SERIES 1: APPRENTICED TO JESUS

What’s this series all about?

In this series we explore what it meant for first century disciples to follow a rabbi and what it means for us to follow Jesus. We land on our modern word ‘apprentice’ as the best equivalent word for someone who chooses Jesus as their teacher and Lord. What does it mean to be apprentices of Jesus? How does our life get arranged? What do our priorities become? And how do we do this in the midst of a world that is continually trying to squeeze us into its own mould?

MCC Sermons

If you missed a message in this series, we encourage you to catch up via our Spotify link here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LRU2bjNuhx0dP3CFs85Uc

Recommended Practices

This year is about doing not just about learning. As important as learning and information is, information alone does not bring about transformation or Christ-likeness.

Here are some practices we would recommend for this series:

FEB 11TH: INTRODUCTION TO 2024 AND THE WAY OF JESUS (TINA TEOPE)

  • Do a life check in - Take 10 mins to create an overview of how you spend your time each day/week currently. Honestly and prayerfully, list how much time you spend each day or week on the following: work, sleep, exercise, screens/devices, hobbies, friends/family, time alone with God in prayer and Bible reading, connecting with other Christians, other.

  • Reflect on this list - asking God to guide you as you seek to prioritise time with him this year. What is the spirit of Jesus calling you to cull in order to prioritise life with him? Come before him in prayer with open hands giving him your schedule and your life.

FEB 18TH: SERIES 1: APPRENTICED TO JESUS WITH THE FIRST STEP AS’ BEING WITH JESUS’  (ROBIN KNOX)

  • Take 5 or 10 minutes each day this week for silence and solitude. -

Sitting quietly

Sitting looking at God’s creation or something else that inspires you

Walking

Looking up at God’s sky

Coming to Jesus with your children in your arms, just as he asked parents to do in his days on earth.

  • Using those minutes for Listening to God

But if you can take those few minutes – make coffee if that’s your thing, go somewhere quiet – and be with Jesus.

Don’t read. Don’t pray

Breathe slowly

Calm down.

Listen.

MARCH 3RD: APPRENTICED TO JESUS - BECOMING LIKE JESUS (LIBBY)

Take 10 minutes to review your list from the first practice (Tina's)

Look at your daily habits. eg watching TV, scrolling on phone, exercise, eating, conversations, shopping, worry, sleep schedule ...

What is each of those habits doing to your heart?

Choose one that is preventing you from loving well, cut it out for a week and replace it with a Jesus practice 

eg, 

Sit quietly and listen to a meaningful worship song

Choose a psalm and read it slowly 2-3 times asking God to highlight a line for you to focus on that day eg try Psalms 23, 8, 63

Go for a walk in nature and notice God in the beauty. 

Set aside an hour for Sabbath rest, relaxing in God's presence.

Fast one or two meals and use the time to reflect, pray, worship.

Consider how your lifestyle could be simplified - less stuff, less spending, less consuming, more generosity, and how you can make changes in line with the simplicity of Jesus’ life. 

MARCH 17TH: APPRENTICED TO JESUS - DOING LIKE JESUS DID (JOSH TAYLOR)

We are aware that the first few weeks of the Practicing the Way series have given us all a lot to think about and process. For many of us, our busy lives leave little time to do that processing. This week we invite you to look back over the three previous practices and choose one that you may not have had a chance to do yet.