Week 19: The Way of Jesus
May 11-May 15
DAY 1
Day 1: The Gap Between Profession and Practice
Reading: Luke 6:46-49; James 1:22-25
Jesus asks the most uncomfortable question: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" This penetrating question exposes the gap between what we profess and what we practice. Many of us have mastered the language of faith—we know the prayers, the songs, the Christian vocabulary—but have we mastered the lifestyle? Faith without action is like a runner who buys all the gear but never runs. Today, examine your life honestly. Are you merely an admirer of Jesus, watching from a distance, or are you an apprentice, picking up the tools and doing the work? The journey from spectator to participant begins with acknowledging the gap and choosing to close it through obedient action.
Reading: Luke 6:46-49; James 1:22-25
Jesus asks the most uncomfortable question: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" This penetrating question exposes the gap between what we profess and what we practice. Many of us have mastered the language of faith—we know the prayers, the songs, the Christian vocabulary—but have we mastered the lifestyle? Faith without action is like a runner who buys all the gear but never runs. Today, examine your life honestly. Are you merely an admirer of Jesus, watching from a distance, or are you an apprentice, picking up the tools and doing the work? The journey from spectator to participant begins with acknowledging the gap and choosing to close it through obedient action.
DAY 2
Day 2: Building on the Rock
Reading: Matthew 7:24-27; Psalm 18:1-2
Two houses. Two builders. Same storm. The difference wasn't the weather they faced but the foundation they built upon. Jesus teaches that hearing His words isn't enough—we must put them into practice. Digging deep to bedrock requires effort, time, and intentionality. It's easier to build quickly on shallow ground, but when life's inevitable floods come, only the deep foundation holds. Your foundation isn't built during the storm; it's built before the storm arrives. What you're building on today determines what remains tomorrow. Are you constructing a big life on shallow faith, or are you going deep with God? The practices of prayer, Scripture reading, generosity, and community aren't optional extras—they're the bedrock that keeps you standing when everything shakes.
Reading: Matthew 7:24-27; Psalm 18:1-2
Two houses. Two builders. Same storm. The difference wasn't the weather they faced but the foundation they built upon. Jesus teaches that hearing His words isn't enough—we must put them into practice. Digging deep to bedrock requires effort, time, and intentionality. It's easier to build quickly on shallow ground, but when life's inevitable floods come, only the deep foundation holds. Your foundation isn't built during the storm; it's built before the storm arrives. What you're building on today determines what remains tomorrow. Are you constructing a big life on shallow faith, or are you going deep with God? The practices of prayer, Scripture reading, generosity, and community aren't optional extras—they're the bedrock that keeps you standing when everything shakes.
DAY 3
Day 3: From Savior to Lord
Reading: Romans 10:9-13; Philippians 2:9-11
There's a critical difference between making Jesus your Savior and making Him your Lord. Many want salvation from hell but resist surrender of their lives. We want the benefits of Christianity without the commitment to Christlikeness. But Jesus didn't die just to keep you out of hell—He died to bring heaven to earth through you. When Jesus is truly Lord, He doesn't just save your soul; He directs your steps, shapes your decisions, and transforms your priorities. Lordship means His agenda replaces yours. It means saying no to good things so you can say yes to God things. Today, ask yourself: Is Jesus merely a fire insurance policy, or is He the King who reigns over every area of your life—your finances, relationships, career, and future?
Reading: Romans 10:9-13; Philippians 2:9-11
There's a critical difference between making Jesus your Savior and making Him your Lord. Many want salvation from hell but resist surrender of their lives. We want the benefits of Christianity without the commitment to Christlikeness. But Jesus didn't die just to keep you out of hell—He died to bring heaven to earth through you. When Jesus is truly Lord, He doesn't just save your soul; He directs your steps, shapes your decisions, and transforms your priorities. Lordship means His agenda replaces yours. It means saying no to good things so you can say yes to God things. Today, ask yourself: Is Jesus merely a fire insurance policy, or is He the King who reigns over every area of your life—your finances, relationships, career, and future?
DAY 4
Day 4: Come, Hear, Do
Reading: John 14:15-24; 1 John 2:3-6
Jesus simplifies discipleship into three verbs: come, hear, do. We've complicated faith with theology debates, religious jargon, and endless programs, but Jesus keeps it beautifully simple. Come to Him. Hear His words. Do them. The doing is where most of us get stuck. We're excellent at coming to church and hearing sermons, but practicing what we've heard Monday through Saturday? That's the challenge. Apprentices don't just watch the master work; they pick up the tools and practice the craft. You learn to cook by cooking, not just by watching cooking shows. You become like Jesus by doing what Jesus did—serving, praying, loving your neighbor, practicing generosity, extending forgiveness. Sunday worship should celebrate the Jesus-work you've been doing all week, not substitute for it.
Reading: John 14:15-24; 1 John 2:3-6
Jesus simplifies discipleship into three verbs: come, hear, do. We've complicated faith with theology debates, religious jargon, and endless programs, but Jesus keeps it beautifully simple. Come to Him. Hear His words. Do them. The doing is where most of us get stuck. We're excellent at coming to church and hearing sermons, but practicing what we've heard Monday through Saturday? That's the challenge. Apprentices don't just watch the master work; they pick up the tools and practice the craft. You learn to cook by cooking, not just by watching cooking shows. You become like Jesus by doing what Jesus did—serving, praying, loving your neighbor, practicing generosity, extending forgiveness. Sunday worship should celebrate the Jesus-work you've been doing all week, not substitute for it.
DAY 5
Day 5: Movement Makers, Missional Partners, Multipliers
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:1-2
From the beginning, God's plan was multiplication: "Be fruitful and multiply." Jesus echoed this in the Great Commission: make disciples who make disciples. At Mercy Road, we're becoming three things together: movement makers who serve, missional partners who walk on mission with God, and multipliers who reproduce disciples. This isn't about building a church attendance record; it's about fulfilling God's original design for humanity. You weren't saved to sit and soak; you were saved to serve and share. The question isn't just "What are you multiplying?" but "Are you multiplying at all?" Every believer is called to pour into someone else what has been poured into them. Who are you bringing along? Who are you teaching to follow Jesus? Your testimony, your transformation, your practices—these are the tools for multiplication.
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:1-2
From the beginning, God's plan was multiplication: "Be fruitful and multiply." Jesus echoed this in the Great Commission: make disciples who make disciples. At Mercy Road, we're becoming three things together: movement makers who serve, missional partners who walk on mission with God, and multipliers who reproduce disciples. This isn't about building a church attendance record; it's about fulfilling God's original design for humanity. You weren't saved to sit and soak; you were saved to serve and share. The question isn't just "What are you multiplying?" but "Are you multiplying at all?" Every believer is called to pour into someone else what has been poured into them. Who are you bringing along? Who are you teaching to follow Jesus? Your testimony, your transformation, your practices—these are the tools for multiplication.