Paolo Punzalan.com » Discipleship

WHOSE ARE THEY?

Paolo Punzalan — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:16:45 +0000

Every so often, I would hear people talk about their small group (Bible study/prayer group). I love it that many are so involved with making disciples. At Victory, we are really just about 2 things: Honoring God and making disciples.

However, there are times when I cringe. I’m sure people don’t mean it the way I’m hearing it but it really just doesn’t sound right.

I’m talking about the phrase “my disciples.”

They’d talk about having a meeting with “my disciples” or fellowship time with “my disciples.”
Worse, they refer to the people in their group as “under me”.

Whose disciples are they really?

When we look at the Scriptures, when “my disciples” show up, it is Jesus speaking. Whose disciples are they? Not mine, not yours, but HIS.

John 8:31. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
John 13:35. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 15:8. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Minor adjustment in terms but a HUGE change in mindset.

“You are Christ’s…” (1 Cor. 3:23)

“DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID?”

Paolo Punzalan — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:46:54 +0000

I feel this is a question God would probably need to ask me every so often. As I journey in this life of faith, missing out on what He said is a major possibility.

In Luke chapter 8, we find the story of Jesus calming the storm.

Right before they got onto the boat to go to the other side of the lake, Jesus said,

“Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” (Luke 8:22)

How important was that statement? Very…

Once the squall came, we find the disciples panicking while Jesus was sleeping.

Too often we find ourselves panicking when squalls come. But if we listen to what He said, then maybe, just maybe we won’t find ourselves in a panic.

“Let us go over the other side of the lake.”

He didn’t say ‘let’s go under’. He didn’t say, ’see you in heaven.’ Neither did He say, ‘It was great to have met you guys.’

He said let us go over the other side.

His next question was, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25)

Another mistake we often commit – our eyes on our circumstances rather than on the God of the circumstances.

Lord, teach us to rest on who You are and what You’ve said in Your Word.

SHARED LIFE

Paolo Punzalan — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:26:13 +0000

Small group ministry is beyond the meeting. It’s about shared lives.

Watch this video as Russell, Missy, James and Marilyn share their stories about how people touched their lives as they grow and journey through life within the context of spiritual community.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35, ESV