERThe key to disciple-making is not following rules or even completing material; it is a matter of the heart. The Bible calls the heart the seat of actions. What our heart longs for eventually comes out in our actions.
LUKE 6:43-45 (ESV)43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Jesus explains that our actions flow from what our heart treasures or worships. For lasting and sustainable spiritual multiplication to occur, we must regularly allow God to minister to the needs of our souls.
MINISTRY TO THE HEART Feeding on the nourishment Christ provides for us in his word is the key for true, lasting heart change. In Psalm 19, David explains that applying the Bible to our hearts is the way God continually changes us from the inside out.
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PSALM 19:7-8 (ESV)7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
Notice the words David uses to describe the Bible’s effect on the heart or soul (it revives and rejoices). The Bible is this incredible, life-changing source of truth because it shares the goodness of God’s grace. From Genesis to Revelation, God is proclaiming the depth of his love for us in Christ. While the Bible is given to us as God’s communication to us, we still have a responsibility to engage with it to see lasting change.
OUR RESPONSIBILITYPHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 (ESV)12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
While acknowledging the power of God in our growth, Paul still commands us to work out our salvation. In other words, we have a responsibility to regularly nourish ourselves through fellowship with Christ in his word. This is consistent with Paul’s words in his letter to Timothy.
1 TIM. 4:7-8 (ESV)7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
In both places, Paul is calling believers to actually do something if true, lasting growth is going to happen. We believe the testimony in these verses, and the Bible as a whole is calling for spiritual disciplines in the life of every believer. We like to think of these as spiritual rhythms God calls us to live out and pass on.
SPIRITUALWHAT IS A RHYTHM? Most people function by way of routines in their
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life. They often find themselves doing things each day without even consciously thinking about the task at hand. It may involve getting ready in the morning, driving, cleaning up, or even doing work. These are helpful and are marked in the brain in a way that allows us to save cognitive energy for the non-routine components of the day: developing a new idea, study, or creating. Yet, most routines cannot build up other parts of a person’s life, they help complete the task at hand and that is all.
A rhythm is any sequence of regularly recurring functions or events. We have rhythms in our life every day. Like routines, they are repetitive and can function on autopilot. However, the difference is rhythms are often the building block for other systems. The rhythm of a heartbeat allows for the normal function of the blood through the body. The rhythm of a drumbeat allows the other instruments to play in concert with great precision.
WHY SPIRITUAL RHYTHMS?In our Christian life, routines are great, but we want to teach people rhythms to affect the other areas of their lives. Routines are regular repeated activities. We need routines in our spiritual life, but we need them to be more dynamic allowing them to become rhythms that affect all the areas of our lives and the lives of others. Spiritual rhythms are the heartbeat of the growing disciple. They are the foundation from which the Christian gains maturity. Without spiritual rhythms, the believer’s faith is often very hot and cold. When rhythms become routines, faith often turns into legalism. The focus shifts to checking the right boxes, but not continually allowing God to reshape the desires of the heart. As a believer it is so crucial to learn quickly and focus on the components of being a growing disciple.
There are so many things needed in the growth of a disciple, but teaching others to understand and live their identity in Christ-as well as their impact for Christ-is paramount to living as fully functioning disciples of Christ. A life dedicated to spiritual multiplication will develop ripples of faith (rhythms) into every other area of a person’s life and of the lives of those around them.
Each of these rhythms is meant to be a tool we use to live out and pass on our identity and impact. Our goal through this material is to make these rhythms the foundation of life. You can build on these and develop them into the next generation. In light of this, the five rhythms are grouped around the vertical and horizontal relationships.
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IDENTITY IN CHRIST (Vertical - Relationship With God) • Fellowship with God • Fighting for Holiness
IMPACT FOR CHRIST (Horizontal - Relationship With Others)• Impact at Home • Impact in Church • Impact in the World
OVERFLOW OF SPIRITUAL RHYTHMSWhile all the rhythms are important, there is a priority to the order. To understand why, it’s important to remember two ideas we’ve already discussed:
• Our Vertical relationship with God defines our Horizontal Relationships with others.• Ministry of the heart must precede changes in our actions.
This priority in the vertical and the heart is meant to be lived out from the overflow of God’s work in us. Jesus describes this as a well of living water.
JOHN 4:13-15 (ESV)13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
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Our relationship with God is primary to our relationships with others, making this an implicit priority in the rhythms. Namely, the rhythms relating to identity in Christ are foundational for the rhythms relating to impact for Christ. Thus, Fellowship with God and fighting for holiness serve as the foundation from which our investment in our families, churches and the world overflows.
This image shows the vertical and the horizontal relationships of the spiritual rhythms.
SUMMARY Spiritual Rhythms are tools God gives us to live out and pass on Christ-centered identity and impact. While all five rhythms are important, the rhythms relating to our vertical relationship are foundational for our horizontal relationships with others.
If the rhythms relating to identity in Christ are foundational, what does fellowship with God really look like? In the next session we will dig deeper into fellowship with God.
DISCIPLE-MAKING LIVED OUTEVALUATION OF YOUR CURRENT SPIRITUAL RHYTHMS
Take time this week to look through the rhythms of your week. Where can you make time for adding spiritual rhythms?
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WHEN AND HOW OFTEN EACH WEEK DO YOU...• Spend time with God?• Spend intentional spiritual time with family?• Spend time with believers in the church and corporate worship?• Spend time in sharing the good news and investing in missions?
Have you made time for these regularly in your life?Over the next few weeks we will be looking more at each ofthese components.
Ask the Lord to help you develop or build some rhythms in the areas of your spiritual weaknesses.
PREPARING FOR MULTIPLICATIONDon’t forget to be praying for the disciples you will be investing in soon.
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Session two identified five key spiritual rhythms we live out and pass on. These first two rhythms are the substance of what encourage our own Christ-centered identity. They impact and simultaneously function as the tools for multiplication. We also saw that there is a priority on the rhythms relating to identity in Christ. This session will unpack the first of these rhythms, fellowship with God.
KNOWING GODGod created us for a relationship with him. Once we repent of sin and place our trust in Christ, we are restored to a position where we can experience the richness and depth of knowing our redeemer and creator. This is the substance of what Paul prays for the Ephesian church here:
EPHESIANS 1:15-1815 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
GOD COMMANDS US TO DO A NUMBER OF THINGS IN THE BIBLE, BUT NONE IS AS IMPORTANT OR PRECIOUS AS KNOWING HIM.
Paul talks to the Ephesians about both growing in their knowledge of God and the depth of his glorious grace. Not only do we know God as his adopted children upon conversion (faith in Christ), but we also have an opportunity to grow in our understanding of who God is. God commands us to do a number of things in the Bible, but none is as important or precious as knowing him. In Knowing God, J. I. Packer explains how vital knowledge of God truly is:
FELLOWSHIPWITH GOD SESSION 3
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“Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul.”
This is consistent with the experience of the children of Israel. When they didn’t know God, they fell into horrible sin.
JUDGES 2:10-1110 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. 11 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals.
THE BIBLE AND KNOWING GODHow do we know God? The only way we can truly know God is if he makes himself known to us. Thankfully, that’s exactly what he’s done in the Bible.
2 TIMOTHY 3:16-1716 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Bible is God’s word, his communication to us. Not merely ideas or the thoughts of the author’s, but all the words of the Old and New Testaments are God’s words. God worked through the authors of the Bible in such a way that they were writing the words, but every single word is God’s.
The Bible is God’s word and is the primary way we fellowship with him. The key to good fellowship with God is consistently reading the Bible. Just like any relationship, the people you spend the most time with are the ones you know and many times love best. God is no different. The more we spend time reading the Scriptures, the better we will know the author.
It is foundational and absolutely necessary for every Christian to develop a rhythm of regular time with God in his word. Fellowship with God can only happen when we regularly spend time with God in his word.
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BASICS OF BIBLE READING A Process Started in Week 1There are three keys to understanding what you’re reading in the Bible as you fellowship with God:
ONE MESSAGE. The Bible has one main message: God, the main character, sends Jesus his son the hero to redeem people from their sins for his glory. Every passage you read points to this main message. We call this the gospel.
GENRES OF SCRIPTURE. Understanding the genre of Scripture is essential for interpretation. The Bible includes law, prophetic material, history, letters and apocalyptic literature. Each contributes to this main message in a special way. Understand what type of Scripture you are reading before you read it. You can consult a good study Bible for help with this.
INTENTION (PURPOSE) FROM THE AUTHOR. Every passage has a purpose from the author. While the Bible was written by men, through the process of inspiration, it originated from the mouth of God. Try to discern what the author is saying about this main message.
Note: Many make the mistake of asking, “what does this passage mean to you?” As stated above the passage has one central meaning, though it may have a host of applications into the lives of believers.
DAILY SPIRITUAL JOURNALGiven the importance of reading the Bible for daily fellowship with God, we encourage each believer to try to keep a daily spiritual journal. This journal will include observations about your reading, prayers of praise to God, points of application and prayer requests (see model below). Before we unpack each of these further, let us offer a few reasons why journaling is such an important discipline.
1. CONSISTENCY Reading the Bible is about fellowship with God. Just like fellowship with any other person, consistency is the key. A daily spiritual journal encourages consistency by getting you into a rhythm every day.
2. RECORDING VICTORIES By recording your prayer requests every day, you are able to see God’s response to these requests. A daily spiritual journal allows you the opportunity not only to record these requests, but also to note when they are answered.
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3. FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS Journaling gives you an easy answer to this question: “What is God teaching you?” You can have incredible fellowship with your spouse, children or other church members by pulling out your journal and sharing what you are learning.
In conjunction with journaling, we encourage a reading plan to take you through the Bible. To develop this rhythm, begin by developing a consistent time daily in the word.
What are going to be the greatest challenges for you to be consistent in keeping this spiritual journal? What can we do now to overcome these?
SAMPLE READING PLANS• Reading a few (3-4) chapters a day, the Bible can be read in a year.
• If you begin by reading a chapter a day, you will read through the Bible in about three years.
• Read through the New Testament and Proverbs in a year – Read one chapter a day.
