Light, Water, & Fruit Workbook

A Pathway of Lifelong Transformation for Disciples of Jesus
by
Michael S. Sanborn
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Table of Contents
All Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version, 2011
How to Use This Workbook .................................................................................................................................... 2 The Trailhead: Understanding the Story of All Reality .............................................................. 3
I. The Decision of a Disciple: Lose Your Life to Find Life

The Invitation to a New Name: a short story........................................................................................... 4 Reflecting on Jesus statements about losing your life for Him .............................................. 7 Jesus Goal for our Hearts: The Prideful Son to the Loving Father.................................................................. 8 Questions to evaluate your heart ......................................................................................................... 9 Reflection questions about spiritual growth and community ..................................................................................... 10
II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water and Fruit
The Power of Three .................................................................................................................................................................. 11 The Three Marks of a Disciple .......................................................................................................... 12 What is a disciple? ...................................................................................................................................... 13 The Power of Metaphors ...................................................................................................................................................... 14 The Three Marks/Metaphors of a Disciple .................................................................................................................. 16 Light ................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Water ............................................................................................................................................................... 17 Fruit ................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Summary: The Three Marks and Our Relationships ............................................................................................... 22 The Good Tree: a short story .................................................................................................................................. 23
III. The Path of a Disciple: Pursuing Goals with a Gracious Master

Spiritual Goals ................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Outline of discipleship plan ....................................................................................................................................................... 27 Why should I make goals? What do you mean by goals? .........................................................................................28 Examples of Spiritual Goals ....................................................................................................................................................30 Goals Must Involve Mind, Body, Relationships ............................................................................................................33 Mind ................................................................................................................................................................... 33 Body ...................................................................................................................................................................35 Relationships ................................................................................................................................................. 37 Jesuss Small Groups ............................................................................................. 38 Discipleship in Groups of 3 ............................................................................. 38 Reproducing Disciples in Groups of 3 ...................................................... 39 Inviting Others into a Group of 3 ................................................................ 39 SiMPLE groups of 3-4 ..........................................................................................40 Discipleship Group Covenant ........................................................................ 41 Patient Growth: a short story..................................................................................................................................... 42 Conclusion: Some Personal Thoughts About Goals ............................................................................................... 45 Spiritual Goals reminder sheet ................................................................................................................................................ 46 Works Cited ............................................................................................................................................................................. 47
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How to Use this Workbook

This workbook can be used for individual study, as a small group study, or in a large group classroom format. However, I believe that this workbook will be best utilized as the first study guide for a spiritual accountability group of 3-4 members, as will be explained further on pages 37-41. This workbook lays the foundation for an ongoing pattern of setting spiritual goals throughout ones life, goals that will continually change and be adjusted through the various seasons of discipleship that Jesus takes people through. Once the practice of setting goals is established, group members then have a set of questions that they can be asking each other at each gathering. Once finished with this workbook, the group may then move on to another Bible or book study of their choosing, while still maintaining the accountability questions and prayer for one another at each gathering. Hopefully after 1-11/2 years, each member will desire to form a new group of 3-4 to take others through the material. If this pattern of starting new groups every 1-11/2 years continues, there will be a profound exponential increase in the spiritual maturity of your community of Christ-followers, which will certainly lead to a great number of marvelous victories for the kingdom of God.
This workbook is not broken up into weekly or any other periodic study segments. You are encouraged to go through it at your own pace. I encourage you to take your time and digest the material slowly. Thoroughly meditate on and discuss the questions that come up. Allow the Holy Spirit to take you through it at His pace, eagerly listening for His wonderful counsel. There are three short stories found within this workbook. They are fictitious, but based on Scriptural accounts in the New Testament. They are intended to engage the mind and heart with the teachings of Jesus through a different channel, perhaps a more effective channel for some. Jesus often used parables, and I think He was on to something there. My deepest desire is that you grow leaps and bounds in your intimacy and interactions with our most glorious Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. May thanksgiving and praise be multiplied to Him for years and decades and eons to come, forevermore! Amen.
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Understanding the Story of All Reality
The Trailhead
Creator: There exists one God who possesses infinite power, love, beauty, and all Creator
the attributes of the greatest conceivable being. Psalm 33; Isaiah 40:12-28; Acts 17:24-25
Creation: God has created and sustains all things. God created human beings to be Creation
his treasured children, to enjoy a perfect union of love with God and each other for all eternity. Genesis 1-2; Acts 17:26ff; Ephesians 1:4-5
Rebellion: The problem with this world is that all people rebel against God's Rebellion
eternal plan for them. All of us are bent to choose self-centered, loveless lives disconnected from God, which causes chaotic evil to spread everywhere. Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 1:18-32; 3:23
Rescue: If left on our own, we would destroy ourselves forever. But Jesus, God the Rescue
Son in human flesh, has come to rescue us! By allowing Himself to be destroyed on that tortuous cross, and by rising from the dead three days later, Jesus provides us a way back to God's loving arms if we choose to accept His path of healing. Isaiah 53; Psalm 16:10; John 3:16; Philippians 2:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15
Fullness: Followers of Jesus are given the gift of God's intimate presence within Fullness
them: The Holy Spirit gives us guidance into all wisdom, comfort through all trials, power to transform our hearts, and power to make new disciples of Jesus. Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 16:7-15; Ephesians 1:13-14
Future: Followers of Jesus eagerly wait for the day when God will create a new world Future
where there will be no more evil. With eternally incorruptible bodies, we will live together forever in this unimaginably glorious kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-8 What do you think about the last phrase under the Rescue heading: if we choose to accept His path of healing? What does it mean for someone to really accept all this and to not just merely believe it?
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I. The Decision of a Disciple: Lose Your Life to Find Life The Invitation to a New Name
A short story
Tell us more about Peter, please! The right corner of the old mans sun-scarred lips lifted a little. He was not able to hide the grin, nor his delight in telling us another story about his old friend. I was there, you know, when they met, said the old man. When who met? a few boys asked in unison. The old man leaned forward with feigned astonishment. You dont know? After looking us over with that sly grin, he settled slowly back into his chair, torturing us with suspense. He then turned toward the window. Did something just get his attention? A shooting star? He fell into some sort of strange trance staring out that window. About half a minute went by before he suddenly blurted out with some dramatic flair, You are Simon son of John. You will be called Peter.1 Is this another story, sir? Oh yes, yes, said the old man, still looking out the window. He had never met him, and he introduces himself by revealing Simons name! the old man slapped himself on the thigh and let out a chuckle. Its Jesus, whispered my cousin as he nudged me in the side. I know! I retorted. Oh, now you should have seen the look on Simons face! He turned white as a ghost! continued the old man, now looking with bright eyes directly at us. But see, it was that second part that really got him. He came up to me the next day with the most serious look I had ever seen on his face. He said, John! What do you think he meant that my name will be Rock? What is that supposed to mean? Well I told him, Simon, I have no idea, but what I do know is that he already knew you before you met. The same thing happened to Nathanael2 today, you saw it Theres something about this guy, and for now, we just need to follow him! Thats what I said to him, and he had nothing else to say. He just kept walking, thinking to himself. The old man paused. Is there more? we pleaded. Oh yes You know the funny thing was, he continued with that thoughtful look out the window again, he never called him Peter. He always called him Simon. Except for that one time and he trailed off. What time? Oh the time when he also called him Satan. What?! several boys gasped. Uh huh, the old man continued. He called him Satan. Once. But not before he reminded him of his real name We were in Caesarea Philippi.3 We had just gotten
1 2
John 1:42 John 1:47-48 3 Matthew 16:13ff
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into, well, a little skirmish with the Pharisees and the Sadducees an unusual team-up there, but thats beside the point. That night as we were getting ready for sleep, Jesus sprung a surprise question for us. What did he ask you? He asked us, Who do people say that I am? As if any of us really knew! And what did you say? my cousin blurted out. I didnt say anything. I didnt know what he was getting at. We looked at each other, and then Thomas mustered up some courage and said, Some say John the Baptist. Others say Elijah, or Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Then Jesus said, But what do you say? Who do you say that I am? And without missing a beat, Simon pipes up out of nowhere from the back of the room with an other-worldly confidence, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. What happened next, tell us! we begged. Give me a chance, dont rush me, said the old man calmly, scratching his stringy white whiskers under his nose. When he was satisfied, he continued. Everyone was stunned silent, but Jesus allowed the silence to linger for awhile. And then he stood up, walked over to Simon, and said, and the old man began to speak like he was quoting him word for word: Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. The old man then spoke with increasing volume and excitement: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.4 One of the kids in the back said, I think Ive heard this story before. The old man broke out of his trance and said with a twinkle in his eye, Oh you have, huh? You heard it from that no good tax collector Matthew did you? I havent heard the story before, I said. But a few others around me started saying, I think that Ive heard it before too! But then others piped back, Well I havent heard it so keep quiet! I want to hear the rest! And a few shoves were thrown in the middle of the room. But the old man stood up and banged his walking stick against the chair and calmly kept saying, Quiet now, quiet now Remember what the Lord said Love one another, boys.5 We must love one another. And the commotion quickly stopped. The old man gently sat back down, sitting straight up, with an attentive gaze on us all. He then said, You may have heard it before... but do you understand it? By the looks of things, I think you have a long way to go And Im convinced that theres no chance in all the heavens that you understand the next part of the story. Whats the next part? someone asked. The Satan part, dont you remember? his friend said. Then several of the boys asked at once, Tell us about the Satan part! The old man looked at them with a furrowed brow. I wouldnt call this next part, the Satan part, he said. You should call it, the meaning of life part. We just stared back at him with wide eyes, waiting for his next words. I dont think anyone had the courage to say anything more. Thankfully the old man broke the awkward silence. The next day, Jesus shocked our sandals off again. He started to explain to us that he had to go to Jerusalem. He had to go there to suffer at the hands of those those rotten priests and that he had to had to die.6
4 5
Matthew 16:17-19 John 13:34 6 Matthew 16:21ff
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Well as soon as he said die, Peter rushed toward him and shouted, Never! Never, Lord! Peter had such a fiery devotion in his eyes at that moment But Jesus he was looking away from us Jesus slowly turned around and quietly quietly mind you he said in a soft but firm voice Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.7 Peter was crushed, and looked down at the ground in shock. But Jesus walked over and lifted his chin up, and looked him in the eyes with that gaze that gaze of love I saw a tear stream through the old mans whiskers. After about ten seconds, I asked softly, What happened next? The old man looked down at all of us again, scanning our faces with his bloodshot eyes. The words that Jesus said next are the words that I want all of you to think about and I mean really think about for the rest of your lives! he announced. We all looked at each other, burning with curiosity. The old man spoke the next few sentences very methodically, looking each of us in the eye, one by one: Jesus said to Peter and to all of us, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 8 Silence filled the room. Now I know some of you have heard this before, the old man said verly slowly and softly, But does anyone in this room really understand it? Nobody said a word. The old mans look of seriousness suddenly changed to that famous grin again. Oh dont you worry. You will understand it. Someday. You will understand it. Hell teach you. Dont worry. Hell keep teaching this to you for the rest of your lives, and his life will keep pouring into your soul. The old man stood up, and started walking to the door. At the doorpost, he turned around and said, You know what? Hes going to give each of you a new name someday. How about that?9 Just like Peter. But your new name will be a secret, just between him and you Can you imagine that? But let me tell you something, its like Im always telling you you have to have a real relationship with him. You have to let him know you, let Him love you, as he knew and loved Peter. You have to let him into the depths of your heart, and you have to let him change you. See, you have to be willing to lose your old name, to get the new name. Lose yourself, find yourself. Deny your life, gain your life. Thats the way of Jesus. Thats the way of the cross. Thats what every follower of Jesus must learn and experience.
How important is someones name in your culture? What about in Jesus culture? Read Revelation 2:17. What do you think that Jesus promises in this verse? What do you think the old man meant about losing your old name to get a new name?
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Matthew 16:23 Matthew 16:24-25 9 Revelation 2:17, To him who overcomes, I will give a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
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Read all of the following Scriptures first, and then write down and discuss in a small group what is unique about each passage compared to the others. What is the overall message?
Matthew 10:37-39
Matthew 16:24-27
Mark 8:34-35
Luke 9:23-24
Luke 14:25-33
John 12:24-26
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Jesus Goal for our Hearts: The Prideful Son to the Loving Father
One of the most famous paintings in all history, The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt (c. 1662) amazingly conveys the hearts of the three main characters in Jesus wonderful parable (Luke 15:11-32). The younger son, wearing rags and just one tattered shoe, is a picture of brokenness, contrition, and yet peace as he rests his shaven head in the loving embrace of his father. The fathers gentle, unconditional love is mesmerizing, as is the contrast between his feminine right hand and his masculine left hand that settle upon his wayward sons shoulders Rembrandts way of portraying both aspects of parental love. You can even sense the conflict in the older son on the far right, as he holds himself with pride, but greatly ashamed at his fathers acceptance of his despicable brother. The heart condition of each character is remarkably visible in this climactic snapshot of the parable of the prodigal son. It is as if Rembrandt (and, no doubt, Jesus with this story) is challenging us to look into our own hearts and ask, Which character am I? The Christian life can be described as a life of transformation from the heart of the older son, to the heart of the younger son, to the heart of the father. We begin life with a heart filled with pride: Self-righteous, self-confident, with no sense of our absolute need for God. Through Gods grace we then move to the broken condition of the younger son, deeply aware of the ugly sin embedded within our souls and our dependance on God for everything. But God ultimately wants to change our hearts to that of the father, filled with a lavishly generous and unconditional love for all people, even those who have hurt us the most (Matthew 5:44). The only way that this transformation can happen is if you are willing to take a deep look at who you really are at the core of your heart and then be prepared to take a lifelong journey in which Gods Spirit leads you to shed all aspects of your old identity and empowers you to embrace your real identity as a precious child of God created and saved solely by grace.
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We must be willing to allow Jesus to take us deep inside our own heart, and to truthfully face the answers to the following questions:10 Is it easy for me to identify what I am really feeling on the inside? Am I able to share freely with others the emotions, hurts, beliefs, fears, and doubts that are beneath the surface of my life? Do I handle conflict in a respectful, helpful manner? Have I ever considered how my childhood experiences or other past experiences have shaped me, both for good and for bad? Have I ever considered how my parents, grandparents, and family have shaped me? Do I need approval from others to feel good about myself? Do I easily admit when I am wrong, and do I readily ask forgiveness from others? Would others consider me to be approachable, gentle, vulnerable, open, and transparent? Do I know how to say No to a request that would overwork me? Am I easily offended? Do I often get angry at others? The heart is Am I often critical or judgmental of others? deceitful above Am I a good listener? all things and Am I often in an anxious hurry? beyond cure. Do I often overwork myself? Do I get enough rest? Do I give a generous amount of time to be with my wife, children, Who can and family? understand it? Would others say that my family is more important than my work? Am I afraid to ask people difficult questions? Jeremiah 17:9 Do I get overly concerned about what others think about me? Am I able to share the grief and loss that others experience? Am I able to cry and experience sadness when I suffer loss? Am I regularly able to enter the world and feelings of others, connecting deeply with their experience and sharing their emotions? Am I quick to listen and slow to speak, or do I tend to share my opinion a lot? Do I often blame others or do I look inside my own heart first before I judge? Do I spend a sufficient amount of time alone with God that sustains my work for God? Can it honestly be said that my work for God is really working with God? Do I take enough regular times for rest (e.g. Sabbath)? Do any of these questions make you think about yourself? Reflect on the questions that strike a nerve within you. Share your thoughts about this with a trusted friend, family member, or in a small group.
10
Most of these questions are adapted from the Inventory of Spiritual/Emotional Maturity in Peter Scazzero, The Emotionally Healthy Church: A Strategy for Discipleship that Actually Changes Lives (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 61-64.
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Reflect on the following quotation about communities of Christ-followers:
I want a community who will take an interest in my well-being, a community who is not afraid to ask me to make a commitment to my own spiritual growth and service to others, a community who dares to offer me a reliable pattern of transformation and then backs it up by challenging me to enter into some form of accountability in order to help me meet our commitments. I want a community who will challenge me to become who I already am: one in whom Christ dwells and delights, a light to the world, salt to the earth, the aroma of Christ to a dying world. I want a community who reminds me of who I am and will watch over me with love which means offering both comfort and warning so that I might live a life worthy of my calling. James Bryan Smith 11
What comes to your mind when Smith says Community:
Reliable pattern of transformation:
Accountability:
Commitments:
Who I already am:
Love both comfort and warning:
A life worthy of my calling:
11
James Bryan Smith, The Good and Beautiful Community: Following the Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2010), Kindle e-book, locations 1379-1387.
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II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

