The How of Discipleship
Last Sunday, we continued our series on Discipleship and focused on the “How of Discipleship”. The sermon unpacked Acts 2:42-47, and highlighted the day of Pentecost & life after Pentecost to describe ways we disciple others.
What happened on the day of Pentecost?
Pentecost was not just a celebratory day for the Israelites; for the life and nourishment provided by God when entering the Promised Land. But the day of Pentecost was an invitation to all peoples to rejoice in the Lord. It was also the day the Lord chose to pour out His Spirit to His people.
Since the beginning, from the Garden of Eden, right through to today, God’s plan was for the earth to be filled & multiplied with disciples - people who desired to live for Christ & be empowered by His Spirit. But if this is God’s plan, how can we practically disciple others? What does it look like to disciple others?
Life after Pentecost
In Acts 2:42-47, Luke shares four practical devotions in which we can disciple others.
The first devotion was that of the Apostles Teaching. In Acts 2:42-43, Luke writes that the believers devoted themselves to the Apostles Teaching (the gospel & Word of God), and that many signs and wonders were being done through the apostles. This shows us that to disciple others, we first have to be discipled. It is in our faithful devotion to Jesus and His Word, where we become an effective vehicle to disciple others.
Secondly, in Acts 2:44-45, Luke writes that the believers had all things in common. Sharing with one another such that no believer was in need. This devotion was about Fellowship. This meant to share in generosity (2 Cor 9:13), to share in Christ’s sufferings (Phil 3:10) & to share in fellowship with Jesus (1 Cor 1:9).
The early church devoted themselves in fellowship to the extent that it resulted in an outwork of radical & sacrificial sharing. When we understand how much we have received from Christ, we have the ability & desire to share what we have with others. Whether it be our talents, resources or time, with the church & community.
In light of this devotion, do we see an abundance of what God has given us? In what ways are we sharing in the body of Christ? How can we be more generous in what we have been given?
Thirdly, in Acts 2:46, Luke writes about the devotion of Breaking of Bread. This devotion highlights the role sharing a meal has in the process of disciple making. This is because eating a meal together goes much deeper than just sharing food. When we share a meal with another person, it is one of the most intimate ways to get to know one another, we create an environment where we share life with one another.
In what ways are we sharing life with those in the church?
And finally, Acts 2:47 shows us the fourth devotion, the devotion of the Prayers. When we pray, we give thanks & praise to God for who He is & what He’s done for us. The role of a disciple is not to cut ourselves from the world, but to live prayerfully & faithfully as followers of Christ in the world (John 17:15-16).
So how do we disciple others? Through the above four devotions, & in all our everyday activities, allow God’s Spirit to work in us; in order to fill & multiply the earth with faithful & devoted disciples.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you are a God who loves us & cares for us. For giving us what we need to steward what you have provided us. Humble our hearts to devote ourselves to you, so we can be effective disciple makers who are teachable, generous, loving & prayerful.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen