The Wired Word for 03082026 - CourtneyR.dev's 2nd Brain

The Wired Word for 03/08/2026 ![rw-book-cover](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article3.5c705a01b476.png) > [!note]+ Document Notes > ```yaml > --- > tags: [discipleship, Christianity, church] > author: The Wired Word > source: The Wired Word > reference: [mailto:reader-forwarded-email/e23606aa0eb968c2d26065724492fc39] > date created: 2026-03-06 12:00 > --- > ` > # 🏷️ Title: The Wired Word for 03/08/2026 > ## 🧭 Table of Contents > - [📝 Summary](#-summary) > - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) > - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) > - [📚 References](#-references) > - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) > - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) > - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) > - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) > - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) > - [❓ Questions](#-questions) > - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) > - [💡 Implications](#-implications) > - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) > - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) > - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) > - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) > - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) > - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) > ### 🔗 References > - Include links cited in or relevant to the article. > --- > ## 📝 Summary > - Lifeway Research surveyed American churchgoers on doctrine and practice across eight discipleship characteristics and found only a barely passing average score (68.1/100). > - It matters because it reveals a significant discipleship deficit among people who consider themselves active Christians. > - Key stakeholders: churchgoers, pastors, church leaders, and Christian educators. > - Risks: complacency, shallow faith, and misalignment between belief, practice, and biblical teaching. > - Bottom line: U.S. churches must take discipleship more seriously and intentionally cultivate mature, obedient followers of Christ. > --- > ## 📖 Main Content > - The email describes new research showing that most churchgoers are underperforming as disciples when measured against eight marks of spiritual growth (beliefs and behaviors). > - Some traits scored near 80, but others dropped into the 50s, producing an overall average of 68.1. > - Pastors sense there is room for growth, but only a small fraction strongly affirm satisfaction with their church’s discipleship outcomes. > - Scott McConnell notes pastors often lack clear diagnostics about where people’s lives diverge from biblical standards; this research provides a national snapshot. > - The lesson will pivot from data to Scripture, asking what it means to follow Jesus, how believers can grow as disciples, and how they can share Christ with others. > --- > ### 🗒️ Notes > - Lifeway Research conducted a broad U.S. survey of people who regularly attend church, focused on discipleship. > - Questions covered both doctrine (what people believe) and practice (how they live), aligned with eight characteristics typical of growing Christians. > - The composite “discipleship score” averaged 68.1 out of 100. > - Some areas of discipleship are relatively strong (scores near 80), while others are significantly weaker (in the 50s), dragging down overall spiritual health. > - Pastors: 52% are generally satisfied with discipleship, but only 8% are strongly satisfied, implying widespread concern and low confidence. > - McConnell emphasizes that pastors often see the need for deeper discipleship but lack concrete insight into specific weak spots. > - The Wired Word lesson uses this research as a springboard to explore biblical discipleship and practical steps to follow Christ more closely and witness to others. > --- > ## 📚 References > - [Lifeway Research – Discipleship studies](https://lifewayresearch.com/) > - [The Roys Report summary of the survey](https://julieroys.com/) (site referenced in the email) > --- > ## 🗣️ Paraphrase > - Paragraph A: Recent research among American churchgoers reveals that, when it comes to living as disciples of Jesus, most are barely passing and need significant growth. > - Paragraph B: Pastors recognize these gaps but often lack detailed insight into where lives diverge from biblical teaching; this study