It’s a WE-thing
Gregg Brenes
Part of Imua!
March 8, 2021

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. —John 15:1-5 NASB

Jesus never meant for us to follow Him alone.

  • Following Christ is a WE-thing.
  • Our capacity to give God the glory He deserves multiplies as WE do it together.

The church was launched as a movement around this single event in history: the resurrection of Jesus.

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. —Matthew 16:16-18

  • A single event – the resurrection of Jesus Christ
  • A simple message – Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world
  • A specific mission – Go and make disciples

WE gather around Jesus.

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. —Matthew 13:2 ESV

  • When great crowds gather around Jesus, great things happen.
  • There is something powerful about being together in God’s presence. (Romans 1:9-12)

WE gather to worship God.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” —John 4:23-24

WE gather to hear a word from God.

WE gather to play our part. (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27)

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. —Ephesians 4:16

  • Everyone has a part to play.

Discipleship Guide

Let’s Connect

  • What have you missed most about being able to gather in person for church this past year?

Let’s Talk About It

Jesus never meant for us to follow Him alone. It’s a WE-thing. After one year of church online, we are preparing to regather in-person as a church community. As good as technology is, it just can’t recreate personal presence and being in the room with people. Nothing can replace the impact of God’s people gathered together in worship. The church began as a movement around a single event – the resurrection of Jesus Christ; a simple message – Jesus is the Savior of the world; and a simple mission – go and make disciples. We gather around Jesus. We gather to worship God. We gather to hear a word from God. We gather to play our part. When God’s people worship together, God gets the glory, and our worship is stronger than the enemy’s resistance against us.

John 15:5; Matthew 16:16-18; Matthew 13:2; Romans 1:9-12; John 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 12:12,27; Ephesians 4:16

  • Which part of the message made an impact, caught your attention or challenged you?

  • Read Matthew 16:16-18. Discuss with your group the purpose and power of the gathered church. How is worshiping as a gathered community more powerful when it’s a “we-thing”? Which of the four reasons for gathering as a community stood out the most to you (gathering around Jesus, gathering to worship God, gathering to hear a word from God, gathering to play our part)?

  • Read Ephesians 4:16. Share how you have been served and loved by the church? What part do you feel God asking you to play to serve and share this same love with others?

  • Read through Chapter 2 in the One 2 One app. What does lordship look like in your life?

  • Read Acts 2:36. Are there any areas in your life that you have not yet submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (consider your relationships, your finances, your time, your work)?

Take a Step

  • Ask Jesus to be Lord of every area of your life. Surrender to Him any areas where you may be holding back.
  • As we move towards regathering at our new property, what step can you take to play a part in serving and loving our new community?

SOAP reading:

  • Day 1: Deuteronomy 7-9, Mark 15
  • Day 2: Deuteronomy 10-12, Mark 16
  • Day 3: Deuteronomy 13-15, Galatians 1
  • Day 4: Deuteronomy 16-18, Galatians 2, Psalm 38
  • Day 5: Deuteronomy 19-21, Galatians 3
  • Day 6: Deuteronomy 22-24, Galatians 4, Psalm 36
  • Day 7: Deuteronomy 25-27, Galatians 5

Here’s My Prayer

  • Lord, thank You for calling us to be a part of Your movement, the church. Jesus, You are worthy of being proclaimed to the ends of the earth. Thank you for choosing me to share Your message of salvation to the world.
  • Lord, I invite you to be lord of every area of my life. I surrender to You these areas where I’ve been trusting in myself and haven’t fully given them to You. Fill me with Your presence and make me more like Your Son, Jesus.