A Family of Disciples // May 25, 2025

read: 1 Corinthians 4:15-17

The connection between discipleship and the concept of family within the church might not naturally seem related, but Scripture presents them as inseparable. The heart of discipleship is deeply rooted in the understanding that believers belong to God's family. Paul’s teaching across all churches consistently points to “the ways in Christ” as the central mission, and his primary focus is on forming communities that learn and live the way of Jesus. His goal could be summarized as becoming faithful families of disciples who make disciples. Significantly, Paul uses the language of family to express this mission. 

1. Family provides the identity for discipleship. We are first and foremost children in God's family. Just as no one chooses their biological family, believers do not choose to enter God’s family on their own; they are born or adopted into it by God’s grace alone. This identity is not earned or selected through reason or personal decision. Our faith is not the result of calculated choice, but of God’s initiative. God chose us. The truth is, being a disciple begins with being a child of God. Understanding this order is essential, because it is from this identity that discipleship naturally flows. 

2. Family lays the pattern of discipleship. Paul writes, “Imitate me,” and “Follow me as I follow Christ.” When he cannot be present, he sends Timothy to embody and remind the church of his ways in Christ. This passage reveals that the way of Jesus cannot be taught merely through words; it must be lived and demonstrated. Discipleship must be shown, not just told. It is not primarily about biblical knowledge or theological concepts, though those have value. True discipleship is about how one lives, about how one thinks, acts, and embodies the way of Christ. As such, the church needs visible examples of what it looks like to follow Jesus, in everyday, ordinary ways. 

3. God enables the family resemblance, the resemblance to Jesus Himself. Without being part of God’s family, spiritual growth would be no different from learning a skill through practice and discipline. But discipleship is more than self-effort. There is something deeper at work: the life of the Spirit within us. Just as children in earthly families resemble their parents, the Spirit that was in Jesus is now in his people, shaping them from the inside out. Even when someone resists or struggles, God patiently works within his children, committed to their transformation. God is at work, forming his people to bear the likeness of Christ, not by effort alone, but by the deep, transforming power of belonging to his family.

a. What is your favorite story about Jesus? Why do you like this story? What can this story tell you about him? If we struggle to have favorite stories about Jesus, what might that say about our knowledge about him? 

b. Thinking About God's Family: Kris spent a lot of time talking about why our earthly families can teach us about belonging in God's family. As it is true in our earthly families, we don't gain admission, we are born and accepted first apart from what we do. Like our earthly families (at least good ones), we learn the way we are encouraged to live. Like our earthly families, we resemble one another in God's family by the Spirit. But what are ways God's family isn't like our natural families? 

c. Discipleship is Shown Not Taught: Kris spent a lot of time talking about why the "Ways in Christ" needed a living example to imitate (whether Paul himself or Timothy in his place). If Paul could simply teach the ways in Christ with words, he could have just written them down. Why do you think this was so important? Why couldn't Paul just write this down for the Corinthians to remember? 

d. A Puzzle for Deeper Thought (optional but a good discussion nevertheless): Kris talks about the importance for members of the church family to show what it looks like to follow Jesus with their lives. But, Jesus once said in the Sermon on the Mount to do your good deeds in secret (Matthew 6:1-8). He mentions that "hypocrites" love to be seen for the good things that they do. Does this cut against the idea of showing and demonstrating examples of the way of Jesus for those in our church family? Why not? 

e. What are ways we can show the way of Christ for people in our community group? In our Church? (One of Kris’ points is that this can be done in both big and small ways: even the act of standing up for communion or showing up for community group is a way of showing the way of Jesus). 

f. If we are children before we are disciples, what does that mean when children don't want to be good disciples? When they don't want to learn the ways of Jesus?

Make Disciples // May 18, 2025

Read: Matthew 28:18-20 

1. What is a disciple? A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, learns from Him, and becomes like Him. But whether we choose it or not, we are all following, learning and becoming like someone(s). Discipleship is not just a religious thing; it is a natural part of being human. In the age of social media, the idea of “following” is not new—it is actually rooted in discipleship: spending time with someone, learning from them, and becoming like them. Today, many “follow” celebrities, influencers, and people in our lives, often without thinking about how they shape us. So when we hear “make disciples,” it might feel intrusive or beyond us, but the reality is that disciples are being made all the time. The first step is to take ownership of our own discipleship - who we are following and what kind of disciples we are making. 

a. Who or what are you allowing to disciple you right now? Who or what are you following and learning from (whether you are aware of it or not)? 

