Seven Habits for Making Disciples

John 17:1–26  – That You May Believe
First Sunday in Ordinary Time  – June 22, 2025 (am)      

Intro:

It has been intensely emotional week for Jesus and disciples... Jesus emotionally gathers His “friends” around Him and prays for them

Right after “things are going to be tough” 

Read 17:1-4

I have finished (accomplished) the work???

            What work?

                        Salvation – hadn’t gone to the cross

                        Resurrection – not yet accomplished

                        Proclaiming the gospel – many had not heard

                        Healing the sick – many were still suffering

He was looking at the 11

Matt 28:19

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

“as the Father has sent me” – John 20:21              

I don’t believe you are a mature follower of Jesus until you are a disciple maker

            Maturity is not measured by attendance

            Maturity is not even measured by service

            Maturity is measured by reproduction

                        Like a tree

                        Or wheat

                        Or a human

            This commission is not just for the professionals – but for all of us

My prayer is that Grace would be known not just as a faithful church or a knowledgable church, but as a disciple making church.

So, could you be active in disciple making?  What would it look like if you were?

Who would it be?

            6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 

             The Father gives you people to disciple.  You don’t need to wait for them to ask.  You don’t need for them to be assigned to you by the elders, or for it to be a part of an official program.  You just need to know they have been given to you and take initiative.

            Who has been entrusted to you?  Can you think of at least one name?  Maybe three?

Now, what should disciple making look like?  What exactly should you do?

In this passage, there are 7 “I-statements” of Jesus… describing how Jesus made disciples who could make disciples

Seven habits of disciple making:

1.      Revealing the Father (vs. 6-7, 25)         

2.      Giving the Word (vs. 8, 14)

Even though Christ was God, he still used the Word of God as the central element in his ministry. In the Bible, Jesus refers to the Old Testament over 80 times and quotes from over 70 different chapters. He used God’s Word as the basis for his answers when he was tested by Satan in the wilderness,

3.      Praying for them (vs 9)

For protection (vs 11, 15)

For sanctification (vs 17)

For unity (20-21) 

4.      Protecting them (vs 12)

They are under attack

From people who criticize

From the world system

From the evil one

 You have to guard

             Anticipate attacks

             Be on your watch

              Be ready to act

            Sometimes they need to be rescued        

5.       Sending them Vs 18… “I sent them”… “just as my Father sent me, so I send you” 

Jesus lived a very “sent” lifestyle… over 50 times (in gospel of John) referred to His “sent-ness”… He knew this was not His home, He knew He was just passing thru, He knew this life was fleeting and only eternity mattered

      My teaching is not my own came from the one who sent me... 7:12

      The one who sent Me is trustworthy... 8:26

      The one who sent Me is with Me... 8:29

      I did not come of My own accord, but it is the Father who sent Me... John 7:23

We too are sent… we need to appreciate our sent-ness

What would happen if every day we lived with that sent-ness?

6.      Sanctifying yourself (vs 19)

Truth is caught, not taught

You will reproduce who you are

Become what you want to share

I Tim 4:16

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

7.      Giving them glory (vs 22, 24

Personal application:

Think about who the Father has entrusted to you

1.      Which of these habits do you need to strengthen in your disciple making?

2.      What practical steps could you take to make these habits stronger in your life

 


NEXT SUNDAY: Whom Do You Seek? John 18:1–27