Matthew 9: DEVELOP… Meaningful Relationships

Ben starts with a quick word-association exercise to show that many Christians instinctively hear “mission” as something over there (overseas trips, a “varsity” class of missionaries), when biblically every Christian is a missionary sent to a specific place for a purpose. He says the series has mostly focused on internal formation (dependence on God, what discipleship is, displaying Christlike character), but now shifts outward to intentional relationships as the normal context for sharing good news. Using Matthew 9, Ben highlights that Jesus listens, knows people, meets real needs, builds trust, and then points to the kingdom—without treating people like projects or hiding his message. He closes by reminding them they’re the “laborers” Jesus tells his disciples to pray for, and asks what would practically hold them back from talking about Jesus as good news in everyday relationships.

Series Overview:

Most Christians can quote Jesus’s great commission: “go, make disciples…” But fewer Christians actually adopt a disciple-making life. For some, the gap stems from a lack of knowledge: we don’t know that we’re called to make disciples, or how to do so. Others lack capacity: we don’t think we have the time, the knowledge of the gospel, or relationships with non-believing friends and neighbors to display and declare the gospel in a meaningful way with them. Finally, others simply and honestly lack the desire to make disciples: other priorities pull us into a life defined by other pursuits. 

This Winter, Salt+Light will consider various aspects of a disciple-making life. Looking at the life of Jesus, and the life he called his followers to, we’ll see six vital elements of disciple-making on Sundays in January and February. Then – in households and mDNA Groups, we’ll examine our own lives through the lens of each principle. Over the Winter, our hope is that, individually and collectively, God will grow our knowledge, capacity, and desire to live a disciple-making life.

If you’re following this series with Salt+Light, the previous Sunday gathering was snowed out, but here’s the at-home liturgy we posted for Jan 25, with a focus on “DISPLAY… the character of God in everyday life”