2. Why make disciples? In Matthew 28:18, Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples.” Jesus is not giving a new purpose; He is restoring us to the purpose we were made for. The call to make disciples is not a new idea—it goes back to Genesis 1. From the beginning, God gave humanity a mission: to go out in His authority and fill the earth with His image-bearers, people who reflect His glory. Jesus echoes this same mission in Matthew 28, calling us to make disciples—people who become like Him, who bear his image. Many people today resist the idea of authority, seeing it as restrictive or controlling. Our culture often tells us to create our own mission, but this "blank slate" approach can leave us feeling aimless and unfulfilled. The truth is, writing our own mission can feel overwhelming and empty. Jesus, in Matthew 28, offers something better: a purpose authored by God Himself—to go, in His authority, and make disciples. It is not about self-fulfillment, but about stepping into the meaningful mission we were made for. In a culture where many feel aimless and disillusioned, Jesus offers a greater purpose—one authored by God Himself, far more meaningful than anything we could write on our own. 

a. What would change in your daily life if you truly believed that making disciples is the God-given purpose you were created for? 

3. Who makes disciples? When Jesus gave the Great Commission to the 11 disciples, He told them to teach others to obey everything He commanded—including the command to make disciples. That means every follower of Jesus is called to be a

disciple-maker. This mission is not just for individuals but it is for the church as a whole. Discipleship happens best within the family of God, and baptism is how someone enters that family. In other words - the church as a whole family is the best disciple-maker. This is freeing! We aren’t called to go solo making disciples of ourselves and we don’t need to wait until we’re “spiritually ready.” If you are baptized, following Jesus, and learning from him, you already have something to offer—and you have the whole church to help you grow as a disciple. 

a. In what ways has the church helped you grow as a disciple of Jesus? How can the church family work together to fulfill the mission of disciple-making? 

4. Where do we make disciples? Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations”—which includes everywhere and everyone. While this command clearly supports cross-cultural missions, it’s also for every follower of Jesus in everyday life. Discipleship is both outward and inward: we go out to reach others, and bring them into the family of God through baptism and teaching. This mission starts right where we are—at home, in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces—and extends to all nations. 

a. How can you begin to view your everyday relationships and spaces (family, work, neighborhood) as places where disciple-making can happen, and what is one step you can take this week to intentionally live out that mission? 

5. When do we make disciples? Discipleship happens in all seasons of life—not just when we feel strong, ready, or perfect. Whether we're succeeding or struggling, healthy or not, happy or depressed, we can still make disciples by faithfully following Jesus. Jesus promised to be with us "all days," meaning discipleship can occur at any time, even in our weaknesses, failures, and sins! In fact, through repentance and vulnerability, we can lead others to grow in their own faith and discipleship, showing them how to follow, learn from, and become like Jesus in every circumstance. 

a. What might discipleship look like in your current season of life, even when you feel unprepared or struggling? How can you share your struggles and victories to help others grow in their faith? 

6. How do we make disciples? Making disciples is not limited to preaching or formal teaching—it is about walking alongside others in everyday life. How did Jesus make disciples? He ate with them, lived with them, walked with them, talked about situations with them, gave them assignments and debriefed, prayed with them, asked questions, let them ask questions, etc. He taught through relationships. That means if you can share life with someone, you can make disciples. The original disciples were not perfect—they failed often and felt unqualified. But Jesus reminded them, “I am with you always.” The ability to make disciples does not come from having it all together, but discipleship starts with simply being with Him—and inviting others into that journey. 

a. What keeps you from believing you're “qualified” to make disciples, and how does Jesus’ promise to be with you shift that perspective? Who in your life right now could you intentionally walk alongside—sharing everyday moments to help them follow Jesus?

Faithful Disciples // May 11, 2025

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?