• Read Psalms and Proverbs through monthly (Read five Psalms and one Proverb every day)
EXAMPLE: First of the month read Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121 & Proverbs 1…Pattern involves reading thr Psalm for that day of the month thenadd 30. See page 69 for helps on how to approach the Bible as you read. There are many routes you can take, but the key is to have a plan so you stay consistent.
MECHANICS OF JOURNALING Practically, there are three key questions we can ask ourselves every time we read the Bible. Recording the answers to these questions as we read the Bible provides an incredible opportunity for fellowship with God. These include the following headings and questions:
1. KNOWING GOD What is the author telling us about God and his plan of redemption in Jesus in this passage? Try to boil the meaning down to clear and concise statements in your journal.
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2. LOVING GOD How can I praise and worship God better after reading this passage? Write out your praise to God in the first and second person. “God I praise you for your loving-kindness.”
3. OBEYING GOD In light of what I’ve learned, what should I do differently? Is there a thought, attitude or action I need to repent of and replace? Be specific!
SPIRITUAL JOURNAL ENTRY (SAMPLE)DATE
BIBLICAL PASSAGE
(Before you read, Pray and ask God’s blessing on your time with him. Ask him to speak to you.)
Read the passages for the day. As you read,* write down the answers to these questions:
1. KNOWING GOD: What does this passage teach me about God and his plan of redemption?
2. LOVING GOD: How can I praise God in light of what he has shown me?
3. OBEYING GOD: How should I respond to what God has shown me?
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PRAYER NEEDS*You can write these thoughts down about a specific verse you read or about the passage as a whole.
Write down your prayer requests. Don’t just list your requests, but list specific things you are praying about. For example, just don’t write “mom” or “brother.” Write down specifically what you would like God to do in a situation: “mom-find a job” or “brother-do well in school.”
SUMMARY: A daily spiritual journal is a powerful way to experience real fellowship with God as we read the Bible.
LIVING IT OUT: SPIRITUAL JOURNAL Like a muscle, working through these questions will seem difficult at first, but will get easier the more you practice them.
PREPARING FOR MULTIPLICATIONDon’t forget to be praying for the disciples you will be investing in soon.
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This booklet is designed to help believers begin to multiply through living out and passing on their Christ-centered identity and impact. The way this happens in our daily lives is through living out and passing on five spiritual rhythms. One of the keys to living out the rhythms is to understand that the rhythms relating to identity are foundational. In session three, we unpacked the first of the rhythms relating to identity, fellowship with God. In this session, we will unpack the second rhythm, fighting for holiness.
HOLINESS OF THE BELIEVERHoliness can be defined as being pure or set apart. We know the perfect representation of holiness is Jesus Christ. This is why Paul describes the process of sanctification as conformity to Christ.
ROMANS 8:29 (ESV)29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
One of the signs of someone who’s finding his or her identity in Christ is that over time, he or she looks more like Christ. A person’s thoughts, attitudes and actions slowly begin to look like Jesus. Galatians 5:22-23 gives one of the best pictures of Christ likeness in the New Testament.
GALATIANS 5:22-23 (ESV)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
REVERBERATEWhich of these qualities are the most difficult for you?
FIGHTINGFOR HOLINESS SESSION 4
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Each of these characteristics should naturally flow out of someone’s life who’s finding his or her identity in Christ. This natural flow is the focus of the idea of abiding in Christ, found in John 15:1-11 (ESV).
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Both in Galatians and John, the Bible describes holiness in farming terms. This affirms a few things we’ve already discussed in session two (See Page 23):
1. MINISTRY TO THE HEART IS KEY From the root of our hearts, a crop of obedience is produced. As God changes our desires with a Spirit-empowered effort, our actions change as well (actions often follow hearing).
2. THE VERTICAL RELATIONSHIP IS THE FOUNDATION Our relationship with Christ is the foundation for every other relationship. There is an overflow from the vertical to horizontal.
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3. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY IN GROWTH While God conforms us to Christ, we have a responsibility as well. It is to that responsibility we unpack further.
HOW WE GROW IN HOLINESSTo understand our role in the fight for holiness, we first need to review and develop how we grow.
KNOW-LOVE-OBEYJOHN 14:2121 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Jesus establishes a connection between obeying God and loving God. It only makes sense. The more I love God, the more I will want to submit to his authority. Here is the question: how do I grow in my love for God? The only way we grow in our love for God is by knowing God better and trusting him more. Faith is not only how we are saved, but how we continue to grow. The only way we grow in our trust of God is by continually feeding on the promises and truth of God’s word through fellowship with him. This should sound familiar because it’s exactly what we talked about in sessions two and three in our need for fellowship with God. So the more I know and trust God, the more I love God. The more I love God, the more I obey him. The more I obey him, the more time I spend in fellowship with him. The more time I spend with God, the better I know him. Thus a wondrous triangle is created.
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THE BATTLEGROUND OF OUR THOUGHT LIFEBecause the growth progression is kicked off by knowing God, we need to understand that the battleground for a growing trust is indeed our thought life. Your thought life is the battleground for both your attitude and your actions.
“YOUR THOUGHT LIFE IS THE BATTLEGROUND FOR BOTH YOUR ATTITUDE AND YOUR ACTIONS.”
This passage in Romans 12:2 points to this reality.2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Paul connects a renewing of our minds to a transformation of our lives. Renewal means God is refreshing our minds, enabling us to see the truth clearly. So the battle to see our lives transformed is fought at the level of our thoughts. This is also the focus of Paul’s admonition in Colossians 3:2-3.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
The key to winning the battle for our thoughts is to dominate our thinking with the truth of God’s word on a daily basis. As I catch myself allowing thoughts of anger or bitterness or lust to enter my brain, the key is to immediately take these captive to Christ. This is what Paul was saying in 2 Corinthians 10:5.
TAKING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Before we turn to the rhythm we will encourage in this session, we want to discuss what we should do when we find ourselves in sin. While God does give us the ability to win the battle with sin, this doesn’t always happen. What should we do when we lose the battle with sin?
REVERBERATEWhat does your thought life look like? If we were to look at what your dwelling on or thinking on in a week, what would that reveal?
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DISCIPLINE OF REPENTANCEHOW WE PROCESS SIN Repentance is replacing deception and sin with truth and obedience. When we are confronted with sin and see that we have lost the battle, here are the five steps this definition encourages us to take:
1. STOP SINNING IMMEDIATELY Whether that’s an attitude, a thought pattern or action, repentance begins with stopping sin. For example, if you catch yourself gossiping, stop immediately.
2. REJECT DECEPTION Behind every sinful action and spiritual defeat is a lie we have believed. This lie has caused us to believe that something other than Christ will satisfy, which in turn has led to our actions. Part of repentance is identifying this lie and rejecting it. In the case of gossip, many of us may believe sharing one piece of juicy information may make us look good in others’ eyes. Reject this lie.
3. BELIEVE THE TRUTH Once the lie has been identified, replace it with the truth. The primary truth we must return to over and over again is that Jesus is better than anything else. Reminding ourselves that Jesus is better is the way we turn the corner back towards obedience in the process of repentance. In the case of gossip, reject the need for self-promotion and embrace the reality that Christ is all you need.
4. START OBEYING Once I trust that Christ will completely satisfy my heart, I must live that out through obedience to God and his word. In the case of gossip, use your words to edify and encourage those around you.
5. FIND ACCOUNTABILITY Part of the importance of meeting in a small group as you work through this material is to help provide biblical accountability in your life. Every person needs people (of the same gender) who will invest in their life and ask them the hard questions concerning sin and spiritual growth.
Sin
1 Stop Sinning2 Reject Deception3 Believe the Truth4 Start Obeying5 Find AccountabilityS
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While we may lose battles in our struggle with sin, we indeed win the war because of the finished work of Christ. This daily battle for holiness is centered in the mind and is constant. The Bible is where we continually feed our thought life. We now turn to the key rhythm we want to encourage in the fight for holiness.
LIVING IT OUT: There are two ways we’d encourage you to start fighting for holiness.
1. Begin memorizing a verse a week to fight the battle at the thought level. (See a simple method of Scriptural memorization below)
2. Identify key areas of struggle in your life and share them with each other.
REVERBERATEWho is God leading you to pass this on to?
BENEFITS OF SCRIPTURE MEMORYDEALING WITH TEMPTATION Scripture memory, in some ways, keeps a Bible open in your mind all the time. It is often the case that when we are most tempted, we are not in church or around our Bibles. Committing verses to memory keeps us connected to the Word throughout the day.
SHARING THE GOSPEL Committing verses of scripture to memory is a great resource when sharing Christ with the lost. Many times in the midst of conversation, God will bring to mind verses you’ve memorized to share with a person.
LEARNING THE BIBLE Memorizing key verses throughout the Bible can help us remember where things are found. By memorizing one verse in an important Old Testament story, we can remember where that story is found.
PROCESS FOR SCRIPTURE MEMORY IDENTIFY A VERSE TO MEMORIZE Sometimes this verse will come from your daily Bible journaling or a sermon you hear. The most effective way to identify verses is through reflecting on specific needs you have in your fight for holiness. Once you’ve identified a
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particular need, memorize a verse of Scripture which helps you trust the truth you need to live. We’d recommend keeping a running list in your journal of verses you want to memorize.
MEDITATE ON THE MEANING OF EACH WORD We are not just encouraging memory of scripture so you can say the words but because it helps us really grasp the meaning. Take time to consider what each phrase means at a deeper level.
MEMORIZE THE VERSE PHRASE BY PHRASE Try to take a phrase a day, adding a new phrase each day. For example, if it’s John 3:16, you’d start the first day by memorizing, “John 3:16… For God so loved the world.” Try to say that phrase 30 times throughout the day.
MEMORIZE THE REFERENCE at the beginning and end of the verse. Be sure to include the scriptural reference at the beginning and end of the verse as you memorize it.
MEMORIZE THE VERSE WORD PERFECT Many people never get scripture memory down because they don’t learn the verses word perfect. Fight to memorize them without stumbling or stammering. It may be helpful to write it on note cards that you can review regularly.
ATTACH SCRIPTURE MEMORY TO A MUNDANE ACTIVITY Find a daily and rudimentary task during which you can memorize and meditate on scripture. For example, you might memorize verses while you drive or shave.
REPEAT THE SCRIPTURE over and over. Write it from memory.
