Introduction
Ifyou’rereadingthisit’slikelythatyou’vearrivedatthisconclusion:ourMastermandatesthat wemakedisciples.
Youmaynotrealizeit,butevenhavingthisawarenessputsyouaheadofthegame.Foryears, peopleallacrosstheworldhaveoverlookedthisessentialcommandeventhoughitspeaksto ourprimarypurposeforexistence.Asyoubecomeavoiceforthisveryessentialpractice,you may find yourself isolated from others who do not understand the importance ofintentionally investingtheirlivesintoothers.
Below, we've listed three reasons why many people are not currently involved in making disciples. Our prayer is that, as you encounter others who may fall into one of these categories, you are able to lovingly lead them to a greater awareness of Christ's command. We’realsomindfulthatyoumayhavedayswhereyoufallintooneofthesecategoriesaswell. Wedo.WepraythatyouareasencouragedbythesepassagesfromGod'sWordaswehave been throughout our disciple-makingjourneys.
1: DON'T KNOW
Over the last couple of years, we've encountered a great number of people who simply do notknowofChrist'scommandtomakedisciples.Sure,theymaybefamiliarwiththeterm,but to them, discipleship ended with Jesus' investment into the twelve. For people in this category, it's important that we walk patiently with them through the Scriptures. Many times, these people come from a churched background. Most have experienced some degree of success in the areas most of us have been trained to value (attendance, buildings, cash).Telling these people that they're wrong doesn't work. It takes time to reverse years of incompleteteaching.
In our experience, many in this category know the Scriptures well, but still find themselves somewhat going through the motions. Walking them through the Word, and pointing themto thelifeofJesusopenstheireyestoanewandmoreexhilaratingway.Whenthesepeopleget a glimpse of how God wants to use them for His glory, they often become the people who aremostpassionateaboutHismission.
Sadly,stilltodaymanyarestuckunderteachingwhicheitherneglectsorignoresChrist'scall tomakedisciples.WeareprayerfulthatwhatGodhasstartedwithinourministrywouldripple throughout our spheres of influence and be used by His Spirit to awaken others to this incredible opportunity. When that happens, it's not uncommon to hear something like, "where has this been my whole life?" or "I grew up in church, why have I never heard thisbefore?"ItisathrillingthingforapersontofindoutGodwantstoinvolvetheminHisplan!
2: DON'T THINK THEY CAN BE USED
Manypeople,andmaybeevensomeofyou,arestillstrugglingtowrapyourmindaroundthe idea that God wants to use you. Whether plagued by thoughts of your past or fearful about what might happen in the future, the thought that He wants to involve you in His mission makesyourmindrace.Whilesomepeoplemightseethisweaknessasunhealthy,webelieve it's a great place for a disciple-making journey to begin! In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10Paul writes, "Buthesaidtome,“Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismadeperfectinweakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christmay restuponme.For thesakeof Christ,then,Iamcontentwithweaknesses,insults,hardships, persecutions,andcalamities.ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong."
If the Apostle Paul struggled with his weaknesses, certainly we will as well. It's in recognizing that we're weak that God begins to work! The Scriptures give us a long list of unlikely examples: Moses was a murderer, David was an adulterer, Paul - the author of this passage - killed Christians. Brothers and sisters...there is hope for us. By God's grace we too can be used!
Remember, all He is calling you to do is bear the fruit. He promises to produce it as we abide in Him. If you're worried by your weaknesses, meditate on the promise of 1 Thessalonians 5:24 - "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
3: DON'T CARE
Sadly, many will hear and even understand Christ's command to be disciples who make disciples, but choose to ignore it because it interferes too much with their current way oflife. Jesus was careful to caution all who would come after Him. In Luke 9:23, Jesus said: "If anyonewouldcomeafterme,lethimdenyhimselfandtakeuphiscrossdailyandfollowme." Then,inLuke14,Jesusimploreswould-befollowerstocountthecostofcomingafterHim.
