Read: Acts 11:19-26
1. The church in Antioch is a powerful example of what a healthy, disciple-making community can be. Founded in a major, diverse city of the Roman Empire, it brought together Jews and Gentiles in the first multi-ethnic church ever. Despite their different backgrounds and limited understanding of their new faith, the believers were united by a clear and compelling mission: “Remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose” (Acts 11:23). This simple but powerful call shaped their identity and way of life so distinctly that the city gave them a new name—“Christians” (v.26). From this foundation, the church grew rapidly, sent out the first missionaries, and raised up leaders who would influence the global church for generations to come. At the heart of it all was a commitment to remain faithful—a mission that remains just as relevant for us today.
a. Why do you think this statement of mission provided this church with such a strong foundation?
2. Faithful to a person: A faithful disciple is first and foremost faithful to one person—Jesus. When speaking to the new believers in Antioch, Barnabas did not point them to a church, leader, doctrine, or practice, but simply said, “Remain faithful to the Lord.” Everything else flows from that relationship: they preached the Lord Jesus (v.20), people turned to the Lord (v.21), and were added to the Lord (v.24). True discipleship begins with steadfast faithfulness to Him, but when faithfulness to Jesus is not our clear mission, we naturally start being faithful to something else—like a label. Sometimes, churches become known more for their stance, style, or identity than for Christ. The church in Antioch became known simply as Christians—people devoted to the person of Jesus. Their identity came not from a label, but from living faithfully for Him.
a. In what areas of your life have you found yourself being more faithful to a label or identity (such as a church style, doctrine, or stance) than to Jesus Himself? b. How can our church ensure that everything we do—our message, our mission, and our growth—flows from remaining faithful to Jesus, just as we see in the passage where people turned to Him, preached Him, and were added to Him?
3. Faithful to people and places. One underrated fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness (Gal. 5:22-23). Faithfulness means staying loyal, committed, and consistent to the specific people and places God has entrusted to us. We live in a consumer-driven world with endless options: a better product, job, church, or lifestyle. In this context, faithfulness is
about not walking away when things get hard or disappointing. Without this kind of steadfast presence, the other fruits of the Spirit struggle to take root and grow. Barnabas urged the church in Antioch to stay faithful and steadfast, showing that growth does not come through quick fixes or new places, but through long-term
commitment. Maturity happens not somewhere else, but right where we are—with the people and place God has given us.
a. Where in your life are you tempted to look for “something better” instead of staying committed to the people and place God has already given you? What might God be teaching you about being a faithful disciple in the specific people and places He’s surrounded you with?
b. What would it look like for our church to be known for its faithfulness to one another and to our local community—even when it’s hard or inconvenient? How might this kind of faithfulness shape our witness to Orange County?
4. Faithful to a purpose. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:2, our calling is to pass on what we've received to others who will do the same. From Jerusalem to Antioch and beyond, the gospel has spread through ordinary people faithfully making disciples. This calling continues for each of us. To fulfill the purpose Jesus gives us, we are not called to be perfect or successful—just faithful. Around this season of graduations, we celebrate achievements with honors like cum laude or summa cum laude, but when life ends, Jesus offers only one distinction: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21). Not “busy,” “successful,” or “perfect”—but faithful. Faithful to Him, to the people and places He gave us, and to the purpose He entrusted to us. That is the honor that matters most.
a. As you consider Jesus’ words “Well done, good and faithful servant,” how might your daily life, both big and small choices, reflect a commitment to faithfulness rather than success or perfection?
5. How to become a faithful disciple. Becoming a faithful disciple begins with understanding and experiencing the faithfulness of Jesus. When we recognize His unwavering faithfulness toward us, that is how we become faithful ourselves. 2 Timothy 2:11-3 says, “For if we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” Nothing else works like this! When we are faithless to people, to our jobs, to school - we are not met with faithfulness but with consequences. No other belief system or religion works like this! They all say, ‘be faithful and then God or the universe or life will be faithful to you”. Only the gospel says if we are faithless, he remains faithful. With just a mustard seed of faith, with just a thread of faith that says, “I believe, help my unbelief!” - we are united to Jesus so irrevocably and intimately such that for him to not remain faithful to us would be like him denying himself! When we experience Jesus remaining faithful to us like this, we learn to remain faithful to him, to the people/places he gives us and to the purpose we have in him.
a. When you consider Jesus' unchanging faithfulness toward you, how does that shape your response to Him in your moments of doubt or faithlessness?