MEMORIZE A VERSE OF SCRIPTURE A WEEK Have a weekly pattern of identifying and memorizing a verse. One verse each week will help you memorize more than 50 a year. How amazing will knowing over 50 verses by heart be in your life?
After memorizing eight verses, rotate the first out for a new one. Once a month, try to come back to verses you’ve phased outand review.
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KEY VERSES: Glorify the Lord
Glorify - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Love - 1 John 3:16
Obedience - John 14:21
Rejoice - Philippians 4:4
Intercession - Colossians 4:12
Faith - Hebrews 11:6
Youth - 1 Timothy 4:12
Thanksgiving - 1 Thessalonians. 5:16-18
Hindrances - Mark 4:19
Encouragement - Ephesians 4:29
Lordship - Matthew 7:21
Others - Philippians 2:3-4
Rebirth - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Discipline - Hebrews 12:1
SUMMARY: The fight for holiness starts with our minds. Scripture memory and meditation is essential.
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This booklet is designed to help believers begin to multiply through living out and passing on their identity in Christ and impact for Christ. This happens in our daily lives through living out and passing on the five spiritual rhythms. Session five marks the first of three sessions focusing on our horizontal relationships with others in which we want to have a Christ-centered impact. While the rhythms relating to identity are foundational for multiplication, the rhythms relating to impact are vitally important. Impacting your family means helping each member take the next step through ministry to the heart. This session will provide a biblical foundation and strategies for investing the Word into the hearts of your family members. Before we jump into talking about impacting the family specifically, lets review Christ-centered impact.
IMPACT FOR CHRISTImpact for Christ is helping people take the next spiritual step through ministering to the heart. Everyone has a next step he or she needs to take, spiritually speaking.
• For those who don’t know Christ, repentance of sin and faith in Christ is the first step.
• For those who do know Christ, we never finish growing in our walk with the Lord.
This is not to put us on a treadmill of performance trying to earn God’s favor, but rather to recognize the simple truth that we are called to follow Jesus.
LUKE 9:23-24 (ESV)23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
True impact for Christ happens when we take the living and active word of God and invest it into the hearts of people. This living Word
IMPACTINGAT HOME SESSION 5
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is the life-saving message of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection. Through applying the Word to hearts, God continually retrains us to long for him and in so doing, changes our actions.
IMPACT AT HOMEThere are a variety of relationships where we are called to help others take the next step. The first set of relationships we will discuss is the family. We will start by addressing an important question concerning God’s plan for family.
Everyone working through this material finds himself or herself in a different life stage. No matter your present life stage: single young adult, married, empty nester, divorced, widowed… understanding God’s plan and purpose in the family is foundational to understanding life in Christ.
Modeling and passing on spiritual legacy in the family is a foundational aspect of what it means to live out the gospel. Families that understand God’s truths and abide by them demonstrate to the world his love for his bride, the church.
BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FAMILYThere are two ways the Family is meant to help people take the next step spiritually.”
1. FAMILY-PICTURE OF THE GOSPEL After explaining that God created the woman from the rib of the man, Moses, under the inspiration of the Spirit, provides some divine commentary about the nature of the family.
GENESIS 1:24-25 (ESV)24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
At a basic level, a marriage between a man and a woman is meant to be the foundation of a healthy family. This foundation is established through two different people becoming united physically and spiritually. When a husband and wife are united in a singular purpose, only then can a family thrive and flourish. But what is this purpose for which they are to be united? Paul addresses this in his letter to the Ephesians.
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EPHESIANS 5:22-27 (ESV)22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
• BIBLICAL UNION The union of a man and woman is meant to illustrate Christ’s relationship to his bride, the church.
• BIBLICAL ROLES God has given different roles to men and women. But, while men and women have different roles, God sees them as equals in their status. This means that while there is no hierarchy in God’s grace, there are distinctions in what God has called each of us to.
• BIBLICAL SERVANT LEADERS Men have been given the responsibility of leading in their homes. Leadership for men is focused on modeling their love for their wives after Christ’s love for the church. This love led our savior to offer his life in our place. Men lead with this kind of sacrificial love, putting the needs of his wife ahead of his very own. Christ nourished and cared for the church; as servants, men are to provide that same care for their wives. Servant leadership is not passive, but graciously takes on the responsibility God has given men. Men are servants and do not lead as domineering authoritarians, but with kindness and compassion.
• WIVES Women are to follow the leadership of their husbands. This does not mean women have no say or input in the direction of the home but that they are to be submissive to the leadership their husbands provide. Fundamentally, Paul exhorts women in this role so they would not compromise the leadership of their husbands since they are the ones God holds accountable for the home.
When men and women embrace the purpose and roles God has provided in marriage, they present a beautiful illustration of Christ’s love not only in their immediate family but also the world.
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REVERBERATEMEN: How are you doing as a servant leader? Are you guiding your wife financially, romantically and spiritually?
LADIES: How are you doing in submitting to your husbands leadership?
SINGLE: If you are desirous of getting married, how do these passages inform how your looking to get married?
2. FAMILY-VEHICLE FOR PASSING ON THE FAITHThe family is an instrument God uses to pass on the faith to the next generation. Through the investment between and from parents, children are to be pointed to Christ. There are at least two significant places this is taught in the Bible.
DEUTERONOMY 6:4-7 (ESV)4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Moses charges parents not only to love God with everything they have, but also to pass this love on to their children. This passing on is not meant to be an isolated activity which happens once a week in a church building, but a consistent investment woven into the fabric of the life of a family. Paul gives further light into how this should happen.
EPHESIANS 6:1-4 (ESV)1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
From Paul’s instruction both to children and parents, we can deduce the following:
• Parents are to instill a respect for authority in their children. Children are commanded to obey their parents not just outwardly,
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but with a deep, inward respect and honor. Parents must work hard to instill a submission to authority in children. This includes consistently and lovingly teaching why this is right and good. This reverence for authority is essential because as children develop, their view of authority will condition how they view the authority God has over them.
• Parents are not to use emotional manipulation as a parenting strategy. This does not mean emotions aren’t involved in the process of discipline and teaching. It does mean parents do not resort to tactics which rely on using fear or guilt as a motivation for obedience.
• Parents must look to the Bible as the ultimate parenting guide. A biblical approach to parenting centralizes the word of God in and through all decision making. The gospel is the focus of the family. Parents primary objective involves shepherding the hearts of their children, not just their actions. This means parents are going beyond just behaviors and correcting the heart motivations which lead to these actions in their children.
Now with a basic biblical foundation in place, let’s move to talking about what the actual rhythm of impacting the family looks like.
RHYTHM OF IMPACTING THE FAMILYThe key principle behind true Christ-centered impact is helping members of your family take the next spiritual step through ministry to the heart. Here are three practical ways you can do this. If you are single or do not have children these may not seem applicable today, but they might be someday.
RELATIONSHIP WITH SPOUSE This booklet can serve as a great tool to help you encourage your spouse to take the next step. Multiplication starts at home as you spur one another on to live out and pass on Christ-centered identity and impact. The way ministry to the heart happens is through investing the Word of God into people’s lives. Here are three practical ways you can invest the word into the lives of your family members.
• Set a daily time to talk as a couple about your fellowship with God and pray. This can be a five-minute meeting in the evening or first thing in the morning. The key is simple-build a rhythm of talking with your spouse about what you are reading in your daily
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time of fellowship with God. Not only does this provide ongoing encouragement, but also it provides gentle accountability between one another as you seek to make Christ the center of the home. Once you’ve talked about your fellowship with God, pray together.
• Set a weekly time to plan family worship. You need to identify a weekly time to “quarterback” your family worship for the week. This can be a great opportunity to talk about the spiritual condition of your children.
• Set a rhythm for your family to have other believers and nonbelievers in your home. Try to make a habit of opening your home to other members of your church and families in the community who do not know Christ. The frequency on this activity can vary, but the key is to make sure your home is being used to help others take the next step. We suggest trying to start this monthly.
RELATIONSHIP WITH CHILDREN Look for daily opportunities to shepherd hearts. As was pointed out in Deuteronomy 6, the investment from parents is not an isolated event on a Sunday morning. Every day, try to find at least one opportunity to minister to your child’s heart by pointing him or her to Christ. This, of course, begins with prayerfully leading your children to accept Christ as Savior and Lord.
• DAILY BIBLE READING AND PRAYER There are a variety of good Bibles for children of all ages; find a daily time to read with them. Depending on the age of your children, this may happen at night or in the morning.
• CATECHESIS As you become more confident in your plan for impacting your children, you may want to consider doing some type of formal catechesis. This is a simple training technique in which you teach your children how to answer fundamental beliefs of the Christian faith. Through this question-and-answer format, you can teach your children basic theology and a biblical worldview.
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY: FAMILY WORSHIP Trying to engage in weekly family worship is a great way to help your family take the next step. A typical weekly family worship can include the following elements:
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• WORSHIP SONGS Select some songs all members of your family can sing. Youtube has a number of great options and even provides the words on the screen so you can sing along.
• STRUCTURE PRAYER Try to have some items of prayer you can focus on weekly. This can include pressing concerns for your immediate family or things going on in the world. One great item to pray for weekly is the work of international missions.
• SCRIPTURE READING Select an ongoing scripture you can read with your family. Depending on the age of your children, this can be more advanced.
• BIBLE STORY TO ACT OUT With younger children, select a Bible story you can have them act out. Through acting out the story, you involve them and familiarize them with the great truths of scripture.
Make sure you and your spouse talk beforehand about this family worship time and share in the leadership of the different elements.
RELATIONSHIP WITH PARENTS If you still live at home under the authority and leadership of your parents, you are called to embrace Ephesians 6:1-4. Someday you will be in a place to lead your own household and these are the days that forge the kind of spouse and parent you will be someday.
KEY REMINDERS FOR THOSE UNDER THEIR PARENTS ORGUARDIANS AUTHORITY:
• Make sure to give the honor due to your parents/guardian
• Learn from your parents in their strengths and weaknesses
• Model Christian living even if your parents/guardians do not
• Pray for those in authority over you
HOW TO MAKE CHANGE: All these may seem like too much for your marriage or family to take on. A great technique is to just pick one thing you can begin to do this week and build off that. Don’t change everything; just start somewhere. See the impact family template and begin the process of changing your family.
