12: Intentional Lifestyles

Key Passage

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."

Matthew 4:19

This verse demonstrates the intentionality of Jesus in inviting others to discipleship.

From the 20 Practices of Disciplemakers:

Effective disciple makers always have two or three people that they are discipling. It is intentional, yes. But it's more than that. It is a lifestyle.

Whether you're in the marketplace or in missions, whether you work in an NGO or pastor a church, you have people around you that need discipling. The model that Jesus showed us was that He intentionally picked people and asked them to follow Him. You should do the same.

Pray and ask God to show you two or three people, then approach them and ask them if they would like to walk a road with you as you follow Jesus. Tell them you are not perfect and will mess up, but that you are sincere and want to grow in your relationship with Jesus. You'll be surprised how many people will be honored that you asked them. Go ahead and try it.

Write down three names and ask them this week. Be prepared that you will need to live out much of your life transparently with them. This gives you the best discipling opportunities. Become an intentional disciple-maker.

Write down the names of those you will invite to be on a journey together:

11: The Practices Of Disciplemakers

Key Passage

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

Devotional

As Jesus' disciples today, we are called to model our lives after Jesus' original disciples, who, after becoming disciples themselves, began to invest in others. The next portion of our devotional will explore the “20 Practices of Disciplemakers.” This devotional, written by Neil Hart in Stellenbosch, South Africa, will inspire and inform you about healthy disciple-making practices. A list of the 20 practices can be found below.

• Intentional lifestyles

• Mutual accountability

• Disciple people towards Jesus

• Always cast vision

• Focus on the four loves

• Obedience is better than knowledge

• Teach to share faith

• Aim for multiplication beyond the 4th

• Pray together regularly

• Give them homework

• Only plant in the right soil

• Test faithfulness

• Only one Holy Spirit

• Disciple in community

• Encourage ministry participation early

• Create new rhythms for living

• The truth that sets free

• Celebrate small victories

• Your life is a message

• Seven lessons from Jesus

Daily Prayer

“Jesus, thank you for making me your disciple. I pray that you would give me vision, strength, and faith to disciple others.”

Author’s Note

As we move forward in our devotional of the “20 Practices of Disciplemakers” readers will now be encouraged to take action during each devotional. We suggest you continue a daily habit of prayer in addition to this devotional.

10: All Disciples Hear His Voice

Key Passage

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.  The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 

… “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

… “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:1-5, 16, 27

Devotional

As we end our 10-day journey entitled “We Can All Be Disciples,” we are reminded of the potential that any type of person, in any season, can be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus wants to disciple the youth, the radical, the sinful, the suffering, and the stuck. While discipleship may look different in each season, it is possible to keep putting one foot in front of the other and stay on the journey of obeying Jesus.

We can all be disciples because we can all discover friendship with God. The main thing that will strengthen your friendship with God in your life is hearing God’s voice. There is nothing like experiencing the reality that God wants to encourage, speak to, and direct you personally. Jesus emphasizes this simple truth in John 10, extending the metaphor of Psalm 23. We are sheep, and He is our Shepherd.

Several truths about hearing God’s voice are emphasized in John 10:

• “The sheep listen” - Hearing from God is part of your birthright as a believer. John 8:47 says, “He who belongs to God can hear what God says.”

• “He calls His sheep by name” - God will speak to you personally in a language you can understand. 

• “He leads them out” - God will not leave you stuck but give you specific direction for life.

• “They know His voice” - God will give you spiritual discernment so that you know when He is speaking to you.

• “There are other sheep… and there shall be one flock.” - This speaks of God’s grace in pouring out His spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:18-19). As He spoke to the Jewish people through Scripture, today He speaks to all nations. God’s desire is to unite Jews and Gentiles, all peoples, in a relationship with Him. There is no ethnic separation of people groups in Christ. God’s voice will unify His people.

• “I know them, and they follow me” - God will give you faith to respond to His leadership.

Which truth above is the most important for you today?

It is an amazing promise that God desires to speak to us. He does not give us blind direction, but invites us into a deep relationship with Him. 

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15

If you are committed to being a friend of God and desire to hear God’s voice, you can be a disciple.

Daily Prayer

“God, I confess that you are my Good Shepherd. I choose to listen to your voice and follow your leadership. I pray that You would speak to me directly, like You would speak to a friend.”