A Family // May 4, 2025

Read Matthew 12:46-50, 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 5:1-2 

1. Main Point: The mission of Jesus was to establish a family of disciples. One of the most powerful aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry is how deeply personal he was—he called Peter while he was fishing, spoke directly into the life of the woman at the well, visited Zaccheus and sparked his transformation, taught Mary and Martha in their home, and wept at the death of Lazarus. These moments reveal that Jesus knows, calls, and cares for each of us as individuals. However, we can miss that, while our relationship with Jesus is personal, it is never meant to be private. Jesus came not just to save individuals, but to form a new, collective family of disciples. 

a. Do you usually think of the Christian life mainly in terms of your personal relationship with Jesus, or as being part of a larger family of disciples? Share how your background, today’s culture, or other influences have shaped that perspective. 

2. Few examples from Scripture: In Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus does something radical. By stretching out his hand toward his disciples and calling them his true family, he shows that those who do the will of his Father are his primary family, even above biological relatives. In Matthew 23:8-12, Jesus rejects the hierarchical model of religious community and instead calls his followers into a family, where all are brothers and sisters under one Father, and redefines discipleship as a relationship of deep loyalty, allegiance, and shared identity among fellow believers. In Matthew 10:29-30, Jesus promises that anyone who gives up family or possessions for His sake will receive a hundred times more in this life and eternal life to come. This is only possible if the church truly functions as a real, committed family—offering the care, support, and shared life for the sake of following him. And finally in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives his disciples the mission to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to follow all his commands. This language of baptism highlights the beginning into a new family name—the family of disciples. Jesus formed his followers into a community, and the mission is to establish such families of disciples around the world, making the church a family of believers. 

a. Have you ever experienced the church functioning as a true family? What made that experience meaningful or difficult? In what ways do you find it hard to see fellow believers as your primary family, especially over biological or social ties? 

b. What might Jesus be inviting you to loosen your grip on—whether certain comforts or independence—for the sake of deeper connection to His family,

and how could the church become a place where you can experience receiving such care and support? 

3. Implication #1: We can’t become faithful disciples without this family. Jesus did not form individual, isolated disciples during his time on earth, and he doesn’t do so now. He chooses to give us what we need through other disciples in the family. As challenging, awkward, and painful as church can sometimes be, it is Jesus' idea. We need an unchosen family, not just a "chosen family" based on preference. Jesus intentionally gathered people who would never have chosen each other—like Simon the Zealot, fishermen, and a tax collector—to be his disciples. To become mature disciples of Jesus, we need people who are the opposite of us, not just those who think, act, and live like us. Becoming a disciple requires practicing "inconvenient commitment," just as family obligations are rarely convenient. 

a. How might embracing those "inconvenient commitments" with people who are different from you help you grow as a disciple of Jesus? 

4. Implication #2: We can’t make disciples without this family. No one person can fully disciple another or carry out the mission of Jesus alone—it is given to us as a family. One of the most powerful ways we can advance Jesus’ mission in Orange County is by becoming a true family—sharing life, resolving conflict, welcoming all backgrounds, and including not just biological families but people in all kinds of households. When we do this, we will be in a position to become disciples and make disciples as a church. 

a. How can our church create an environment where people from all backgrounds feel welcomed and included? How does this kind of community help us fulfill Jesus' mission of making disciples together? 

5. Implication #3: We can’t become this family without Jesus. Church can be messy, painful, and disappointing—like any real family—but becoming a true family means resisting the urge to stay distant or treat church like a convenience. Instead, we remember how we were brought into God’s family. Jesus, seeing our sin and brokenness, was not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters, but willingly suffered to make us sons and daughters in His family. To bring us to our true, glorious selves, Jesus became like us in every way—our brother—bearing our shame and bleeding for us so he could share his glory with us as family. As we bear the cost of loving others, we become more like Jesus, grow into who we were meant to be, and help our brothers and sisters do the same. 

a. When you think about the cost Jesus paid to bring us into God’s family, how does that motivate or move you to respond in your relationships within the church family—especially when it’s messy or difficult? What are some specific ways you can embrace the cost of loving others in our church family, even when it requires personal sacrifice?