While God gives great grace for those in the first two categories, He is heartbroken by the disobedience of those in the third. The blessing of being saved is found in obedience. A.W. Tozersaid,"intheScriptures,thereisnosuchthingassalvationapartfromobedience."Jesus makes this clear in John 13:17 - "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." James4:17saysitthisway-"Sowhoeverknowstherightthingtodoandfailstodoit,forhim it issin."
Makenomistake,weareaccountableforwhatweknow.RobbyGallatyoncesaid,"Jesusis not a liar. He will not say 'well done' unless we have done well." Every person who's been saved is a steward of the Gospel. The wisest investment we can make, according to our Master, is to intentionally invest it into the lives of others. Regardless of which category you findyourselfintoday,knowthis:byGod'sgraceyoudon'thavetostaythere!Takeamoment rightnowtoaskHimtohelpyou.SurrenderyourselftoHisSpiritandtrustthatHewhocallsis faithful. He will doit!
Commonly AskedQuestions
WHAT IS A DISCIPLESHIP GROUP (OR Discipleship 101 Group)?
A Discipleship 101 Group is a small, same gender group of people meeting at least once a week in pursuit of Jesus. Together, a Discipleship 101 Group is learning to submit to the Lordship of Jesus so that theyare increasinglymadeintoHisimageandengagedinHismission.
WHAT’S MY ROLE AS A Discipleship 101 Group LEADER?
Like Paul, you’re encouraging others to follow you as you follow Christ. Your goal isn’t to reproduce yourself, but to allow the Spirit to work through you to form others into the image of Christ. Discipleship 101 Group Leaders are both shepherds and stewards of God’s people.
WHERE DO I BEGIN?
Prayforwisdom(James1:5)asitpertainstowhoshouldbeinyourDiscipleship 101 Group.Beintentionalin building relationships that can be leveraged into discipleship opportunities. Start doing now personally what you hope your group will do togethercorporately.
HOW DO I INVITE OTHERS INTO MY Discipleship 101 Group?
Lookforpeoplewhoareteachable!Jesussaidsimply,“followme.”ItwasaninvitationintoHis life. In the same way, invite others to share life with you. Remember: it’s not as much about youteachingthemasitisaboutyoualllearningtogether.
HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOULD BE IN MY Discipleship 101 Group?
Most Discipleship 101 Groups consist of a leader and 3-5 others of the same gender.
WHERE SHOULD WE MEET?
Feel free to meet in a public space so long as you can still share times of meaningful prayer and accountability together. Meeting outside the church helps people see that it’s okay toread the Bible at a restaurant or to pray in public. It’s also good to meet in homes, where biblical instruction should ideally start.
WHAT DOES OUR TIME TOGETHER LOOK LIKE?
Each meeting should include time for catching up (5-10 minutes), reading God’s Word and sharing journal entries (40-45 minutes), praying together (15+ minutes), reviewing Scripture you’ve memorized together throughout the week (10 minutes), and engaging in accountability (10-15 minutes).
WHEN DO I SEND MY Discipleship 101 Group OUT?
Most Discipleship 101 Groups spend between 9-18 months together before multiplying. Because each D- Group member comes in with the expectation of expanding, some groups multiply fasterthaninitiallyplanned.Whenthemarksof adisciple(walkingintheWord,filledwiththeSpirit, andsteadfastinprayer)arepresent,yourgroupisreadytogo!
FourFoundationsForEveryDiscipleship 101 Group
ROOTED IN THE WORD
Everybelieverisonajourney;ajourneyonwhichweareprogressivelybecominglesslikethe dead us and more like the living Christ (Romans 6). Jesus taught that this process was perpetuated through discipleship and powered by the Word of God. As we walk in theWord, wearerepeatedlyexposedtothepersonandworkofJesus.Inthis,theHolySpirithelpsusto see His presence in each passage. We're reminded that the entire narrative of Scripturecenters on the story of the Gospel; namely, that we are sinful people, separated from aHoly God,andthatwe'vebeenofferedsalvationbygrace,throughfaithintheSon.
