Tag: discipleship

Who Is In Your Disciple ‘Tree’?

Peyton and I spoke after church on Sunday and he thought this would be a good topic. It’s based on the sermon Sunday and is consistent with our ongoing efforts to be intentional about our faith.

As Bill Burch mentioned in his sermon Sunday, Bill Belichick, one of the most successful NFL coaches, has a coaching “tree” full of leaders who’ve gone on to make their mark in football. This tree is comprised of many assistant coaches who’ve gone on to be head coaches in other programs.

Whether they’ve succeeded or stumbled, they carry his influence—his way of thinking, his strategies, his values. It’s a reminder that none of us live in isolation. We’re all influenced by someone, and in turn, we influence others.

The same is true in our walk of faith. As disciples of Jesus, we’re part of His “tree.” His teachings, His love, and His example shape who we are. And as we grow, God calls us to do the same for others—to teach, encourage, and influence people in our lives.

So, whose tree are you a part of? Who has poured into your life and helped you grow in faith? Maybe it’s a parent who prayed for you every day, a friend who encouraged you when life felt heavy, or a pastor whose words have stuck with you. And here’s the flip side: who is part of your tree? Who are you pouring into? Who are you encouraging, mentoring, and pointing toward Jesus?

We often think of discipleship as something formal—Bible studies or teaching sessions—but discipleship often happens in the small moments of life. It happens when you take the time to pray for someone, listen without judgment, or simply live in a way that reflects Christ.

Paul captures this so well in 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Discipleship isn’t about perfection; it’s about pointing others to Jesus as you walk with Him yourself. It’s saying, “I’m following Him, and I want you to come along.”

This week, take some time to reflect on your tree—both the branches that shaped you and the branches you’re growing. As we do so, we can all work toward being part of a discipleship legacy that points to Jesus and helps others walk in His love.

Questions:

1.      Who first introduced you to faith or helped you understand what it means to follow Jesus? How has their influence shaped your journey?

2.      What qualities or actions stand out to you in someone who has discipled you? How can you reflect those qualities to others?

3.      Who are you currently pouring into or walking alongside in faith? How can you intentionally invest in that person’s growth?

4.      What barriers (time, fear, self-doubt) might be keeping you from discipling someone else? How can you trust God to overcome them?

Leading an Unexamined Life

Building on our conversation last week about breaking free from the rat race, this week we’ll focus on the topic of “Leading an Unexamined Life”, which is the second chapter of “The Man in the Mirror.”

Today’s verse is from Lamentations 3:40 which says, “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”

Understanding the Unexamined Life

The unexamined life, as discussed in our passage, reflects a journey without introspection, where actions and decisions are made without the deliberate consideration of one’s values, purpose, or the alignment of these with God’s will. It reminds me of the saying “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. This can lead us away from the path God intends for us, resulting in a life filled with missed opportunities for growth, fulfillment, service, and building strong friendships!

The Tombstone Testimony

This chapter discusses the topic of legacy and the signs/indications of a life well-lived. Our desire to be remembered as “a good and faithful servant” underscores the essence of leading an examined life. This is a life that consistently reflects on how our actions, relationships, and faith align with God’s expectations and our true calling.

The Journey of Faith

As we mature in our faith journey, our trust and commitment to Jesus should deepen, moving from a conceptual belief to a guiding force in our life. This shift is an essential part of transitioning from an unexamined to an examined life, where our daily choices and our overarching life direction are intentionally aligned with our faith.

The Call to Discipleship

This chapter also discussed the importance of discipleship in preventing the pitfalls of an unexamined life. Discipleship, characterized by mentorship, guidance, and accountability, helps us navigate our faith journey, ensuring we remain true to our Christian values and God’s plan for us.

Embracing the Examined Life

In our goal to move toward living examined life, we commit to a journey of frequent reflection, which reminds us to align our values and our daily actions. It’s a path marked by a willingness to ask tough questions, to face our imperfections, and to grow in faith and character under God’s guidance. This chapter challenges us to look beyond the superficial, to dig deeper into our faith, and to live in a way that, when our time comes, we too might hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Questions:

  1. Based on today’s lesson, would you say you are living a life that is closer to the examined or unexamined end of the spectrum?
  2. Reflecting on the “tombstone testimony,” what words or phrases do you hope might define your life?
  3. As a follow up to question #2, does your vision of how you want to be remembered influence your daily choices and long-term goals? If so, in what ways?
  4. How can this group help those who want more discipleship and accountability in their lives? What are some simple but powerful things group members can start doing that will move us in this direction?
  5. Facing the Mirror: If you are comfortable sharing, what discrepancies do you find between the “visible you” and the “real you”? How can you bring these into closer alignment?