Church On Mission: Completing the Mission by Makeing Disciples (Walking with Others)
Week 4 of this series is about the concept of the church's mission, specifically addressing the command to "make disciples." Pastor Tim explains that this mission is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, encompassing loving God, loving others, and making disciples. A significant portion of the talk is dedicated to defining the terms "making," which is clarified as influence and difference-making rather than control, and "disciple," defined as a Christian who is a student and follower of Jesus. Finally, the speaker outlines that disciple-making is carried out through creating environments (like ministry roles) and engaging in intentional, specific relationships (like mentorship or parenting).
Deep Dive Podcast
Study Guide: The Call to Make Disciples
Quiz: Short-Answer Questions
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 complete sentences, based on the provided sermon transcript.
According to the "Church on Mission" sermon series, what is the three-part mission of the church as stated by Jesus?
The sermon distinguishes between sharing the gospel and "gospel adornments." What are gospel adornments and what is their purpose?
How does the speaker redefine the word "making" in the context of "making disciples" to differentiate it from exerting power or control?
According to the speaker, what does Romans chapter 8 say Christians are being "made" or "conformed" into?
Provide the specific, two-part definition of a "disciple of Jesus" given in the sermon.
What is the speaker's response to a person who identifies as a Christian but not a disciple?
What is "consumer Christianity," and how does the speaker contrast it with the concept of the "Body of Christ"?
The sermon outlines two primary methods or settings for making disciples. What are they?
Who does the sermon identify as being immediately called to make disciples, and what is the call for those who are newer in their faith?
Based on Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, what is presented as a Christian's "joy and crown" when they stand before God?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer Key
The mission of the church, taken directly from Jesus, is to help people continually grow in loving God, loving others, and making disciples. The series emphasizes that this is not a new idea but a direct command from Jesus.
Gospel adornments are the practical ways believers love, serve, and care for people's day-to-day needs. They accompany the primary mission of sharing the gospel, which is the hope of eternal life, by also caring for people where they may be struggling in the present.
In the context of "making disciples," the word "making" should be understood as influence or making a difference, not domination or control. A disciple-maker is called to be a model or a difference-maker in someone's life, helping them, not forcing them.
Romans chapter 8 clarifies that a disciple-maker is not making someone in their own image but is helping that person be "conformed to the image of Christ." This refers to developing the character and nature of Jesus, not his physical appearance.
A disciple of Jesus is defined as "someone who has responded to the gospel in faith and is now a student and follower of Jesus." This definition is central to understanding that being a Christian and a disciple are one and the same.
The speaker argues that being a Christian but not a disciple is "not an option." By Jesus's own definition, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are a disciple; the only question is how well you are doing at being a disciple.
"Consumer Christianity" is the idea of attending church to passively receive a "performance" from those up front and then leaving, without active participation or investment. This is contrasted with the "Body of Christ," where every member has a role and responsibility, and the purpose of receiving is to be filled up in order to pour out and invest in others.
Disciple-making happens in two primary ways: through environments and through relationships. Environments are created spaces (like Sunday services, small groups, or kids' ministry) where people can grow, while relationships involve direct, personal investment in a small number of people.
The immediate call to make disciples is for people who have grown up in their faith and are spiritually mature. For those who are newer in their faith or still figuring it out, the call is to first invest in their own spiritual growth so that they can later invest in others.
Citing Paul's letter, the sermon suggests that a Christian's "joy and crown" before God will be the people they invested in. The beautiful legacy will be to say to God that one's life was given to helping others grow in their faith so they might, in turn, invest in others.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Essay Questions
Instructions: The following questions are designed for deeper reflection. Use the concepts and examples from the sermon to construct a thorough, essay-style response.
Discuss the concept of "making" disciples as influence rather than control. How do the speaker's personal examples (cooking crawfish étouffée and picking up campus trash) illustrate this distinction, and why is this an important clarification for the work of disciple-making?
Analyze the relationship between being a "Christian" and being a "disciple." Explain the speaker's argument that these two identities are inseparable, using the analogies of the musician and the Celtics player to support your analysis.
Explain the dual approach to disciple-making through "environments" and "relationships." Provide specific examples for each category from the sermon, detailing how individuals like preachers, A/V technicians, small group leaders, and parents (like Destiny with her daughter Marley) all participate in this mission.
The speaker challenges the idea of "consumer Christianity." Describe this concept in detail and explain how the call to make disciples serves as a direct counter-argument. How does the model of being "filled up to pour out" redefine the purpose of church attendance?
Outline the progressive journey of a believer as presented in the sermon, from someone "figuring out faith" to becoming a mature disciple-maker. What practical action steps does the speaker suggest for individuals at different stages of this spiritual journey?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glossary of Key Terms
Term
Definition from Source Context
Apprentice
A modern term used to help define a disciple; someone who follows a teacher (Jesus) to learn their ways and become more like them.
Body of Christ
A metaphor for the church where Jesus is the head and all followers are members with different roles and responsibilities. It stands in contrast to "consumer Christianity" by emphasizing active participation over passive reception.
Christian
A term used synonymously with "disciple." According to the sermon, a person who follows Jesus is, by definition, a disciple.
Church on Mission
The title of the sermon series, which explores the purpose and mission of the church.
Consumer Christianity
A critiqued approach to faith where a person attends church to passively receive a "performance" and leaves without investing in others. If they dislike the "performance," they find another church.
Disciple
Someone who has responded to the gospel in faith and is now a student and follower of Jesus. The term, common in Jesus's culture, refers to a learner who follows a rabbi to become like them. The word is used over 250 times in the Bible.
Disciple Maker
A follower of Jesus who is mature enough in their faith to intentionally invest in others, influencing them to respond to the gospel and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Gospel Adornments
The practical acts of love, service, and care for people's day-to-day needs. These actions "adorn" or accompany the primary act of sharing the hope of the gospel.
Great Commission
The command from Jesus found at the end of Matthew chapter 28 (verses 16 to the end) for the church to go to the whole world and make disciples.
Mission of the Church
The central purpose of the church, defined as helping people continually grow in three areas: loving God, loving others, and making disciples.
Rabbi
A religious teacher in the culture in which Jesus lived. Disciples would follow a rabbi closely to learn from them and model their lives after them.
