Welcome to the NEXT LEVEL! Up to this point you should be getting into the FOUR HABITS of effective believers. They say that it takes 21 days to make a new habit stick, so hopefully it’s doing just that. Also, you should be seeing and feeling the effects of the FOUR DECISIONS you have made – as the byproduct of your decision to follow Jesus! If you have not yet, let’s decide this week to be baptized and be a witness!

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE NEXT LEVEL!

As you continue pursuing the FOUR HABITS and enacting the FOUR DECISIONS, there are FOUR DISCIPLINES you need to consider. Now much like habits, disciplines are daily; and much like decisions, disciplines are expressions of your will. And like habits and decisions, disciplines are some things you have to take into account for, schedule and follow in earnest because doing so can truly change your life. The greater the expression of discipline, the more centered your life becomes.

Here is what you need to get to the NEXT LEVEL in Christ:

LEVEL 1: Be disciplined in your Christian walk.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, – Philippians 3:13

LEVEL 2: Make changes to your schedule.

You can’t acquire new disciplines without a new schedule. Leaving our old life behind changes our present and future life ahead. Making allowances for what God is doing in your life is the one sure sign that you are ready to take it to the NEXT LEVEL!

LET’S GET STARTED!

This group/class is geared to helping you become aware of the disciplines that each and every person makes as a follower of Jesus. The FOUR DISCIPLINES that we will discuss in this module is directly connected to the disciplines that the early Apostles and disciples of Jesus had in the first Church.

FOUR DISCIPLINES

Bible study, fellowshipping, eating and praying with fellow believers are the FOUR DISCIPLINES that the disciples followed in the beginning of the Church. The Bible records in Acts 2:42:

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

To break down the Apostles Disciplines for our day, we will embrace the disciple of

1. personal Bible study,

2. small group involvement,

3. participating in the believer’s community and

4. coming to church every, single week.

Before we begin, let us outline some of the expectations for this group/class for you.

Expectations:

If you continue in the faith, you will take on the DISCIPLINES that the early Church was known for. After this class you should be familiar and have at the very least thought about (if not enacted) being disciplined in the FOUR DISCIPLINES.

Alright! Now that we got that established, let’s begin.

DISCIPLINE ONE: BIBLE STUDY

WHY STUDY?

Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:15; Isaiah 1:3, 4; Hosea 4:6

Do you know that God desires for us to know Him? God’s character, His interactions with man and His Ways are written in the Bible.

HOW MUST WE STUDY?

Let’s read Acts 17:11

Taking our journey into the next level with God takes a discipline of studying those things that the Spirit of God leads us to.

It’s not enough just to hear the pastor speak of a certain thought or topic. We need to study these topics ourselves to enrich the messages preached.

WHAT SHOULD WE STUDY?

Let’s read Joshua 1:8

The study of God, known as theology, is so grand that it encompasses almost all of the studies of man. From sociology to biology to archeology to human history and beyond, God is so encompassing that there is no way for us to fully know Him – even if given a lifetime.

WHAT ARE THE FOUNDATIONAL STUDIES?

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 3:10-13; 15:1-9; Hebrews 6:1-4

Jesus is the foundation for all Christian teachings (“doctrines”). All Scriptures either reveal Jesus, point to Jesus, tells about Jesus, or teaches about living for Jesus. The Old Testament is filled with “types and shadows” of the work and the person of Jesus, as well as prophecies concerning His coming and ministry. The New Testament is about the fulfillments and revelation of OT types and shadows and prophecies, along with the history of the Church (Acts of the Holy Spirit) and the writings of the Apostles (“epistles) to those who were a part of the early Church concerning Jesus and how to be a true follower of Him.

Some of these teachings are:
- the life, death, resurrection, and post resurrection witness of Jesus—known as the “Gospel”.
- faith towards God, repentance from dead works, doctrines of baptisms, laying of hands (healing and impartation), the resurrection of the dead (end-time both of the just and the unjust), and eternal judgement (the “White Throne” judgement)

DISCIPLINE TWO: FELLOWSHIP

WHAT IS FELLOWSHIP?

Let’s read Acts 2:42; Hebrews 13:16

“Fellowship” or “share” or “communicate” (KJV) here is to participate in the community of believers, to be in contact and friendship with other saints and support the work of God. It’s what we call “doing life together”.

WHY SHOULD WE FELLOWSHIP?

Let’s read 1 John 1:3, 7; 2 Corinthians 6:14

Since God has called us to break free from fellowshipping with those in darkness, it is needful for us to “do life” together with fellow believers.

HOW CAN WE FELLOWSHIP?

Let’s read Romans 15:7, 8, 26; 2 Corinthians 9:13

Contributing to the health and strength of the Church is an important part in our life as a Christian. Contributing of our time, talent and “treasure” is one of the disciplines of a mature believer. Promoting and being in unity with one another is also of great value to us as a Church.

WHEN CAN WE FELLOWSHIP?

Let’s read Acts 2:42-47.

We will grow deeper in the Lord by being part of the Body of Christ. Taking part in outreaches, events, being involved in making things happen, helping, working or leading in a team, funding church efforts and making sure that we make time for such activities will help us D.I.G. deeper in our walk with God as well as God daily adds new people to His Church.

DISCIPLINE THREE: BREAKING BREAD

WHAT DOES IT MEAN “BREAK BREAD”?

Let’s read Acts 2:42-46; 1 Corinthians 11:17-33.

The Bible shows to us that the First Century Church built a community around their faith. Everyone connected together and opened their hearts and homes for group gatherings. “Breaking bread” also means to enjoy the Lord’s Supper as a group of believers. It calls for unity, understanding of the sacrifices of Jesus and a lack of “judgmentalism” or one-upmanship when we come together.

HOW DO WE “BREAK BREAD” TODAY?

Let’s read Acts 5:42; Acts 20:20

The Disciples of Jesus went from house to house preaching the Gospel and sharing in the lives of the believers back in their day. To us, being part of a small group of believers is a necessary aspect of being a healthy Christian.

WHY SHOULD WE JOIN A SMALL GROUP?

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 14:26; Proverbs 27:17, 18

A small group of believers help us to not only discover our gifts but also give us the avenue to express those gifts with other believers. It helps us grow in the Lord as we exchange hearts and minds with each other, building one another in community. It’s Waters Church’s way of caring for each other directly.

WHO SHOULD JOIN A SMALL GROUP?

Let’s read again Acts 2:42-46

Because the church is made up of people who have been in the Lord for different lengths of time or levels of understanding, it is good that everyone gets involved so that we all learn from each other.

DISCIPLINE FOUR: PRAYERS

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF “PRAYERS”?

Let’s read Acts 2:42

These “prayers” are not the personal kind of prayer. The First Century Believers came together as a Body to join together in worship and word.

HOW DOES PRAYERS TRANSLATE TO US TODAY?

Let’s read Acts 20:7

There were three things that were known in the early Church that we should be known for today: communion, community and conversation. Partaking in the Lord’s Supper, coming together as a Body and hearing God’s Word must be a discipline that we live out weekly.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO GATHER TOGETHER?

Let’s read Hebrews 10:25

Our weekly community gathering, or what we know as “Church”, is something that builds us up. Let’s make sure we do not “forsake” it for other things.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN WE’RE TOGETHER?

Let’s read Psalms 100:4; 1 Corinthians 16:2

When we come together as fellow believers, we praise and worship the Lord as a group of worshipers. We come to hear the Word of God preached and are renewed for the week. We bring new seekers to Jesus, believing God will lead them to Him; we also come together to bring our tithes and offerings unto God in support for the work of our church.