offers a national overview to guide more focused discipleship. > --- > ## 📰 Newsletter > This week’s highlight: a sober discipleship checkup. Lifeway’s new data shows many churchgoers scoring barely above passing on core marks of Christian maturity. For WordPress site owners and church communicators, this is a cue to build better learning environments online: clear Bible studies, guided reflection prompts, and simple “next steps” flows on your church site. Consider pairing sermon notes with discussion questions and simple action checklists to move visitors from content consumption to genuine formation. > --- > ## ✅ Action Items > #### DevRel > - Map this discipleship research into developer-facing examples: show how to build survey tools, dashboards, and follow‑up workflows for churches. > - Run workshops on integrating learning paths into church sites (courses, quizzes, reflection prompts). > - Improve DX by offering WordPress plugin examples for spiritual growth tracking, small‑group signups, and follow‑up automations. > - Publish content and demos that highlight how open‑source tools can serve faith communities. > - Facilitate community feedback from church tech teams into plugin/theme authors. > #### OSPO > - Clarify contribution guidelines for faith-oriented plugins/themes hosted in open repositories. > - Ensure license compliance training includes examples from church tech stacks. > - Provide security guidance for handling sensitive pastoral data (surveys, counseling forms). > - Maintain an inventory of critical church-related plugins and ensure regular maintenance. > - Support developers who build and maintain mission-critical church tooling. > #### Community > - Host clinics for maintainers serving nonprofits and churches. > - Create contribution onramps for volunteers in faith communities (docs, translation, testing). > - Encourage sponsors to fund accessibility and localization for discipleship-related tools. > - Coordinate with other ecosystem projects on privacy and security for religious communities. > #### WordPress > - **Core:** Keep focus on stability, performance, and ease-of-use for non-technical church staff. > - **Core Performance:** Optimize for low-resource hosting common among small congregations. > - **Core AI:** Explore careful, theologically-neutral AI tools for content summaries and translations. > - **Core Program Team:** Align releases with documentation and training that help churches upgrade safely. > - **Mobile:** Improve editing and engagement flows for pastors working from phones/tablets. > - **Playground:** Provide sample church site blueprints for experimentation and training. > - **Community:** Offer meetup kits for “Church + WordPress” events. > - **Training:** Produce lesson plans for building secure, disciple-making church sites. > - **Marketing:** Highlight case studies where WordPress enables better discipleship and communication. > - **Support:** Document best practices for churches (roles, backups, security). > - **Design:** Promote themes optimized for sermons, events, and small group pathways. > - **Documentation:** Add examples specifically for church/ministry use cases. > - **Photos / TV:** Curate media resources churches can legally reuse. > - **Polyglots:** Prioritize translations that support regions with fast-growing churches. > - **Accessibility:** Emphasize accessible church themes for aging and disabled congregants. > - **Meta / CLI / Hosting / Tide / Openverse / Themes / Plugins:** Ensure review processes, tooling, and infrastructure support secure, performant, and discoverable resources for faith communities. > #### The WPCC > - Offer microgrants to maintainers building open discipleship and church-management tools. > - Fund documentation and governance work that helps faith-based projects stay healthy. > - Experiment with matched grants for accessibility and localization efforts in church tech. > ### FAIR > - Encourage transparent funding and governance models for church-related open-source projects. > - Provide reusable charters and agreements that help communities avoid capture and maintain trust. > --- > ## 🧪 Hypotheses > - H1: Churchgoers who participate in structured discipleship programs will score higher on Lifeway’s eight characteristics than those who only attend worship services. > - H2: Pastors who receive detailed discipleship diagnostics Dear Class Members, American churchgoers were recently surveyed on