FIVE MARKS OF A DISCIPLE: OCTOBER 5 – NOVEMBER 2

Posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Fasting builds intimacy with God, and encourages you to grow inwardly, upwardly, and outwardly. Explore five marks of a transformed disciple of Jesus and determine five actions that will allow God to change you. An action that applies to each mark is focus. Fasting and prayer is God’s way for us to find the kind of focus that builds intimacy within and actions without. Be with Him. Be like Him. Do what He wants.

COMING NEXT! MAKING SPACE: NOVEMBER 4 – NOVEMBER 27

Reflect on how to use fasting to make more space for God in your life. Make space in the moment and better reflect God to others. Make space in the morning and enjoy intimacy with Him. Make space in your conversations with others and learn how to listen like He does. Make space in your schedule to breathe and be refreshed by Him. Make space in your commitments so that you can say Yes! to the things He wants you to do. God made a space in this world for us. Let’s return the favor!

by Amanda Bew

Marks of a Disciple 12: Compassion Questions

This questionnaire is designed for you to self-assess behaviors that show at what level you are taking actions, making choices, and attaining knowledge that characterizes a disciple of Christ.

Ask yourself these questions and gain clarity regarding your path of growth in compassion.

This is not a test! There is no grade! There is no one to compare yourself to!

Take note of the questions that you might answer Never/Unlikely/or Unaware. Pray through them and identify areas where God might ask you to focus and grow next year. In the same way, note your answers of Often/Very Likely/or Very Aware and thank God for the opportunities He has given you to grow in those areas. Posts for the next five days will cover each of the marks of a disciple. You may want to refer to previous posts for more information about each mark.

COMPASSION is a characteristic that can be measured by the extent of the disciple’s love for those who don’t know Christ and participation in the following spiritual disciplines.

Love for Others: Matthew 9:36, Jesus “felt compassion … because they were distressed and downcast,”

  1. How often do you feel compassion because someone you know, or meet, is in trouble or living a sinful life? Never/Sometimes/Often
  2. How likely is it that you feel respect for someone who does not agree with you? Unlikely/Likely/Very Likely
  3. How aware are you of your own need for repentance when you extend grace and mercy to others? Unaware/Aware/Very Aware
  4. Which word best describes how you feel when you show compassion to others? Surrendered/Persistent/Wise/Loving/Powerful

Community: Acts 2:42: “Devoted … to fellowship.”

  1. If Christian fellowship is a place to show and receive compassion, how often do you spend time in relationship with other Christians? Never/Sometimes/Often
  2. How likely is it that you reach out to new Christians and plan time to get together? Unlikely/Likely/Very Likely
  3. Which word best describes how you feel when you spend time with other Christians? Surrendered/Persistent/Wise/Loving/Powerful

Witness: Romans 10:15, “Bring the good news.”

  1. If a standard for showing love to others is sharing Christ with them, how often do you witness to others in a year? Never (0)/Sometimes/Often
  2. How aware are you of someone’s interest in Christ before you share your faith with them? Unaware/Aware/Very Aware
  3. Which word best describes how you feel when you share your faith? Surrendered/Persistent/Wise/Loving/Powerful

Identify one action that could support your growth. After completing the questions for each of the five marks, prioritize each action and choose one to commit to for next year.

God of Love, I know You love me when I am distressed and anxious. Help me to reach out to others who are sad and fearful and share with them the good news that sustains me. You are my “good news.” Amen.

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