Clear about Christ’s central purpose in the Great Commission – to make disciples – we now look at how He proposes us to accomplish this with Him.  First, it’s about our continued relationship with Him – abiding in Him and He in us.  Second, we learn how He worked and labored for people’s salvation.

Ellen White describes a relational way to approach our evangelism on page 143 of Ministry of Healing:

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people.  The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good.  He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence.  Then He bade them, “Follow Me.” 

Think about what’s being shared and answer the following questions:

1. List ways Jesus social connected with people having their best interest in mind. 
2. Jesus showed His sympathy…” How do I cultivate sympathy for people who I’m trying to reach for Christ? .
3. Thinking of the people God had placed on my heart, what practical needs do they have that I can meet?
4. What can I do to genuinely build people’s  trust and confidence?
5. In what ways  will I need to put aside the methods I’ve used to reach people, and more fully embrace Christ’s method?

 Jesus said in Matthew 10:8  ” …Freely you have received, freely give.” The context is when He sent out the 12 apostles on their missionary journey. He said, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast our demons. Freely ..”Jesus sends us out after he has filled us up with His love and grace.

Ellen White says it this way, “The Spirit of Christ is a missionary spirit. The very first impulse of the renewed heart is to bring others also to the Savior.. “Great Controversy, p. 70 Having been renewed by His grace, He needs us out to share what He’s done for us. Sharing our experience  with Christ with people who don’t know Him is central to the great commission – to make disciples of all nations. These people are lost or otherwise confused.

Journal your response to the following questions as you meditate on what steps Christ is personally asking you to take: at serving Christ within our families – both in our homes and in the church. Galatians 5:13 – we are inspirited to this service through the “one another’s” of the New Testament. It’s meant to be genuinely heartfelt, practical and a precursor to serve our broader communities as we share His love with all people. Journal your thoughts with Christ as you consider the following:

1. What do you think Jesus established His authority in Matthew 28:18 before commanding us to “GO” and  make  disciples…” in verse 19?
2. How does his presence promised in verse 20 assure you that you won’t be alone as you go?
3. What is the central goal of the great commission in verse 19? Another way to ask is of the activities listed in   verse 19 (go, make disciples, baptize and teach) -which three lead to the one central goal?
4.   As Christ clearly puts the cross hairs on our goals – to make disciples – we’ll find out next week the method He outlines for its success. Until then , what do you sense Him saying to you today through His word about going with Him into the harvest field?

In this context, we’re predominantly looking at serving Christ within our families – both in our homes and in the church. Galatians 5:13 – we are inspirited to this service through the “one another’s” of the New Testament. It’s meant to be genuinely heartfelt, practical and a precursor to serve our broader communities as we share His love with all people. Journal your thoughts with Christ as you consider the following:

1. How do the following Scriptures encourage me to serve one another:

a. Mark 9:50

b. John 13:14

c. John 13:34

d. Romans 12:5, 10, 16

e. Romans 14:3

f. Romans 15:7, 14

g. Galatians 6:2

h. Ephesians 4:32

2. How could these thoughts change the culture of my home?

3. How could these thoughts change the culture of my church?

In John 4:23-24, Christ revealed that His Father is seeking people who will worship Him in spirit and truth. The Commandments, carved in stone and imbedded in our hearts, speak to God’s jealous regard for our willing allegiance to Him and alignment to His purposes. The three angels messages focus very much on worshipping God particularly when it’s not popular. Reflecting on these thoughts:

1. What does Christ mean for me to worship The Father in “spirit”? Meditate on Romans 5:5, 8:11-2, Phi 3:3

2. What does Christ mean for me to worship The Father in “truth”? Meditate on John 8:32, 14:17, 17:17

3. How does the end time drama over worship outlined in Revelation 13 and 14 impact my worship today?

4. How does worship look differently during my personal devotions, family worship, and corporate worship together with my church family on Sabbath?

Based on the Discipleship Journey, we’re going to explore each component for the next two month.

Our first place to connect in the Harvest is with the Lord of the Harvest.  He taught that the key to a fruitful life was to “abide in Me.” John 15:5  As you seek to grow closer to Christ through your discipleship journey, reflect on the following questions and journal your personal responses with Him.  Read John 15:1-8, 11

1. What does it mean for me to “abide in Him”?
2. What does it mean for Him to abide in me?
3. How does abiding in Him practically lead to bearing fruit?
4. How can Christ’s words abide in my prayers and what results would there be?
5. Christ wants His joy to flourish within us. According to Hebrews 12:2 what is His joy and how can it abound in my heart?

For the 1st Week of Prayer Reading Material – Click here

Pr Andrew Jasper also recorded a daily devotion during this week – find them on our facebook page