Knowing Jesus… “Audacious Steps.”

1. Audacious is a word that we could use to describe some of the steps Jesus made in His life, why?

2. It is a word that we could use to describe the steps that many people have made throughout history as well, can you think of a few examples?

3. Throughout history, the audacious steps of some people have changed the direction of all our lives!

4. Audacious steps shake up the status quo!Redefine boundaries, stir up controversy, draw critics and followers, initiate movements, change the world!BUT… is this a Biblical view?

God often begins a NEW work by calling His people to take an audacious step.

  1. In the Bible, you see that anytime God wants to initiate something new he calls someone to take an audacious step.
  2. Do you think our world needs a shake up and some change once again? Why or why not?
  3. Pastor Adam gave some sobering statistics on the state the U.S. church. Statistics that might beg the question, “What is happening in the American church?”

Perhaps we have wandered from the ministry Jesus gave to ALLhis followers. We have forgotten our purpose.
d. Jesus gave us a clear purpose to go and make disciples… who would go and make disciples. Are you making disciples? Who are they?

READ and Discuss:

John 14:12, 1 John 2:6, Philippians 2:5, Acts 4:13, 1 Corinthians 11:1.

God is very clear in this: when we are in relationship with Jesus, when we are filled with the Spirit of God, we can do not only what Jesus did…..but even GREATER things!

THE KEY: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”

Jesus’ followers agreed that life was not about them! It was about Jesus.

A quote from Pastor Adam… Sadly many churches and Christians.have strayed from this command from Jesus. What you see in the American church is that most of the new models are not working either. Most churches are not reaching more people; they are reaching less! Could it be that churches are shrinking and people are leaving because we are no longer concerned with making disciples who make disciples? Could it be that we are more concerned with having beautiful buildings?Could it be we are more concerned with our traditions?Could it be we are more concerned with our ownministry?Could it be we are not focused on Jesus?

READ: Hebrews 2:17

  1. Most Christians, have no problem embracing Jesus as fully God; but we struggle with embracing Jesus as fully man, why?
  2. If Jesus is fully man does this mean we could live differently? Should we live differently?

Think About This:

Jesus grew up and developed like us:Luke 2:52

Jesus got tired like we doand even thirsty a time or two: John 4:6.

Jesus was tempted like us and got hungry like us:Matthew 4:1-2

Jesus wept like we do:John 11:33-35

Jesus suffered and died like we all will.John 19:28-30,

There is one thing that Jesus gave us to do: Go Make Disciples! Matthew 28:18-20

  1. There is ONE command here. What is the command?

Jesus’ vision for His church is a church that was multiplying disciples that would multiply disciples that would reach the entire world.

  1. “So what are you waiting for?”
  2. Jesus said we can do even greater things than He did. Do you believe HIM?
  3. Are you going to go after Jesus’ call to go make disciples?

Answer this: When you get to Heaven, Is God is going to be excited when quote back to him your memory verses that you never did anything with?Or do you think God is going to get excited when you humbly bow and tell Him that you went out and did your best to“GO and make disciples?”