Last week, a friend from Seattle (whom I had not seen since February) asked about the “Universal Discipleship Pattern.” Earlier this year, I had drawn the temple diagram on my dinner napkin and described how we would focus our attention on being the “temple of the Holy Spirit” as believers, studying the New Testament pattern for our transformation. Here’s what my friend, Paul, asked last week—knowing we would be completing our period of study: Did it work?

That wasn’t the question I expected! “Did people enjoy it?” “Did the teachers make it clear?” “Do the learners have more information?” “Do we read the New Testament differently?” I can answer those questions, but “Did it work?” takes a different kind of answer, doesn’t it?

As you consider the Universal Discipleship Pattern—after seven sermons and thirteen Bible studies—here are some questions that might help you answer Paul’s question, “Did it work?”

Is Jesus Christ the Rock upon which your life is being built?

Is there a daily personal commitment and surrender to Jesus as your Lord and God?

Do you walk worthy of Christ, putting off the old way of life and putting on the new life of Jesus living through you?

Does the Spirit of God transform your attitude and action in every relationship as His Word guides you?

Are you standing and resisting the work of evil, watching and praying for the power of God? Are you wearing the full armor God has provided, consciously engaging in spiritual battle through prayer?

Are you declaring the truth about Jesus as you’ve come to know Him by personal experience so that others won’t spend eternity apart from Christ?

With whom are you sharing the pattern of transformation right now? Disciples are not “information gatherers.” Disciples lead people to the Rock and disciple them so they will lead others to the Rock.

Our answers to those questions will reveal what happened this spring. Did it work?

I'm proud to be your pastor,

Jerry