series artseries art

His Legacy Through Me

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” MATTHEW 28:18-20 ESV

Jesus doesn’t just want to save my life; he wants to multiply it

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. LUKE 10:2 ESV

Four alls:

“All authority”

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children… EPHESIANS 4:11-14 ESV

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. …’ EXODUS 19:5-6 ESV

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. EPHESIANS 4:15-16 ESV

As I help disciple others, God helps me become ready

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant … 2 CORINTHIANS 3:4-6 NIV

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 TIMOTHY 4:12 NIV

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. PHILIPPIANS 4:9 ESV

“Go make disciples of all nations”

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 TIMOTHY 2:2 NIV

“Teach them all I have commanded you”

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 NIV

“I am with you always”

God gives me all I need to multiply my life

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.” JOHN 15:5 ESV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few deep breaths to still yourself before God. Invite Him into this time, asking for eyes to see and ears to hear. In prayer, picture a dandelion flower being blown. What results from that breath? Ask God to show you where you are in that picture, and which part represents you. Ask God to show you a glimpse of what it might look like to multiply His work in and through you. What do you feel God inviting you into this week? What steps do you need to take to pursue obedience? Close your time by asking God to remind you of His plan for your life, and ask for the courage to take the necessary steps to take action on this.

Discussion Questions

  1. Begin by having someone read Matthew 28:18-20 NLT, slowly, out loud. As it is read, pay attention to anything that stands out to you in this passage. Then, read it one more time out loud. How is the Spirit of God leading you to share in this moment?
  2. Read Luke 10:2 NLT. Laborers (disciple-makers) are an endangered species. How have you experienced a lack of interest in discipling others or being involved at church?
  3. Read Exodus 19:5-6 NLT. God calls all of us to make disciples and do ministry, but it is common to think that ministering to others is a role reserved solely for pastors or professional ministers. How has this perspective played a role in your own life and faith?
  4. Feeling inadequate to having a personal ministry and discipling others is something we all experience. When you consider the stories in scripture of the people God used, how do these affect your perspective in what it takes to disciple another person?
  5. NEXT STEPS: Consider God’s greater story: there is a line of faithful saints before you, and God desires that line to continue on to others through you. Pray to God this week for guidance as you seek someone to disciple you (a Paul) and someone you can disciple (a Timothy). Pay attention to who God places on your heart, and ask God for the courage to start a conversation with them this week.