04. Breathe In God’s Word, Breathe Out Obedience and Sharing
Scripture: Matthew 4:4; James 1:22; John 15:5
What happens between your fellowship’s gatherings?
Six days pass.
People face temptations. Relationships become strained. Someone needs encouragement. A neighbor opens up about a burden.
Will the people around your table know how to turn to Jesus themselves, and respond to what He teaches them?
A multiplying fellowship needs disciples who learn to receive from God daily, put His Word into practice, and pass on what they receive.
Where We Are in This Series
We began with a vision: ordinary people following Jesus together and helping other households do the same.
Article 1 challenged us to begin.
Article 2 gave the gathered people a shared purpose.
Article 3 focused on falling in love with Jesus through His miracles, healings, encounters, and parables.
Now we take that discovery into everyday life.
How do we keep walking with Jesus after everyone goes home?
Learn to Receive From Jesus Every Day
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He answered:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.”
Matthew 4:4 WEB
We understand the need to eat regularly.
Do we recognize our need to receive from God regularly?
The people in your fellowship need opportunities to open Scripture themselves, understand what it says, pray about it, and respond.
A leader can model that. A fellowship can encourage it. Each disciple needs to practice it.
Start simply.
During the week, return to the story your fellowship explored together. Read it slowly. Notice Jesus’ words and actions. Consider what the passage reveals about Him and what your response should be.
You may discover something you hurried past during the gathering.
His compassion.
His authority.
His invitation to trust Him.
A command you have understood but postponed.
Give His Word room to shape your day.
SOAPS: A Simple Way to Practice
The Zúme tool SOAPS helps people develop this habit:
S, Scripture
Read a passage. Write down a verse or a few sentences that draw your attention.
O, Observation
What is happening? What does the passage show about God and people? Keep your observations grounded in what the text actually says.
A, Application
What response does this call for in your life?
Make it specific.
“I should care about people” becomes:
“Today I will call the person who told me they were lonely and make time to listen.”
P, Prayer
Talk with God about what you have discovered. Thank Him. Confess where you have resisted Him. Ask for help to obey.
Take time to listen prayerfully, testing impressions by Scripture.
S, Sharing
Who could benefit from what you have received?
Name someone. Consider when and how you could share the passage, your response, or what God is teaching you.
SOAPS gives an ordinary disciple a practice they can use, and teach someone else.
Breathe Out What You Receive
Think of receiving God’s Word as breathing in.
Obedience and sharing are breathing out.
James writes:
“But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.”
James 1:22 WEB
A full notebook can record what we have learned.
Our choices reveal what we are doing with it.
Did we forgive?
Did we tell the truth?
Did we make time for someone in need?
Did we speak about Jesus when the opportunity came?
These responses may seem small. But they are where following Jesus becomes visible.
And sharing helps what we receive reach another person.
You do not need a polished lesson.
You can say:
“I was reading this story about Jesus today. Something in it challenged me. Could I share it with you?”
Read the passage. Explain what you are learning. Ask what they notice.
A disciple who receives, obeys, and shares is already practicing habits another disciple can learn.
Keep the Relationship at the Center
These practices grow out of our dependence on Jesus.
He said:
“I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 WEB
We need Him throughout the week.
When obedience is difficult, turn to Him.
When you fail, confess it and receive His grace.
When someone responds to what you share, thank Him.
When you feel uncertain, ask for wisdom and seek help from your fellowship.
Daily Scripture and prayer help us keep bringing our actual lives before Jesus.
Let the Fellowship Encourage the Habit
At your next gathering, invite people to share:
“What did you discover in Scripture this week?”
“How did you respond?”
“Who did you share it with?”
“What help do you need?”
Model honest answers yourself.
Perhaps you took a step and saw an encouraging response.
Perhaps you struggled and need prayer.
Perhaps you intended to obey but avoided the opportunity.
Let people tell the truth. Listen, encourage, pray, and help them take their next step.
As this becomes normal, everyone learns to contribute something received from their own walk with Jesus.
Those habits can travel with them into another household.
Your Assignment This Week
Practice SOAPS each day using short passages from the Gospel of Mark. You can begin by returning to the story your fellowship discussed most recently.
Each day:
- Write one clear observation.
- Identify one specific response.
- Pray about it.
- Name someone with whom you could share.
Then act on what you have written.
At your next gathering, tell one story of what happened when you obeyed or shared. Invite the others to do the same.
We want to help finish the Great Commission by 2033. That vision calls for disciples who can walk with Jesus daily and help others learn to walk with Him too.
Around your table or in your living room, you can help those habits take root.
Receive His Word.
Respond in obedience.
Share what you receive.
Help someone else begin.
Ordinary People. Extraordinary Movements.
Want to go further?
All ten Zúme discipleship lessons are on my site, free, with the video and the same teaching notes I use when I train leaders in person. Take them on your own, take them with a few friends, or join me live on Zoom and I will teach them to you face to face. When you finish, tell me and I will coach you personally.
Start the ten lessons:
https://internationalafricanmobilization.com/training/terrys-zume-teaching-series/
Join a live training –
https://zume.training/join-a-training
Next Steps form: https://airtable.com/appUh4Y3McdFcQ8Xg/pagCyMWEWZbPNlyH5/form
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_N_FgN8Dm8
Series playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJmb0Da-UPyM
Your gift would be tax deductible and overseen by Northside Christian Church, our sending church. There are many we coach that could use encouragement in small ways to accomplish great things.
Terry Ruff