We made a very big decision.
Moving to Sydney in 2012 to plant a church was a massive deal. And honestly, the years that have followed have had extremes of everything from exhilaration to devastation and everything in between.
There are many times we’ve asked WHY?
It’s a good question.
In the year that we’re all having, just about everything has been challenged and tested. Church life looks very different now, and the way things used to be is a very distant memory.
We need to be reminded WHY we started in the first place. Because if the original WHY is still valid now, then all we need to do is settle on how we can achieve the WHY.
So here goes.
The WHY of the Hive Church was (and still is) to be a disciple-making church.
Disciple-making is our one thing.
As we look towards the future, our success will be measured according to how this looks.
So what exactly does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? I’m interested in how you would set about defining this. There’s many different verses and thoughts that we could pepper into this conversation, but if it really is a commandment of Jesus, then as my wife Yve would say: “we need to put arms and legs on it.”
How true.
Can I suggest there are actually two definitions to grapple with: defining both discipleship and disciple making, because that’s the language that Jesus uses in Matthew 28:19 and I propose they are linked but different.
Now go in My authority and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age
Matthew 28:18-20 TPT
So here’s some thoughts.
It’s by no means the last word on the subject, but if you’ve been around our community for a while then you may have heard us talk about some of our core values we call ‘The 3 R’s”.
In fact, our Sunday gatherings on November 22 & 29, and December 6th will focus on these values (click here to have a look at this content as and when it’s uploaded).
Here’s the 3 R’s:
- Relationship
- Revelation
- Restoration
Here’s a way to relate some of our core values to the subject of discipleship.
Defining a Disciple
1) A disciple is someone who is in relationship with Jesus AND in relationship with at least one other person who is teaching and supporting them in their faith journey
2) A disciple is someone who know’s the voice of Jesus because they are actively receiving revelation truth from God’s Word the Bible AND learning to discern & receive the revelation truth in the voice of another more mature disciple who is guiding and teaching them “My sheep know My voice” [John 10:27]
3) A disciple who is someone who becomes inspired by hearing the testimonies of how Jesus has changed and brought restoration in the lives of other disciples whom they are in relationship with. A disciple beings to carry their own testimony of how following Jesus has brought change and restoration to their life eg “once I was blind but now I see” [John 9:25]
Defining a Disciple-maker
1) A disciple-maker is someone who is in relationship with Jesus; and second in active and intentional relationship with someone who is not yet in relationship with Jesus or is already in relationship with Jesus; the ultimate aim being to impart and support them in their faith journey
2) A disciple-maker is someone who is actively receiving revelation truth from God’s Word, and is able to “handle the Word of truth” [2 Timothy 2:15] to the extent that they can impart revelation truth to another person
3) A disciple-maker is someone who is growing in their capacity to minister restoration to another. This ministering of restoration is “by My Spirit” [Zechariah 4:6] and will be shaped by spiritual gifting, experience and training.
How do you respond to this perspective?
What is your personal WHY?
You can interact and comment by emailing info@thehivechurch.com