In John 17:17, Jesus prayed that all who followed Him would be continually sanctified (set apart) by these truths. This makes the Bible the basis for our spiritual growth and an absolutely essential element within any discipleship relationship.
Paul, who throughout his life placed great importance on making disciples, wrote to Timothy (one of his disciples) about the value of remaining rooted in the Word.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17ESV)
Fromayoungage,TimothyhadbeentaughttheScriptures,andnow,thoughapastor,Paulis encouraginghimtoremainrootedintheWord.Statedsimply,weneveroutgrowourneedfor theScriptures!
AsPaulwrites,theScripturesmakeuswiseforsalvation.ThisliterallymeansthattheWordof God is continually reminding us of our dependence upon the work of God that was carried out in Christ Jesus. Paul knew from personal experience (1 Timothy 1:12-17); the more one meditates upon the Scriptures, the more aware they become of their sin and the more appreciativetheybecomeoftheGospel.
NotonlydoestheWordworkinus,italsoworksthroughus.PaulpointsTimothytothereality that the Scriptures are sufficient for every effort he might undertake. Long before commentaries,books,seminariesorpodcasts,wastheWord.WhiletheLordoftenusesother resources to help us gain clarity or guide our study, none of them are alone capable of carrying on God’s work in the hearts of men. Continual sanctification comes only as we exposeourselves(andthosewelead)tothetimelesstruthswithinHisWord.
AsyouconsiderChrist’scalltomakedisciples,understandthatyou’vebeengivenatextbook which is both tried and true. Every word was inspired by God and relates to His redemptive mission.Asdisciple-makers,welongtoseeGodmakeHisWordasrealandrelevanttoothers as it is to us. By spending time in the Scriptures, both personally and with our groups, theresultisrealgrowth—bothdeepandwide—whichpenetrateseventhehardestofheartsfor the glory of the Father. Acts 6:7 reminds us of this truth: And the word of God continued to increase,andthenumberofthedisciplesmultipliedgreatlyinJerusalem,andagreatmanyof thepriestsbecameobedienttothefaith.
As you begin your Discipleship 101 Group, commit to remaining rooted in the Word! Say with the psalmist, “Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.” Let each group meeting be guided by the Gospel story, growing together in the knowledge of His grace.
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
Here are three ways to keep your Discipleship 101 Group rooted in the Word:
F-260 Reading Plan
The F-260 is a 260-day reading plan from Replicate Ministries that presents thegrandstoryofScripture.Thisplancontains5weeklyreadingsthatrangein length from 1 to 3 chapters a day. It is included in this packet (p 6-10) andconvenientlylocatedonthepopularYouVersionBibleAppaswell.
HEAR Journals
HEARJournalsareagreatwaytoengageindeeperstudywithyourDiscipleship 101 Group. This simple acronym serves as a guide for journaling through what you’re readinginGod’sWord.Eachweek,Discipleship 101 Groupsgathertodiscussthehighlights ofwhatthey’veread,takingtimetoexplain,apply,andrespondtothetruthof the Scriptures to their lives. See the attached HEAR Journal Guide (p 11) for additional details.
Scripture Memorization
Jesus modeled for us the importance of hiding God’s Word in our hearts. In Matthew’sgospelalone,Jesusmadeover40referencestotheScriptures.The F-260ReadingPlanalsooffersaScripturememorytrackthatrunsparallelwith each week’s readings. See the attached F-260 Reading Plan (p 6-10) for additional details.
