Evaluating Distinction

CONSIDER

Answer these following questions:

1. Who first introduced you to Jesus?
2. How many years have you been following Jesus?
3. Do you have a hopeful turn to come about soon in your spiritual journey?

Even in these simple questions, we process a simple truth – we are all in a different place spiritually. We each have unique turns that we need to make in the near future.

STUDY

Acts 4:1-13

Not only did Jesus make a complete difference in the disciples, but he also made a specific change in each one of them. Write down who they were before and after discipleship.

• Peter
  • Pre-Discipleship - Matt. 16:21-23; 26:69; John 18:10
  • Post-Discipleship - Acts 5:29-32; 1 Pet. 2:21
• John
  • Pre-Discipleship - Mark 3:17; 9:38-41; Luke 9:51-56
  • Post-Discipleship - John 19:26-27; 1 John 4:7-8

DISCUSS

Take a moment and make some bullet points of the most essential elements in your spiritual life thus far. These items can be people, places, trips, or events. They can be positive or negative.

Now that you have written down those items, categorize what they are.  

1. Event - Do you have a milestone when God changed your life?
2. Environment - What regular faith gatherings shaped who you are today?
3. Equipment - What spiritual disciplines trained you to grow in godliness?
4. Engagement - How did you invest in another with what you learned?
5. Encourager - Who is that friend who walked with you towards Christ?
6. Example - Who is the example you aspired to follow?

EVALUATE

Within Colossians 1:27-29, we find six guiding principles with which to make disciples. In the coming weeks, we will unpack each of these further in order to create your specific plan.

1. DELIGHT
2. DISOBEDIENCE
3. DOCTRINE
4. DEVELOPMENT
5. DISCIPLINE
6. DEPENDENCE