Christian doctrine and practice, and researchers found that churchgoers are not doing well as disciples of Christ. Since Jesus calls us all to follow him, this installment of *The Wired Word* will focus on what it means to be a disciple, how we can be better followers of Christ, and what we can do to share him with others. ![](https://www.thewiredword.com/_img/tww_logo_email.jpg) **Discipleship Deficit Found Among Churchgoers** ***The Wired Word*** **for the Week of March 8, 2026** **In the News** Lifeway Research recently studied discipleship among churchgoers in the United States. They discovered that if discipleship were a test, the average churchgoer would just barely get a passing grade. Lifeway asked dozens of questions related to Christian doctrine and practice, all connected to eight characteristics that are present in the lives of Christians who are growing in their faith. What was the grade that churchgoers received? According to *The Roys Report*, "Churchgoers were given a score from zero to 100 overall for each of the eight characteristics of discipleship. The average total score is 68.1, with some factors topping near 80 while others languish in the 50s." There is a clear need for improvement among American church members, and pastors know it. While 52% of pastors are satisfied with discipleship and spiritual formation in their churches, only 8% *strongly* agree. "Pastors know their congregations can follow Christ more closely, but they often don't know the specifics of what areas of people's lives don't align with what the Bible calls us to," said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway. "This research provides a national snapshot of these details." The online survey of 2,130 Protestant churchgoers was conducted in March 2025, using a national panel. Respondents were screened to include those who identified as Protestant/nondenominational and attended religious services at least once a month. So, what did Lifeway discover? The study used eight keys of spiritual maturity in its research: Bible engagement, obeying God and denying self, serving God and others, sharing Christ, exercising faith, seeking God, building relationships and living unashamed. The average churchgoer scored the highest in seeking God (78.5), followed by obeying God and denying self (75.1), serving God and others (73.1), exercising faith (71.6), Bible engagement (69.8), building relationships (64.0) and living unashamed (61.0). The lowest score was sharing Christ, where the average churchgoer got a 54.8. One challenge for discipleship in American churches is that there is not a commonly understood set of definitions for terms such as disciple, discipleship and disciple-making. Since the core meaning of the word disciple is "learner," a Christian disciple can be understood as a follower or student of Jesus. By this definition, most churchgoers are doing well with a grade of 78.5 in seeking God. But if disciples are also to share the good news of Jesus and be disciple-makers, then people are failing with a score of 54.8 in sharing Christ. Most churchgoers (54%) in the survey have been regularly attending church services for more than 20 years. The average churchgoer has been at their current congregation for 12 years, with a total of 30 years of church attendance overall. The engagement of these churchgoers is really quite high. Lifeway found that in a typical month, the average churchgoer attends a worship service at their church more than four times. About three in ten, 29%, say they are currently involved in ministries or projects that serve people in the community not affiliated with their church. A slightly higher number, 33%, have regular responsibilities at their church. Of those with church duties, 50% say that includes teaching or facilitating a Bible study, and 46% say it includes leading a ministry such as youth, worship or a food pantry. On average, churchgoers say they give 9% of their annual income to their local church and 4% to other nonprofit charitable causes or organizations. Only 15% say they do not donate to their congregation. The group surveyed by Lifeway seems to be more highly engaged in the life of the church than the average American today. According to *Ordinary Movement*, on any given weekend, only 30% of Americans now attend religious services (Gallup, 2021 - 2023), and weekly church attendance has declined from 42% to 30% in 20 years (Gallup, 2003 - 