| All 8 Lessons Archived (ZIP) |
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Please note that your computer may require additional software to open, decompress, read or edit these files. All files are provided as-is, and you are welcome to use and copy them as you desire for use in your own small group(s) or Bible study.
More About the Abide Lesson Series
As Christ followers our mission is clear. We are commanded to make disciples of all nations. The last words that Jesus spoke to His disciples before He returned to heaven after His crucifixion and resurrection from the dead are recorded in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus commands His followers to, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Interestingly, we are not commanded to make converts, or Christians, but disciples. In fact, the word "Christian" is found only three times in the Bible, but the word "disciple" is found 269 times. The New Testament is a book about disciples, by disciples, and for disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus knew that the need for disciples to become disciple-makers and carry on His ministry of reconciliation on earth was imperative; and 2,000 years later, the need for disciples carry on Christ’s ministry is just as important as it was then.
Most Christ-followers are familiar with "The Great Commission" found in Matthew 28:19-20. However, many of us leave out an important phrase after this command. It is found at the end of Matthew 28:20 where Jesus says, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." In this passage, Jesus has just laid out the challenging task of making disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching others all that He has spent three teaching His disciples.
He is saying, "Take everything I have taught you and modeled for you and then reproduce it in others all over the world." He is reminding His disciples that what He has taught them is not only for the but for the whole world. And the very last words that Christ says to these disciples that He so dearly loves, that He even dies for, is this: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Never Alone
What a paradoxical statement, just before the disciples watch Jesus ascend into heaven, physically leaving earth.He is reminding them that they are not and will not be alone. Even though He is leaving them physically, His power and presence will be with them always through the coming Holy Spirit.And His power and presence in the lives will be the only way they can accomplish the command to make disciples of all nations.
The same is true of us today. The only way we can accomplish Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations is through His power and presence at work in us and through us. The questions and problems we face, with respect to Jesus' command, are usually not theological in nature, but are of a "practical" nature. These practical issues are what the Abide series is going to address.
Teaching Disciple-Style Small Group Lessons
The small group lessons in the Abide series are in the disciple-style format (teach-reteach). They are more in-depth than a discussion guide or walk-through type lesson, and are designed to be learned by the teacher, then re-taught to the student(s). More teaching tips...