This workbook presents a three-part biblical framework for pursuing a vibrant, ever-growing discipleship relationship to Jesus. The goal of this book is to provide assistance to followers of Jesus in the quest to become like Him in every way. The framework is designed to be simple yet holistic, firmly anchored to the core teachings of Jesus. This workbook is built upon three foundational ideas: 1) Three is a very powerful number in our lives; 2) Metaphors provide powerful inspiration for spiritual growth; 3) The teachings of Jesus put these first two ideas together in a remarkable way in the Gospel of John, resulting in a very helpful biblical framework that anyone can use as a guide in their discipleship to Jesus. Let us look into these foundational ideas before we see how to use this discipleship guide
The Power of Three

Reality loves threes. We continue to discover that the universe contains several entities in threes. Space exists in three dimensions. The fundamental building block of all matter, the atom, is comprised of three parts: protons, neutrons, and electrons. It has recently been discovered that even the neutron and the proton Reality loves are each comprised of three sub-atomic particles called quarks. The threes. earth is made of land, water, and air. There are three main types of clouds: cirrus, cumulus, and stratus. There are three primary colors from which all colors come: red, yellow, and blue. It appears that our The triquetra is an ancient Triune Creator, Himself a being that is comprised of three Persons symbol for Father, Son and Holy Spirit has stamped His creation with the mark the Trinity. of three! Can you think of any other famous threes that appear in our world? Write them below:
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Three is a very interesting number. It is the first number that moves us from the lonely and limited numbers one and two to a whole new category called multiple, and yet it is still small enough (the smallest!) to be called few. Three is the bridge between complexity and simplicity. People are drawn to tri-part concepts because they are memorable and seemingly sufficient Its as easy as 1 2 3! Perhaps this is why pastors tend to preach many of their sermons using three points. And perhaps this is why Jesus left us with three statements that define what His disciples look like. Three definitive statements that were remembered and recorded for us by the Apostle John:
The Three Marks of a Disciple:
John 8:31-32 --- If you HOLD TO MY TEACHING, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 13:34-35 --- A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
John 15:8 --- This is to my Fathers glory, that you BEAR MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Describe each of these three marks in your own words. Try not to use any of the key words (e.g., teaching, truth, love, fruit) found in the verses above:
1.
2.
3.
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The three marks of a disciple provide a simple yet seemingly complete picture of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. In the first mark, we learn that a disciple of Jesus will cling to His teachings as the most important truths of all, seeking not only to know them but to live them out in every area of life, resulting in a joyous freedom from sin.12 In the second mark, we learn that a disciple of Jesus will sincerely love other people, particularly fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, displaying a love so Christ-like that the world will take notice and ponder. In the third mark, we learn that a disiple of Jesus will bear fruit. Fruit is a Scriptural metaphor that can describe virtuous character qualities (fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22-23), good deeds (Col 1:10), and nurturing a new generation of disciples (John 4:34-38), all three of which are produced by the power of the Spirit of God who lives within the disciples heart.13 It is important to note here that the three marks of a disciple are not marks of achievement that are earned somewhere down the line in our relationship with Jesus. Rather, they are descriptive marks of anyone who places their trust in Jesus and desires Him to be their Savior and Master. A Christian is a Jesus considers disciple. Jesus considers anyone who comes to Him for salvation anyone who to be His disciple. The purpose of these three marks is to guide us comes to Him for to become all that Jesus wants for us to become just like Him. We are disciples at the beginning of the journey when we say salvation to be His Yes! to Jesus, we are disciples at the end of our earthly lives disciple. when we will finally see Jesus face to face, and we are disciples in all places in between.14 Do you see yourself as a disciple of Jesus? How would you define the word, disciple?
Some key definitions of disciple: A disciple of Jesus is one who has come to Jesus for eternal life, has claimed Jesus as Savior and God, and has embarked upon the life of following Jesus. Michael J. Wilkins15 The disciple is one who, intent upon becoming Christ-like and so dwelling in his faith and practice, systematically and progressively rearranges his affairs to that end. Dallas Willard16 Christ calls, the disciple follows... Discipleship means adherence to Christ. Dietrich Bonhoeffer17
12
Michael J. Wilkins, Following the Master: A Biblical Theology of Discipleship (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992), 232. 13 Michael J. Wilkins, In His Image: Reflecting Christ in Everyday Life (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1997), 103-4. 14 For a deeper biblical analysis of this subject, see Wilkins, Following the Master, 229-235. 15 Wilkins, Following the Master, 40. 16 Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesuss Essential Teachings on Discipleship (San Francisco: Harper, 2006), 7. 17 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York: MacMillan, 1963), 63.
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The Power of Metaphors