F-260 Reading Plan
WEEK 1
Genesis 1 -2
Genesis 3-4
Genesis 6-7
Genesis 8-9
Job 1-2 Memory Verses: Genesis 1:27
Hebrews 11:7
WEEK 2
Job 38-39
Job 40-42
Genesis 11-12
Genesis 15
Genesis 16-17 Memory Verses: Hebrews 11:8-10;11:6
WEEK 3
Genesis 18-19
Genesis 20-21
Genesis 22
Genesis 24
Genesis 25:19-34; 26 Memory Verses: Romans 4:20-22
Hebrews 11:17-19
WEEK 4
Genesis 27-28
Genesis 29-30:24
Genesis 31-32
Genesis 33 & 35
Genesis 37
Memory Verses:
2 Corinthians 10:12
1 John 3:18
WEEK 5
Genesis 39-40
Genesis 41
Genesis 42-43
Genesis 44-45
Genesis 46-47 Memory Verses: Ephesians 3:20-21
Romans 8:28-30
WEEK 6
Genesis 48-49
Genesis 50–Exodus1
Exodus 2-3
Exodus 4-5
Exodus 6-7 Memory Verses: Genesis 50:20
Hebrews 11:24-26
WEEK 7
Exodus 8-9
Exodus 10-11
Exodus 12
Exodus 13:17-14
Exodus 16-17 Memory Verses: John 1:29
WEEK 8
Exodus 19-20
Exodus 24-25
Exodus 26-27
Exodus 28-29
Exodus 30-31
Memory Verses:
10 Commandments
WEEK 9
Exodus 32-33
Exodus 34-36:1
Exodus 40
Leviticus 8-9
Leviticus 16-17 Memory Verses: Exodus 33:16
Matthew 22:37-39
WEEK 10
Leviticus 23
Leviticus 26
Numbers 11-12
Numbers 13-14
Numbers 16-17 Memory Verses: Leviticus 26:13
Deuteronomy 31:7-8
WEEK 11
Numbers 20; 27:12-23
Numbers 34-35
Deuteronomy 1-2
Deuteronomy 3-4
Deuteronomy 6-7 Memory Verses: Deuteronomy 4:7; 6: 4-9
WEEK 12
Deuteronomy 8-9
Deuteronomy 30-31
Deuteronomy 32:48-52; 34
Joshua 1-2
Joshua 3-4 Memory Verses: Joshua 1:8-9
Psalm 1:1-2
WEEK 13
Joshua 5:10-15; 6
Joshua 7-8
Joshua 23-24
Judges 2-3
Judges 4 Memory Verses: Joshua 24:14-15
Judges 2:12
WEEK 14
Judges 6-7
Judges 13-14
Judges 15-16
Ruth 1-2
Ruth 3-4 Memory Verses: Galatians 4:4-5
Psalm 19:14
WEEK 15
1 Samuel 1-2
1 Samuel 3; 8
1 Samuel 9-10
1 Samuel 13-14
1 Samuel 15-16
Memory Verses:
1 Samuel 15:22; 16:7
WEEK 16
1 Samuel 17-18
1 Samuel 19-20
1 Samuel 21-22
Psalm22;1Samuel24-25:1
1Samuel28;31
Memory Verses:
1 Samuel 17:46-47
2Timothy4:17
WEEK 17
2 Samuel 1; 2:1-7
2 Samuel 3:1; 5; Psalm 23
2 Samuel 6-7
Psalm 18; 2 Samuel 9
2 Samuel 11-12
Memory Verses:
Psalms 23:1-3; 51:10-13
WEEK 18
Psalm 51
2 Samuel 24; Psalm 24
Psalms 1; 19
Psalms 103; 119:1-48
Psalm 119:49-128
Memory Verses:
Psalms 1:1-7; 119:7-11
WEEK 19
Psalms 119:129-176; 139
Psalms 148-150
1 Kings 2
1 Kings 3; 6
1 Kings 8; 9:1-9
Memory Verses:
Psalms 139:1-3; 139:15-16
WEEK 20
Proverbs 1-2
Proverbs 3-4
Proverbs 16-18
Proverbs 31
1 Kings 11-12 Memory Verses: Proverbs 1:7; 3:5-6
WEEK 21
1 Kings 16:29-34; 17
