Multiply I:3 - The Heart of a Disciple Maker

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Cor. 13:1–3)

We can do all the right things, say the right things, spend of our time, talents, and treasures in all the right areas... but if our heart is not motivated by authentic love for God and man, all of our best efforts are for nothing.

In this week's reading, Chapter 3 of Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples, Francis Chan concludes the first section of the book with a challenge to examine our motives for ministry, as well as to search ourselves for any signs of hypocrisy even as we endeavor to teach His truths to others.

This particular study covers many basics of the faith, but each chapter, in addition to equipping us to share the Bible as a cohesive narrative, serves as a timely reminder to continually lay our hearts bare before him and our own eyes.

Come on out to join the conversation!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Joe

Part I - Living as a Disciple Maker: The Heart of a Disciple Maker

1. Take a moment to examine your heart. In all honesty, why do you want to make disciples? Do you struggle with wanting your actions to be noticed by others?
2. Read James 3:1–12 and meditate on James’s warning. How do these powerful words affect you? How might you need to adjust your approach to making disciples?
3. Up to this point, would you say that your desire to make disciples has been motivated by love? Why or why not?
4. Describe your love for the people God has placed in your life. What evidence can you point to that shows that you love the people around you?
5. In addition to praying fervently, what practical steps can you take to increase your love for people?
6. Would you say that your life is being transformed by the truth of God’s Word? Why or why not?
7. What changes do you need to make in order to live the truths that you will be teaching other people?
8. The things you’ve been thinking through in this session are not easy to address—there are no “quick fixes“ here. End your time with this session by praying that God will give you the proper motivation to make disciples, increase your love for Him and the people around you, and empower you to live out the truths that He has called you to teach to others.

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from Francis Chan’s book “Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples,” and are posted here for further reflection and study in conjunction with the full text of the book found at MultiplyMovement.com.

Multiply I:2 - The Command to Make Disciples

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us also celebrate that the story doesn't end there.

In between the empty tomb and His ascension into Heaven, Jesus spent time with his disciples reminding them of all that He'd taught them through their time together and commissioning them to take the message outside of the boundaries of Jerusalem, of Israel, into the entire world.

This week's reading, Chapter 2 of Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples, reflects upon this command of Christ, and challenges us to look at the people around us with a deeper perspective.

As with the previous studies we have worked through together, anyone is welcome to join us at any time.  Though 7:30 AM comes early for many, the coffee and conversation is well worth the morning sacrifice.  I'd love to see you there!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Joe

Part I - Living as a Disciple Maker: The Command to Make Disciples

1. Stop for a minute and read Matthew 28. Try to place yourself in the disciples’ shoes as they witnessed these things and heard these words from Jesus. How do you think you would have reacted?
2. Assess your church experience in light of Jesus’s command to make disciples. Would you say that your church is characterized by disciple making? Why or why not?
3. Have you identified yourself with Jesus through being baptized? If so, why do you think this was an important step for you to take? If not, what is holding you back from being baptized?
4. Would you say that you’re ready to commit yourself to studying the Scriptures and investing in the people around you? Why or why not?
5. What excuses tend to keep you from following Jesus’s command to make disciples? What do you need to do in order to move past these excuses?
6. Whom has God placed in your life right now that you can begin making into a disciple of Jesus Christ?
7. Whom has God placed in your life for you to partner with in making disciples?
8. Spend some time praying that God will make you into a committed and effective disciple maker. Confess any feelings of unpreparedness and insecurity. Ask Him to empower you for the ministry He is calling you to. Ask Him to lead you to the right people to partner with and the right people to begin discipling.

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from Francis Chan’s book “Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples,” and are posted here for further reflection and study in conjunction with the full text of the book found at MultiplyMovement.com.

Multiply I:1 - What is a Disciple?

"Come, follow Me."

Jesus' invitation to Peter, James, John, and the other original disciples are just as relevant to us today in the 21st century as they were in those early days of Christianity.  We must never become so busy in our lives that we neglect the central commands of Jesus to "follow Me" -and- to "go and make disciples."

Through this material freely offered by Francis Chan, we as Christians are challenged to revisit what these commands mean, to examine ourselves in our obedience in heeding the call, and to be equipped to do so.  Some portions of the materials are elementary refreshers of truths we are well familiar with; other portions present us with a mirror to reflect upon our own spiritual journey.  Through it all, Chan presents a cohesive overview of the Bible as a singular narrative from Genesis to Revelation, illuminating the grand design established from the very beginning.

The complete text of the book can be found at multiplymovement.com, not only as text on a web page, but as downloadable PDFs, -and- MP3s of Francis Chan reading each chapter.  Additionally, the book is available on Amazon.com here.

I invite you to join us as we make our way through this book, and deeper yet, the great Book it points to!  Christ & Coffee meets at Dunkin Donuts in Woodsville, NH on Thursday mornings at 7:30 AM.  We would love to see you there!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Joe

Part I - Living as a Disciple Maker: What is a Disciple?

1. Up to this point in your life, would you call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ? Why do you say that? Do you see evidence of your faith as described in Luke 6:40?
2. Read Ephesians 2 carefully and take some time to consider the truths it presents. Do you trust in the death of Christ for your salvation? Do you ever struggle with believing you need to do something to save yourself?
3. Evaluate your approach to following Jesus. Would you say that you view Jesus as your Lord, Master, and Owner? Why or why not?
4. As you look at your life, how would you say that your love for God is shown in your actions? (If you’re having trouble coming up with an answer, take some time to think through some changes you may need to make in your lifestyle.)
5. If you choose to obey Jesus’s call to follow, what might it cost you? (Avoid being vague. If following Jesus would cost you specific possessions, comforts, or relationships, list them below.)
6. What might hold you back from following Jesus at this point? Are you willing to let go of these things if necessary?
7. Before you end this session, spend some time in prayer. Ask God to work in your heart and prepare you for what is ahead. You don’t need to have all the answers or know specifically how God will use you. He simply calls you to follow wherever He might lead. As you pray, be honest about your doubts, hesitations, and fears. Ask Him to give you the strength to proceed and follow Him no matter what the cost. In other words, place your faith in Him.

Disclaimer: These questions have been drawn from Francis Chan’s book “Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples,” and are posted here for further reflection and study in conjunction with the full text of the book found at MultiplyMovement.com.