Along with the number three, metaphors are also very helpful for remembering and appreciating concepts. A metaphor paints a picture which speaks a thousand words, as the old saying goes. Metaphors captivate the human mind because the imagery contains volumes of information that can never be fully grasped, leaving us longing for more. Eugene Peterson describes this wonder found in metaphors when he speaks about the church in Ephesians: Three metaphors fill in the details of what is involved in this God-originated and Godinhabited reality: household of God (2:19), holy temple in the Lord (2:21), dwelling place for God (2:22) all metaphors for church. The usefulness of a metaphor is that it is something that we can see or handle but at the same time draws us into participation with something we cannot see or handle. We can see a house, a barn, a store or in this case a household, a temple, a dwelling place. We cannot see God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But the building we see and the God we cannot see are the same, occupy the same space, fused by the prepositions of, in, and for.18 Dallas Willard further reveals Gods wisdom with metaphors: Jesus of course understood the great significance of images and has, indeed, become one himself. Intentionally. He also carefully selected an image that brilliantly conveys himself and his message: the cross. The cross presents the lostness of man as well as the sacrifice of God and the abandonment to God that brings redemption. No doubt it is the all-time most powerful image and symbol of human history. Need we say he knew what he was doing in selecting it? He planned it all and is also the Master of images. For their own benefit, his followers need to keep the image of the cross vividly present in their mind.19
Why do you think the cross is such a powerful metaphor and image?
18
Eugene H. Peterson, Practice Resurrection: A Conversation On Growing Up In Christ (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2010), Kindle e-book, locations 1438-1446. 19 Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2002), 99.
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God uses countless metaphors throughout the Bible to teach That person is spiritual realities and to inspire worship and obedience in His people. like a tree planted Agricultural metaphors appear often in the Scriptures, probably since by streams of the original audiences spent most of their time in and around fields and trees. Psalm 1 speaks of the righteous person as a fruitful tree water, which yields (v. 3). In Isaiah 5:7, God calls Israel his vineyard and his pleasant its fruit in season planting. Isaiah also prophecies that the people of Israel will be and whose leaf called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the does not wither display of his splendor (61:3). One of Jesus most famous parables Psalm 1:3 is about a farmer who sows seed in different kinds of soils, with mixed results (Mark 4:1-20). In another famous parable, Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that starts small but grows into a large tree (Luke 13:18-19). Revelation 22 paints a remarkable picture of eternity with an agrarian metaphor: 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Are there any metaphors or images that have been particularly inspirational to you? Draw a picture or write it below:
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The Three Marks/Metaphors of a Disciple

It is fascinating that the three marks of a disciple are each associated with an agricultural metaphor. At first sight, it appears that only the third mark, fruit, is a metaphor, but as I will explain below the first two marks are preceded by metaphors painted by Jesus that correlate to those marks. In addition, the third mark is preceded by a bigger metaphor that develops further the whole idea of fruit.
Light: The First Mark

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 In John 8:12, Jesus begins his talk by laying the groundwork for the first mark of a disciple with a beautiful metaphor: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Light is a prominent image in the Old Testament for God and His salvation (Ex. 13:21; Ps. 27:1; 44:3; Is. 60:19-20; Ez. 1:26-28; Hab. 3:3-4). The Old Testament also employs light as an image for Gods Word and His teaching (Ps. 119:105; Pr. 6:23). Light is a wonderful metaphor that pictures multiple ideas at the same time: Truth, purity, righteousness, knowledge, freedom ideas that are all present in the first mark of a disciple in John 8:31-32! The Apostle John, in his first letter, connects the God who is light to His people who must walk in the light:
Light pictures multiple ideas at the same time.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 1 John 1:5-6
Light is also a rich agricultural metaphor, for plants need to soak up sunlight each day to survive. They spend hours receiving it, and then they use the energy to transform and grow. Similarly, we need to bask in the light of Gods truth Gods Word each day, and then we need to practice it in order to grow. Light is the perfect image to think about the first mark of a disciple, for it captures the ideas of receiving the truth (guided by the light), doing the truth (walking in the light), and enjoying the truth (freedom in the light). How do you think light represents the ideas below: Truth: Obedience: Freedom:
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Water: The Second Mark

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 In John 13, before Jesus tells them his famous command to love one another, he provides them a visual representation of what he means by love. That visual was washing each of his disciples feet with water, a picture that was certain to stick into the disciples minds forever. Gary Burge explains the significance of this act in their culture: The task of footwashing was so menial that according to some Jewish sources, Jewish slaves were exempt and the job kept for Gentiles [A]ll our ancient sources show that footwashing was a degrading and lowly task. When done by a wife (for her husband), a child (for his/her parents), or a pupil (for his teacher), it was always an act of extreme devotion [I]n no way do we find those with a higher status washing the feet of those beneath them. When Jesus takes off his outer clothing and wraps a towel around himself (13:4), he is adopting the posture of a slave.20 When Jesus tells his disciples in verse 35 to love one Love people like this. another as I have loved you, he is primarily pointing to the footwashing that just occurred, which strikingly summarized his humble servitude towards them all throughout their friendship. Jesus is telling them in effect, This is an example of what my love looks like. Love people like this. What are some present-day examples of humble, loving service similar to footwashing?
Interestingly, Jesus used a small basin of water. Water is a wonderful image for love, particularly as the Scriptures describe Gods love for us. God lovingly offers us an endless supply of water to drink that fully satisfies (Isaiah 55:1ff; John 4:13-14). God washes away our sins and makes us clean (Ezekiel 36:25; Titus 3:5). Jesus Himself alludes to this cleansing from sin as he washes Peters feet (John 13:10).
20
Gary Burge, The NIV Application Commentary: John (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 369.
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This water that God cleans and fills us with is not meant to be hoarded, but it is intended to flow through our hearts into the lives of others. God wants our heart to be like a fountain that He continually fills with His love that overflows into the people around us.21 ` Jesus pictured it this way, in John 7:37-38: Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. Notice that Jesus says the water will flow from the person who drinks from Jesus. We are designed to be so filled by Gods loving presence that we cant help but splash others with our abundant supply. God not only supplies His life-giving water directly to our souls, but He also designed each of us to be fountains of His life-giving water to others. In 1 John 4:12 the Apostle states that Gods presence can often manifest in the love we share with others: No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
People need your love. You can picture yourself taking that water basin like Jesus did in John 13, and humbly giving nourishing and cleansing water to others. The others that we love must start first with our closest loved ones: Spouse, children, parents, brothers, sisters, family, friends, and other Christians. In the second mark of a disciple, Jesus promises that if we genuinely love each other, the world will notice. How is our love for each other (family, friends, Christians) going to get the worlds attention?
God designed us to be fountains of His love.
21
Steve Sjogren and Dave Ping, Outflow: Outward-Focused Living in a Self-Focused World (Loveland, CO: Group, 2006), 23.
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Fruit: The Third Mark

