Equipped to Go & Make Disciples

Day 5 — Equipped to Go & Make Disciples

Read

Read Matthew 28:18–20, Acts 4:13, and 1 Peter 4:10–11 slowly.

Matthew 28:18–20 (HCSB)

18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 4:13 (HCSB)

13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.

1 Peter 4:10–11

Peter encourages believers to use the gifts they have received to serve others, speaking God's words and serving through the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.

Reflect

Throughout this week, we've focused on two of our core values at Kairos Church: Scripture Guides Us and Equip One Another. We've talked about the importance of knowing God's Word, personally examining what we're being taught, internalizing Scripture through our experiences, and participating in the local church so that we can grow together.

But all of this is meant to lead somewhere.

We don't study Scripture simply to become more knowledgeable. We don't participate in Bible studies, Crews, worship gatherings, or serving opportunities simply to become more involved in church activities.

We do these things because we are called to become more like Jesus and help others do the same.

The call of every believer is to go and make disciples.

And we can actively do that by allowing Scripture to guide us and then using what we're learning to equip one another, so that together we can continue engaging those who do not yet know Jesus.

Think about Peter and John in Acts 4. These were ordinary men. They weren't recognized as highly educated religious scholars or professionally trained teachers. Yet when the religious leaders observed their boldness, they were amazed.

And they recognized something incredibly important.

These men had been with Jesus.

That was what made the difference.

They had walked with Jesus, listened to His teaching, witnessed His ministry, and experienced His transforming power. And after His resurrection, they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim the life-changing message of Jesus.

Ordinary men were being used by God to change the world.

And here's what I want you to understand: They are no different than you.

They relied on God's Word, God's Spirit, and God's people. All of which you have access to today because of Jesus' ministry on earth and His saving work on the cross and through the empty tomb.

You may not feel qualified to teach Scripture, lead a Crew, serve in a ministry, or share your faith with someone who doesn't yet know Jesus. Maybe you feel like you don't know enough Scripture or haven't been following Jesus long enough to help someone else.

But every Jesus follower is called to be a student of God's Word and to live it out. And every one of us has lived and learned experiences with God that can be used to encourage and equip others.

Not everyone is called to teach or lead in an official capacity. But every believer is called to participate in making disciples.

That's why we want to help you find ways to engage with Scripture, be equipped by other Jesus followers, and eventually begin equipping others yourself.

And this will require you to get uncomfortable and challenge yourself.

Maybe your next step is establishing a consistent time of individual Bible study. Maybe it's joining a Crew, becoming more consistent in Sunday worship, or taking notes and examining the Scriptures taught each week.

Perhaps you're already doing those things, and it's time to move toward helping equip others. That might mean serving in Kairos Kids, MVMT, or Youth, helping lead a Crew, participating in Brotherhood or Sisterhood, or taking your next step through our Moments Pathway.

But don't overlook the opportunities outside the church building.

You can encourage a struggling friend with a Scripture Moment from your own life. You can pray with a coworker, share what God has been teaching you with your family, or invite someone who doesn't yet know Jesus to experience Christian community.

These are all opportunities to participate in making disciples.

And as we do, we begin to see how our core values work together.

When Scripture guides us, we grow in our relationship with Jesus. When we equip one another, we help others grow in their relationship with Jesus. And as we continue growing together, we become better prepared to get up and go, engaging those who do not yet know Him.

Scripture guides us. We equip one another. And together, we go and make disciples.

That's the kind of church we want Kairos to be.

Respond

As we close out this week's devotionals, consider how these two core values are currently being lived out in your life.

Are you consistently allowing Scripture to guide your thoughts, words, decisions, and actions? Are you intentionally participating in opportunities to be equipped through individual study, worship, prayer, and relationships with other believers?

And perhaps most importantly, are you beginning to use what God has taught you to encourage, equip, and disciple someone else?

Think about where God may be challenging you to take your next step. It might be something you've been putting off because you don't feel prepared, qualified, or comfortable.

But remember, Peter and John were ordinary men who had been with Jesus. Their effectiveness wasn't based on their impressive credentials. It was rooted in their relationship with Christ and their dependence on the Holy Spirit.

This week's challenge: Identify one next step in each of these areas.

• Be guided: Establish or strengthen a consistent rhythm of personally studying and applying Scripture.
• Be equipped: Take a meaningful step toward deeper participation in the local church through worship, a Crew, Bible study, or discipleship.
• Equip someone else: Look for an opportunity to encourage, serve, pray with, or share God's Word with another person.

And consider one person in your life who does not yet know Jesus. How might God use what He's teaching you to begin engaging that person with the hope of the gospel?

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your Church. Thank You that through Jesus we have everything we need to continue growing in our faith and helping others do the same. Forgive me for the times I've been content with simply knowing Scripture without applying it, or attending church without actively participating in the work You've called us to do. Challenge me to grow beyond what is comfortable and familiar. Expand my capacity to serve, encourage, and equip others. Give me the courage to take risks for the gospel, trusting that You will provide the wisdom, strength, and boldness I need. Help Kairos become a church filled with Jesus followers who are guided by Scripture, equipped through community, and committed to making disciples. May everything we do point people to Jesus and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

Living Out Our Values

As you move into the coming week, remember that these values are not simply statements we want people to know about Kairos Church. They are commitments we want to live out as followers of Jesus.

Scripture Guides Us: We will challenge each other to daily seek God's guidance through Scripture and then apply it to our lives.

Equip One Another: We will never lose sight of equipping one another through prayer, worship, Scripture, accountability, groups, and serving. We will encourage one another to continue taking next steps in our walk with Christ.

When we faithfully live out these values, they prepare us to fulfill the mission Jesus has given every believer.

We aren't simply trying to build a church filled with people who attend services. We want to be a church filled with disciples who are actively making disciples.

Ordinary people, guided by God's Word, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and equipped through God's people, can have an extraordinary impact for the Kingdom of God.