Cultivate
Acts 2:42, 46
Digging Deeper
KEY QUOTES
"Jesus expects His followers (AKA, His Church) to CULTIVATE disciples and leaders so that they might reflect God's glory in all spheres of life."
"As God's people, God wants us to be cultivated into His image—which will have huge implications in our life."
"Cultivate is largely tied to worship. You become what you worship."
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary lists several definitions of the word cultivate.
1) To prepare, or to prepare and use for the raising of crops.
2) To foster the growth of.
3) To improve by labor, care or study; to refine.
4) To seek the society of or make friends with.
Throughout this definition, "Cultivate" happens when something is nourished to help it grow while striving to improve, or improving, what is being cultivated. At Northland, we Cultivate disciples and leaders through Northland Kids, Northland Students and Young Adults, Special Needs/Access and adult LIFE2 Groups. It is exciting to see how Cultivate encompasses everyone in our congregation!
When looking further at cultivating discipleship and leadership, Kevin and Sherry Harney share seven essential growth markers needed as believers cultivate and grow spiritually in their book Organic Disciples. These seven growth markers are:
Bible Engagement: learning to know, love and follow the teaching of Scripture.
Passionate Prayer: increasing our ability to speak to God, listen for God and seek God with others.
Wholehearted Worship: developing hearts, lips and lives that celebrate the glory and goodness of God.
Humble Service: extending acts of kindness and service in the name of Jesus.
Joyful Generosity: recognizing that all we have is a gift from God and learning to share what we have freely.
Consistent Community: loving God's people and connecting with them regularly.
Organic Outreach: sharing the good news of Jesus in the flow of normal life.
May we learn and strive together to cultivate our lives to become vibrant disciples and leaders at Northland Church.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Main Point
Jesus expects His followers, His Church, to CULTIVATE disciples and leaders so that they might reflect God's glory in all spheres of life.
The four C’s — Connect, Cultivate, CARE and Commission — are not linear and are connected with one another. We participate in all of them, and we cannot pick and choose one or another.
Cultivate is tied to who or what we worship. As God's people, God wants us to be cultivated into His image—which will have huge implications in our lives.
1. Why do we CULTIVATE?
The biblical narrative shows how Cultivate is seen throughout the Bible to lay a foundation as to why we cultivate disciples and leaders today.
From the beginning to the end of the Bible, God has always wanted to give shape and formation to His people.
2. What do we do to CULTIVATE?
God has always wanted His people to reflect His glory—His image (His character, His attributes, His nature and thus His kingdom) in and throughout the world.
God does this through CULTIVATE—through His people's worship of Him in all spheres of life.
Discipleship
Discipleship is learning what it means to be human and part of God's new human race after the image and likeness of Jesus.
Heart of Discipleship is the love of God and is born out of a love of God. (Deuteronomy 6, Matthew 22:37; John 14)
Leaders of Discipleship (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 3:1-2)
Three ways to Cultivate as a disciple of Jesus - A fertile environment is conducive for cultivation. Who are you becoming?
Embed in Community-You are who you hang around. (Corporate Worship, Small Group, Close Friends)
Submit to the Word-You are what you eat. (What do we do with the Word? What does the Word do to us?)
Exercise Spiritual Disciplines-You are what you do. (Corporate Worship, Prayer, Confession, Fasting, Giving, Serving, Bible Intake, Fellowship, Discipleship, Sabbathing, Journaling, Silence/Solitude)
3. How does CULTIVATE impact my life?
What happens when disciples and leaders are cultivated? Cultivate is largely tied to worship. We become what we worship. We are cultivated more into the image of the WHO or WHAT we WORSHIP.
When you are cultivated more into the image of Jesus, you
Function better at life.
Experience glimmers of flourishing.
Feel contentment/satisfaction.
Are blessed—God's presence, power, provision.
At peace with God and seek to be at peace with others.
LIFE APPLICATION
This week, pray about ways to cultivate spiritual growth in your life to become a more effective disciple and leader of King Jesus.
Take the Northland Church Spiritual Growth Assessment. This tool provides feedback with practical steps to cultivate growth in each of the seven spiritual markers with scripture references, areas for spiritual growth and ideas for action. Select one or two items you would like to improve and work on this year and begin cultivating these areas. If you want to discuss your results with a mentor, please contact Barbara.Olsen@northlandchurch.net.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What do you like to grow and why?
As disciples and leaders, why is it important to devote ourselves to biblical teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer today? (Acts 2:42)
What are some ways believers can cultivate their lives to become stronger spiritually?
What benefits do believers experience as they cultivate their faith?
How is sharing the gospel with others, known as organic outreach, improved as disciples cultivate their faith and grow spiritually?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Cultivate Bible Engagement-Colossians 3:1-4; Psalm 119:97-98; Hebrews 4:12
Day 2: Cultivate Prayer and Worship-Philippians 4:6-7; Psalm 22:23; Psalm 95:1-2
Day 3: Cultivate Humble Service and Consistent Community-Philippians 2:8; 1 Peter 3:8; Proverbs 27:17
Day 4: Cultivate Joyful Generosity-Matthew 6:21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; 2 Corinthians 8:9
Day 5: Cultivate Organic Outreach-1 Peter 3:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-12; Acts 1:8
PRAYER
Lord, I am thankful that you have given me the desire to cultivate my spiritual life so that I will grow strong in my faith. Let me embrace areas where I am strong in my faith, and also give me guidance and direction as I look for ways to improve as your disciple. Help me seek out others who can guide me as I grow daily, loving You more and more! Give me opportunities to share the Gospel message proclaiming the Good News to neighbors and nations.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
-CULTIVATE Disciples and Leaders at Northland - Information
-Northland Church Spiritual Growth Assessment
-Organic Disciples by Kevin and Sherry Harney
