Foundations Study, Week 8

The disciple’s life is a joyful life!

As Jesus was preparing His disciples for the trials and victories they would face He spoke very clearly and practically; “

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me…As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”

John 15:4,9

Jesus knew very well what emotion and fear and confusion would come at His disciples as they worked through the reality of the cross and the resurrection. For these first generation disciples they would observe the hatred and self-righteousness of religion as Jesus is arrested, brutally beaten, and nailed naked to the cross as a shameful display for all to see. His disciples fled, watching from a distance, hiding for fear that they also would be arrested. Then that world changing Sunday morning when it was revealed that HE IS ALIVE! The sense of loss and pending hopelessness is overshadowed by the news of the Resurrection. One by one His disciples return to Him. Renewed, excited they pondered what this would mean. Each disciple would have to work out what the Resurrection meant;

Since He is God and He loves me, how should I live?

Since He invited me to abide with Him, how do I do that?

Since He has given me His love and instructed me to abide in His love, How do I do that?

His instruction stands true for His disciples now as it was then;

“Abide in Me.”

To abide speaks of; to remain, to dwell with, to continue in. As His disciples in this generation we are equipped and empowered by the Spirit to abide in Him. Take time this week to work through the “Since He…” questions listed above. These are not yes, no, go… questions. These are relational questions between you and Jesus. These are life shaping, life changing, life renewing questions! When addressed in the light of His love we have renewed understanding and experience concerning the joy He has given us. Yes, He has given us His joy! “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11  
The disciple’s life is a joyful life, when we abide in Him.

I encourage you to take what you have learned and share with others. Perhaps you can go through the foundations handbook with someone now that you have worked through it. Share what you know and choose to grow!

 

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen”

2Peter 3:18

 

By His Grace, Pastor Dan

 

DEEPER STILL:

  1. Study the following verses concerning discipleship and write down your thoughts and insights.
    1. Mark 8:34-38
    2. Luke 14:25-33
    3. Joshua 24:13-15
    4. John 8:31-36
  2. Review what you written and then get away for a time to pray and work through what you have learned.
    1. Go over the “Since He… “ questions again now that you have worked through more details concerning DEEPER STILL discipleship.
  3. Reply to me at Dan@ccmountainhome.com so we can set up a group time to meet and review what we have learned.

DEEPER STILL:  

This is for everyone who senses Gods calling them to a closer more responsive walk. Jesus’ disciples went from curious, to casual, to committed in their relationship with Him. This was not merely their decision or determination. This was a response on their part to what God was calling them to. It is the same today; we start as curious which for some then leads to a casual healthy spiritual life. For some the curious to casual is followed by His call to a deeper commitment. If you are at that point or sense that God is calling you to a role of leadership, or perhaps a role of support and helps, or even a more committed consistent spiritual life, then the DEEPER STILL tract is for you. This will involve the same approach as listed in the initial portion of this letter as well as additional disciplines.
In DEEPER STILL I ask that you commit additional time to prayer. This prayer time is enhanced as you keep a reading journal and prayer log of what God is showing you. Along with the reading journal and prayer log, I ask that you read supplemental articles that I will have available to you.  As you glean from these articles and writings I ask that you write brief summaries or reports on a selected few. DEEPER STILL will help you learn to listen to Gods voice. It will help you learn from others who have experienced God’s faithfulness. DEEPER STILL will strengthen you and stretch you in your spiritual journey with Jesus. To be involved with the DEEPER STILL tract of this Foundation Study simply reply to this email and indicate that you would like to be a part of the DEEPER STILL portion.

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