January 31 - February 6

Consecration

John 8:31-32, 14:15, 14:21, 14:23-24, John 15:12

As we follow Jesus we cannot become like Jesus if we do not obey his commands.  We must be dedicated to Jesus and committed to obeying Jesus.  That’s what it means to be consecrated to Jesus.  Consecration means that we are committed to following Jesus’ way for our lives as closely as possible.

As we learn to obey Jesus then as we disciple other people we need to teach them to learn to obey as well.  As disciples, we must all learn to follow in the way of Jesus.

This week we are going to consider how we fully consecrate ourselves to the way of

Saturday, January 30

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Reflection

Why should we follow Jesus’ example and give of our time to those we are helping along the path of discipleship?  We should do this so that we can obey Jesus’ command and make disciples.  In addition, as we develop disciples we should be making disciples who will then go and make disciples.

As we teach those we are discipling as Jesus did by spending time with the developing disciples, then they will be learning by example.  Then, in turn, they will make disciples through the principle of association.  They will give of their time and of themselves to help others along the journey to discipleship.

Are we teaching those who we are apprenticing that they should give their time to help disciple someone else?

Friday, January 29

John 21:1

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the sea of Tiberias.

Reflection

This is the way the last post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to his disciples as recorded in the Gospel of John begins.  I invite you to turn to chapter 21 in the Gospel of John and read the story.  Jesus appears to his disciples on the seaside and he prepares breakfast for them on the shore as they prepare to end a night of fishing on the Sea of Galilee.

What is interesting is that even after his resurrection Jesus knew that he needed to spend time with his disciples.  He still needed to teach them and they still needed to learn by being with him.  So, before his ascension into heaven he continued to spend time with them.

That should teach us that we should not take lightly the time we spend with those we are apprenticing into the way of Jesus.  If Jesus thought it was so important that he even spent time after his resurrection to be with his disciples and guide them, then the time we spend with those we are guiding is very important and we should use that time as wisely as possible.

How much importance do we assign the time we spend with those who we are discipling?  Do we need to take this time more seriously? 

If we are not discipling anyone what does that say

to us?

Thursday, January 28

John 11:54

Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews.  Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.

Reflection

After Jesus gave the invitation for his disciples to follow them the ball was then in their court.  They needed to respond.  Either they would follow Jesus and learn from him by associating with him or they would say “no” and go their own way.

We learn from the scripture that they responded and decided to follow Jesus.  When they decided to follow Jesus the response was immediate.  They left and followed him right at that moment.  They were ready.  They wanted to follow Jesus.  They wanted to learn everything they could from him.

When we invite others to join us in the journey of discipleship then we must give them the opportunity to respond.  Their response might not be as immediate as the response that Peter, Andrew, James and John gave to Jesus.  However, we must be patient.  The journey of discipleship through association cannot begin until the one we have invited to join us has given the consent to walk with us in discipleship.

Spend some time in prayer today asking God to send you to the person whom you are to help on their journey of discipleship.  Then pray that God will help them to respond positively to your invitation.

If you are already discipling someone, pray that the time you spend associating with one another will produce fruit for both of your discipleship journeys.

Wednesday, January 27

Mark 6:30-31

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Reflection

When the disciples were overwhelmed with what was going on in their lives Jesus invited them to spend time with him.  Why would he do that?  He did that because spending time with him was the best way for them to learn how to deal with the issues, pressures and problems that arise when one follows Jesus.  He taught them through association.  He spent time with them.

How can we do that for those we are discipling?  How about an invitation to have coffee?  How about suggesting to your apprentice disciple that the two of you have lunch together?  Maybe the two of you plan a day away for some time to reflect on what has been going on in both of your discipleship journeys.

Are we willing to invest that much time in someone so that they can grow into a fully functioning disciple of Jesus?  If not, can we say that we are truly being obedient to Jesus command to make disciples?  Take some time to think about these questions today.

Tuesday, January 26

Mark 1:18-20

At once they left their nets and followed him.  When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.  Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Reflection

After Jesus gave the invitation for his disciples to follow them the ball was then in their court.  They needed to respond.  Either they would follow Jesus and learn from him by associating with him or they would say “no” and go their own way.

We learn from the scripture that they responded and decided to follow Jesus.  When they decided to follow Jesus the response was immediate.  They left and followed him right at that moment.  They were ready.  They wanted to follow Jesus.  They wanted to learn everything they could from him.

When we invite others to join us in the journey of discipleship then we must give them the opportunity to respond.  Their response might not be as immediate as the response that Peter, Andrew, James and John gave to Jesus.  However, we must be patient.  The journey of discipleship through association cannot begin until the one we have invited to join us has given the consent to walk with us in discipleship.

Spend some time in prayer today asking God to send you to the person whom you are to help on their journey of discipleship.  Then pray that God will help them to respond positively to your invitation.

If you are already discipling someone, pray that the time you spend associating with one another will produce fruit for both of your discipleship journeys.