REVERBERATEWho is God leading you to pass this on to?
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LIVING IT OUTIMPACT FAMILY TEMPLATEHere is a simple way to track your plan. Use the template below to think through how to do this together.
PLAN FOR IMPACTING SPOUSE Daily time for fellowship with God conversation __________________Weekly time for family worship planning _______________________Rhythm of opening home to others ____________________________
PLAN FOR IMPACTING CHILDREN Daily God moments ________________________________________Daily Bible reading-which book and when? ______________________Catechesis-which one and when? _____________________________(Catechesis is basic Christian religious education of children and adult converts to Christianity.)
PLAN FOR FAMILY WORSHIP Day of the week/time _____________________________________Songs ________________________________________________Prayer items ______________________________________________Scripture reading __________________________________________
PLAN FOR IMPACTING THE CHURCH (RHYTHM 4)How will your family serve? ________________________________When will your family serve? _________________________________Prayer Items for the church __________________________________People to bless in the church _________________________________
PLAN FOR IMPACTING THE WORLD (RHYTHM 5)Who is your family praying for (Top 5)? ________________________ ________________________________________________________
Everyone picking someone to share the gospel with _______________________________________________________________________
Unreached people to adopt and pray for. ________________________________________________________________________________
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This booklet is designed to help believers begin to multiply through
living out and passing on their Christ-centered identity and impact.
The way this happens in our daily lives is through living out and
passing on five spiritual rhythms. Session six marks the second of
three sessions focusing on Christ-centered impact rhythms. While
the rhythms relating to identity are foundational for multiplication,
the rhythms relating to impact are equally important. Impact
for Christ is helping people take the next spiritual step through
ministry to the heart. One of the places God has called us to carry
out this task is in the lives of other believers in a local church.
RHYTHM
Helping other believers take the next spiritual step in a local church.
To unpack this, we need first to explain what a church is and why
it’s essential for this rhythm.
WHAT IS A CHURCH?“A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous
local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in
the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances
of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and
privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the
gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under
the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a
congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ
as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.”
- Baptist Faith and Message 2000
BAPTIZED BELIEVERS (Matt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 12)
The Church is comprised of a group of believers who are in the
world but not of it. The result is a separate, distinct group who
steps out of the world in testimony of the coming kingdom of God.
IMPACTINGBELIEVERS SESSION 6
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Baptism is each individual’s opportunity to profess Christ as Lord
before the congregation and the world. It’s also a simultaneous
invitation for encouragement and discipline.
The Bible uses the image of a body to describe the nature of the
church. Through this image, Paul tells us that each member of
the body has a contribution through the gifting of the Holy Spirit.
Thus, if God is calling a person to be a part of a local church, he
is simultaneously calling him or her to commit to and serve in the
body.
BELIEVING AND COMMUNICATING THE GOSPEL
A local church should have a sound theology that makes absolutely
clear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This should include four key truths:
1. God the creator is holy.
2. Humans, the creation, are sinful and deserving of death.
3. Jesus Christ the savior takes the penalty for humanity and
rises again on the third day.
4. Repentance and Faith are how we receive Christ’s forgiveness
and grace.
PREACHING OF THE WORD (2 Tim 3:16-17)
The clear proclamation of the Bible should be a weekly occurrence
for the church. The Bible is the primary means God uses to
communicate, convict and empower. Thus, every person stands in
desperate need of not only hearing the Bible taught corporately,
but also being instructed on how to read the Bible for himself or
herself.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORDINANCES (Rom 6:1-12; 1 Cor 11:17-34)
There are two ordinances given by our Lord, baptism and the
Lord’s Supper. Baptism, preceded by faith in Christ, is the moment
in time someone publicly professes Christ as Lord. Baptism is for
believers only through immersion in water only. The Lord’s Supper
is a remembrance and re-declaration of Christ as Lord. Through
the administration of the elements, believers are reminded of the
sacrifice of Christ and their commitment to him. The Lord’s Supper
should only be celebrated by baptized believers.
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QUALIFIED LEADERSHIP (2 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 6:1-7)
There are two officers identified in the New Testament-Pastors
(or Elders) and Deacons. Pastors are entrusted with the preaching,
leadership and care of the members. Deacons are entrusted
with service of the physical needs of the body for the purpose of
allowing pastors to focus on spiritual leadership.
REVERBERATE• How’s your church doing in these areas?
• Where are they excelling?
• Where can they improve?
• How can you pray for and encourage your church?
WHY THE CHURCH?Couldn’t we just invest in other believers without being an active
member of a local church? Here are a few reasons why it’s
important to invest in other believers through a local church.
1. THE PREACHING OF THE WORD (2 Tim 3:16-17)
Corporately it provides a foundation around which a body of believers
can be edified and truly worship. Through this preaching ministry, the
believer’s fellowship with God is amplified and encouraged.
2. AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY (Heb 10:24-25)
Authentic community occurs in a church in which clear standards
for accountability are established through membership. Through
these clearly accepted standards, believers can be shepherded by
qualified pastors/elders.
3. INVESTMENT (Rom 12)
In the context of a healthy local church, it is essential the believers
reproduce and pass on what God is teaching them. One of the
primary ways this happens is through the spiritual gifting given
to each believer. The church provides an important “lab” in which
to discover and explore your unique, individual spiritual gift. It is
important to take time to find your spiritual gifting.
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4. ACCOUNTABILITY (Matt 18)
To ensure we live in accordance with the precepts of God, he
has given us his word and the church (body of Christ) to hold us
accountable and speak into our lives when we find ourselves off
that path.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Given these reasons, we want to encourage every follower of Christ
who wants to live out and pass on a Christ-centered identity and
impact to be a member of a local church. Membership is simply
a commitment of investment in two directions. On the one hand,
membership is a commitment to invest in one another on the part
of the one joining. You are committing to invest your life into the
people of the church through your resources: time, treasure and
talent. On the other hand, membership is also a commitment to
invest in the members on the part of the church. The church and its
leaders are committing to invest in the one joining.
Now with a working understanding of the nature of the church and
why she is so important, we need to talk a bit more about what the
Bible has to say about how we are to invest in one another in the
context of a local church.
FIVE TYPES OF INVESTMENTThere are at least five types of investment in which the Bible calls
believers to engage. You can use the word “BIBLE” to remember
these types of investment.
B BUILDING UP (Eph 4:15, 29 ESV)15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every
way into him who is the head, into Christ, 29 Let no corrupting talk
come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up,
as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Paul explains that our investment in each other should result in being built up. Our relationships with other believers should always spur one another on to maturity. This maturity, of course, is a multiplying believer.
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I INSTRUCT OR ADMONISH (Col 3:16 ESV)Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
To admonish means to warn or instruct. Part of our investment in one another should include warnings of the dangers of sin. For true biblical community to occur, we have to be willing to say hard things to one another. This includes pointing out blind spots and areas of disobedience.
B BEARING BURDENS (Gal 6:2 ESV)Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
One of the ways love manifests itself between believers is through bearing one another’s burdens. This means that when fellow believers have a struggle or crisis, we come alongside them and help them stand. Help in this context can include praying for them, providing resources they need or just listening.
L LOVE (Rom 12:10 ESV)Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Love is one of the most misunderstood terms in our culture. Biblically, love is not a set of feelings (though feelings are involved) but rather a setting of affections. Love between believers means there’s a commitment to care for one another’s spiritual wellbeing no matter the cost.
E EXHORT (Heb 3:13)But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
To exhort is to encourage or earnestly support. While admonishment focuses on warning of dangers, exhortation is the practice of pointing to areas of success and victory. Authentic community is not only a
warning of danger, but a celebration of victory.
Given these forms of biblical investment, what does it look like to
help other believers practically take the next step in a local church?
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One way you can grow in these areas listed above is to apply these
truths in your own life regularly and work to invest in the lives of
other members of your church body as well.
REVERBERATEWhen have you experienced this type of investment?
When have you invested in someone else like this?
Multiplication Reminder: Who is God leading you to invest
in? Are you praying for them daily?
THE RHYTHM APPLIED – FOUR R’SHere are four elements of sustainable investment in other believers
in a local church:
REPLICATION The point of your fellowship with one another should
be to spur one another on to live out and pass on a Christ-centered
identity and impact. The act of investing in one another is a part of
this process, but our relationships with one another should always
encourage us to pass on our faith to others.
RHYTHMS The way you will consistently help one another take
the next step is through focusing on the five spiritual rhythms
this booklet outlines. Through regularly talking about these five
rhythms, you can focus your conversation on the very things you
need to live out and pass on.
RELATIONSHIPS If you are going to help one another take the next
step, you must be vulnerable with one another and willing to lead
and coach at the right time.
Be vulnerable. It is impossible to truly bear one another’s burdens
and truly pray for one another if you don’t know what’s going on in
each other’s lives. Vulnerability breeds vulnerability.
PRAYERFUL COACHINGAs your relationship grows, prayerfully consider how you can help one another live out the five spiritual rhythms. There may be a specific challenge or hang-up one or both of you are having with some of the rhythms. Prayerfully consider how you coach one
another through these challenges.
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REGULAR ACCOUNTABILITY Consistency may be the most
important ingredient. It’s not enough to have this type of
investment haphazardly or every once in a while. Real community
and coaching doesn’t happen apart from meeting regularly. We
recommend meeting weekly with other believers in worship, Bible
study and disciple-making.
LIVING IT OUT: IMPACTING BELIEVERS FRAMEWORK
Take the first session and try to share it with another
person over a cup of coffee or lunch. Through this
conversation, try to help them catch a vision for
multiplication. Once you’ve begun meeting regularly, here’s a
sample of what your time could look like. Use these questions as
guide each week.
GENERAL
• We recommend trying to meet weekly and at the very least
every other week.
• Talk about what’s been going on since you met last.
Hint: this person is not a project, get to know them. This time at the
beginning just to chat is important.
RHYTHM 1: FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
• What has God been teaching you in your daily time with Him?
• Are there questions you have about what you’ve read?
Hint: Come with a few observations from your spiritual journal you
can share. The best thing to do as you’re spending time with God
each day is to note observations or insights you’d like to share
during your time together.