To Become // April 27, 2025

read: Luke 6:40, Matthew 10:24-25b, 1 John 3:1-3

1. What about the sermon most impacted you or left you with questions?

2. From the beginning to the end of his ministry, Jesus’ focus on his disciples was central to his mission, commissioning them to continue His work by making disciples of all nations, teaching and baptizing them. (Matt. 28:18-20) This approach of disciples making disciples—is how Jesus' mission to redeem and restore the world advances until his return. This means that we are part of Jesus’ mission. In light of this, our leadership recently adopted a new mission statement for our church: To become a family of faithful disciples who make disciples. The goal is for this to be more than just words, but that it would impact and renew our individual and corporate sense of mission and purpose. Over the next tfour weeks, we will be exploring each part of this statement, beginning with the phrase “To become.”

a. What is your initial reaction or thoughts about the mission statement of our church?

3. The Right Aim. To accomplish any mission, you need the right aim (like a golf swing). Without it, even good efforts can lead you away from your purpose. The phrase “to become” points us toward that aim. How? The aim of a disciple is to become like Jesus. See Luke 6:40, Matthew 10:25. Notice that the aim of a disciple is to be with him, in order to be like him and become like him. Jesus’ mission for the church is to make disciples, but only those becoming like Jesus can help others do the same. In short, the mission cannot happen unless we first become faithful disciples ourselves. When we ask the question, “What am I doing?” (am I doing enough, serving enough, or know enough?), our aim is off and we are not fulfilling the mission given to us by Jesus. Rather, the most important question we ought to ask is, “Who am I becoming?”

a. How would you describe who you are currently becoming? In what ways does that align—or not—with the aim of becoming like Jesus?

b. What are some ways we can evaluate whether we are, as individuals and as a church, truly aligned with the aim of becoming like Jesus?

4. The Right Expectations. The two words “to become” provide both the right aim and the right expectations for Jesus' mission. The aim—becoming like Jesus—can be encouraging, especially for those who feel they aren't doing enough or aren’t qualified. It reminds us that becoming like Jesus is what truly matters. However, this aim can also feel discouraging, as it often feels unattainable. The more we try to follow Jesus, the more we realize how far we fall short, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Many Christians may feel unqualified or too far from the ideal of a disciple who can make disciples. 1 John 3 sets the right expectations for becoming like Jesus. John reminds us that no one is completely like Jesus yet—we live in the tension between the "now" and the "not yet." Everyone who has hope in Jesus is becoming like Him, not just those with specific titles, knowledge, or experience. Being a part of God’s mission does not require perfection or having all the answers, but simply being a disciple who is in the process of becoming more like Jesus.

a. What does it mean for you to be a disciple who is still "becoming," rather than having it all figured out? In what areas of your life do you strugglemost with the idea that becoming like Jesus is a process, not a destination?

b. How might the expectation of being a disciple who is "becoming like Jesus" impact how you view others in the church community? How can this understanding influence the way you encourage and support others on their own journeys of “becoming like Jesus”?

5. The Right Means. To accomplish the mission of becoming like Jesus, the key is in the "how"—the means or engine. How did the first disciples become like Jesus? They were with Him, watched Him, and saw Him live. Similarly, we become like Jesus by seeing Him for who He truly is; we behold His glory, goodness, love, and patience. This process is described in 2 Corinthians 3:18, which tells us we are changed into His image as we behold Him. The engine of transformation is not when we strive hard to change ourselves, but when we behold Jesus (personally and corporately as a church), we become like Jesus. While things like money, political influence and fame can sometimes be used by God, they are far less powerful than an ordinary Christian who is becoming like Jesus and intentionally helping others do the same. This transformation happens through the "ordinary means" of grace: 1) the Word (focusing on Jesus), 2) prayer (beholding Jesus), 3) the sacraments (visibly experiencing Jesus), and 4) the communion of saints (helping each other see Jesus).

a. In a world that often measures success by external factors (wealth, influence, etc.), what does it mean for you to be part of Jesus’ mission as an “ordinary Christian”?

b. How might you personally engage more intentionally with the “ordinary means of grace” to grow and help others grow in becoming more like Jesus?