God asks us to participate in the work of the Spirit in the lives of others.  “Go ye therefore and make disciples,” Jesus said. The local church just might be ground zero for this important work. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Arlan Miller and Matt Kaufmann outline 5 essentials for the community that will disciple.

Below are five essentials for the community that will disciple:

“Here I am.”
Discipleship happens in a location. The community that disciples practices being present with people.

“I am here.”
Discipleship happens in communities where there is stability. The community that disciples is committed to each other.

“I take you.”
Discipleship requires vulnerability. The community that disciples receives one other.

“Follow me as I follow Christ.”
Discipleship is an active practice. The community that disciples is intentional.

“I’ll walk with you.”
Discipleship is a slow process that requires patience. The community that disciples is fueled by hope in Christ.

God has knit into our frame the capacity to have dominion. At some level, it comes from being an image bearer of his. Yet, it comes as no surprise, that after the fall, our capacity to have dominion has been bent. For the worse. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Brian Sutter and Kaleb Beyer address the tendency we have towards taking unhealthy control of situations. Wonderfully, letting go of control is possible, and who teaches it better than the Lord of Lords and King of Kings ~ Jesus.

Show notes:

I might have an unhealthy relationship with control if:

• I have an excessive need to be in-charge.
• I am slow to give responsibility to others.
• I am irritated when my plans are not followed.
• I ignore the boundaries of others.
• I don’t trust others.
• I think too highly of my opinions.
• I am impatient with others.
• I work better alone than with people.

My desire for control might be fueled by the following reasons:

• Insecurity – my grasping for control soothes the discomfort I have in myself.
• Identity – my grasping for control is an effort to prove myself.
• Fear – my grasping for control protects me from disorder and disaster.
• Pride – My grasping for control assumes I know better than others.

Even though he is the King of Kings, letting go of control is inspired by and exampled by Jesus:

• He let go of his control to become a baby.
• He let go of his control to be obedient to his parents.
• He let go of his control to be tempted by Satan.
• He let go of his control to be tried before magistrates.
• He let go of his control to be killed on a cross.

By letting go of control, Jesus secured his Lordship.

“I lay down my life, that I might take it again.” John 10:17