2023 comparison). In 1990, 90% of Americans identified as Christian, while in 2023, only 63% did (Pew Research Center). In 1990, 8% of Americans identified as atheist, agnostic or religiously unaffiliated, while 29% do so today (Pew Research Center). Over 40 million Americans have disaffiliated from Christianity since the 1990s (Pew Research Center), and since 2020, members of Gen Z who never attend church rose from 28% to 37% (Barna Group, 2023). In terms of discipleship, 93% of pastors say discipleship is a priority, but only 28% have a clear process for it (Barna Group). Among those who describe themselves as born-again, only one in 10 is actively discipling someone else (Barna Group), while 39% of Christians overall are not engaged in any form of discipleship (Barna Group). More on this story can be found at these links: [Study Shows Discipleship Deficit Exists Among U.S. Churchgoers.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPPWSnH6V5CN0R-2BjVpXeTgKEB90Fof2DUGhWDLTLq9RV7jdOT6ecyU0vv3vCH6pcQWOYMy4ef-2BthyXWo91D9QM8Em2fxrcTbAFXyXayf-2FK3ENV0JacCCM9ADlODX7kjwVWuP0u4FhShiwaebtTPHBMjxImfb-2F85S1BRTLQbmXOUCDA1xb_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsHC2vuDcSh-2Fkyss6tvmn8sDzoj7wqxVhyMNDDkxfaffZUMEgHnh4yfSe3rIgu1PbZKfB28vMUC383g69Ais2Z6kBQKGL2qtp0Uc4xHWwred1IW6LTU6Xh-2Fr-2FbfDOJ0EqzLCi0-2F8bPTtALpOVaFa0IQ7RyaAReHXIrgi1WitOvgS7Za-2BrFKY6Ya3yNXBjtwaoqplzEir6dt6Eh84w4YTrmRw-3D) [*The Roys Report*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPPWSnH6V5CN0R-2BjVpXeTgKEB90Fof2DUGhWDLTLq9RV7jdOT6ecyU0vv3vCH6pcQWOYMy4ef-2BthyXWo91D9QM8Em2fxrcTbAFXyXayf-2FK3ENV0JacCCM9ADlODX7kjwVWuP0u4FhShiwaebtTPHBMjxImfb-2F85S1BRTLQbmXOUCDa_iO_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsKxZ0UL8-2FERPj8C3LMBM-2FpmyLSjMJ4Q9-2B9RCSMGbPXogAZwWqer-2BH1iLwKF0RY7jpPbrSNC724QaiBiegWI5cU51VbW-2BMu1lFzX-2FoRLrRZkYuyNfmswt5DhJHxPiHThDtCLq7lJfWM6uoWtIkcHKVtKMGbvMe2aaOIfBj7VlOdZ-2FYegiWkZlH7-2Be2wgERcbjt9fzB2MFq8alST8TUgXTP9w-3D) [Discipleship Deficit Exists Among U.S. Churchgoers.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAuRKjrfiGwRkpy3YxlTTb7-2F-2F39HO3keJGWeIj30s0v2xm7VV0lxFAjrOxJzl-2BbxhvBrEVCJD2EdV-2FDolvioPu5fShw-2BH3HcUjFRKrrGdoLj173pt5JhBv5YeQ-2FC6VBGXw-3D-3D4Hlf_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsA-2Fw4IdeCw1WG0rbyNNFjZgmik25s6Y8C9xWyOvecgdQfe0yAEUm-2F36cwwK8YIlfqM-2F3bsSLBcFtzsvDliHlR2r93shPAqdj7OrHnT81iR-2BKo2ncNMMVfTpXBgPJgwSPA0Nv3Mr4qGcD0h1X0a7EOF8-2FPXG92Lj3sOujXGDOqnIBA08gruR0cpa71pqMRAcEGvS0vA80p30-2FcP6INta2Mao-3D) [*Lifeway Research*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAuRKjrfiGwRkpy3YxlTTb7-2F-2F39HO3keJGWeIj30s0v2xm7VV0lxFAjrOxJzl-2BbxhvBrEVCJD2EdV-2FDolvioPu5fShw-2BH3HcUjFRKrrGdoLj173pt5JhBv5YeQ-2FC6VBGXw-3D-3DwvoL_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsLAdNCkhmAiBpyBw-2BjwG9rLr5b1VrRoduSBvhgs-2FEhvrzoAtnrBxJGV0zDJ0xM4pkmrSNzvuigNROlHXiekvAmIctnH72-2BW-2FTKwLLsIPe2-2F48-2FRQf8M12IypoEvgyMyOtInWQpz5WmcWlEOmJGvmDGDW2mfRHm3fPjKowLnwQEWa6KOQ1rfKvrBpjgjEOkPKHWqhOcBsGJly1TgjRGWn8Og-3D) [Church & Discipleship Statistics (2026).](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIbpAHOX5sBPdkusiCwx5Awg4wlJUxjJ6IOCLmvTKiLp18W-2BgQSfZWrqIwdRRtqWOw-3D-3DYgYd_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsJiOWbfTvS3DY61P1Hq22-2BMX5NKd-2FXmNiJIFOkD2Ut6NzqS-2B8CQmm9H5pQ0h-2BVoMpEHT5qBpqpt7eu4XjITtd9kVI859hAoHi8moB7zs7SP-2F5mwjWWrKlk6yZxckC31Wng9rAZl-2F7oeYk6Q0bdYvJvEUmz7ROcgIGxilBOnpCOxQPNNCKhXqHP-2FoC4L4JjKckd5wRvFYk8OO1DPmuDUg6ow-3D) [*Ordinary Movement*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIbpAHOX5sBPdkusiCwx5Awg4wlJUxjJ6IOCLmvTKiLp18W-2BgQSfZWrqIwdRRtqWOw-3D-3D_TI4_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsLleiPZy4M5ADpA9JsReJpPgImrV9HYgELOJQzxP1H1i6G6DNKUwRjxMYRASFhXqnL0T-2BNZ-2FFtJsyLlthwpuebMXi6xftfnvepz5QEfmmwta2SJz29hckZBX9zigyodPVc9ItU9urBmBKHa3mFZEZqK-2FaPNSbQ9C32r7ZHfQ31QNQR5cb6P7DchIp9t52hIITQ9O08ZEi-2F3WQ99q4-2FQp7Qg-3D) **Applying the News Story** Discuss what it means to be a disciple, how you can be a better student and follower of Christ, and what you can do to share him with others, as an individual and a church member. **The Big Questions** 1. How do you engage the Bible each week, individually and in community? 2. When have you been challenged to obey God and deny yourself? Describe the experience. What was the result? 3. What actions do you take to serve God and others? How do you build relationships in the church? Be specific. 