1 Kings18-19
1Kings21-22
2Kings2
2 Kings 5; 6:1-23
Memory Verses:
Psalm 63:1; 17:15
WEEK 22
Jonah 1-2
Jonah 3-4
Hosea 1-3
Amos 1:1; 9
Joel 1-3 Memory Verses: Psalm 16:11
John 11:25-26
WEEK 23
Isaiah 6; 9
Isaiah 44-45
Isaiah 52-53
Isaiah 65-66
Micah 1; 4:6-13; 5
Memory Verses:
Isaiah 53:5-6
1 Peter 2:23-24
WEEK 24
2 Kings17-18
2 Kings19-21
2 Kings22-23
Jeremiah 1-3:5
Jeremiah 25; 29 Memory Verses: Proverbs 29:18
Jeremiah 1:15
WEEK 25 / WEEK 29 / WEEK 33Jeremiah 31:31-40; 32-33 / Nehemiah 7-8 / Luke 9:10-62
Jeremiah 52; 2 Kings 24-25 / Nehemiah 9 / Mark 9-10
Ezekiel 1:1-3; 36:16-38; 37 / Nehemiah 10 / Luke 12
Daniel 1-2 / Nehemiah 11 / John 3-4
Daniel 3 / Nehemiah 12 / Luke 14
Memory Verses: / Memory Verses: / Memory Verses:
Psalm 51:10 / Nehemiah 9:6 / Luke 14:26-27; 14:33
Colossians 1:15-16
WEEK 26 / WEEK 34
Daniel 5-6 / WEEK 30 / John 6
Daniel 9-10; 12 / Nehemiah 13 / Matthew 19:16-30
Ezra 1-2 / Malachi 1 / Luke 15-16
Ezra 3-4 / Malachi 2 / Luke 17:11-37; 18
Ezra 5-6 / Malachi 3 / Mark 10
Memory Verses: / Malachi 4 / Memory Verses:
Daniel 6:26-27; 9:19 / Memory Verses: / Mark 10:45
Psalm 51:17 / John 6:37
WEEK 27 / Colossians 1:19-20
Zechariah 1:1-6; 2; 12 / WEEK 35
Ezra 7-8 / WEEK 31 / John11;Matthew21:1-13
Ezra 9-10 / Luke 1 / John 13
Esther 1-2 / Luke 2 / John 14-15
Esther 3-4 / Matthew 1-2 / John 16
Memory Verses: / Mark 1 / Matt 24
Zephaniah 3:17 / John 1 / Memory Verses:
Memory Verses: / John 13:34-35; 15:4-5
WEEK 28 / John 1:1-2; 14
Esther 5 -7 / WEEK 36
Esther 8-10 / WEEK 32 / Matthew 24:1-46
Nehemiah 1-2 / Matthew 2-4 / John 17
Nehemiah 3-4 / Matthew 5 / Matthew 26:47-27:31
Nehemiah 5-6 / Matthew 6 / Matthew 27:32-66; Luke
Memory Verses: / Matthew 7 / 23:26-56
Deuteronomy 29:29 / Matthew 8 / John 19
Psalms 101:3-4 / Memory Verses: / Memory Verses:
Matthew 5:16; 6:33 / Luke 23:34
John 17:3
WEEK 37
Mark16;Matthew28
Luke 24
John 20-21
Matthew 28
Acts 1
Memory Verses:
Matthew 28:18-20
Acts 1:8
WEEK 38
Acts 2-3
Acts 4-5
Acts 6
Acts 7
Acts 8-9 Memory Verses: Acts 2:42;4:31
WEEK 39
Acts 10-11
Acts 12
Acts 13-14
James 1-2
James 3-5 Memory Verses: James 1: 2-4; 2:17
WEEK 40
Acts 15-16
Galatians 1-3
Galatians 4-6
Acts 17-18:17
1 Thess. 1-2 Memory Verses: Acts 17:11;17:24-25
WEEK 41
1Thess.3-5
2Thess.1-3
Acts 18-19
1 Cor. 1-2
1 Cor. 3-4
Memory Verses:
1 Corinthians 1:18
1 Thes. 5:23-24
WEEK 42
1 Cor. 4-5
1 Cor. 6-7
1 Cor. 8-9
1 Cor. 10-11
1 Cor. 12-14
Memory Verses:
