FROM THE CROWD TO THE CROSS
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
How Jesus Forms Disciples
Jesus forms disciples through five circles of people
The Five Thousand
They heard teaching on the Kingdom of God, experienced God’s healing power, and saw miracles
The Seventy
They were appointed to exhibit what Jesus did for them, preach good news, prepare the way for Jesus, and heal and relieve people who were sick
The Twelve
They were given power and authority to preach the Kingdom, cure diseases by removing their source, and do the same things Jesus did. They also received teaching with correction, love with accountability, and truth with patience.
The Three
They experienced moments that no one else did: they saw the glory of the transfiguration, the raising of the dead, the agony of Gethsemane, and wrote epistles
The One
They received not only knowledge but also the revelation that would allow Jesus to build the church through them. They pioneered new works and took the gospel of the Kingdom to the world
Jesus invites us out of the crowd, into service, toward commitment, then into intimacy, and finally into a personal relationship
The question isn’t which group Jesus is willing to reach; the question is which step is He calling you to take next?
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
During the message, which circle did you find yourself in: Not the one you thought you were or the one you wanted to be in, but the one you are really in?
How did the teaching reveal to you the answers to your questions about your failures, confusion, insecurity, and your expectations of yourself?
Which step do you believe Jesus is calling you to take next?
Looking Forward to Our Discussion
In His Service,
Bishop Bill
To watch the video, please click this link: https://youtu.be/HlHxIzw6v0M?si=bCc7uiJJ1tHC0dXZ
1. During the message, which circle did you find yourself in?
I often think that I want to be or have operated in some point as part of “The Twelve”; committed, serving, active, dependable. But as I reflected more deeply, I saw that I function more like one of “The Seventy.”
I am willing. I serve. I participate in the mission. But I still wrestle with insecurity, comparison, and needing affirmation. I want to do what Jesus does, but I am still learning to trust the Father instead of striving in my own strength.
This message helped balm my heart and see that being in an earlier circle is not failure, it is formation. Jesus intentionally moves people from the…
What a great word Bishop!
1# Definitely been in the 70! I know I have went not just from listening but to participating. Preparing the way for someone else to recieve and experience. Putting action into it!
2# Realizing I have not failed at this mission! There are times I look at myself and just say oh boy! Really you seriously missed it. What you say doesn't matter. It is a relief it is not to be the perfect show but to boldly be that mouthpiece of let me make a way for you.
3 # To be the 12! Be one that chooses to be discipline.
During the message, which circle did you find yourself in: Not the one you thought you were or the one you wanted to be in, but the one you are really in?
The 70- not just listening and receiving, but participating. Appointed to prepare the way with the simple message of "this is what I have experienced, I want the same for you!". Bringing relief, serving, attend on, etc...
How did the teaching reveal to you the answers to your questions about your failures, confusion, insecurity, and your expectations of yourself?
He's not looking for perfection. Even the disciples that were with Him every day messed up and had flaws. Which tells me even though I am not flawless, I…
Amazing message you simplify our walk with Christ.
During the message, which circle did you find yourself in: Not the one you thought you were or the one you wanted to be in, but the one you are really in?
Hunter's answer to this message is where I find myself too. I bounce between the 70 and the 12. When it comes to people I loved the definition about the 70 in their authority to heal. I find myself in that position a lot. Therapy, help put a bandage on it, bring comfort, etc... However, I also find myself in the 12 category too. I know God called me just like He called the 12. I believe I am dedicated,…
1. During the message, which circle did you find yourself in: Not the one you thought you were or the one you wanted to be in, but the one you are really in?
I have spent some time meditating on this message and I think I find myself teetering back and forth between the 70 and the 12. I know that I am definitely at least in the 70 because they go from just "listening to participation" and I have a heart to serve. In terms of the 12, the key statement was "discipline becomes intentional". I have a good stretches of being spiritually disciplined, but then other times, I just let the flesh make decisions (following the path of…