The world is changing. The ways we connect, work, and play are changing. This includes how we do or don’t do church. We need knowledge, tools, and skills to “BE” the church in this new reality.
In this blog, we share more of the why, what, and how of "being" the church according to Jesus. This week, we focus on how to put on your “spurs” and encourage other disciples.
Transcript - Soul-Connecting Conversations with Other Disciples
Welcome to Be the Church, a blog that equips us to love God, love people, and make disciples. Here’s a reminder of the Disciple's Relational Triangle.
As followers and friends of Jesus, we are His disciples. When we engage in real, consistent talks with Jesus, the love, joy, and peace of God will be evident in our lives.
Soul-Connecting Conversations
A growing disciple will consistently engage in soul-connecting conversations with other disciples.
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. John 17:22-23 (ESV)
Two thousand years ago, Jesus asked the Father to make us one in the same way that they are on: Jesus in us and the Father in Him. The Spirit is in there too.
The Triune God
The Father, Son, and Spirit are three distinct personalities united by love into one being.
Jesus wants us to be united in oneness with the Triune God.
He also wants all His disciples to be united with each other, so the world will know that the Father sent Jesus and that He loves them too.
We humans have been resisting this idea ever since.
This gif of the Three Stooges is a somewhat accurate picture of the unity in Play. Story. Eat. Ministries. OK, maybe it’s a little over the top. You can probably guess who “Moe” is. Hint, it’s not Steve.
But every once in a while, we hit on something…
Making Disciples Together
...And we make beautiful music together, even if just for a moment.
Sometimes I cooperate with Jesus and invest in soul-connecting conversations with Steve, Justin, and other disciples.
He then shapes, strengthens, and unites us for His kingdom purposes.
When we, together in community, offer our metal, Christ the master bladesmith forms us into uniquely useful disciplemakers. The image of God is wonderfully revealed as people engage in conversations in which sparks fly because God is sharpening us.
Prepare for Resistance and Meet Together!
Disciples have enemies: the world, flesh, and the devil. They want to destroy us. If we’re disconnected and isolated, we are easy prey. But bound together in spiritual friendship by the power of God, we can hold together and bear the weight of our enemies’ attacks.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
We’re commanded in the book of Hebrews to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
Time-out. What does it mean to meet together? Go to a church building? Sit in a sanctuary? Sing and then listen to the preacher? Say hi to a few people on the way out? That may be going to church but that’s not meeting together.
I’ve gone to many church meetings that were a waste of time and energy. Many of them were led by me. However, I’ve never had a soul-connecting conversation with another disciple that was unfruitful.
Put on Your Spurs!
Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. This takes way more energy than just going to church. It requires thought, planning, and execution.
You have to BE the church to stir up,
Motivate,
Stimulate,
Provoke, and even
Spur one another to love and good works.
Join us in a Commitment
I invite you to join us in this commitment:
Here's what I want you to do. Right now, ask someone, “What's one thing you are truly grateful for today?” Tell them your answer, and let the conversation go where it goes. If nobody's around, call someone on the phone. It could be anybody, even a stranger, or how about your spouse, or child? Remember insight is useless unless you take action.
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Next Blog –How Do I Need to BE in order to Soul-Connect?