This is to my Fathers glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8 Behind the metaphor of bearing fruit is the fuller metaphor of the Vine and the branches in John 15:1-6. Jesus sums up this metaphor best in verse 5: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Here Jesus is picturing a grapevine. The branches all stem off from the main vine. They get all of their nourishment everything from the main vine. A branch absolutely must remain connected to the main vine in order to stay alive and to continue bearing fruit. What kind of connection does Jesus have in mind between Him and His disciples? What does it mean to remain in Him? Well, in John 15:7 Jesus says that He wants His words to remain in us, presumably meaning that He wants us to know and live out His teachings, which is essentially the first mark of a disciple (John 8:31-32). This is good and true, but verse 7 provides more to the story. In this same verse Jesus also promises that if we remain in Him, Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Here we see that to remain connected to Jesus is to engage in an interactive relationship through prayer. In other Remain with Jesus words, your prayers are not by engaging in just going up, but they are coming back down from interactive prayer. Heaven with incredible answers from God Himself! Write below your biggest questions about Jesus promise to answer prayers. Set aside some time in the near future to discuss these questions with others.
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Interestingly, this promise of answered prayer leads us back to the fruit metaphor, for Jesus connects the two together in John 15:16: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit fruit that will last and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. I believe that this verse holds the key to identifying what Jesus likely had in His mind when He thought about fruit. As I mentioned earlier, fruit can be seen as three different things, according to various New Testament sources: godly character qualities (fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22-23), good deeds (Col 1:10), and nurturing new disciples (John 4:35-38). In reality, these three things tend to appear together godly character produces good deeds that nurture a new generation of disciples. Jesus probably had We tend to all three of these things in His mind when He used this metaphor. see more However, I believe His attention may have been focused on answers to nurturing a new generation of disciples. The first piece of evidence prayer when that makes me think this is how Jesus says above in John 15:16 that we ask to make He appointed His disciples to go and bear fruit. This sounds like new disciples. the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20), where Jesus tells His disciples to go and make new disciples. The second piece of evidence is the promise of answered prayer, which is actually repeated seven times in John 14-16.22 As many Christians throughout the centuries can attest, we tend to see many more incredible answers to prayer when we are praying for new disciples to be made. Consider the story of George Mueller, who started and ran several orphan houses during the mid-1800s in England. He journaled for us some of the most incredible accounts of God answering prayers for his orphan houses. But his reason for writing these accounts down was to show the world, both Christians and non-Christians, that God is alive and answers prayers: My spirit longed to be instrumental in strengthening their faith, by giving them not only instances from the Word of God, of His willingness and ability to help all those who rely upon Him, but to show them by proofs, that He is the same in our day [T]his seemed to me best done, by the establishing of an Orphan-House. It needed to be something which could be seen, even by the natural eye. Now, if I, a poor man, simply by prayer and faith, obtained without asking any individual, the means for establishing and carrying on an Orphan-House, there would be something which, with the Lords blessing, might be instrumental in strengthening the faith of the children of God, besides being a testimony to the consciences of the unconverted, of the reality of the things of God. This, then, was the primary reason for establishing the Orphan-House. I certainly did from my heart desire to be used by God to benefit the bodies of poor children, bereaved of both parents, and seek in other respects, with the help of God, to do them good for this life; - I also particularly longed to be used by God in getting the dear orphans trained up in the fear of God; - but still, the first and primary object of the work (and still is) that God might be magnified by the fact, that the orphans under my care are provided with all they need, only by prayer and faith
22
John 14:13, 14; 15:7, 16; 16:23, 24, 26.
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without anyone being asked by me or my fellow-laborers whereby it may be seen, that God is FAITHFUL STILL, and HEARS PRAYERS STILL. That I was not mistaken, has been abundantly proved since November, 1835, both by the conversion of many sinners who have read the accounts, which have been published in connection with this work, and also by the abundance of fruit that has followed in the hearts of the saints Nov. 21, 1838 Never were we so reduced in funds as to-day. There was not a single halfpenny in hand between the matrons of the three houses. Nevertheless there was a good dinner, and by managing so as to help one another with bread, etc., there was a prospect of getting over the day also; but for none of the houses had we the prospect of being able to take in bread. When I left the brethren and sisters at one oclock, after prayer, I told them that we must wait for help, and see how the Lord would deliver us this time. I was sure of help, but we were indeed straitened. When I came to Kingsdown, I felt that I needed more exercise, being very old; wherefore I went on the nearest way home, but round by Clarence Place. About twenty yards from my house, I met a brother who walked back with me, and after a little conversation gave me 10 pounds to be handed over to the brethren, the deacons, towards providing the poor saints with coals, blankets and warm clothing; also 5 pounds for the Orphans, and 5 pounds for the other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. The brother had called twice while I was gone to the Orphan-Houses, and had I now been one half minute later, I should have missed him. But the Lord knew our need, and therefore allowed me to meet him.23
You can read many of Muellers stories of answered prayers in the book footnoted below. Do you think we see more answers to prayer when we are asking for new disciples to be made?
God loves the world so much that He wants everyone to enter into His loving arms and does not want anyone to perish (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9). When we share Gods passion for the world and when we ask Him to empower us to help lead others into a relationship with Jesus, the floodgates of heaven tend to open with Gods power pouring down. Therefore, when we consider this third mark of the disciple, I believe we should think primarily about nurturing a new generation of disciples. This is not to say that we neglect the other two fruits (godly character and good deeds), for these things are foundational and prior to the nurturing of new disciples. Godly character and good deeds are what usually attracts new disciples into the family of God! However, the first two marks of a disciple cover the subjects of godly character and good deeds very well, and so I believe that it can be helpful to us in our discipleship to Jesus to think of fruit in terms of making new disciples.
23
A.E.C. Brooks, ed., Answers to Prayer: from George Muellers Narratives (Chicago: Moody Press, n.d.), 8-10, 17-18.
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Summary: The Three Marks and Our Relationships

Another fascinating element of the three marks is how they correspond to the three main spheres of our relationships: God, loved ones, and everyone else. The first mark, light, focuses on our relationship with God, receiving from and responding to Him. The second mark, water, focuses our attention on loving our loved ones family, friends and other Christians. The third mark, fruit, focuses on our impact upon the world, how well we are sharing Gods truth and love to those who are outside the family of God. Thus, the three marks can help us to be growing in all of the spheres of our relationships.
Light: walk in the truth

John 8:31-32
GOD
Water: love one another

John 13:34-35
LOVED ONES
Fruit: make new disciples

John 15:8
THE WORLD
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The Good Tree

A short story
My cousin and I followed Elder John out the house and down the road. A near-full moon lighted the night. It was late, and we were afraid that the old man might not want to talk anymore, having already put up with a room full of rambunctious boys. So we walked several paces behind him, trying to keep a safe distance by maintaining the impossibly slow pace of the old man. Suddenly, he stopped, and chuckled to himself, muttering loud enough for us to hear, Oh Jesus, you do have a sense of humor. And he turned around and asked us, So What do you seek?24 We stammered a bit, startled that he noticed us and addressed us. Well? What is it? I have time to chat, that is, if you have an interesting question, he said with that sly grin still visible in the moonlight. Um, well, sir, I started, My cousin and I, we, uh, I think we do have an interesting question, but if its too late and you need to get some sleep No, no, dont be worried, he interrupted, So, what is it? Well, I said, turning toward my cousin, who turned his face towards me with a sheepish look, Do you want to ask him? No, go ahead, my cousin quickly replied. Okay, well, the question is about Peters second letter Ah yes, got it all right up here, the old man said with a crooked finger tapping the side of his curly white head. Oh good, of course you do, I said. Well, I have heard it read several times at our gatherings, and I we we were wondering about the part at the beginning where Peter tells us to make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness something I cant remember, but then he says to add a bunch of other qualities so that we will not be ineffective and unproductive is what I think Peter says there25 Yes, yes, one of my favorite writings from my old friend, said the old man cheerfully, and I bet I know what your question is. You do? we said in unison. Oh yes. You want to know why Peter tells us to make every effort when its really the Holy Spirit that changes us, right? How do the two fit together the Spirits work and our work right? We stared at each other in disbelief. Yes! Thats our question! How did you know? Because thats the biggest question I have had too, he said pensively, turning towards the trees across the road, over to our left. It is? I said with genuine surprise. The old man just kept looking quizzically at the trees. Are those figs? he asked. I squinted in that direction. It looked like figs. Yes, I think they are The old man started walking over to them. Come, he said, Lets see. My cousin and I, curious, followed right behind him. Ah yes, figs, he said as he walked right up to the first tree. It was fig season, and these figs looked and felt nice and ripe slightly soft with a greenish-brown hue.
24
John 1:35-38 tells the story of how John and Andrew followed Jesus, who turned around and asked them the same thing that John asks the two boys here. 25 2 Peter 1:5-8
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He picked a couple off the nearest branch it was a bit of a strain on him even to exert such little energy. But he got some good ones and offered them to us, Here, try these. Should be good! We tasted them and they were perfect luscious sweet, with that unique texture combination of smooth chewiness on the outside and gritty crunchiness on the inside. Ive never been much of a gardener, said the old man, But I have learned from my mistakes over the years. How is that? my cousin asked. Well, I have killed a few fig trees in my time, he said with a chuckle. A friend once gave me a little fig tree shoot, and I planted it in the center courtyard, thinking that it would be conveniently accessible right near the kitchen. But that was a big mistake. Why was that? I asked. Well, I learned that fig trees need full sunlight, all day. The place where I planted it was shaded half the day by the neighbors two-story house. The tree didnt last long, and I never got one fig from it. My friend felt bad for me, the old man continued, And so he presented me with another small fig shoot. This time I realized that I needed to plan out a little better the location of this thing. And so I planted it way out in the back yard area, far from any buildings, in direct sunlight all year around. But I killed that one too. How did that one die? we both asked. I didnt water it enough, he immediately replied. Little trees like that need lots of water at the beginning to grow up and mature. But I watered it very sporadically. Its because the tree was so far away from the house out of sight, out of mind. I didnt think too much about the need to water it. But the real problem was that I did not plan out a schedule for watering it. I just thought that I would remember to do it enough. But without a plan, I didnt think about it that much. We stood there chewing on the figs for a few moments in silence. Well, said the old man with a fig in his white-whiskered cheek, breaking the silence, I think that I have answered your question. Its time for some sleep. And he turned to start walking away! Wait! I said, very puzzled. What do you mean? The old man stopped and turned back towards me. You didnt catch it? he said with that sly grin. I looked at my cousin to see if he understood anything, but he stared back with the same look of bewilderment. Um, no, Im sorry but I missed it. Oh, dont worry, I was just teasing you, he said with a chuckle. I was just trying to be smart just trying to be like my teacher, he said under his breath. The old man leaned his backside against a fencepost, half-sitting on it, resting both hands on his walking stick. He stared at the fig tree again with that same thoughtful look. Jesus talked a lot about trees, he began. A good tree will bear good fruit, and a bad tree will bear bad fruit, he would often say.26 I would think to myself, Okay then, I want to be a good tree! How do I be a good tree? And then one day, Jesus said that little thing about the good tree and bad tree again, but then he added, The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.27 It was that phrase, stored up in his heart that really stuck in my mind, and I just kept thinking about that picture, stored up The old man paused, looking down at the ground now, as if he was trying to recall something. Please, continue, my cousin courageously requested.
26 27
Matthew 7:17; 12:33; Luke 6:43-44 Luke 6:45
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You see, said the old man, looking up at us, I realized that I did not have any reservoir of goodness within me that I could keep going to for supplies to store up in my heart. I just didnt have it in me. I would keep saying stupid things that would tear other people down, and I couldnt will myself to stop doing it. I realized that the fruit coming out from me was not ripe, not sweet, not nourishing. It was rotten, and I didnt know how to change it. I just didnt have the power. I tried, but always failed But then everything made sense that one incredible night. What night? we asked. The night that he was arrested Jesus, he replied. And then the old man again spoke in a very slow, methodical way, On that night, as we were walking through a vineyard on our way to Gethsemane, Jesus brushed his hands along the grapes, and he said to us, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.28 All of a sudden it all made sense. Even though after all these years I still struggle with doing it. Doing what? I asked. Doing the remaining, he said pointedly without hesitation. You see, Jesus is the vine. He is the good tree! He is the only good tree, and if we stay connected to him as a branch, we will get all the water and nutrients that we need to bear good fruit. Jesus produces all the growth But Jesus left the remaining part up to us! The old man had stood up and was now pacing with excitement, grinning ear to ear. He continued, Now lets go back to that second letter from Peter. Did you forget the words that he wrote right before he says to make every effort? Just before that Peter says, [the old man now stopped and stared at the fig tree] His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.29 I thought to myself, Wow. I wish that I had Peters letters memorized like that. The old man then looked at us and said, Do you get it? God has given us access to everything we need for goodness to flow from our hearts. It all comes from Him, and He makes it all available to us! But thats the key there; its available, which means that we need to access it. We need a plan for accessing Gods goodness, just like I needed a plan for watering that fig tree and a plan for placing it where it would get enough sun We need a plan to get the water and the sunlight from Gods Spirit that our hearts need to bear good fruit. Thats why Peter then says, For this reason30 because God has given us everything we need For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness and knowledge and self-control and kindness and all those good things. The old man looked us over for a few moments with that big smile, and then he turned and rested again on the fencepost. He stared at us some more, and then asked, So, whats your plan? We were speechless.
Do we really need a personal plan to grow spiritually and bear fruit?
28 29
John 15:5 2 Peter 1:3-4 30 2 Peter 1:5
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Now we are ready to see how we can actually follow these guideposts that Jesus left behind for us, resulting in a lifelong journey with Jesus in which we are being transformed into His likeness. We begin the journey by setting spiritual goals that correspond with the three marks of a disciple. Our goals will continually change, but the three marks will not change, always providing us with a biblical, Christ-centered framework to guide our lives.
Spiritual Goals
Each year, month, or according to some other predetermined period of time, make at least one goal for each of the three marks of a disciple. Begin by asking yourself:
How can I grow in receiving and practicing the light of Gods Word?
Light: walk in the truth