RHYTHM 2: FIGHT FOR HOLINESS
• Where have each of you experienced victory in your walk with
the Lord this week?
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• Where have each of you experienced defeat in your walk with
the Lord this week?
• Did you memorize the verse for this week?
Hint: This is where real authentic community will either thrive or die.
If you are not open about what’s going on in your life, you cannot
expect anyone else to be open.
RHYTHM 3: IMPACTING THE FAMILY (Answer All that apply)
• How have you invested in your spouse spiritually this week?
• How have you invested in your children this past week?
• How have you submitted to your parents?
• How have you served your family?”
Hint: Remember that marriage is the foundation for a stable home.
Focus first on talking about your marital relationship and then talk
about children. If you or the person you are spending time
with is single, talk about how they are relating to parents or
potential spouses.
RHYTHM 4: IMPACTING BELIEVERS
• How are you praying for your church?
• How are you investing in the church through time, treasure
and talents?
• What’s the next step each of us needs to take this week?”
Hint: In many ways, the very act of meeting with a believer is a
fulfillment of Rhythm 4. Spend time talking about how they are
investing in other members of the body.
RHYTHM 5: IMPACTING THE LOST
• Did you have an opportunity to share the gospel this past week?
• Who are you prayerfully asking God to open a door of
conversation with?
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Hint: The key here is to continually provide accountability for one
another about verbally sharing the gospel.
Continue to pray and think about multiplication. Who are you going
to approach about investing and to whom are you going to pass
along these rhythms?
BUILD THIS INTO YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNAL One way to build this into your time with the Lord daily is to ask
yourself how you are doing on a weekly basis in these areas. You
can model this one of several different ways.
WEEKLY
Dedicate a specific time each week and work through these
questions
DIVIDE UP DAILY
Daily pick a different question and work through all of them over a
weekly period
MONTHLY
If you are too busy to do this weekly, then set a day of the month to
review these questions
See the next page for a sample outline of weekly questions for
spiritual growth.
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SAMPLE: WEEKLY QUESTIONS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
SUNDAY – Spiritual Preparation for the Week What do I want God to do in my life/family/church this week?
MONDAY – RHYTHM 1 Fellowship with God – How can I love God more?
TUESDAY – RHYTHM 2 Fight for Holiness – Is there sin in my life I am not dealing with? Is there a victory I can celebrate?
WEDNESDAY – RHYTHM 3 Impacting the Family – What can I do to demonstrate and show Gods love to my family?
THURSDAY – RHYTHM 4 Impacting Believers – Who can I impact in my church this week?
FRIDAY – RHYTHM 5 Impacting the World – Who am I going to share the Good News of Jesus with this week?
SATURDAY – SPIRITUAL REVIEW FOR THE WEEK What is something God did in my life this past week?
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This booklet is designed to help believers begin to multiply through living out and passing on their Christ-centered identity and impact. The way this happens in our daily lives is through living out and passing on five spiritual rhythms. Session seven marks the third of three sessions focusing on Christ-centered impact rhythms. While the rhythms relating to identity are foundational for multiplication, the rhythms relating to impact are vitally important. Impact for Christ is helping people take the next spiritual step through ministry to the heart. The final place we want to encourage this kind of impact is through investment in people who do not know Christ.
RHYTHM: Helping the lost take the next spiritual step
To begin to understand the way we invest in the lost, we need a basic understanding of our problem and God’s solution.
OUR PROBLEM AND GOD’S SOLUTION The Problem: The Human Condition
Every human being is totally depraved; that is, our thoughts, attitudes and actions are focused on gratification of self rather than glorification of God. Read how the Bible describes this depravity.
ROMANS 3:9-23 (ESV)9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who
IMPACTINGTHE LOST SESSION 7
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are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it - 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
There are at least three truths which emerge from this text:
1. HUMANS WANT TO SIN We do not seek God but rather our own interests. The result is that we willingly choose disobedience and self-gratification.
2. HUMANS HAVE TO SIN We have no other option but sin. Even if we wanted to (which we don’t), we can’t keep ourselves from sinning. It is our nature.
3. HUMANS WILL DIE BECAUSE OF SIN We cannot be justified in God’s sight because of our sin. Sin results in death under the wrath of a just and holy God.
4. THE SOLUTION: CHRIST If our condition leads to death because we want to sin and have to sin, then how do we get out of this? Paul continues to explain that Christ took the penalty for our sin on himself. Jesus accomplishes this for us through his sacrifice on the cross.
ROMANS 3:23-26 (ESV) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
The key word in this passage is “propitiation,” which means to satisfy or appease. Christ both satisfied God’s wrath towards our sin and simultaneously makes it possible for us to be forgiven. As we discussed in session one (talking about identity), this forgiveness is
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not only rescue from the penalty of sin, but also adoption as a child of God. But this forgiveness requires a response. Notice how Paul continues to explain how we must respond.
ROMANS 10:9 (ESV)9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Paul explains that there is a two-fold response which is required to experience forgiveness. First, inherent within confessing Jesus as Lord is the idea that I’m turning over control of my life to Christ. This turning is described in other places as repentance. This doesn’t imply that I’m perfect hereafter, never to sin again; it does reflect an attitude of total allegiance to Christ.
Second, believing Christ has risen from the dead is fixing our faith on the victorious savior. The resurrection of Christ is the culmination of his finished work on the cross. Paul’s call to trust that Jesus has risen is simultaneously a call to trust that Christ has died for our sins. Thus, faith in Christ is also an essential response to the gospel.
In summary, though God is perfect and humans are deserving of death because of sin, Christ takes the punishment meant for us through his death on the cross. Upon Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we are called to respond to him in repentance and faith if we are to experience his forgiveness.
In light of this, how do we invest in people who do not know Christ so we can help them take the next step?
RHYTHM APPLIED Every time we invest in someone who doesn’t know Christ, we have three goals: love, faithfulness and clarity.
LOVEOne of the quickest ways to ruin our investment in non-believers is to treat them like a project. Our motive for sharing with the lost is love for God and love for them. This is what Jesus meant when he was asked for the greatest commandment.
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MATTHEW 22:36-40 (ESV)36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Our desire to share the gospel with the lost should be driven by a heart which longs for them to know the one true God. When we are motivated this way, we build relationships with people rather than just seeing them as projects.
FAITHFULNESSTrue faithfulness to share the gospel begins by recognizing our role and God’s role in salvation. We are called to faithfully share the gospel and then trust God with the fruit. Notice how Paul reinforces this distinction between our faithfulness and God’swork in producing fruit:
1 CORINTHIANS 3:6-7 (ESV)6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
Successful evangelism is faithfully sharing the gospel, consistently calling people for a response. How can we consistently be faithful to share the gospel with others? Here’s a threefold prayer to encourage you to pray every day:
• Lord, please give me an opportunity to share the gospel today.
• Lord, please help me see this opportunity.
• Lord, please give me the courage to share the gospel when I see the opportunity.
Remember that we are not just faithful to engage people with any old message. Success is always found in being faithful to share the gospel clearly.
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CLARITYSuccessful investment in the lost is NOT simply telling someone, “I’ll pray for you,” or “I hope you have a blessed day.” The gospel requires a response. Here is the best way we can define clarity: We have not clearly shared the gospel until the person with whom we are sharing understands they need to respond. In light of this, here are the major points we should be sure to cover in any gospel presentation:
• God is Holy Creator, the one to whom we are accountable
• Man is sinful, deserving of a sentence of death
• Christ is our substitute, taking our penalty of death on the cross
• Our response must be in repentance of sin and faith in therisen Christ
There are numerous techniques you can use to share these four truths. An example is the Roman Road:
God is righteous and we are not - Romans 3:10,23
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one”23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Our sin has earned us a punishment of death - Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Christ died on the cross in our place - Romans 5:8
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We must respond to the gospel in repentance and faith- Romans 10:9,13
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
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LIVING IT OUTThis week, start living out this rhythm by trying to do
the following:
• Regularly begin praying the threefold prayer for faithfulness
referenced in this session.
• Regularly begin praying with your accountability partner, about
people you want to share with.
• Try to share the good news of Jesus with at least one person
a week.
This week, try to think about nonbelievers you can share with in the
following areas:
• Family
• Coworkers
• Neighbors
• Classmates
• People in North America
• People around the world
Remember you have not completed this process until you have begun
to invest in someone.
Who are you passing this on with now?
INVESTING IN THE LOST AND MULTIPLICATION Once you lead someone to faith in Christ, it’s important to remember
that your task has just begun. This booklet can serve as an excellent
tool for a new believer. One of the first things we should be doing
with every new believer is help them to live out these five rhythms.
We would recommend trying to meet weekly with a new believer and
beginning to walk them through this material. Session six gives you a
framework of how to pass on a Christ-centered identity and impact
to another believer, so you may want to look there for help.
Remember, your task of investing in the lost is not complete until the
one you’ve led to Christ is living out and passing on a Christ-centered
identity and impact through the five rhythms.
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A five-step process that anyone can use to see their family, friends and coworkers come to faith in Christ.
sbtexas.com/thegameplan
To share the gospel with those who have a different heart language,
search for “SBTC 1CROSS” in the app store.
sbtexas.com/1cross
Roles of a Man is based on God’s revealed truth of his special design for men. This video series addresses what God specifically expects and desires for us as men.
sbtexas.com/rolesofaman
RESOURCES
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Designed for parents to use at home with their families, the content originated from lessons written for the SBTC @home Family App.
There are four lessons for each piece of the armor of God, each highlighting a different aspect of our life and family, totalling 24 lessons in all.
1 In My Life How we live this lesson out in our day to day
2 At Home How each piece of the armor works in our homes
3 In the Community Applications for our community and church
4 In the World Sharing God’s truth in a world that needs Jesus
sbtexas.com/armorofgod
Helping churches and families minister @ home. Family devotionals and marriage helps, age-graded life applications, along with other resources and tools.
sbtexas.com/familyapp
family app
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GOAL: To foster spiritual growth through consistent fellowship with
our Lord in the Word, resulting in a thriving relationship with Christ
seen clearly in our becoming more like Christ.
