Paradigm Shift: Discipleship

By Matt Dabbs. http://www.mattdabbs.com

Matt Dabbs is the preaching minister at the Auburn Church of Christ in Auburn, Alabama. He and Missy have been married 12 years and are raising two wonderful boys, Jonah and Elijah. Matt is passionate about reaching and discipling young adults, small groups, and teaching. Matt is currently the editor and co-owner of Wineskins.org. Prior to beginning his ministry at Auburn Church of Christ, Matt was the Preaching Minister right here at Westside from 2014-2016.

Big Idea:

It is vitally important for the future of our churches that we re-embrace biblical discipleship and discipling. This is not about making new ministries or new institutions. It is about people with people growing closer to Jesus together.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Question…

Have we won people to

or won them to

Reveal Answer

?

Mark 1:22 (NIV)

“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

Matthew 4:23 (NIV)

“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”

Luke 9:1-2 (the 12)

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

Luke 10:9 (the 72)

“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and all of Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

John 14:26 (NIV)

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

What Does This Mean for Us?

1. We need to re-emphasize
   Reveal Answer
   and not just
   Reveal Answer
   .
2. We need to get back to the
   Reveal Answer
   of all believers (1 Peter 2:9)
3. Emphasize new metrics. Attendance doesn’t measure
   Reveal Answer
   .

Try This This Week:

1. Get with someone
2. Pray together
3. Read something from the Bible and discuss
4. Encourage each other
5. Pray some more
6. Do this regularly
7. Watch and see what God does!