John 8:31-32
GOD
How can I grow in sharing the refreshing water of Jesus love with my family, friends, and other Christians?
Water: love one another

John 13:34-35
LOVED ONES
How can I see more fruit from the Spirit by participating in an activity that makes and nurtures new disciples?
John 15:8
Fruit: make new disciples
THE WORLD
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Outline
Pu rsu ed wi th disc ipli nes o f Mi n d, B o dy, & R el ati o nshi ps
GOAL #1 LIVE IN THE LIGHT
GOAL #2 LOVE AS JESUS LOVED
GOAL #3 MAKE NEW DISCIPLES
GOD
LOVED ONES
THE WORLD
The Three Marks of a Disciple

John 8:31-32 Light
Abide in my teachings
John 13:34-35 Water

Love one another
John 15:8 Fruit

Go and bear fruit
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Why should I make goals?

If we are serious about obeying Jesus, if we really want to do the things that He tells us to do, then we will make goals towards those ends. Jesus has given His followers instructions for our lives here on earth. These instructions are to abide in His teachings, love one another, make disciples, bear fruit, etc. How are we going to do these things unless we set goals, unless we make a plan of action, unless we schedule these things into our lives? Without goals, we will drift around like logs in a river, because we have no pre-set plan for accomplishing anything. Now, it is true that God has a way of guiding people into circumstances that transform them, without them having set any goals. God often uses all kinds of difficulties and sufferings to change us (1 Peter 1:6-7; Hebrews 12:11). But God would much rather see us striving for that transformation ourselves. God would God wants to much rather see us wanting to grow, wanting to know Him, wanting be wanted! to change to become like Him, because God wants to be wanted! Klaus Issler describes this God who wants to be wanted: God does not force his full presence on us; rather he partially hides himself to encourage a genuine response of friendship. It is as if God walks a precarious tightrope of giving enough clues about himself so that we could know he desires a deeper relationship, but not enough to overwhelm us or to coerce us toward him. God maintains a delicate tension between self-revelation and being hidden in order to assure that believers respond to his initiatives and pursue a relationship willingly Seeking God for believers requires commitment. It will not happen automatically just by attending church or reading the Bible or saying routine prayers. We must give effort to know how God can best be known.31 God wants us to love Him with all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our strength (Deut 6:5). A great way to show your love to God is to make specific, concrete goals to learn how to do the things that He loves. Jesus repeatedly said this to His disciples on the night that He was arrested (John 14): 15 If you love me, keep my commands 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me 23 Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
What do you mean by goals?

When we speak about goals, we mean specific things that you plan to do according to a specific timetable. The ultimate goal is to know God and to become like Jesus, but the goals that we speak of here are the concrete practices that will help you reach the ultimate goals. Take for example the story of Bill Hull, found on the next page:
31
Klaus Issler, Wasting Time With God: A Christian Spirituality of Friendship With God (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 128, 130.
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In my mid-teens I was a rising basketball star. I had some natural talent, but I wasnt the most talented. I found that I was not blessed with great jumping ability, and bigger, quicker players could block my shot. It was then that I determined to learn the hook shot. I was determined not only to learn the hook shot but to master it with both hands. There is a special technique that must be followed, and I first practiced it with my right hand. Within a few weeks I had mastered the right-hand hook. It took me months to master it with my left hand. When I was comfortable and confident in the back yard, I planned to debut it during a game. The real test is when people are guarding you in the heat of competition. I started with the right, and it went in; then I faked my opponent and hooked with the left, and it went in. Now they didnt know if I was going to drive to the basket, pull up and knock down the jumper, use a fade-away jumper, or go down low and hook right or left. This made me a very good offensive player and scoring became easy for me. I spent many days and weeks in mind-numbing repetition before I got it. But when I made that first lefty hook on a surprised defender, it was all worth it.32 Notice that Bills ultimate goal here was to become a better basketball player. But he made a specific goal to learn how to do a hook shot with both his right and left hands. And he made a plan to practice those hook shots on certain days for several weeks. It was those hook shots that made him a better basketball player. So, when you think about making spiritual goals, think about specific things that you can try over a period of time that may help you to become like Jesus. If you dont know where to start, a good place to go is back to the heart questions on page 8. See if any of those questions reveal areas of weakness in your life. But even before you do that, and while you do that, and after you do that, seek the Lords guidance and power! The most important thing about setting goals is that they should come from Your goals should the guidance of the Holy Spirit as best as you are able to sense it come from the by seeking His wisdom in prayer, in the Scriptures, and through guidance of the the counsel of others (John 16:13; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 10:24Holy Spirit. 25). As you pray with God about these areas, what things keep coming to your mind that are weightier than the other things? Which things seem to scream for your attention? Chances are these are the things in which Jesus wants to help you find transformation. And never forget: You must continually rely on the Lords power to carry out your goals. Only God has the power to change your heart. Through your goals you are only trying to access His power, not any power of your own. You dont have any power. No human does. On the next few pages you will find examples of spiritual goals for each of the three marks of a disciple. Have you ever set a big goal to accomplish something? What was it? What do you think about making goals for your relationship with Jesus?
32
Bill Hull, Choose the Life: Exploring a Faith That Embraces Discipleship (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2004), 75.
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EXAMPLES of SPIRITUAL GOALS:

