The theme for 2017 is “Making Disciples”. This should be the standard phrase that we use when answering any questions that might come our way about who we are as a church, and what it is that God has called us to do…we are “Making Disciples!”
Sounds very grand to say that! A powerful “Church” type statement! However, it must be more for us than just an impressive phrase! “Making Disciples” must be the divine, Holy Spirit inspired driving force of all that we believe and do as a Christ Following Community. How do we get that right?
BIBLE VERSE
Luke 4:17-21 (NIV)
17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Questions
- Who was the scroll handed too?
- In (vs. 18) What does the word “anointed” mean?
- In (vs. 18) What is the “good news”?
- Why the emphasis on the “poor…prisoners…blind…oppressed”?
- What do you think (vs. 21) means?
BIBLE VERSE
Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Questions
- Why is the “mountain” an important symbol for Matthew to use? (see Gen. 22:1- 18; Ex. 19; Mark 9:1-10)
- Why do you think some “doubted”?
- Have you ever had a disconnect in your life between the reality of your life and your faith expectations? If so, how did you deal with that?
- What do you think the following four statements mean:
- All authority
- Go…make…disciples of all nations
- Teach them to obey everything [all]
- I am with you always
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“We believe that as a Church God has called us to the ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Action! We believe that life bringing change can only occur from within a person; transformation must happen on the inside for transformation to happen on the outside! Conversion comes before the Fruit of the Spirit. We are called to make disciples – because we are called act decisively as agents of Gospel change in our world!” (based on Rom. 12:2).
Is there anything in your life that needs to be transformed so that a “new” life can begin?
