DISCIPLESHIP Under Pressure DISCIPLESHIP Under Pressure April 26, 2015 Sunday Devotion

Memory Verse JEREMIAH 12:5 (BBE) “Jer 12:5 If running with the fighting-men has made you tired, how will you be able to keep up with horses? and if in a land of peace you go in flight, what will become of you in the thick growth of Jordan?”

AVOIDING DISCOURAGEMENT STEPS WE NEED TO MAKE Focus on God not on ourselves Cling to God’s promises

FOCUS ON GOD NOT ON OURSELVES [John 6:14-15] STEP ONE

By focusing on God, we can avoid discouragement

Focus on God We should not use religious power to pursue our selfish ambitions A. How should the disciples of Christ view political power? John 6:14-15

Focus on God Judas lost his soul over his love of money Greedy motives should not poison your role as a disciple of Christ B. What lesson does Judas have for us? John 12:4-6

CLING TO GOD’S PROMISES (Mt 26:69-75) STEP TWO

Cling to God’s Promises Mat 26:69 Now Peter was seated in the open square outside the house: and a servant-girl came to him, saying, You were with Jesus the Galilaean. Mat 26:70 But he said before them all that it was false, saying, I have no knowledge of what you say.

Mat 26:71 And when he had gone out into the doorway, another saw him and says to those who were there, This man was with Jesus the Nazarene. Mat 26:72 And again he said with an oath, I have no knowledge of the man. Mat 26:73 And after a little time those who were near came and said to Peter, Truly you are one of them; because your talk is witness against you. Cling to God’s Promises

Mat 26:74 Then with curses and oaths he said, I have no knowledge of the man. And straight away there came the cry of a cock. Mat 26:75 And the word of Jesus came back to Peter, when he said, Before the hour of the cock's cry, you will say three times that you have no knowledge of me. And he went out, weeping bitterly. Cling to God’s Promises

How crucial it is that we day by day surrender ourselves to Jesus Without Jesus we can do nothing A. What lesson can we take away from Peter’s rashness and repentance? Matt. 26:69-75

Cling to God’s Promises Secret sins are to be confessed in secret to God, but, for open sin, open confession is required B. What does this teach us about what Jesus can do for His disciples who, repenting of their mistakes, do not give up on Christ? John 21:15-19

Cling to God’s Promises Jesus tried to show His followers what lay ahead, but they would not listen We need to meditate on all Jesus has done for us: the promises, the hope C. Why, after having so much, did all the disciples forsake Jesus in the hour of His great need? Matthew 26:56

SUMMARY WE CAN AVOID DISCOURAGEMENT By clinging to God’s promises By Focusing on God not on ourselves

APPLY How can this lesson about discipleship affect my life today? Do I have the desire to live a selfless life focused on God? Do I have the desire to cling to God’s promises Q

PLAN How can we use this lesson about winning souls for Christ this coming week? What are the practical things I can do to avoid discouragement in Christian discipleship? Q

TRANSFER TRUTH What changes do I need in my life? What biblical principle from the lesson can we use today? Q

TRANSFER TRUTH What changes do I need in my life? We need to believe and cling to God’s promises I depend on my own self leading to disappointme nt and discouragem ent 1. By studying and reading God’s promises from the Bible 2. By regularly studying the Bible This coming week I will appropriate special time studying the Bible and reading God’s promises PRINCIPLEAPPLICATIONPROBLEMDECISION Let’s make the decision! Q

ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson? DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth? APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today ? PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today? TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life? ADAPT it! Teaching Approach