METHOD: To read through the entire Bible in a year. As implied above,
this Bible reading plan should not be seen as a laborious task that
must be completed every day. Rather, it should be seen as a MEANS
by which we breed consistency in our time with God.
SPIRITUAL GROWTHTHE BIBLE
The Bible, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is the primary way
God communicates with us today. In light of this, spiritual growth, in
the context of a relationship, should center around a steady diet of
God’s Word. This intake will be the communication from God to the
believer. Additionally, it will be important not only to hear from our
Father, but to respond to what he is saying in praise and obedience.
THE “HOW”
Spiritual growth happens when the believer knows God more
intimately, loves God more passionately and obeys God
more intentionally.
KEY QUESTIONSKNOWING GOD What does this passage mean? What point was
the author trying to make when he wrote this? (Hint: Try to boil the
meaning down to succinct statements)
LOVING GOD What does this passage teach me about who God is?
How can I praise and worship God better after reading this passage?
(Hint: Write out your praise to God)
BIBLE READING HELPS
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OBEYING GOD In light of what I’ve learned, what should I do
differently? What should I do more or less? (Hint: Be specific!)
KEY PRINCIPLE: CONSISTENCY
Consistency is the missing link in spiritual growth. For fear of
legalism, Christians have shied away from disciplining themselves
for the purpose of Godliness. It should be maintained that God
is the one growing us through the work of the Holy Spirit, but as
James says, “as we draw near to God, he draws near to us.” Human
responsibility in the growth of the believer must not be neglected.
DATE BIBLICAL PASSAGE
Pray and ask God’s blessing on your time with him. Ask him to speak
to you.
KNOW GOD Read the passage and ask, what does this passage
mean? Write it below.
LOVE GOD How does this passage help you praise/worship God?
This is your time to interact with God, specifically what God has said
in his Word. This can also be a time just to fellowship with God about
what’s going on in your life. Just talk to God!
OBEY GOD How should you live differently in light of this passage?
PRAYER REQUESTS Don’t just list your requests, but give specific
things your are praying about. For example, don’t just write “mom”
or “brother.” Write down specifically what you would like God to do
in a situation “mom- find a job” or “brother- do well in school.”
* This can take half a page, or three pages. Different days will bring
different amounts to be written. Do not worry about how much you
write, but rather strive to be in a mode of consistently spending time
in the word, praising God and applying what you learn.
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JANUARYDay Old Testament 1, Old Testament 2 New Testament1 Gen 1:1-2:3 Job 1:1-2:10 Matt 12 Gen 2:4-25 Job 2:11-3:26 Matt 23 Gen 3 Job 4, 5 Matt 34 Gen 4, 5 Job 6, 7 Matt 45 Gen 6:1-7:10 Job 8 Matt 5:1-206 Gen 7:11-8:19 Job 9, 10 Matt 5:21-487 Gen 8:20-9:29 Job 11, 12 Matt 6:1-188 Gen 10:1-11:26 Job 13, 14 Matt 6:19-7:69 Gen 11.27-12:20 Job 15 Matt 7:7-2910 Gen 13, 14 Job 16, 17 Matt 8:1-2711 Gen 15, 16 Job 18, 19 Matt 8:28-9:1712 Gen 17 Job 20 Matt 9:18-3813 Gen 18 Job 21 Matt 10:1-2514 Gen 19 Job 22 Matt 10:26-11:115 Gen 20, 21 Job 23, 24 Matt 11:2-3016 Gen 22 Job 25, 26, 27 Matt 12:1-2117 Gen 23 Job 28 Matt 12:22-5018 Gen 24 Job 29, 30 Matt 13:1-23
19 Gen 25 Job 31 Matt 13:24-4320 Gen 26 Job 32, 33 Matt 13:44-14:1321 Gen 27 Job 34, 35 Matt 14:14-3622 Gen 28 Job 36, 37 Matt 15:1-2823 Gen 29 Job 38, 39 Matt 15:29-16:1224 Gen 30 Job 40, 41 Matt 16:13-17:1325 Gen 31 Job 42 Matt 17:14-18:1426 Gen 32:1-33:16 Ps 1, 2, 3 Matt 18:15-3527 Gen 33:17-34:31 Ps 4, 5, 6 Matt 19:1-1528 Gen 35 Ps 7, 8 Matt 19:16-20:1629 Gen 36 Ps 9, 10 Matt 20:17-3430 Gen 37 Ps 11, 12, 13, 14 Matt 21:1-3231 Gen 38 Ps 15, 16 Matt 21:33-22:14
FEBRUARYDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 Gen 39 Ps 17 Matt 22:15-462 Gen 40 Ps 18:1-29 Matt 233 Gen 41:1-49 Ps 18:30-50 Matt 24:1-184 Gen 41:50-42:38 Ps 19 Matt 24:29-515 Gen 43 Ps 20, 21 Matt 25:1-306 Gen 44 Ps 22 Matt 25:31-26:27 Gen 45 Ps 23, 24 Matt 26:3-308 Gen 46:1-47:26 Ps 25 Matt 26:31-579 Gen 47:27-48:22 Ps 26, 27 Matt 26:58-7510 Gen 49 Ps 28, 29 Matt 27:1-2611 Gen 50 Ps 30 Matt 27:27-4412 Exod 1:1-2:22 Ps 31 Matt 27:45-6613 Exod 2;23-3:22 Ps 32, 33 Matt 2814 Exod 4 Ps 34 Rom 1:1-1615 Exod 5:1-6:12 Ps 35, 36 Rom 1:17-3216 Exod 6:13-7:25 Ps 37 Rom 217 Exod 8 Ps 38, 39 Rom 318 Exod 9 Ps 40, 41 Rom 4:1-22
19 Exod 10 Ps 42, 43 Rom 4:23-5:1120 Exod 11:1-12:20 Ps 44 Rom 5:12-2121 Exod 12:21-51 Ps 45, 46 Rom 6:1-1422 Exod 13:1-14:4 Ps 47, 48 Rom 6:15-7:623 Exod 14:5-31 Psa 49, 50 Rom 7:7-2524 Exod 15 Ps 51 Rom 8:1-1725 Exod 16 Ps 52, 53, 54 Rom 8:18-3926 Exod 17 Ps 55 Rom 9:1-2927 Exod 18 Ps 56, 57 Rom 9:30-10:2128 Exod 19 Ps 58, 59 Rom 11:1-15
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MARCHDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 Exod 20 Ps 60-61 Rom 11:16-362 Exod 21 Ps 62-63 Rom 123 Exod 22:1-23:9 Ps 64-65 Rom 134 Exod 23:10-33 Ps 66-67 Rom 14:1-185 Exod 24 Ps 68 Rom 14:19-15:136 Exod 25 Ps 69 Rom 15:14-337 Exod 26:1-30 Ps 70-71 Rom 168 Exod 26:31-27:19 Ps 72 1 Pt 1:1-129 Exod 27:20-28:14 Ps 73 1 Pt 1:13-2:1010 Exod 28:15-43 Ps 74-75 1 Pt 2:11-3:711 Exod 29:1-37 Ps 76-77 1 Pt 3:8-2212 Exod 29:38-30:10 Ps 78:1-31 1 Pt 413 Exod 30:11-38 Ps 78:32-72 1 Pt 514 Exod 31 Ps 79-80 2 Pt 115 Exod 32 Ps 81-82 2 Pt 216 Exod 33:1-34:3 Ps 83-84 2 Pt 317 Exod 34:3-35 Ps 85-86 James 118 Exod 35 Ps 87-88 James 2
19 Exod 36 Ps 89:1-18 James 320 Exod 37 Ps 89:19-52 James 421 Exod 38 Ps 90-91 James 522 Exod 39 Ps 92-93 Jude23 Exod 40 Ps 94-95 Luke 1:1-2524 Lev 1 Ps 96,97,98 Luke 1:26-5625 Lev 2 Ps 99,100,101 Luke 1:57-8026 Lev 3 Ps 102 Luke 2:1-2127 Lev 4:1-26 Ps 103 Luke 2:22-5228 Lev 4:27-5:13 Ps 104 Luke 329 Lev 5:14-6:7 Ps 105 Luke 4:1-1530 Lev 6:8-7:10 Ps 106 Luke 4:16-4431 Lev 7:11-38 Ps 107 Luke 5:1-16
APRILDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 Lev 8 Ps 108 Luke 5:17-392 Lev 9 Ps 109 Luke 6:1-193 Lev 10 Ps 110-111 Luke 6:20-494 Lev 11 Ps 112,113,114 Luke 7:1-295 Lev 12 Ps 115-116 Luke 7:30-506 Lev 13 Ps 117-118 Luke 8:1-217 Lev 14 Ps 119:1-40 Luke 8:22-398 Lev 15 Ps 119:41-72 Luke 8:40-569 Lev 16 Ps 119:73-112 Luke 9:1-1710 Lev 17 Ps 119:113-144 Luke 9:18-3611 Lev 18 Ps 119:145-176 Luke 9:37-6212 Lev 19 Ps 120-123 Luke 10:1-2413 Lev 20 Ps 124-127 Luke 10:25-4214 Lev 21 Ps 128-131 Luke 11:1-1315 Lev 22 Ps 132-133 Luke 11:14-3616 Lev 23 Ps 134-135 Luke 11:37-5417 Lev 24 Ps 136-137 Luke 12:1-2118 Lev 25 Ps 138-139 Luke 12:22-40
19 Lev 26 Ps 140-141 Luke 12:41-5920 Lev 27 Ps 142-143 Luke 13:1-2121 Num 1 Ps 144-145 Luke 13:22-3522 Num 2 Ps 146-147 Luke 14:1-2423 Num 3 Ps 148-150 Luke 14:25 to 15:1024 Num 4 Prov 1 Luke 15:11-3225 Num 5 Prov 2 Luke 1626 Num 6 Prov 3 Luke 17:1-1927 Num 7 Prov 4 Luke 17:20 to 18:1428 Num 8 Prov 5:1-6:19 Luke 18:15-4329 Num 9:1-10:10 Prov 6:20-7:27 Luke 19:1-2830 Num 10:11-11:3 Prov 8 Luke 19:29-48
