Worldwide Revolution (feat. Jay Armstrong)

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Aug 12, 2024

Jay Armstrong, a dedicated advocate for discipleship and personal transformation, dives into the essence of true discipleship and the revolutionary spirit of Jesus. He emphasizes that lasting change starts within, challenging superficial faith practices and calling for deeper commitments. Armstrong discusses the transformative power of love and the significance of the Great Commission, inviting listeners to reflect on how they embody these principles in their lives. With engaging anecdotes, he inspires a movement towards genuine discipleship and community impact.

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INSIGHT

Transformation Before Influence

Real change in discipleship begins with personal transformation and possession of the qualities yourself.
The inner change is more important than what happens to you or what you do outwardly.

INSIGHT

Jesus' Revolution Is Personal

Jesus initiated a worldwide revolution through radical transformation of individuals, not just political overthrow.
This revolution starts personally and expands to culture through discipleship and relationship with God.

ANECDOTE

Starting, Not Announcing Revolution

A large church tried relying solely on human methods and lost spiritual vitality until refocusing on discipleship.
Announcing the revolution caused many to leave, but starting the revolution quietly began genuine disciple making.

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The True Essence of Discipleship: A Call for Worldwide Revolution

In this video session, we discuss the vital aspects of discipleship and the importance of personal transformation in living a life that mirrors Jesus. Highlighted are significant concepts learned over four sessions, emphasizing that real change begins within oneself before it can impact others. The speaker delves into the notion of Jesus as a revolutionary figure and the mission of worldwide revolution that he initiated through discipleship. Also discussed are challenges churches face in making true disciples due to truncated gospels and weak definitions. Practical steps to embrace a life with God and truly embody the Great Commission and Great Commandment are shared, with inspiring anecdotes and real-life examples to support the journey toward becoming fully committed followers of Christ.

Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/

Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/

Key Takeaways

00:00 Introduction and Personal Discipleship

00:32 Key Lessons from Seminary

01:42 The Importance of Discipleship

03:11 Jesus as a Revolutionary

05:27 The Great Commission and Authority

10:18 Personal Journey and Ministry Challenges

15:04 Defining Discipleship and Gospel

19:54 Characteristics and Challenges of a Revolution

24:52 Live Example: Choosing Christ

25:50 Theological Left and Right: Discipleship Challenges

26:29 Prosperity and Consumer Gospels

28:42 The Gospel of the Kingdom

29:59 Revolution of Character

34:07 The With God Life

42:46 Love as the Ultimate Response

46:20 Transformative Power of Love

Resources on Disciple Making Culture

Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction

Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church

Disciple-Making Culture

In this episode titled "Bonheoffer 4," we explore deep themes of discipleship, the evolving nature of the church, and the transformative impact of the gospel. The speaker begins by highlighting the critical importance of personal discipleship, noting a concerning lack of personal mentoring among church leaders.

Reflecting on a seminary lesson, three key insights emerge: the internal transformation is more crucial than external events, our character outweighs our actions, and we cannot give what we do not possess. These principles set the stage for a broader conversation on the state of discipleship and its cultivation within church communities.

Critiquing prevalent church practices, the speaker contrasts the self-contained "frog" with the outward-reaching "lizard," lamenting the church's focus on internal programs rather than proactive disciple-making efforts. Central to this critique is the assertion that the type of gospel preached shapes the disciples produced. Misrepresentations of the gospel, such as the "forgiveness-only" or "prosperity" versions, result in incomplete discipleship outcomes. Instead, advocating for a holistic "discipleship gospel" is crucial, centered on following Jesus as the model for life.

The speaker portrays Jesus as a revolutionary, initiating transformation from individual hearts to cultural shifts within society through authentic discipleship. Redefining grace as an active catalyst for growth rather than a passive concept becomes integral to this mission.

Personal narratives reveal the speaker's own journey, including struggles with pastoral responsibilities and personal trauma, which underscore the critical need for genuine discipleship within the church. Aligning current practices with biblical ideals prompts a renewed focus on fostering discipleship as core to church identity.

Practical examples like the "with God life" illustrate the transformative journey of discipleship, urging listeners to reconsider love as an ongoing sacrificial pursuit of God's best for others.

The episode culminates with a poignant story emphasizing love as the foundational principle guiding life and mission, echoing Jesus's radical call to transformative love.

Overall, "Bonheoffer 4" challenges us to evaluate our personal discipleship journey, the authenticity of the gospel we proclaim, and the transformative power of love in our lives and communities.