Discipleship Church in Lee’s Summit | Cure Culture: Reproduce

< Back to Blog

The Cure is a Discipleship Church in Lee’s Summit because we believe that what God has done in one person can be handed down to another. If Christianity is about people then it is our goal to help people find out what God has for them!

Read this…

This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. John 21:14-17

On your deathbed you will say whatever is most important to you.  These are the last words of Jesus. There is passion in these words.  Jesus is trying to drive home what He had been teaching His disciples for the past 3 years.  He attributes our pouring into others as our love for Him. We cannot disconnect from people if we love Him.

He then goes on to say,

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”  Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” John 21:18-19

Here Jesus is prophesying Peter’s future. He would be bound up and led to his death.  Jesus then says, “Follow me.” In other words He is saying, ‘This is what is in your future.  Do you still want to follow me?” Jesus in His pursuit of discipleship keeps saying, “Follow me.”

Discipleship ought to be the heart of a church.  The word discipleship is used consistently in the New Testament.  The word Christian is actually only used twice and literally means Jesus Freak.    Biblically it’s a derogatory term.  The word disciple is the word Jesus used.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.             Matt 28:18-19

We are not to make disciples of our churches or our personalities but of Jesus Christ.  An individual who takes from his or her relationship with God and pours into others may seem intrusive to some.  Yes, I understand we ought to take our eyes off people and serve God but let’s be honest here. The only Jesus people will see is the One in you and me. Your example goes beyond what you say or where you drive to on Sundays.  Your example is how you live your life. And the life you live must be worthy of duplication.

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.   Acts 4:13 NLT

Your discipleship of others must start with you spending time with God.  It’s not about your bumper sticker or your Jesus Tee shirt. When people see you it should be obvious you have been with God.

Paul said to follow him as he followed Christ. He didn’t mean copy his personality.  He meant they should imitate his relationship with God, his prayer life, his dedication to biblical truth, and his submission to the Holy Spirit.  You and I are not always good at taking orders but we can imitate good leadership. Just think of children. It’s human nature to imitate. We can do that.

Discipleship is impartation or spiritual training which enables others to fulfill their God-given destiny.  A disciple should want this. Without this desire the activities we do bring no growth.

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matt 16:24-26 MSG

I love this.

Jesus went to work on His disciples.

Can someone go to work on you?  The safest place to be in is responding to God’s Word.  Everyone is called to be a disciple. Everyone is called to disciple someone.  Parents are to disciple their kids. Do your kids see you watching more television than praying?  

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:9 NKJV

We need some seers and some people who are willing to be seen.  We need people who are willing to live out what they preach to their kids, their coworkers, to anyone watching them. And there need to be people who hear beyond words to the heart of the message.

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:9 NKJV

That little word do is big in God’s Kingdom.  It means a habitual and repetitive action. How long do I have to read my Bible or go to church?  Until I go be with Jesus. Our faithfulness to God is a daily, continual, and lifelong commitment.

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives because you had become dear to us. 1 Thes 2:8 NKJV

You can’t disciple someone if you don’t love them.  In order to watch over someone and faithfully pour into them and help them serve God, you have to care.

The key to discipleship is not books and manuals.  The motivation is heaven and hell. Based on our decisions we will either go to one or the other.  The church should care that everyday people are going to hell. Instead of the church weeping over who didn’t shake their hand they should weep over the lost.

Think about this.  When you were young you were learning.  But as you grow older you have to do some things you don’t want to do.  You don’t get the house you want, the job you want, maybe not even the spouse you want.  But will you still follow god?

If you want to be my disciple, follow me and you will go where I am going. And if you truly follow me as my disciple, the Father will shower his favor upon your life. John 12:26 TPT

Could it be that the very thing you want from God may come through doing His will instead of your own?  Being a disciple brings challenges but God is a good God. Whatever you give up for Him He will restore!

PRAY THIS

Lord touch and soften my heart to be a disciple.  Help me to be a seer and to be seen. Help me to do my very best to live a life that is worthy of being duplicated.  Though I may not be educated or trained may it be obvious to those around me that I have been with you. Amen.

MEDITATE ON THIS

Listen to my words,” Jesus said. “Anyone who leaves his home behind and chooses me over children, parents, family, and possessions, all for the sake of the gospel, it will come back to him a hundred times as much in this lifetime—homes, family, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, possessions—along with persecutions. And in the age to come, he will inherit eternal life. Mark 10:29-30 TPT

To check out the message go to: https://youtu.be/croOkkVyq98