This past Saturday, there was a gathering of Friends Church pastors and leaders from other churches in our area. We met, worshipped together, and had conversation encouraging us to think about how we are making disciples in our contexts. Our conversations together have had me chewing on two different things over the past few days, and I’d like to share some of that briefly here and pray that it encourages you to thought and action as well.

First: the old running joke that “there are 2 types of ____ in this world…” rings true as we look to encourage others to follow Jesus as well. There are two ways that we go about anything, really: intentionally and unintentionally. When we take action on a particular task, we either put thoughtful intention behind what we are doing, or we instinctively “do” without thinking (or don’t do, because we weren’t trying). How does this apply to the imperative from Jesus for us, as followers of Jesus, to “make disciples” as we go out?

As we follow Jesus, we are either intentionally thinking about the who, how, what, when, and where of making disciples and taking action accordingly, or we aren’t. We are either considering prayerfully, listening for God’s leadership as we make disciples, or we aren’t. Are we just “stumbling into” discipleship of others? Accidentally making disciples? Not making disciples? Think that we are “organically” helping others follow Jesus just by living our lives for others to see?

Jesus gave an imperative in Matthew 28. A command. If we follow Jesus, we are also to obey the instruction to make disciples as we go. That involves intention; we need to think about how and who, and give some effort in that direction so that we actually DO it, and do it in ways that are careful to be helpful and not hurtful. Who are you helping to follow Jesus right now? Do it with thought and intention.

Second: when we talk about “making” disciples, it is very easy to quickly treat people as “projects” rather than really love them the way Jesus loves them. I’m currently thinking about it in this way: Do I really believe in and love God? This must be answered, of course, and it’s ok to be honest in our answers.

Do I really love others around me—family, friends, acquaintances, enemies, neighbors—the way that Jesus calls us to love others? Again, examining our hearts honestly here is what is needed. I don’t ask this lightly. Many of us might recognize quickly that we DON’T love others the way we should. God can be helpful to us in this; we might need to ask God for heart-change.

But this is the point: if we answer “yes” to both of these questions, then we will naturally want to connect other people with God. Everyone, really. We will want to make disciples, and not to check a box of obedience, or out of guilt, or to win a reward, or for any other reason beyond this: that we love others the way that God has loved us. People are not projects; we intentionally make disciples because if we love them, we want them to know Jesus. This is at the heart of Christianity: loving God, and loving others as we love ourselves.

Who are you intentionally bringing to Jesus as you go about your life? Hopefully that’s your family and your friends. Maybe it’s some of your neighbors or co-workers. Maybe it’s even some of your enemies. As we make disciples this year, let’s do it because we love God and them, and let’s do it with some thought and intention.

Who are the people in your life that you love enough to want them to experience life with Christ? How are you going about doing that?

Blessings to each of you this year. I pray for wisdom and strength for each of you as you go out, following Jesus’ command to make disciples.

Grace and peace,

Bobby Kirkpatrick
 
Sunday Evening Activities
Sunday Evening Activities Resume this Sunday, January 12th.
Practicing the Way is an eight-week class designed to help get you on your journey of spiritual formation. Ultimately, the goal of the class is to train you to live as an apprentice of Jesus and do as He did beginning with your daily routines. This class meets in the Chapel with Tena Roher from 4:00-5:00 pm.
Acts Bible Study is offered to anyone interested in an in-depth study of the book of Acts. This class is designed for you to come and join as your schedule allows without any prep work or homework. Participation looks like listening or joining in discussions. Led by Bobby Kirkpatrick from 5:00-6:00 pm in the Coffee Cafe.
Kidzone meets in Friends Center from 5:00-6:00 pm where kids 3 years old through 5th grade are invited to have fun learning about Jesus and how to be His hands and feet serving our community.
FUSE: 6th-8th grade students meet in Friends Center from 6:00-7:00 pm.
CORE: 9th-12th grade students meet upstairs in Friends Center from 7:30-9:00 pm. Students can expect to worship, participate in engaging lessons, and play games.
 
Mid-Week Evening Classes
If you’re looking to find a deeper community that aims to sharpen one another into disciples and followers of Jesus, join us as Josh leads us through this belief and faith journey together. The class resumes January 8th and will continue to meet on Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm.

Women’s Evening Bible Study returns on January 22nd and will be studying from Epic of Eden: Understanding the Old Testament. This bible study meets at Susan Tam’s home on Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 PM. If you have questions about the study, you can contact Susan by email. 
Order Epic of Eden Guide
 
Baby Bridges is Here!
Thank you to all who came and sprinkled the Bridges family on Sunday. The sprinkle was just in time because Randall, Sharon, and Big Brother Joseph welcomed Baby Girl Madison Michelle Bridges to the world on Monday, January 6th. Mom and baby are doing great. If you would like to sign up to bring them a meal, click the button below to access the meal train.
Meal Train for Baby Bridges
 
Bells Practice Resumes
Bell Friends resumes practice on Thursday, January 9th at 12:30 pm in the Coffee Cafe. Contact Nancy Hansen with any questions.
 
Children’s Ministry Update
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
Activities Resume
Tweens is back on Thursday, January 9th.
Gym Kids resumes on Friday, January 10th.
Kidzone will start back up on Sunday, January 12th.
 
Vehicle Assistance Needed
If you have or know someone who has a vehicle that could be donated or purchased at a low cost, we have a member of the congregation in need of acquiring reliable transportation. Please contact the church office with any leads.