Light (My relationship with God, receiving from and responding to His Word)
Meditate on a Psalm each morning for 15-20 minutes, then write down a prayer that asks God to align your heart with the psalmists heart. Pick one verse from the Bible to ponder and memorize for a week or a month. Put it on a piece of paper and place it wherever you find useful. At the end of the week/month, reflect on how that verse has impacted you. Listen to an audio version of the Bible each day. When you are done, pause and ask God to help you follow what you just heard. Read through one of the letters (epistles) in the New Testament in its entirety 3 days a week for a month. Whatever idea stands out to you each day, write a prayer about it in a journal. Sit in silent prayer for 30 minutes each day, sharing what is on your heart with God and listening in silence to what He might be telling you. Read a book about discipleship that has suggested exercises to try within it. Read a chapter each week and do the exercises. Read a passage about Jesus and study it for a week, using resources such as commentaries or dictionaries. Then the following week, take a break, but now try to live out the principles you learned, starting with prayer each day for Gods power and wisdom to help you. Repeat this process for a few months. Prayerfully select an issue of sin/weakness in your life to address. Find several passages of Scripture that talk about how to kill this sin or how to strengthen the weakness. Meditate on these Scriptures for 15-30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week for several months.
Your own ideas:
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Water (My relationship with loved ones, loving them with Jesus love)
Call 1-3 friends each week just to ask how you can pray for them. Keep a prayer journal for their requests. Ask your spouse or a close loved one if there is one thing that you do that irritates them. Make sure to ask them for only one . Then make a plan to change in this area with the help of God through prayer, His Word, and the assistance of others. Try some listening exercises. Give your full attention to others when they speak with you. Try to step into their shoes, seeing and feeling things from their perspective. Avoid giving your opinions. Paraphrase what others say to you back to them. Ask further questions to gain greater clarity about what they are sharing with you. Do one random act of kindness each day for a loved one for a month. Ask a church leader where the biggest needs are for volunteers to serve the church. Then prayerfully find the need that God wants you to fill. Pray with your spouse and/or your children each night for a few months. With the help of prayer and guidance from the Word, try to go one day or week without saying anything critical of others. Perhaps meditate each day on Ephesians 4:29, writing the verse on a piece of paper and placing the paper in a visible place that you will see each day. Send 3-4 encouraging cards each week to a friend or family member. Schedule a date night each week or every other week for you and your spouse, or for you and another family member. Serve in a prayer ministry at your church (or start one!) where you regularly pray for needs and concerns in the body. Your own ideas:
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Fruit (my relationship with the world, helping others to find and follow Jesus)
Find a ministry in your church that ministers to those who have little to no knowledge of God, and find a way to involve your time and resources in this ministry. Ask God each day for an opportunity to share His life with someone who is far from Him. Assess your financial support for your church, other ministries and/or missionaries. Reflect with God on changes you may need to make, and then make those changes. Share any extra food that you may have with those in need. Email or call a missionary that you are familiar with and ask how you can help them. Do some research on another religion its beliefs, customs, and people. Seek Gods guidance for ways to share Jesus with people from this other religion. Pray for the people you know who dont know Jesus every day for several months. Do one random act of kindness for a stranger each week for several months, where you try to do something that exhibits the peculiar love of Jesus. Hand the stranger a card from your church to let them know why you did what you did. Read a book about how to share your faith with others. Try some of the things that the book suggests to do, making a specific plan of action for each one. Invite a neighbor over for dinner twice a month for a few months, just to get to know them. Find ways to be a listener to people in your community. Take time to do some of the listening exercises described on the previous page.
Your own ideas:
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Goals Must Involve Mind, Body, and Relationships

We believe that great progress can be made with spiritual goals if we incorporate in these goals disciplines of mind, body, and relationships.33 Each goal should involve these three core dimensions of the human self.
Mind
First of all, the mental dimension, involves changing our thoughts, beliefs, desires, and emotions to align with Gods thoughts, beliefs, desires, and emotions. The Apostle Paul recognized the importance of our minds in Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things. Paul knew that thinking about these things can lead to profound transformation. Paul knew that transformation starts in the mind. In Romans 12:2 he tells us the wonderful results of a transformed mind: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will. What Paul is saying here is that when our minds become aligned with God, we will gain a secure sense of approval and pleasure with Gods will. Gods will is everything that exists all the people and entities and events that happen. With a transformed mind we will have a profound sense of peace with what happens in life, instead of continual anxiety, because we know God so well that we know He is working for good all around us! What patterns of this world might our minds have adopted that need to be changed?
33
This is a condensed list of the key parts of the human self, inspired by Dallas Willards model of the human self found in his book Renovation of the Heart, p. 38.
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The transformation of the mind happens primarily through the internalization of Gods Word in personal reading, listening, memorizing, and studying. The longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, contains the most repetitive theme in the entire Scriptures, proclaiming in all but two of its 176 verses the incredible goodness of Gods Word and how we must cling to it. Psalm 119:105-106 declares: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. Paul speaks of the incredible importance of the Scriptures as he writes to Timothy: 15 how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 Mark Buchanan sums up the importance of knowing the Bible: The Bible is our primary source of knowledge about the nature and the work of God. Without it, we would be the three proverbial blind men, each of us describing an elephant based on the piece of the animal we happen to be touching at the time. Apart from the Bible we sometimes, in a fumbling way, grasp a truth or two about God, but theres no substance, no coherence, no connectedness to any of it. Its mostly hunches built on guesses. So we look first to Scripture. Like a detective studying photos of a missing person so that we might recognize them anywhere (even if theyve grown a beard, lost weight, dyed their hair), become deeply familiar with Gods biblical portrait in order to recognize him elsewhere.34
The Bible must permeate your spiritual goals.
The Bible must permeate your spiritual goals. Mine the riches and the power from the Bible as much as you can in selecting and pursuing your goals. It is one of the most incredible gifts that God has given to help us become like Jesus.
Why is it so important to have a regular intake of the Bible into our minds?
34
Mark Buchanan, Hidden In Plain Sight: The Secret of More (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007), 102.
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Body
Our physical body needs a regular diet of good food to be healthy, but it also needs regular exercise. This is true for our spiritual growth as well. Gods Word is the food that our spirits need to be healthy, and spiritual disciplines are the exercise that we need. But, ironically, spiritual disciplines The body is involve the body. They require the body to intricately perform actions, assume certain postures, connected to and speak particular words, because just the spirit. as the mind needs transformation our bodies need transformation as well. The body is intricately connected to the spirit, so much so that Paul even speaks of both sin and righteousness committed by our bodies: 12 do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. -- Romans 6:12-13
NIV, 1984
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your true and proper worship. -- Romans 12:1 Consider these words regarding the tongue in James 3:5-6: 5 the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of ones life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Can you think of any examples of how sin and righteousness can dwell within our bodies? Write the examples below and then label them on the body diagram above.
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Paul knew that we needed to involve our bodies in our discipleship to Jesus. Just after Paul emphasizes good thinking in Philippians 4:8, he emphasizes good practice in 4:9: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in meput it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Put it into practice. Take action. Do something about it. The body needs to be involved. In another passage, 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Paul drives this point home with a sports metaphor: 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Dallas Willard summarizes the point: The proper retraining and nurturing of the body is absolutely essential to Christlikeness The outcome of spiritual formation is, indeed, the transformation of the inner reality of the self in such a way that the deeds and words of Jesus become a natural expression of who we are. But it is the nature of the human being that the inner reality of the self settles into our body, from which that inner reality then operates in practice.35 We may not realize that prayer is a disicpline of the body and not just the mind. Prayer is a vital discipline of the body, engaging the body in silence (both sights and sounds), solitude, relaxed posture, relaxed breathing, oftentimes spoken words and all Prayer is these things discipline our bodies towards peace, love, and good deeds when we are around others. There are many other disciplines of the body also a that we can engage in involving our eyes, hands, feet, words, sleep, food, discipline of etc., and God can transform our bodies when we offer them to Him as the body. living sacrifices and instruments of righteousness (Rom 12:1, 6:13). How can prayer which seemingly is doing nothing physically be a discipline to benefit your body? How can our eating and sleep habits affect our spiritual lives?
35
Willard, Renovation of the Heart, 165-166.
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Relationships
Goals are difficult to achieve when you are on your own. Dieticians know this. Alcoholics and drug addicts know this. You need a support group to greatly increase your progress, as Hebrews 10:24-25 affirms: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Spur is a great word here because of the striking image that comes to our minds of a multi-tip metal star instantly driving a horse to movement. The word can literally be translated provoke We often need to be provoked by others to love and good deeds, because as human beings we tend to get stuck in patterns of mediocrity, laziness, discouragement, and selfishness. James Bryan Smith puts it well: There is so much in life that beats us down and discourages us that we need a steady dose of encouragement. We each need a fellow Christ-follower who is absolutely convinced that we are great and can do great things. We each need fellow apprentices who applaud us when we succeed and pull us up when we fail.36
We often need to be provoked by others to love and good deeds.
Why do we usually find more success when others are encouraging us? Who are some people in your life that fit Smiths description above?
36
Smith, The Good and Beautiful Community, Kindle e-book, locations 1442-1450.
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Jesus Small Groups

Disciples are made and nurtured in small groups. This was how Jesus did it. From out of the large group of people who had been following Him, Jesus selected twelve to be His closest companions (Luke 6:12-16). Jesus would then invest most of His time and energy to teaching, shaping, and preparing these men to become His witnesses to others who would go out and make more disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). Even within this group of twelve, there were three Peter, James, and John with whom Jesus chose to spend more time (Mark 9:2; 14:3234; Luke 8:51). These twelve men, especially the three closest friends, represented Jesus strategy for making disciples in all the nations of the world! But how could Jesus entrust everything to just twelve men and expect to change the world? Well, 2000 years later, it looks like the strategy is working! And it still works today.
Discipleship in Groups of 3
A discipleship journey with Jesus must be done with a small group of like-minded disciples, spurring one another on to pursue your spiritual goals. At this point, I strongly recommend that your group be comprised of only 3-4 people. Three is ideal, but four can work if you have to do that. Why so few? If you have more than 3-4, it is difficult to provide an appropriate amount of time for each person to share with the others in depth about their walk with Christ. But why three and not just two? For this, we turn to Pastor Greg Ogden, who has gained several key insights into this subject over decades of experience: One-on-one relationships limit the interchange or dialogue. I liken the one-to-one discourse to a ping-pong match. It is back and forth, with the discipler under pressure to keep the ball in play. The conversation and dialogue must constantly progress to some higher plane. As a discipler I found that I did not listen as carefully as I should have, because I was thinking about some wise counsel or insight I might provide given my role... In my initial experiment with triads [groups of three], I often came away from those times saying to myself, What made that interchange so alive and dynamic? The presence of the Holy Spirit seemed palpable. Life and energy marked the exchange. As I have come to understand group dynamics, one-on-one is not a group. It is only as you add a third that you have the first makings of a group.37 Do you think that groups of three are most effective for discipleship purposes?
37
Disciples are made and nurtured in small groups. This was how Jesus did it.
Greg Ogden, Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 141, 146-147.
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Reproducing Disciples with Groups of 3