9: Being a Disciple During Suffering

Key Passage

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

John 9:1-7

Devotional

How can we be disciples during suffering today? Many of us will go through a healing journey, as we read in John 9. God still heals, restores, and rescues us supernaturally today. However, we also experience trouble and heartbreak in this world. What about then? Paul gives us a key in the book of Romans.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

When we suffer, it’s essential to wait on instructions from God. The blind man was healed as he went to the pool of Siloam. But during those dark times when God must lead us through the “valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23), we also must wait on God. During those times, we glory in our sufferings, knowing that God is doing something inside of us while we wait for an outward demonstration of God’s Kingdom.

So, sometimes, being a disciple means waiting in faith and rejoicing in God’s goodness despite or even through our difficult circumstances. Through these seasons, God pours His hope into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Daily Prayer

“Lord, today I embrace your work in areas of long-term illness or suffering in my life and family. While I wait patiently for your healing, I embrace what you are doing inside of me. I choose to suffer well for your glory, and ask that You would pour Your love in my heart through the Holy Spirit.”

8: Young Disciples Have Something to Offer

Key Passage

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

John 6:5-9

Devotional

God has a history of using young people. 

Josiah became king in the Bible at 8 years old. David was probably around 15 or 16 when he killed Goliath. Jeremiah was commanded to not say, “I am only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:7). Joshua sought the Lord as a young disciple and did not leave Moses’s tent (Exodus 33:11). 

In the story of the boy’s lunch, we see that God intends to multiply and expand His Kingdom through young people. We see this in the Bible and the many movements of God throughout the expansive history of the church. 

While God has an agenda, so does our spiritual enemy, Satan. We live in a society today where the identities of young people are under spiritual attack like never before. In addition to spiritual warfare, today’s youth will have to address a challenging economic landscape, challenges related to globalization, and the increasing blur of the digital and physical worlds. It’s dizzying to think of the challenges to come for those that are 20 and under today.

In the midst of all of that, God is raising up a generation. The legendary miracle of multiplication that happened in John 6 occurred because a boy had some minor provisions - bread and fish. Young people are known to have this kind of faith. Their beginner’s mind can often be more open to the unusual expansion of God’s Kingdom. This may be one reason that Jesus reminded us, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

If you are a young person, receive by faith the revelation today that God can work miracles through you. He also invites you onto the journey of discipleship. You can begin your lifelong calling of multiplying His Kingdom through your life today!

Daily Prayer

“Lord, today I pray for the next generation. I pray that they would see your miraculous power and that you would expand your Kingdom through them and in them. I pray that many would take important steps on their journey of discipleship.”

7: Being a Disciple When You are Stuck

Key Passage

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.  One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

John 5:1-6

Devotional

Have you ever felt stuck? You probably had your reasons. The man at the pool certainly did. The effects of a physical disability for 38 years take a toll on a person’s spirit, soul, and body.

It’s important to realize that God meets us when we are stuck. How does Jesus invite us into discipleship when we are stuck? The healing of the man at the pool provides us a sequence of God’s dealings with us.

1. Jesus goes to us.

Just as Jesus went to this pool of broken people, He finds us today in our pools of illness, discouragement, and despair. Jesus greets us and understands us. He also desires for us to not stay stuck. He has more for us on the journey of discipleship. Friend, when you do not have the strength to reach out to God, know that God has reached out to you. This is the message of the Gospel.

2. Jesus understands us. 

Jesus spends time learning about the man’s condition. Jesus Himself was acquainted with suffering and understands us in our pain and frustration.

3. Jesus pulls on the heart.

Notice the question that Jesus asks the man. Some people may find this question a bit absurd, “Do you want to get well?” Before Jesus pulls us out of pain and stuckness, He begins a work in our hearts with a desire for more.

4. Jesus gives us an action. 

“Take up your mat and walk” is Jesus' advice to the broken man. Notice how Jesus' action bypasses the excuse of the pool entirely.

Where is an area where you feel stuck? What action is God inviting you to today?

Daily Prayer

“Jesus, thank you that you do not leave me stuck. Instead, you meet me in my mess and invite me to take a step of faith. I wait on you today and ask you to reveal to me a small step I can take in the midst of my pain and stuckness. I trust you for the outcome of my small steps of obedience.”

