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WEEK 2 WITH JESS MCLEAN
Ready, Willing and Able to GROW.
In our series, Let’s Follow Jesus Together, we’re looking at discipleship as a journey where we grow in faith alongside others. Following Jesus is a personal decision. It is also better when done in community, which we are going to discuss more next Sunday with Katie Schrack. As a follower of Jesus we are committed to helping each other know God, grow in holiness, share in community, and live on mission. Today’s message, drawn from Mark 10:13-27, challenges us to reflect on whether we’re ready to grow by thinking differently, being willing to obey, and able to let go of what holds us back. Let’s dive in and see how God calls each of us to be ready, willing, and able to grow.
1. Ready to Think Differently
When people brought children to Jesus, He welcomed them with open arms, telling His disciples that the kingdom of God belongs to those who approach with childlike faith. Children are curious, open, and willing to learn—they don’t cling to pride or try to control things. Jesus invites us to embrace this childlike openness, to let go of rigid thinking, and to make room for the new ways He might be leading us to grow.
• Key Verse: Mark 10:15 – “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
2. Willing to Obey
When the rich young ruler approached Jesus, he had already lived a righteous life and followed the commandments. Yet, when Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and follow Him, he struggled. Obedience can be challenging for all of us but as a disciple, a follower of Jesus, we never stop having opportunities to grow in obedience. It’s important that we read the word of God not to accommodate behaviour, fit our own cultural lens, or preserve a tradition… we should read the word of God TO OBEY GOD.
• Key Verse: Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
3. Able to Let Go
The young man couldn’t let go of his wealth and walked away, heavy-hearted. I don’t believe Jesus’s call to him was about wealth alone, it was about the things that had his heart. The disciples saw this man’s outside and were amazed at his success, but God always looks at the heart. Letting go means finding our confidence in God and trusting that what He has for us is better than anything we could hold onto ourselves. Assessing if things other than God have a hold on our heart and dealing with those things can help us to grow closer to Jesus as we follow him.
• Key Verse: Mark 10:27 – “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
WE NEED TO BE READY, WILLING AND ABLE GROW
To follow Jesus together, we need to be ready to think differently, willing to obey, and able to let go. God is calling each of us to take these steps in faith, and He meets us with grace to keep going. Our current cultural landscape seems uncertain and in a crisis of authority but Jesus is on the throne! The church is an embassy for Kingdom culture here or earth. Let’s stay curious and kind as we encounter friends and church family who think differently, while we encourage each other to be ready, willing, and able to grow.
Discussion guide for connect groups or around the dinner table
1. Read Mark 10:13-16.
2. Read Romans 12:2.
3. Read Mark 10:17-22.
4. Read Mark 10:23-27.
PART 1 WITH NATHAN MCLEAN
Introduction to "Let's Follow Jesus together"
In the final words of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus gives His followers a powerful directive, known as the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit… And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). This call, while bold, is the heart of God’s plan to share His love and grace with the world.
Yet, if we’re honest, we might sometimes wonder if God’s plan has a “weakness.” Don’t be alarmed by that statement, go with me for a minute… Jesus had only 12 disciples, and they weren’t perfect—they doubted, scattered, and even betrayed Him. How do I, full of imperfection, do this? Why does God call us, with all our HUMANITY, to spread His wonderful plan of salvation? The reality is that we DO NOT WALK ALONE. Jesus promises to be with us every step of the way as we seek to live out the great commission. This month is titled “Let’s follow Jesus Together” We are talking about Discipleship being a journey we take together. As we grow and refreshing our understanding of what it means to be a disciple we can be strengthened when we embrace these powerful truths:
Discipleship is not a status reserved for the “super spiritual” or those pursuing perfectionism, but for anyone willing to follow Jesus. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, He simply said, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). This invitation is for all of us.
. Discipleship is about heart transformation, not just knowledge. It’s learning to live like Jesus, not just learning about Him (Romans 12:2).
To follow Jesus means taking up His mission. It is for everyone who follows Jesus not just those who are in ministry or on the mission field. Like Peter and Andrew leaving their nets in Matthew 4, we are all called to share His love in ways unique to our life’s context and God given talents. As we follow Jesus together we each are challenged to let go of things that might be holding us back from outworking the mission of Christ.
How Do We Make Disciples Together?
Making disciples is more than a program or checklist. It’s an intentional way of living, a posture that says, “Let’s follow Jesus together.” Discipleship is strengthened in community—by inviting others into our faith journey, learning together, and growing through relationships. This Sunday our guest speaker Katie Schrack (head of discipleship support for Hillsong Australia) will help us to think more deeply about following Jesus in community.
As Mike Breen puts it, “If you make disciples, you always get the church. But if you make a church, you rarely get disciples.”
Discipleship isn’t about building a ‘big’ church. While we believe that God builds HIS church and wants it to be full of life, discipleship is about helping each other walk closely with Jesus in the fullness of His love, knowing Him and making Him known.
So, how do we know we’re growing? Jesus gave us a guide in John 17 when He prayed for His followers that we would know God, grow in holiness (Christ likeness), share in community and live on mission. This month let’s challenge ourselves to grow deeper in these areas and have a posture towards others that says “Let’s Follow Jesus Together”.
Discussion guide for Connect Groups or around the dinner table:
Reading 1: Matthew 28:18-20 – The Great Commission
Reading 2: Matthew 4:18-20 – The Calling of the First Disciples
Reading 3: John 17 – Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples
Focus Verses: John 17:11, 13, 17, 20-21
Reading 4: Romans 12:2 – Transformation Through Christ
Challenge:
This week, choose one of these areas of growth—unity, joy, holiness, or love—and think of one small, specific action to take. Share it with someone and pray together as you follow Jesus together.
Wollongong Campus Team
Phil & Lucinda Dooley
Jess Mclean
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General Hillsong Email Enquiries
Phone
1300 53 53 53