When you hear the word disciple, what comes to mind?

Maybe you think of the twelve disciples who tramped along behind Jesus through the Judean wilderness and the dusty streets of Jerusalem. Maybe you visualize their faces in a stained-glass church window or in some old painting with little halos over their heads.

But here’s the question: When you hear the word disciple, do you think of yourself? Do you consider yourself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Do you know what it means to be one?

Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship (Riverside, CA) and Harvest Orange County (Irvine, CA), has authored Start To Follow: How to Be a Successful Follower of Jesus Christ. This book and Bible study are designed to follow up with new believers and help them understand what it means to follow Christ and become His disciple.

Anything short of discipleship is settling for less than what God really desires for us. When we fail to respond to His call, we fall short of His perfect will and miss out on living the Christian life as it truly was meant to be lived. Ask yourself the following:

• Is your life challenging? Exciting?
• Does it have purpose and direction?
• Do you find yourself feeling depressed, aimless, or even afraid?

If your Christian experience is dull, unfulfilling, or boring, then it’s time to seriously examine the statements of Jesus concerning discipleship. What the world needs more of today is Christians who are full of joy and completely fearless.

To learn more about Start To Follow and the Harvest America event, click here and see how you, your church, Bible study class, or small group can be a part of something that I believe God is going to use to bring about an awakening! Already more than 750 churches and venues across the United States are planning to be a part of Harvest America. Will you be the next? It's going to impact communities and cultures. Don’t miss this opportunity.

See you downstream...

Living in a dorm while playing baseball in college was an experience that lives in my memory with a lot of stories. One of those stories was life changing for me. One morning while still asleep a knock came at the door. When I finally realized I wasn't dreaming, I rolled out of that fabulous bed and answered the door. To my surprise, a Navigator was standing there. He introduced himself and told me that he wanted to disciple me. My first thought was, I must still be asleep! The next day he gave me something called 2:7. Little did I know that God would use this resource to profoundly impact my life!

The 2:7 series offers approaches for strengthening your own life in Christ and for helping others move closer to God. The series helped me better understand the significance of Bible study, Scripture memory, ways to meditate on Scripture, group interaction, journaling, explaining the Gospel, telling my salvation experience, and many other useful tools.

The resource is based on Colossians 2:7: “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” The Message puts it this way: “You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.” God used 2:7 in my life as a young adult in ways that are still bearing fruit.

New believer/New Member Follow-up
The 2:7 series is being used significantly in hundreds of churches across the United States, assimilating new believers and new members into their local church. My friend Bill Roberson leads numerous groups of people through the series at Watermark Community Church in the greater Dallas area. He recently sent these photos and comments that I had to share with you.

This morning at Watermark Community Church, a young lady who just graduated from EquippedDisciple2 (2:7, book 2) came up to show me her new tattoo featuring the Bridge Illustration. It’s the real deal, not a temporary wash-off-able. Man, did she inspire me by her no turning back commitment to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some people hand out tracts. Lauren has powered up to the next level – wow!

School’s out! Some people hand out tracts. Lauren is one! See you downstream . . ..

For more information and free downloadable leader’s guides to go along with the series, go to www.2-7series.org.