6: Discipling Sinners

Key Passage

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

“I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.  The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.  Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

John 4:7-8, 16-26

Devotional

Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well gives us great hope as imperfect people. We all have repeated habits of sin and struggle that we would rather not reveal. This woman's sinful past was particularly profound - her five failed marriages and her current out-of-wedlock relationship could make her a social pariah even today.

It's refreshing to remember that Jesus didn't come for the "healthy," but for the "sick" (Luke 5:31). In a world sick with sin, this is a beautiful reminder to us that we can stay on the journey of discipleship even when our sin struggles and habits trip us up. God promises to restore us in a "spirit of gentleness" (Galatians 6:1). In a moment, we can be transformed by a revelation of Christ and empowered to live a new and fresh life.

One profound reality about the woman at the well is the end of the story. She becomes an evangelist!

So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?"

John 4:28-29

God intends not to just rescue us from sin, but to give us significance in His Kingdom. "He has saved us and called us to live a holy life" (1 Timothy 1:9). While we will all need to meet Jesus profoundly for our restoration and recovery, Jesus desires to deploy every last person who follows Him in the journey of discipleship and discipling others.

You are not disqualified! Continue to pursue a revelation of Jesus that transforms your life, and you will continue the journey of discipleship.

Daily Prayer

"Lord, I thank you that you see my sinful patterns and secrets. You have chose to love and save me anyway. I pray for the confidence to enter into restoration with you so that I can accelerate my journey of discipleship."

5: Spiritual Seekers and Discipleship

Key Passage

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

John 3:1-3

Devotional

We live in a society that is curious but skeptical about faith, God, and the church. Today, only 20% of people aspire to attend church weekly. While over ⅔ of our society believes that Jesus existed, the majority of people are a bit wary of faith organizations. Most want someone to listen to their spiritual questions without judgment.

What we see in Jesus' interaction with Nicodemus is the following:

• Jesus welcomes and invites our questions.

• Jesus provides simple clarity.

• Jesus gives space for the journey.

Jesus welcomes and invites our questions.

Just because someone has questions does not mean they are spiritually closed. In fact, the Barna group estimates that 46% of Gen Z would be classified as “spiritually open,” meaning they are open to exploring the spiritual and supernatural dimensions of life with someone else. What does that mean for modern discipleship?

Interestingly, Jesus welcomes those with questions. He is not intimidated by doubt and confusion. Jesus even invites the spiritual seeker to His table. You might find yourself in that category. Chances are, if you don’t, someone close to you is.

Jesus provides simple clarity.

Jesus' response to Nicodemus is surprising. He holds space for Nicodemus, but also offers some wisdom. He also doesn’t hold back on His claim towards spiritual truth. Instead, He offers Nicodemus clarity that he can sit with. This is also inspiring in a world full of sound bites and press release fluff. When you are seeking, Jesus has clarity for your question. He will not leave you out there wondering.

Jesus gives space for the journey.

It’s interesting to note that Nicodemus’ question gives rise to perhaps one of the most powerful one-liners Jesus provides in the Gospel, John 3:16!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Interestingly, Jesus does not force Nicodemus towards a decision, even after communicating a simple truth. Instead, Nicodemus is invited to ponder and consider Jesus' claims. If you are a seeker, there is space for your questions and the journey. God knows what you need today.

Daily Prayer

“God, thank you for holding my questions and my doubts. I bring them to you today and also my burden for the seekers around me in my life. I invite you to speak simple clarity into my concerns. I trust your wisdom and your guidance for my questions of faith. Amen.”

4: A Mom Who Became a Disciple

Key Passage

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 2:1-5

Devotional

Newspaper headlines often give you a snapshot of cultural sentiments regarding a particular subject in life. Here's a couple of recent newspaper headlines about the subject of motherhood:

• "The Tragedy of Being a New Mom in America" - The Wall Street Journal

• "How Society Has Turned Its Back on Mothers" - The New York Times

• "Moms Express Concern about Kids Sports Starting at 4 Years Old" - MSN.com

• "How Working Mothers Can End the Day Less Depleted" - Forbes.com

Let's face it - motherhood is an essential, significant, joyful, and challenging assignment. In addition to the historical pressures of raising children and the changing landscape of the American household, there is less support for moms in today's culture than ever. So, as Christians in the 2020s and beyond, we must respond to these difficult headwinds and ask, "What does it look like for a mom to be a disciple?"