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MAYDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 Num 11:4-35 Prov 9 Luke 20:1-192 Num 12. 13 Prov 10 Luke 20:20 to 21:43 Num 14 Prov 11 Luke 21:5-384 Num 15 Prov 12 Luke 22:1-305 Num 16:1-40 Prov 13 Luke 22:31-536 Num 16:41-17:13 Prov 14 Luke 22:54-23:127 Num 18 Prov 15 Luke 23:13-468 Num 19 Prov 16 Luke 23:47-24:129 Num 20 Prov 17 Luke24:13-5310 Num 21 Prov 18 Acts 111 Num 22:1-38 Prov 19 Acts 2:1-2112 Num 22:39-23:26 Prov 20:1-21:11 Acts 2:22-4713 Num 23:27-24:25 Prov 21:12-22:16 Acts 314 Num. 25:1 to 26:51 Prov 22:17 to 23:11 Acts 4:1-3115 Num 26:52 to 27:23 Prov 23:12-35 Acts 4:32-5:1116 Num 28 Prov 24 Acts 5:12-4217 Num 29 Prov 25:1 to 26:12 Acts 618 Num 30, 31 Prov 26:13 to 27:27 Acts 7:1-29
19 Num 32 Prov 28 Acts 7:30-8:420 Num 33 Prov 29 Acts 8:5-4021 Num 34:1 to 35:8 Prov 30 Acts 9:1-3122 Num 35:9 to 36:13 Prov 31 Acts 9:32-4323 Deut 1 Eccl 1:1 to 2:10 Acts 10:1-2324 Deut 2 Eccl 2:11 to 3:15 Acts 10:24-4825 Deut 3 Eccl 3:16 to 4:16 Acts 11:1-1826 Deut 4 Eccl 5, 6 Acts 11:19-3027 Deut 5 Eccl 7 Acts 1228 Deut 6:1 to 7:10 Eccl 8:1 to 9:10 Acts 13:1-2529 Deut 7:11 8:20 Eccl 9:11 to 10:20 Acts 13:26-5230 Deut 9:1 to 10:11 Eccl 11, 12 Acts 1431 Deut 10:12 to 11:32 Song 1:1 to 2:7 Acts 15:1-21
JUNEDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 Deut 12 Song 2:8 to 3:5 Acts 15:22-352 Deut 13:1 to 14:21 Song 3:6 to 5:1 Acts 15:36-16:153 Deut 14:22 to 15:23 Song 5:2 to 6:9 Acts 16:16-404 Deut 16 Song 6:10 to 8:14 Acts 17:1-155 Deut 17:1 to 18:8 Obad Acts 17:16-346 Deut 18:9 to 19:21 Joel 1 Acts 18:1-227 Deut 20. 21 Joel 2 Acts 18:23-19:208 Deut 22:1 to 23:8 Joel 3 Acts 19:21-419 Deut 23:9 to 24:22 Jonah 1, 2 Acts 20:1-1610 Deut 25:1 to 26:14 Jonah 3, 4 Acts 20:17-3811 Deut 26:16 to 27:26 Amos 1, 2 Acts 21:1-1612 Deut 28:1-37 Amos 3, 4 Acts 21:17-4013 Deut 28:38-68 Amos 5, 6 Acts 22:1-2114 Deut 29 Amos 7, 8 Acts 22:22-23:1115 Deut 30:1 to 31:13 Amos 9 Acts 23:12-3516 Deut 31:14 to 32:14 Hos 1:1 to 2:1 Acts 2417 Deut 32:15-52 Hos 2:2 to 3:5 Acts 25:1-2218 Deut 33 Hos 4:1 to 6:3 Acts 25:23-26:11
19 Deut 34 Hos 6:4 to 7:16 Acts 26:12-3220 Josh 1 Hos 8, 9 Acts 27:1-2621 Josh 2 Hos 10:1 to 11:11 Acts 27:27-28:1022 Josh 3 Hos 11:12 to 14:9 Acts 28:11-3123 Josh 4:1 to 5:12 Isa 1 Gal 124 Josh 5:13 to 6:27 Isa 2 Gal 225 Josh 7 Isa. 3. 4 Gal 3: 1-1426 Josh 8 Isa 5 Gal 3:15-2927 Josh 9 Isa 6 Gal 4:1-2028 Josh 10 Isa 7:1 to 8:4 Gal 4:21 to 5:929 Josh 11, 12 Isa 8:5 to 9:7 Gal 5:10-2630 Josh 13 Isa 9:8 to 10:5 Gal 6
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JULYDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 Josh 14-15 Isa 10:6-34 Eph 1:1-142 Josh 16-17 Isa 11-12 Eph 1:15 to 2:103 Josh 18-19 Isa 13 Eph 2:11-224 Josh 20-21 Isa 14 Eph 35 Josh 22 Isa 15-16 Eph 4:1-166 Josh 23 Isa 17-18 Eph 4:17-327 Josh 24 Isa 19-20 Eph 5:1-218 Jud 1:1-2:5 Isa 21:1-22:14 Eph 5:22 to 6:99 Jud 2:6-3:4 Isa 22:15-23:18 Eph 6:10-2410 Jud 3:5-31 Isa 24 Mark 1:1-2011 Jud 4 Isa 25 Mark 1:21-4512 Jud 5 Isa 26 Mark 2:1-2213 Jud 6 Isa 27 Mark 2:23-3:1214 Jud 7 Isa 28 Mark 3:13-3515 Jud 8 Isa 29 Mark 4:1-2016 Jud 9:1-10:5 Isa 30 Mark 4:21-4117 Jud 10:6-11:28 Isa 31-32 Mark 5:1-2018 Jud 11:29-12:15 Isa 33 Mark 5:21-43
19 Jud 13 Isa 34-35 Mark 6:1-2920 Jud 14-15 Isa 36:1-37:7 Mark 6:30-5621 Jud 16 Isa 37:8-38 Mark 7:1-2322 Jud 17-18 Isa 38-39 Mark 7:24-8:1023 Jud 19 Isa 40 Mark 8:11-2624 Jud 20 Isa 41:1-20 Mark 8:27-9:1325 Jud 21 Isa 41:21-42:21 Mark 9:14-3226 Ruth 1 Isa 42:22-43:10 Mark 9:33-5027 Ruth 2 Isa 43:11-44:5 Mark 10:1-3128 Ruth 3-4 Isa 44:6-23 Mark 10:32-5229 1 Sam 1 Isa 44:24-45:8 Mark 11:1-2630 1 Sam 2 Isa 45:9-25 Mark 11:27-12:1731 1 Sam 3 Isa 46 Mark 12:18-44
AUGUSTDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 1 Sam 4-5 Isa 47 Mark 132 1 Sam 6-7 Isa 48 Mark 14:1-263 1 Sam 8:1-9:14 Isa 49 Mark 14:27-524 1 Sam 9:15-10:27 Isa 50:1-51:8 Mark 14:53-725 1 Sam 11-12 Isa 51:9-23 Mark 15:1-236 1 Sam 13 Isa 52:1-12 Mark 15:24-477 1 Sam 14 Isa 52:13-53:12 Mark 168 1 Sam 15 Isa 54 1 Cor 19 1 Sam 16 Isa 55:1-56:8 1 Cor 210 1 Sam 17:1-31 Isa 56:9-57:21 1 Cor 311 1 Sam 17:32-58 Isa 58 1 Cor 412 1 Sam 18:1-19:7 Isa 59 1 Cor 513 1 Sam 19:8-20:42 Isa 60 1 Cor 614 1 Sam 21-22 Isa 61 1 Cor 715 1 Sam 23-24 Isa 62:1-63:14 1 Cor 816 1 Sam 25 Isa 63:15-64:12 1 Cor 9:1-2317 1 Sam 26-27 Isa 65 1 Cor 9:24-10:14
18 1 Sam 28-29 Isa 66 1 Cor 10:15-11:119 1 Sam 30-31 Micah 1-2 1 Cor 11:2-3420 2 Sam 1 Micah 3:1-4:8 1 Cor 1221 2 Sam 2 Micah 4:9-5:15 1 Cor 1322 2 Sam 3 Micah 6 1 Cor 1423 2 Sam 4-5 Micah 7 1 Cor 15:1-3424 2 Sam 6 Nahum 1 1 Cor 15:35-5825 2 Sam 7 Nahum 2-3 1 Cor 1626 2 Sam 8-9 Hab 1 2 Cor 127 2 Sam 10-11 Hab 2 2 Cor 228 2 Sam 12 Hab 3 2 Cor 3:1-4:629 2 Sam 13 Zeph 1 2 Cor 4:7-5:1030 2 Sam 14 Zeph 2 2 Cor 5:11-6:1031 2 Sam 15 Zeph 3 2 Cor 6:11-7:16
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SEPTEMBERSept OT 1 OT 2 NT1 2 Sam 16, 17 Jer 1 2 Cor 82 2 Sam 16:1 to 19:8 Jer 2 2 Cor 93 2 Sam 19:9-43 Jer 3:1 to 4:2 2 Cor 104 2 Sam 20 Jer 4:3-31 2 Cor 115 2 Sam 21 Jer 5 2 Cor 12:1-136 2 Sam 22 Jer 6 2 Cor 12:14-13:147 2 Sam 23 Jer 7 Heb 18 2 Sam 24 Jer 8 Heb 29 1 Kings 1 Jer 9 Heb 310 1 Kings 2 Jer 10 Heb 4:1-1311 1 Kings 3 Jer 11 Heb 4:14 to 5:1012 1 Kings 4, 5 Jer 12 Heb 5:11 to 6:2013 1 Kings 6 Jer 13 Heb 714 1 Kings 7 Jer 14 Heb 815 1 Kings 8:1-30 Jer 15 Heb 9:1-1416 1 Kings 8:31-66 Jer 16 Heb 9:15-2817 1 Kings 9 Jer 17 Heb 10:1-1818 1 Kings 10 Jer 18 Heb 10:19-39
19 1 Kings 11 Jer 19 20 Heb 11: 1-1620 1 Kings 12:1-24 Jer 22 Heb 11:17-4021 1 Kings 12:25 to 13:32 Jer 23 Heb 12:1-1722 1 Kings 13:33 to 14:31 Jer 25 Heb 12:18 to 13:623 1 Kings 15:1-32 Jer 26 Heb 13:7-2524 1 Kings 15:33 to 16:34 Jer 35 Phil 1:1-2025 1 Kings 17 Jer 36 45 Phil 1:21 to 2:1126 1 Kings 18 Jer 46 47 Phil 2:12-3027 1 Kings 19 Jer 48 Phil 3:1 to 4:128 1 Kings 20 Jer 49 Phil 4:2-2329 1 Kings 21 Jer 50 Col 1:1-2030 1 Kings 22 Jer 51:1-24 Col 1:21 to 2:27
OCTOBERDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 2 Kings 1 Jer 51:25-64 Col 2:8 to 3:42 2 Kings 2 Jer 24 29 Col 3:5 to 4:13 2 Kings 3 Jer 30 Col 4:2-184 2 Kings 4 Jer 31 Philemon5 2 Kings 5 Jer 2728 John 1:1-186 2 Kings 6:1-23 Jer 21 34 John 1:19-517 2 Kings 6:24 to 7:20 Jer 37 John 2:1-228 2 Kings 8 Jer 32:1-25 John 2:23 to 3:219 2 Kings 9 Jer 32:26-44 John 3:22-3610 2 Kings 10 Jer 33 John 4:1-3011 2 Kings 11 12 Jer 38 John 4:31-5412 2 Kings 13:1 to 14:22 Jer 39 John 5:1-2313 2 Kings 14:23 to 15:31 Jer 40 John 5:24-4714 2 Kings 15:32 to 16:20 Jer 41 John 6:1-2115 2 Kings 17 Jer 4243 John 6:22-4016 2 Kings 18 Jer 44 John 6:41- 7:117 2 Kings 19 Jer 52 John 7:2-30
18 2 Kings 20:1 to 21:18 Lam 1 John 7:31- 8:1119 2 Kings 21:19 to 22:20 Lam 2 John 8:12-3020 2 Kings 23 Lam 3 John 8:31-5921 2 Kings 24 Lam 45 John 9:1-1722 2 Kings 25 Ezek 1 John 9:18-3823 1 Chron 1 Ezek 2:1 to 3:15 John 9:39- 10:1824 1 Chron 2 Ezek 3:16 to 4:17 John 10:19-4225 1 Chron 3:1 to 4:23 Ezek 5 6 John 11:1-2726 1 Chron 4:24 to 5:26 Ezek 7 John 11:28-5427 1 Chron 6 Ezek 89 John 11:55- 12:1928 1 Chron 7 Ezek 10 John 12:20-5029 1 Chron 8 9 Ezek 11 John 13:1-3030 1 Chron 10 11 Ezek 12 John 13:31- 14:1431 1 Chron 12 Ezek 13 John 14:15-31