Over several years of leading groups of three, Pastor Greg Ogden has observed that 3 out of 4 people in discipleship triads go on to form another triad, discipling others.38 Thus, the triad is perhaps the most effective way to reproduce mature disciples! Ogden has observed that triads reproduce at a much higher rater than one-on-one discipleship relationships. Why is this? Pastor Ogden explains: In the one-on-one relationship, the discipler carries the responsibility for the spiritual welfare of another. The discipler is like the mother bird that goes out to scavenge for worms to feed to her babies The discipler is cast in the role of passing on his or her vast knowledge to the one with limited knowledge. This pressures the discipler to perform and be the focal point in the relationship. In this model, in order to disciple another, one must have arrived at some undefined state of spiritual perfection. Unwittingly we have created a role for which few will perceive they are qualified to apply The one-on-one relationship sets up a hierarchy that tends to result in dependency... Only self-confident, inwardly motivated persons can break the dependency and become self-initiating and reproducing When a third person is added, there is a shift from the discipler as a focal point to a group process. The discipler in this setting is a fellow participant. Though the discipler is the convener of the triad, the participants quickly become one of three on the journey together toward maturity in Christ The triad naturally creates a comealongside mutual journey. The focus is not so much upon the discipler as it is upon Christ as the one toward whom all are directing their lives.39
Inviting Others into a Group of 3

Here is some advice for how to form a discipleship triad and what to do when you get together: Seek the Lord in prayer for those with whom He wants you to meet. Think about people who are loyal and teachable. No other qualities should matter save those two.40 When you invite someone to join your group, tell them that you would like to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus and how you are convinced that spiritual transformation happens best in small groups. Invite the person to join you on a journey of transformation. Share with the other person how you have been praying about him/her. Ask the other person to seek the Lord in prayer whether he/she should join you in a group at this time. 1/2 Meet together once a week for about 1-1 years. Then, you each start another triad. Inform the other two group members at the beginning that this is the vision for reproducing disciples. Start by going through this workbook curriculum at whatever pace is best for your group. This will establish the practice of making and pursuing spiritual goals. Then move on to a Bible study or book study of your groups choosing that fits your unique maturity stage and season of discipleship. You may cover a few different book studies during your time together. You may want to have 4 people in the group because one person might be absent each week. On the following page is an outline of what your time together each week can look like
38 39
Ogden, Transforming Discipleship, 148. Ogden, Transforming Discipleship, 141-142, 146. 40 Ogden, Transforming Discipleship, 179.
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SiMPLE groups of 3-4

An outlined plan for a same-gender accountability small group. Purpose for group: To provide accountability for spiritual goals
Study
Scriptural basis: 2 Peter 1:3-9
Bible study OR discussion about a book you are reading. 30 min Possible open-ended discussion questions for any Bible/book study: What did you learn? What ideas stirred your soul? How have you or how will you put these ideas into practice?
Inside My Personal Life
Scriptural basis: John 8:31-32; 13:34-35; 15:8
Gracious listeners ask each other about their spiritual goals. Each person shares about each of the following questions. 30-60 min
1. How is your walk in the light?

Obedience to Jesus teaching: John 8:31-32-------------------What did God show you in your personal time with Him? Did you pursue sin or were you ensnared by sin?
2. How is your love for others?

Loving the way Jesus loved: John 13:34-35--------------------How did you choose to love your family? How did you choose to love others?
3. Has God blessed you with spiritual fruit?

Fruit that glorifies God: John 15:8------------------------------Did you take an opportunity to be a light for Jesus? Are you asking God for opportunities to bear fruit?
Encourage
Scriptural basis: Ephesians 6:18
Come alongside and pray for one another. 15 min
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A tried and true way to strengthen commitments to these small discipleship groups is to make a covenant with each other at the beginning of the group. This covenant is signed by each member and can be graciously referenced later if a member is not adequately meeting these commitments. Below is an example of the covenant that my small group made. You may want to add or subtract from these commitments, or create a completely different one:
Discipleship Group Covenant

I commit to making my attendance to the group a top priority. I commit to pursuing specific goals for the four questions that I will be asked each week: 1. What did God show you in your personal time with Him this past week? 2. Did you pursue sin or were you ensnared by sin this past week? 3. How did you choose to love your family/others this past week? 4. Did you take an opportunity to be a light for Jesus this past week? If not, did you ask for an opportunity? I commit to answering these questions each week truthfully and without pretense. I commit to listening to the other members of this group with grace, encouraging them with gentleness and respect, mourning with them in their low times and celebrating with them in their high times. I commit to not trying to fix the other group members, but to allow Christ to be their Healer. To foster openness in our group, I will hold our group discussions in confidence. I commit to praying regularly for the other group members. _______________________________________ Signature _______________________ Date
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Patient Growth
A short story
Even though I was up late talking with my cousin about what Elder John had taught us last night, I got up early. I was full of excitement, eager to go see the old man again to tell him what my plan was. So I ran over to his house. The sun was just starting to peer over the hills and the sky was clear. What a beautiful day this was going to be! My heart was jumping with joy. Elder John? Elder John? Sir, are you awake? I called as I knocked on his front door. The door suddenly opened, and there he was, his white curls sticking sideways from his head like tree branches. Of course Im awake, he announced, Im an old man! And his stern face morphed into that sly grin. Now why in the heavens are you here to see me again, and so early? I have a plan! I said with confidence. Oh you do, huh? So soon? he questioned with a look of concerned surprise. Yes! First, Im going to memorize Peters letters, like you have you have them memorized dont you? you quoted that passage last night word for word. Okay, Im also going to spend two hours every day in prayer. And every day Im going to tell at least one stranger about Jesus. And Hold it, hold it, stop and catch your breath for a second, the old man interrupted. Then he let out a large sigh but kept looking at me with loving eyes. Come on in. I have some more stories to tell you about Peter. Oh Okay, I said, following his shuffling feet through the house and into the central courtyard. He motioned for me to take a seat, and his crackling body sat slowly down into the chair facing mine. He let out another sigh, this time as he stared up at the sky. Have you ever heard the story of how Paul confronted Peter at Antioch? he asked.41 No, I said with a bit of a shocked tone. Yeah He did it publicly. In front of a whole bunch of people. Important people, the old man said soberly, Its because Peter really blew it. I mean, he really blew it. What did Peter do? I inquired. Well Do you know how theres those two Jewish guys in our church, Caleb and Simeon, who stick to themselves and always seem to be looking down on everybody else, especially when we eat together? Yes Were they involved in this? No, no, but it was men like them. See, when the church first started back in the 40s, 50s and 60s42, there were a lot of Jews who were very uncomfortable with all the Gentiles that started coming into the church. As you know, Jews only eat certain foods and have several distinct customs. Well, many of the early Christian Jews wanted to make the Gentiles eat like they do and follow all Jewish customs. Do Caleb and Simeon believe this? I asked. Well, theyre not that extreme, but they still have their concerns, he said with a smile, But Im still working on them. Anyway, so where was I, he continued, Ah yes, Antioch. So, Peter had been visiting Paul and the church at Antioch, and then some other men from Jerusalem came up to visit. Im pretty sure they were sent by James, just to check on things. They were the strict Jews, the ones who wouldnt eat with the Gentiles.
41 42
Galatians 2:11ff That is, first century A.D.
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Well, before these guys came, Peter was eating and drinking with everyone in Antioch. He had no problem dining with Gentiles. But when these guys came, it was strange, Peters face changed. His face suddenly became uncertain, fearful, stern. And he would only eat with those Jews. He stayed far away from the Gentiles. And so here comes Paul bless his heart, that Paul! here comes Paul marching right towards Peter and the rest of the Jews sitting at their table. This was right at dinner time. Everybody was already sitting down, mouths were full of food. And Paul stands next to Peter and with the volume of a preacher he says to Peter, You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew! How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?43 Paul motioned to all the Gentiles sitting at the other side of the room. Then Paul turned to address the whole room and he gave a wonderful little mini-sermon, the old man said as he grabbed his walking stick with both hands, and hoisted himself up out of the chair to pace in front of me. Let me see if I remember what Paul said44 ah yes You and I are Jews by birth, not sinners like the Gentiles. Paul was being facetious of course. Then he proclaimed, Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And then Paul stated emphatically, No one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law! Paul then brilliantly addressed the fears of the strict Jews that if we abandon the Jewish law, we will fall into a life of sin. He turned it completely on its head and said, Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the lawI stopped trying to meet all its requirementsso that I might live for God. And then Paul preached those marvelous words [and here the old man dropped his walking stick and stretched his arms out as far as he could, and proclaimed in the spirit of Paul], My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. The old man stood frozen in that position for several moments with a joyous smile on his face and his eyes closed, facing the sun. I did not want to interrupt this moment for him, but I was very curious to know where he was going with all this. Finally, his arms dropped and he let out a happy sigh. And he slowly sat back down. What happened next? I asked hesitantly. Well, Paul ended his little sermon with a memorable line. He concluded by saying, For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. Those last words, no need for Christ to die, hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity after Paul finished, echoing through the silent room. It was silent in that packed room for at least two minutes, before a low murmuring began again. What happened with Peter? How did Peter react? I asked. Peter got up from the table and left the room, with tears visible in his eyes. I believe that he went outside and spent some time alone, with Jesus. I dont know exactly. After a few moments of awkward silence, I asked, Sir, why did you tell me this story? Well, see, this was not the first time that Peter failed like this, in this particular matter of Jew and Gentile relations. Lets just say that Peter was a slow learner. How so? Just a couple years prior to this incident with Paul was the incident at Cornelius house.45 You mean when the Holy Spirit first came upon the Gentiles, I said.
43 44
Galatians 2:14 John will be quoting here pieces of Galatians 2:15-21. 45 Acts 10
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Yes, thats the one. Peter was very accepting of what God was doing there. He happily accepted the blessings given to the Gentiles then, and he joyfully told all the leaders about it. But I guess that it didnt quite stick, or it didnt sink deep enough in him, for Peter to act the way that he did in Antioch. But then get this, the old man said as he leaned toward me, Ten years before the Cornelius incident, Jesus Himself taught all of us that food going into our stomachs does not make us impure or sinful.46 No, Jesus said that its what comes out of our mouths. Thats what makes us sinful. Its about our hearts the inside thats what God cares about! Jesus taught us way back then that the Jewish food laws were now obsolete. But then here is Peter, ten years later, in Joppa, before he goes to Cornelius. God gives him a vision of all kinds of animals, clean and unclean, and God tells him to eat it all! But Peter says, No, certainly not Lord!47 Peter was still stuck on this! And then even a couple years later in Antioch, having seen the Holy Spirit poured out upon countless Gentiles, Peter is still stuck on the food laws! The old man said all this to me with a mild grin and eyebrows raised. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you? he inquired, looking at me very intently. Um Not exactly Im sorry sir, I dont know what you mean. The old man leaned back on his chair. Okay, here it is. You have these big goals. Huge goals. You want to memorize all these Scriptures and you want to pray several hours a day and you want to change the world Its good to have goals, son. Its good to have a plan to grow closer to Jesus. But here is what you must keep in mind. Change does not happen so quickly. The heart does not change overnight. There is no two-month plan to reach perfection. You cant run a marathon by sheer willpower. You have to train yourself slowly over time. Theres no hurry! God is extremely patient with us. Look how patient he was with Peter! I would have slapped Peter silly in Antioch. But God is so so patient and his eyes turned bloodshot again, Peter would later write those beautiful letters to all the Gentiles, and he loved them, he really loved them The old man rested his head on his left hand, and stared across the courtyard for a minute or two. Then he abruptly straightened up and said, Well, son, I really need to get back to bed, and he started to get up. Let me leave you with these words, he said. Dont try to become Jesus with all these highflying goals. The goal is not to become Jesus, so that everyone can admire your holiness. No, beware: spiritual goals can become the most insidious vessels for filling our hearts with pride. No, instead, make it your goal to become united with Jesus. You and him. His life flowing through your life. He slowly stood up and concluded, Remember, its all about his life. Not yours. Follow behind him. And he walked back into the house, leaving me alone in the courtyard. I decided that I needed to chat with Jesus about my spiritual goals.
What is the difference between trying to become Jesus and trying to be united with Jesus? How has God been patient with you in your life?
46 47
Matthew 15:11 Acts 10:14
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Conclusion: Some Personal Thoughts About Goals

