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TO CHANGE THE WORLD

August 16 | Discipleship Guide

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together.
If you’re launching a new Group, trust and friendship take time to build. Take turns each week having someone share a bit of their story.

Read Together: Matthew 4:17; Matthew 16:13–20; Matthew 28:18–20 CSB

Jesus came to establish a Kingdom, build His Ekklesia, and send His people on mission. The Ekklesia isn't primarily a building, service, or institution—it's a people called out to represent their King and make His Kingdom visible wherever they go. Jesus promises, "I will build my church," and then commissions ordinary believers to "Go" with His authority and His presence. We aren't simply called to gather; we gather to worship, belong, learn, and be equipped—and then we scatter to live as ambassadors of Christ in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and communities.

The One Question:
If you only have time for one question, ask this one.

Brian described the Church as a mobilized Kingdom people who gather for worship, community, teaching, encouragement, and equipping—and then scatter for mission. Where do you currently see yourself in that rhythm of gathering and scattering?

Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your Group or for personal reflection.

  1. What stands out to you most in these passages?
  2. In the Matthew 16 passage, we see the word "church" used for the first time in Scripture and the word Jesus uses is the Greek word "ekklesia." Read the definitions found on Blue Letter Bible or another similar resource and discuss what you discover. How does this reshape the way you think about "church"?
  3. Why do you think Jesus chose to build His Church right at "the gates of Hades"? What does that reveal about His vision for the Church?
  4. Brian talked about being citizens of heaven and ambassadors of Christ. What do you think it means to live as a citizen of God's Kingdom while living in this world?
  5. What is one practical way Jesus might be inviting you to live as His ambassador in your current circle of influence—your family, neighborhood, workplace, school, or community?

Pray Together:

  • Thank Jesus that He is the King who has all authority in heaven and on earth.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to help you think differently and see your life through the lens of God's Kingdom.
  • Pray for a deeper understanding of what it means to belong to Christ's Ekklesia.
  • Ask Jesus to show you where He is inviting you to serve, disciple, and bring His Kingdom into the places you already live and work.
  • Pray for courage to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey when He leads.
  • Thank Jesus for His promise: "I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Next Steps:

  • Ask and listen: Spend 10 minutes in silence with Jesus this week and ask, "What do You want me to know?" and "What would You like me to do?"
  • Identify your circle of influence: Write down the people and places God has already entrusted to you—family, neighborhood, workplace, school, or community. Ask Him where you can begin to serve.
  • Practice extraordinary prayer: Choose one person, neighborhood, school, workplace, or local issue and begin regularly praying for God's Kingdom to come there.
  • Disciple someone: Ask Jesus to show you one person you could intentionally invest in—or someone you could invite to disciple you.
  • Think "sent": As you go through your normal week, remind yourself: I am not just going to work, school, the neighborhood, or the store. I am going there as a representative of Jesus.