The testimony of Mary in the Scripture is so essential in answering this question because we are given a beautiful model of a mom who became a disciple. Mary was not a preacher (though mothers can be), a business leader (though this is also possible), or one of the extraordinary evangelists in the New Testament storyline. Instead, she is known as Jesus' mom. And she also became a disciple.

What can moms today learn from Mary who also want to continue their own journeys of discipleship?

• Mary "was there." She showed up! Sometimes, the very presence of a mother is a ministry in and of itself. She was in the presence of Jesus and put herself amid a divine opportunity. Moms show up! 

• Mary noticed a need. Mary somehow had developed a keen awareness of the moment's need, probably due to hosting or being part of events like this herself. She noticed the lack of wine. God had given her the gift of perspective.

• Mary involved Jesus. The meaning of this miracle (Jesus turning water to wine) is multifaceted. The miracle has a practical, relational, and spiritual dimension.

• Mary involved others. She said, "Do whatever He tells you." While Mary was not called to pour the wine herself, she had the leadership ability to get others involved. 

The above actions are simple, but powerful. Jesus' first miracle would have never happened without the intervention of His mom. The four actions above might also be crucial to your discipleship journey if you are a mother.

Moms - Where is God calling you to maintain a presence, even in this busy season? What needs is He showing you there? How can you involve Jesus and others in meeting those needs?

Daily Prayer

"God, I thank you for motherhood and for the mothers in my life. I pray for the mothers in our community (include yourself if you are a mom). Invite them into deeper friendship with You. Strengthen them and give them the ability to be present in the lives of others. Amen."

3: Are you a New Disciple?

Key Passage

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

John 1:45-51

Devotional

After Jesus' encounter with John's disciples, those disciples began to recruit others. Philip finds Nathanael. Nathanael had not been at John's revival. He did not have any context for Jesus outside of the "one day" promise of the Messiah from the Hebrew Bible. He experiences wonder, doubt, and eventually, an awakening of faith while meeting Jesus.

It's possible that when Nathanael first heard about Jesus he felt behind, like a student showing up for class having missed the first day. Being a new disciple can feel like this. There is lingo that other Christians use that you do not yet know or understand. Many of the habits of the Christian life, like prayer and fasting, feel difficult and foreign. Even attending a new church can be disorienting - congregations use different worship styles, music, and orders of service.

If you've ever felt like "too new" to be a disciple, look at Nathanael's life. Jesus invites him on the journey of discipleship and immediately begins taking him deeper, creating connection, friendship, and spiritual awakening. Jesus' modeling of Nathanael is how Jesus treats us as new disciples. See below.

Jesus allows for questions. Nathanael's question about Nazareth may have been a bit rude, but it doesn't phase Jesus. There is space to have questions as you begin your journey of discipleship.

• Jesus gives encouragement. Jesus speaks to Nathanael, calling him a true "Israelite" without "deceit."

• Jesus gives promises. Jesus' promise of an open heaven over Nathanael's life is a promise of the spiritual life that the new disciples will experience after these initial steps.

Spend some time in prayer today. Are you a new disciple? Bring your questions to Jesus and ask Him for a spiritual promise or encouragement. Are you an experienced disciple? Pray that Jesus would highlight others around you that He wants to draw into discipleship. Perhaps you could be like Philip, inviting your own "Nathanael" onto the journey.

Daily Prayer

"God I thank you for the grace that you give new disciples. As I develop a friendship with you I want the spiritual strength to bring you my questions. Also, I ask for specific promises and encouragement from You."

2: Radical Disciples like John the Baptist

Key Passage

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.

John 1:29-31

Devotional

The context of the above passage is a revival meeting. John the Baptist, the fiery young preacher and Jesus' older cousin, had moved out to the river Jordan to preach, baptize, and proclaim the coming Kingdom of God. John's zeal and passion spread, attracting many new disciples to his cause. In this environment, John points two of his disciples to Jesus. 