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DECEMBERDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 2 Chron 31 Ezek 47 1 Tim 62 2 Chron 32 Ezek 48 2 Tim 13 2 Chron 33 Dan 1 2 Tim 24 2 Chron 34 Dan 2:1-23 2 Tim 35 2 Chron 35 Dan 2:24-49 2 Tim 46 2 Chron 36 Dan 3 Titus 1:1 to 2:87 Erza 1,2 Dan 4 Titus 2:9 to 3:158 Erza 3,4 Dan 5 Rev 19 Erza 5 Dan 6 Rev 2:1-1710 Erza 6 Dan 7 Rev 2:18- 3:611 Erza 7 Dan 8 Rev 3:7-2212 Erza 8 Dan 9 Rev 413 Erza 9 Dan 10 Rev 514 Erza 10 Dan 11:1-20 Rev 615 Neh 1,2 Dan 11:21-45 Rev 716 Neh 3 Dan 12 Rev 817 Neh 4 Haggai 1 Rev 918 Neh 5 Haggai 2 Rev 10
19 Neh 6 Zech 1 Rev 1120 Neh 7 Zech 2,3 Rev 1221 Neh 8 Zech 4 Rev 1322 Neh 9 Zech 5,6 Rev 1423 Neh 10,11 Zech 7 Rev 1524 Neh 12 Zech 8 Rev 1625 Neh 13 Zech 9,10 Rev 1726 Esther 1 Zech 11 Rev 1827 Esther 2 Zech 12:1-13:6 Rev 19:1-1028 Esther 3,4 Zech 13:7- 14:21 Rev 19:11- 20:629 Esther 5,6 Malachi 1:1- 2:9 Rev 20:7- 21:830 Esther 7,8 Malachi 2:10- 3:6 Rev 21:9- 22:531 Esther 9,10 Malachi 3:7- 4:6 Rev 22:6-21
NOVEMBERDay OT 1 OT 2 NT1 1 Chr 13,14 Ezek 14,15 Jn 15:1-162 1 Chr 15 Ezek 16:1-34 Jn 15:17- 16:153 1 Chr 16 Ezek 16:35-63 Jn 16:16-334 1 Chr 17,18 Ezek 17 Jn 175 1 Chr 19,20 Ezek 18,19 Jn 18:1-276 1 Chr 21 Ezek 20:1-44 Jn 18:28- 19:167 1 Chr 22,23 Ezek 20:45- 21:32 Jn 19:17-428 1 Chr 24,25 Ezek 22 Jn 209 1 Chr 26,27 Ezek 23 Jn 2110 1 Chr 28 Ezek 24,25 1 Jn 111 1 Chr 29 Ezek 26 1 Jn 2:1-1712 2 Chr 1,2 Ezek 27 1 Jn 2:18-2913 2 Chr 3,4 Ezek 28 1 Jn 314 2 Chr 5:1-6:11 Ezek 29:1- 30:19 1 Jn 415 2 Chr 6:12-42 Ezek 30:20- 31:18 1 Jn 516 2 Chr 7 Ezek 32 2 John17 2 Chr 8,9 Ezek 33 3 John18 2 Chr 10,11 Ezek 34 1 Thes 1
19 2 Chr 12,13 Ezek 35:1- 36:15 1Thes 2:1-1620 2 Chr 14,15 Ezek 36:16-38 1Thes 2:17-3:1321 2 Chr 16,17 Ezek 37 1 Thes 422 2 Chr 18,19 Ezek 38 1 Thes 523 2 Chr 20 Ezek 39 2 Thes 124 2 Chr 21,22 Ezek 40 2 Thes 225 2 Chr 23,24 Ezek 41 2 Thes 326 2 Chr 25 Ezek 42 1 Tim 127 2 Chr 26 Ezek 43 1 Tim 228 2 Chr 27,28 Ezek 44 1 Tim 329 2 Chr 29 Ezek 45 1 Tim 430 2 Chr 30 Ezek 46 1 Tim 5
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APPENDIX
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER If you have made it through this booklet and you are living out and
passing on these five rhythms, one of the questions you might be
wrestling with is how to put all this together. If you are like we are, you
know every week doesn’t look exactly the same. In fact, every day
doesn’t even look the same.
So how does this all come together? The key is through intentional
stewardship of our time.
INTENTIONAL STEWARDSHIP OF TIME
Time is the most valuable resource you and I have been given. In
many ways, our time is a reflection of the gift of life that is indeed a
blessing from the Lord:
GENESIS 1:26-27 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the
birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and
over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he
created him; male and female he created them.
The image of God means that every human has a spirit or soul which
is everlasting. It also means we are meant to be God’s representatives
or stewards on this earth. A steward is a manager of someone else’s
property or goods. As image bearers, you and I are stewards of God’s
blessings. Among other things, God has entrusted us with talents,
treasure and time. While our treasure and talents are means for
praising God, time is the most fundamental because without it, the
other two do not happen.
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Paul picks up this theme in Ephesians 5:15-1615 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Paul wants us to see the importance of stewardship of our time in
light of the evil all around us. The reality of sin and the natural
anti-Christian flow of this world means we must be vigilant in our use
of our time for the gospel.
PRACTICAL ADVICEDevelop a schedule which outlines your time in 30-minute allotments.
Yes. I know this can sound daunting; however, there really is no other
way to ensure you are stewarding your time well. Remember, if you
don’t set your schedule, someone else will.
Each rhythm should find its way into your schedule. Here are some
simple questions to prompt this kind of schedule:
• When are you going to fellowship with God? Most people find
the early morning to be the best time to spend time with God in
the word and prayer. This is foundational to everything else you
do-so fight for this time daily.
• When are you going to fight for holiness? When you struggle
with sin, you must be able to turn from it (repent) and walk in
righteousness. This is connected to scripture memory, so think
about a regular, mundane task you can attach to scripture
memory, like driving.
• When will you impact your family? Find a daily time to invest in
your children and spouse.
• When will you impact other believers? Find a time every day to
encourage other believers in your life. This could be a time every
day you send an encouraging text to people you’re investing
in. This should also include an intentional weekly time you are
investing in another believer.
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• When will you impact the lost? There’s a sense in which this
should always be on your minds throughout your days. You
should always look for opportunities to share the gospel. We also
encourage an intentional time to share with people who do not
know Christ.
Recognize that different seasons bring different challenges and
opportunities.
• If you are a single adult, much of what we describe about
impacting your family will look different.
• Some of you may be parents of children who still live at home,
always carrying busy schedules with extracurricular activities. You
must work even harder to fight for time in these areas.
• Those of you who are in an empty-nest or retirement phase of
life may find these years to be some of the most impactful. You
have more discretion on how you can use your time, so use it for
multiplication!
Pray for God to make multiplication a natural part of the fabric of
your life. There is a moment every person I’ve discipled seems to
get it. They begin to look at the entire world around them through
the lens of spiritual multiplication. From people they meet to their
finances and daily schedule-all of it is seen in light of the call to make
disciples. This happens at different paces for different people, but it is
essential that we ask God to retrain our hearts to have a passion for
disciple-making.
If this short primer on stewardship of your time has whetted your
appetite, check out Matt Perman’s book, What’s Best Next.
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The SBTC Discipleship Ministries exist to help churches make disciples who make disciples. We serve SBTC churches by resourcing, networking, consulting and multiplying.
If you’d like to acquire additional copies of Rhythms
for your small group or church, visit our website
sbtexas.com/rhythms
Spiritual Rhythms of Multiplying Disciples
sbtexas.com/discipleship
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Spiritual Rhythms of Multiplying Disciples
sbtexas.com/rhythms
Third Edition