1Corinthians10:13;13:13
WEEK 43
1 Cor. 15-16
2 Cor. 1-2
2 Cor. 3-4
2 Cor. 5-6
2 Cor. 7-8
Memory Verses:
Romans 1:16-17
1Corinthians15:3-4
WEEK 44
2 Cor. 9-10
2 Cor. 11-13
Romans 1-2; Acts 20:1-3
Romans 3-4
Romans 5-6 Memory Verses: Romans 4:20-22; 5:1
WEEK 45
Romans 7-8
Romans 9-10
Romans 11-12
Romans 13-14
Romans 15-16 Memory Verses: Romans 8:1; 12:1-2
WEEK 46
Acts 20-21
Acts 22-23
Acts 24-25
Acts 26-27
Acts 28 Memory Verses: Acts 20:24
2Corinthians4:7-10
WEEK 47
Colossians 1-2
Colossians 3-4
Ephesians 1-2
Ephesians 3-4
Ephesians 5-6 Memory Verses: Ephesians 2:8-10
Colossians 2:6-7
WEEK 48
Philippians 1-2
Philippians 3-4
Hebrews 1-2
Hebrews 3-4
Hebrews 5-6 Memory Verses: Philippians 3:7-8
Hebrews 4:14-16
WEEK 49
Hebrews 6-7
Hebrews 8-9
Hebrews 10
Hebrew 11
Hebrews 12 Memory Verses: Galatians 2:19-20
2 Cor. 5:17
WEEK 50
1 Timothy 1-3
1Timothy4-6
2Timothy1-2
2 Timothy 3-4
1 Peter 1-2
Memory Verses:
2Timothy2:1-2;2:15
WEEK 51
1 Peter 3-4
1 Peter 5; 1 John 1
1 John 2-3
1 John 4-5
Revelation 1
Memory Verses:
1 Peter 2:11
1 John 4:10-11
WEEK 52
Revelation 2
Revelation 3
Revelation 19:6-20
Revelation 21
Revelation 22
Memory Verses:
Revelation 3:19; 21:3-4
Sample HEAR Journal
READING: John 13
DATE: August 9, 2015
TITLE: To Love Is To Serve
HIGHLIGHT:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you alsoaretoloveoneanother.Bythisallpeoplewillknowthatyouaremydisciples,ifyouhave loveforoneanother.John13:34-35(ESV)
ThenHepouredwaterintoabasinandbegantowashthedisciple’sfeetandtowipethem withthetowelthatwaswrappedaroundHim.John13:5(ESV)
EXPLAIN:
Before Jesus spoke about sacrificial love, He showed it by washing the feet of His most faithful followers. By taking on a task deemed too dirty even for Hebrew slaves, Jesus provided them with a picture of what it really looked like to love. With this example fresh upontheirminds,Jesusmovedfromillustrationtoinstruction,teachingthemthatthesame sacrificialloveHehadjustshownthem,theywerenowtoshowtoothers.
SignificantinthisstoryisthefactthatJesuswashedthefeet,notjustofthemenwhowould makeuptheleadershipofHischurch,butalsoofJudas,themanwho,momentslater,would sellHimoutforseveralpiecesofsilver.Althoughtheweightofthiswouldn’tbefeltuntillater, the disciples discovered, through His example, that real love doesn’t recognize a face as ‘friend’or‘foe’,butinstead,focusesonwashingthefeetofallforthegloryofJesus(bythisall peoplewillknowthatyouaremydisciples).