Today's devotional is an invitation to the radical. Perhaps you have always wanted to live for a cause greater than yourself. Maybe you have felt like you are "too much," or it's been hard to direct and channel your passion. Maybe the church's complacency and modern society's injustice eats you up inside. Jesus invites you to be a disciple.

Apple computers built a technological movement of radicals, creatives, and misfits. Steve Jobs, Apple's founder, is famous for declaring, "Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things."

If you feel that language applies to you, attach yourself to Christ and His cause. Politics change, and technologies come and go, but becoming a disciple of Jesus will allow you to channel your intense passion in the right direction… and make a difference for eternity.

The danger of living radically is spiritual pride. This is why John the Baptist is a good role model for passionate reformers. He is legendary for turning his ministry over to Jesus, saying, "He must be become greater… I must become less” (John 3:30).

If the radical call to discipleship inspires you, study the life of John the Baptist. Hold your passions loosely and your humility before God higher. He will raise you up for a cause at the right time.

Daily Prayer

"God, I receive your permission to be radical today. Thank you that you can handle my passion, my intensity, and my desire to fight injustice. Please show me what it looks like for me to channel my radical passion into discipleship with You.”

1: The Starting Line of Discipleship

Key Passage

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 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. This is my command: Love each other.

John 15:14-17

Devotional

What does the word “disciple” evoke in you?

Some may think of barefoot mystics wandering through the desert on a spiritual quest. You may have heard of a rising leader being referred to as a “disciple” of their mentor, coach, or school of thought in sports, politics, or business. If you are more action-oriented, you may pivot to the idea of discipling - imparting and influencing the next generation.

With all of the lofty images that discipleship evokes, it can become easy to disqualify ourselves from Jesus' invitation. As we begin our devotional journey, We Can All Be Disciples, we will begin with this simple truth - discipleship is an invitation to which we can all respond because we can all be friends with God.

Simply put, the starting line of discipleship is friendship.

Discipleship is a lifelong race. It’s a race that will involve many of the other keywords in today’s passage.

• Learning: Disciples learn. The word disciple literally means “learner.” This is not a word created by theologians or academics. It’s the exact word that Jesus used to describe His followers. But becoming a disciple is more than just learning precepts and doctrine.

• Commands: Disciples obey. The Greek word mathētēs, found in John 15, denotes learning in thought and action. This truth is displayed in John 15. Disciples are those that obey God’s “commands.” To be a disciple is to have an action-oriented faith and a desire to obey God’s commands.

• Love: The word “love” is found eleven times in John 15. This self-sacrificial love is the same love that God extends to us. The life of a disciple is not just a life of deeds but a quality life, filled with quality connections, relationships, and a commitment to lay down one’s life for others.

But ultimately, this race begins at the starting line. And the starting line is friendship. Jesus says, “I have called you friends.” Before He calls us business leaders, parents, evangelists, teachers, or reformers, He calls us friends. Everyone can be a disciple because everyone can be God’s friend!

Discipleship is a lifelong journey, but it begins with a single step. As we begin our devotional journey, let’s start with a prayer. This prayer is simply a response to Jesus' invitation to friendship.

Daily Prayer

“Jesus, as I renew my journey of discipleship today I want to begin by reconnecting with You. I want to respond to your invitation of friendship and say, ‘Yes. I want to be your friend.’ Will you lead me into greater friendship with you? Amen.”

As we continue our journey of discipleship, here is a truth you will see - all kinds of people can be disciples because all kinds of people can be God’s friends. During the next nine days of our devotional journey we’ll meet different kinds of people who became disciples and friends of God. 

A question you can ask yourself is, “where do I see myself in these early disciples?”

2024 Daily Devotional

Starting Monday 1/29, All Peoples will be posting 32 daily devotionals here on this site as we begin 2024! These devotionals will invite you to deeper friendship with God, to answer the radical call to discipleship, and to understand the transformative power of multiplication.

• Days 1-10 - “We Can All Be Disciples “ will inspire you as you explore God’s heart and desire for deeper friendshipn with you in the seasons of life. We will study different people who encountered Jesus through the Book of John. The focus will be on being disciples.

• Days 11-32 - “The 20 Practices of Disciplemakers” will focus on practical tools on making disciples in your everyday life.

Subscribe now to immerse yourself in these reflections, fostering a deeper commitment to being and making disciples on the journey of life!