Discipleship Point
John 6:60-71
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
Discipleship Point
How Discipleship Changes My Life: Knowing Jesus said “if you love Me you will obey what I command,” we understand some of Jesus’ teachings are in a sense “laws” or “rules” that require personal discipline (sacrifice) in our lifestyle in terms of time, energy, relationships, money, even sleep at times. We recognize and believe that we are expected to follow not simply out of obligation, but rather out of love for God and moved by His Spirit; As we follow Jesus, we seek to live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit, enabling us to love God well and love our neighbor as ourselves.
Discipleship Prayer
Father God, I come in prayer and lay my life before you. I know that this may require personal
discipline or sacrifice in my life in terms of time, energy, relationships, money or even sleep. I want to do this out of love for You God and moved by Your Spirit. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119:9-16 2nd letter: Beth (בּ)
- How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word. - I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands. - I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. - Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees. - With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth. - I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches. - I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways. - I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Pslam 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD...
The Promise
Psalm 37:4
... and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Pondering Point
How do you “delight” in the Lord?