I know from experience that there are dangers to avoid when you make and pursue spiritual goals. There are dangers on opposite extremes which can draw us towards either complacency on one side or legalism on the other; either apathy or pride. Following Jesus is somewhere in the middle, where we find a loving, growing relationship. There have been many times in my life when I had no goals. These times have been so wasteful because there are no real milestones to look back upon and say, God did something incredible there! Sure, I had a relationship with God, but the relationship was distant, sporadic, boring, and stagnant. When I have real, doable goals, the relationship comes alive and the memory-markers appear more frequently. And I actually experience the joy of growth and transformation. On the other hand, I have made goals that were too lofty, and I have also had improper attitudes about these goals. I have made goals that were simply unreasonable to tackle, and I have often pursued these goals from my own strength, not Gods power. In college, I once made it a goal to memorize the entire Gospel of John. I actually made it through chapter 11, through sheer stubbornness I believe. But it was just too big of a goal for me, and I have not retained most of what I once memorized. What drives me to make such high, unreachable goals? As I search my heart, to be honest, a big factor is that I want to be known as someone who achieves something amazing. This is just plain ugly. Gods power does not flow through a prideful heart (Prov 3:34), nor will a prideful heart be able to hear from God very well because it is too selfabsorbed. So, here are just a few words of practical advice for setting goals: Do not make a goal to do something every day unless you really think that its doable. If you want to do something frequently but you dont think you can do it everyday, make the goal 3-5 times a week. If the goals activity takes a lot of time, think about setting the goal for once a month or once every two weeks. Get a journal, tablet or a computer device to keep an ongoing record of your progress this will really help you to stay on track. Do not get frustrated when there does not seem to be any progress made. Perhaps you need to make adjustments to the goal, or make a completely new goal. Or, perhaps God is teaching you something bigger through this experience. God is the one in control of all things, and He always knows what you need more than what you think you need. Always be open to Gods teachings through unexpected circumstances. Expect to go through cycles of strength, weakness, strength, weakness, and so on. Its normal. Some sins may take a lifetime to fully kill. Do not worry, it is Gods way of keeping us humble, to keep us always clinging to His grace for everything we need (cf. 2 Cor 12:7-10). Do not make it your goal to complete your goals. Make it your goal to know God more, to hear from Him more, to be guided and empowered by Him more, to be used by Him to achieve His purposes, not your purposes. Its not about your goals. Its about Gods goals for you and for everyone else in this world.
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Spiritual Goals Reminder Sheet
Goals:
Goals:
Goals:
Pu rsu ed wi th disc ipli nes o f Mi n d, B o dy, & R el ati o nshi ps
GOAL #1 LIVE IN THE LIGHT
GOAL #2 LOVE AS JESUS LOVED
GOAL #3 MAKE NEW DISCIPLES
GOD
LOVED ONES
THE WORLD
The Three Marks of a Disciple

John 8:31-32 Light
Abide in my teachings
John 13:34-35 Water

Love one another
John 15:8 Fruit

Go and bear fruit
- 47 -
Works Cited For Further Reading

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. New York: MacMillan, 1963. Brooks, A.E.C., ed. Answers to Prayer: from George Muellers Narratives. Chicago: Moody Press, n.d. Buchanan, Mark. Hidden In Plain Sight: The Secret of More. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007. Burge, Gary. The NIV Application Commentary: John. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000. Hull, Bill. Choose the Life: Exploring a Faith That Embraces Discipleship. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2004. Issler, Klaus. Wasting Time With God: A Christian Spirituality of Friendship With God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001. Ogden, Greg. Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003. Peterson, Eugene H. Practice Resurrection: A Conversation On Growing Up In Christ. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2010. Kindle e-book. Scazzero, Peter. The Emotionally Healthy Church: A Strategy for Discipleship that Actually Changes Lives. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010. Sjogren, Steve and Dave Ping. Outflow: Outward-Focused Living in a Self-Focused World. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 2006. Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful Community: Following the Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2010. Kindle e-book. Wilkins, Michael J. Following the Master: A Biblical Theology of Discipleship. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992. Wilkins, Michael J. In His Image: Reflecting Christ in Everyday Life. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1997. Willard, Dallas. Renovation of the Heart: Putting On the Character of Christ. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2002. Willard, Dallas. The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesuss Essential Teachings on Discipleship. San Francisco: Harper, 2006.

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A Pathway of Lifelong Transformation for Disciples of Jesus

I. The Decision of a Disciple: Lose Your Life to Find Life

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water and Fruit

III. The Path of a Disciple: Pursuing Goals with a Gracious Master

How to Use this Workbook

Understanding the Story of All Reality

John 1:42 John 1:47-48 3 Matthew 16:13ff

I. The Decision of a Disciple: Lose Your Life to Find Life

Matthew 16:17-19 John 13:34 6 Matthew 16:21ff

I. The Decision of a Disciple: Lose Your Life to Find Life

I. The Decision of a Disciple: Lose Your Life to Find Life

I. The Decision of a Disciple: Lose Your Life to Find Life

I. The Decision of a Disciple: Lose Your Life to Find Life

I. The Decision of a Disciple: Lose Your Life to Find Life

Reflect on the following quotation about communities of Christ-followers:

What comes to your mind when Smith says Community:

Reliable pattern of transformation:

Who I already am:

Love both comfort and warning:

A life worthy of my calling:

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

The Power of Three

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

The Three Marks of a Disciple:

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

The Power of Metaphors

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

The Three Marks/Metaphors of a Disciple

Light: The First Mark

Light pictures multiple ideas at the same time.

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

Water: The Second Mark

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

God designed us to be fountains of His love.

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

Fruit: The Third Mark

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

John 14:13, 14; 15:7, 16; 16:23, 24, 26.

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

Summary: The Three Marks and Our Relationships

Light: walk in the truth

Water: love one another

Fruit: make new disciples

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

The Good Tree

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

Matthew 7:17; 12:33; Luke 6:43-44 Luke 6:45

II. The Marks of a Disciple: Light, Water & Fruit

Do we really need a personal plan to grow spiritually and bear fruit?

John 15:5 2 Peter 1:3-4 30 2 Peter 1:5

III. The Path of a Disciple: Pursuing Goals with a Gracious Master

Light: walk in the truth

Water: love one another

Fruit: make new disciples

III. The Path of a Disciple: Pursuing Goals with a Gracious Master

Pu rsu ed wi th disc ipli nes o f Mi n d, B o dy, & R el ati o nshi ps

GOAL #1 LIVE IN THE LIGHT

GOAL #2 LOVE AS JESUS LOVED

GOAL #3 MAKE NEW DISCIPLES

The Three Marks of a Disciple

John 13:34-35 Water

Light, Water, & Fruit Workbook

Light, Water, & Fruit Workbook