Message Summary

Since 1999, Freshwater has been sharing the life-changing love of Jesus Christ in a real, relevant, and relational manner. Our mission is clear: go and make disciples. That’s it. What Jesus intentionally didn’t say is how to make disciples; he just said to make them. Not only is this the mission of every church, it is the mission of every believer. You are called to make disciples. Every church must figure out their specific vision for fulfilling that mission. Freshwater’s vision has helped us effectively focus on Jesus’ mission these past 24 years. Now we’ve sharpened that vision to “We bring life.” The life is Jesus Christ and we bring Him wherever we go.

The thief is Satan and anyone or anything that tries to lead us away from God. Satan comes against us to steal our joy, kill our dreams, and destroy our relationship with God. Jesus comes to do the opposite. He comes to give life. Jesus wants you to possess the full experience of life by following Him. Part of living a full life is to bring the good news of the gospel with you wherever you go.

1. List and discuss some ways you can bring life to other people in your sphere of influence.

2. Do you have life to the full? Why or why not?

Consider This

We all need meaning and purpose in life to be fulfilled. The Good News is that you were created for a purpose. The all powerful, loving God has a specific plan for your life. He offers redemption—forgiveness for every last single one of your sins through Jesus’ death and resurrection. All you have to do is put your faith and trust in Jesus and follow Him for the adventure of your life. Believe it every day!

1. Read Matthew 28:16-20. What helped the disciples to receive Jesus’ commission to them and what hindered (verse 16)? What can you learn from this?

2. Consider verses 19 and 20. How can you or do you make disciples in your world?

3. What promise does Jesus give at the end of verse 20? How might that truth affect the way you live?

4. Read John 10:1-11. What are the characteristic actions of the “thieves and robbers (verses 1, 8)?” Who do you think they are?

   • Have you ever followed any such as these who have tried to lead you away from God?

   • What made you escape their influence?

5. What do the sheep have to do to “be saved” according to John 10:9? What do the sheep do in the “pasture?” What do you think that means?

6. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

   • Who do you think the thief is? Where and how do you see that playing out in your life, or in society?

   • What do you think it means to “have life?”

   • What does it mean to “have it (life) abundantly?”

7. What two “I am” statements does Jesus make about himself in this passage? What do they mean?

8. What did the “Good Shepherd,” Jesus, do for his “sheep” according to John 10:11? Are you one of Jesus’ sheep? How do you know?

Moving Forward – Application

About the new disciples, Luke said, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

1. How can you devote yourself to the apostles’ teaching this week?

2. What does fellowship mean? How can you devote yourself to fellowship this week?

3. Some think that the breaking of bread in this passage refers to a meal as a part of fellowship? Others think it refers to communion. How can you apply these concepts to your life this week?

4. Again, some believe that prayer is part of fellowship. How can you devote yourself to prayer in fellowship this week? How can you devote yourself to prayer period this week?