APPLY:
It’ssimpletostringtogetherourowndefinitionsofloveandfeelasthoughwearedoingHis work,wheninreality,wearen’t.Inthispassage,Jesusmadeitclearthatthedepthofourlove is revealed in the degree to which we serve. If we are to love others like our Lord we must leave the comfort of the table to take up the towel of sacrificial service. When we find ourselvesatthefeetofotherswefindourselvesneartoJesus!
RESPOND:
Lord Jesus, help me to love others as You have loved me. In the ultimate act of love, You offeredYourselfonthecrossinmyplace.Makememoremindfulofthecross,thatImightbe moved to surrender my pride daily. May I decrease, so that You may increase and through YourSpiritfillmewiththestrengthtoserveothers.
POWERED BY PRAYER
AndrewMurrayoncesaid,“WemustbegintobelievethatGod,inthemysteryofprayer,has entrusteduswithaforcethatcanmovetheHeavenlyworld,andcanbringitspowerdownto earth.”PrayeristhecallingdownofGod’spoweronyouandthosearoundyou.Considerthe magnitude of this statement…because of the work of Christ, we have access to Heavenly empowermentwhichenablesustoaccomplishallthatGodhascalledustodo.
Consider, then, the ramifications of a walk with Christ that places little to no emphasis onprayer. If prayer is calling down God’s power, and we don’t treat it as such, what are we saying? In essence, we’re saying to God: I’ve got it all together. I’m capable. I’m in control.
We all know that this isn’t the case. As a matter of fact, we have nothing under control. A disciple who remains steadfast in prayer is submitting wholly to God in recognition that they are not capable of anything apart from the power of God. Jesus was very clear about how able we would be without Him. In John 15:5, He reminds His disicples, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Prayer reveals our utter dependence upon Him.
Jesus, our Master, modeled this truth. It was not at all irregular for Jesus to spend an entire nightinfellowshipwithHisFather.Hewasstrengthenedfromdoingso.ItkeptHisFather’swill ever before Him. Jesus often rose early in the morning so that He could pray (Mark 1:35). Jesus prayed publicly to God on behalf of Lazarus (John 11:41-42) and before healing a personwithaspeechimpediment(Mark7:34-35).EvenintheGardenofGethsemane,mere momentsfromthecross,HewasseekingtheheartofHisFather(Matthew26).
If the sovereign Son of God was sought so desperately to employ this Heavenly power,how muchmoreshouldwe?
The first disciples saw this heart within their Teacher and were eager to learn from His example. Of all the wonderful works we read about in the pages of Scripture, only one — prayer — caused the disciples to seek out additional understanding (Luke 11). The chosen twelveneveraskedJesustoteachthemhowtopreachorperformmiracles,buttheydidask Him,“Lord,teachustopray.”
Upon this teaching the Church was established. Prayer was the first real action thedisciples tookwhiletheywerewaitingonthecomingHolySpirit(Acts1).Acts1:14says,“Allthesewith oneaccordweredevotingthemselvestoprayer.”Ifanyonewordcapturestheheartofbeing powered by prayer, it’s devotion to it. Only prayer, calling down Heavenly power, would preparethemforthetaskathand.
This dedication to prayer was a recognition of their dependence upon Him; a realizationthat theywerepowerlesstoaccomplishthemissionintheirownstrength.
When His disciples could do nothing but wait, they did what they saw their Master doing. They begin calling out for strength to act. They were ready, but not yet empowered. Disciples of Christ are still drawn to their knees when they perceive their weakness. We too can pray with expectation — a holy anticipation of Heavenly power. This commitment to prayer always precedes the work of God. Then and now, prayer unleashes the power of God to fulfill the promises of God. Like these first disciples, you may fight feelings of insufficiency. When you find yourself filled with fear and paralyzed by your powerlessness, do what Jesus’ disciples did:pray.