4. When, if ever, have you shared Christ with another person? How did you do it? What was the outcome of this sharing? 5. What do you do to seek God, both inside and outside of church? **Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope**Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: **Proverbs 10:17***Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.* (For context, read [Proverbs 10:11-32.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxtUL-2BBngs4gHqgEeaCN1ihRVFuwL0kvFzpoTajRie1rPEMN5kCfSF1Bd7idm9N5isJ20M_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsJR7I-2FqiYsQNwv8-2BKhzEHhli9BEVNTcamDmIiIiNGIVsytmkbE87Zrqx7psk9f0kbYaOO-2BD6UTTvOCfGAkU3G-2FRrg5j4k9Ab-2Bh4DIHp1lHG3W4K9gFjLNpOGQ9ZchaEImTfpzntoQbR5MX4e3sXa7rRrcUJrew0sUuVLr4gejx4X0zz-2FeGxYxPpaBcAlpPzPdjmKXQIiGsV1DP0PZ-2BwSEms-3D)) The sayings in the book of Proverbs are attributed to the Israelite king Solomon, who has traditionally been linked to great wisdom. Chapter 10 begins a second collection of sayings, under the heading, "The proverbs of Solomon" (v. 1). Many of the sayings are written in a form called "antithetical parallelism," in which one line carries a thought that is contrasted in the second line. A good example is, "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence" (v. 11). In verses 11 through 32, the importance of the mouth is stressed in numerous proverbs. Since disciples are students who follow a teacher and learn from him or her, there are many proverbs that stress the importance of listening to wise speech: "On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found" (v. 13); "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver" (v. 20); "The lips of the righteous feed many" (v. 21); "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom" (v. 31); and "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable" (v. 32). "Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life," says Solomon. This tells us that listening to the insightful speech of a good teacher is not only a way to become wiser, it is "the path to life." A disciple who follows a God-inspired teacher will be enriched in heart, body and mind, and will remain on the path of righteousness in this life and the next. > **Questions:** Among the characters in Scripture, who are your most influential teachers, and why? What biblical instructions are most important to you on the "path to life"? Why is wise speech so important in shaping a good life? **Mark 1:16-17***As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people."* (For context, read [Mark 1:14-20](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxikgjJ9vF4LL2cy1DRnryEEvTea3w1-2BuUtl-2B62veaHhbVcPNvEKykITU5fE5UJv5fzqT8_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsH7h5js1zPaI8R4u9rBTl2g0Jr5loYT1C1t0noNV0sUKsioEfKnvT0FABLigjJOO-2BWKLqp55HpyntoO3c578LHHiQoiUKvN2-2B152csPyHuiieNmnkbBEvJs5BJslBGna63PGVMCZRjHGkC-2ByGwdrx4fIs82xBU8fNIT2UGZThcHpMigq4Ycq696ZplP4XYkowzb-2BYqROSRpUghUHmMu0sR8-3D).) The gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea. Jesus called for the two to follow him, and "immediately they left their nets and followed him" (v. 18). They left their nets and presumably their families as well. Although the Bible does not say anything about wives for these men, Mark tells us that Simon had a mother-in-law (v. 30). Where there is a mother-in-law, there is usually a wife. Then Jesus saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were also fishermen, sitting in their boat and mending their nets. Jesus called them and they left their father "in the boat with the hired men and followed him" (v. 20). This probably caused problems, since fishing was a family business and Zebedee could not have been happy to be left holding the nets. Discipleship can be disruptive, since it involves leaving what we know and walking with Jesus into a new form of service to others. It may mean tutoring an at-risk child, teaching English as a second language, or swinging a hammer with Habitat for Humanity. Service brings us closer to Jesus, who said that he "came not to be served but to serve" (10:45). A good disciple also leaves the familiar for the unfamiliar, seeking connections with people who do not share their race, religion or ideology. Disciples understand that Jesus did not begin his ministry by talking only with like-minded Galileans. Instead, he and his disciples immediately faced "a man with an unclean spirit" (1:23). Then Jesus "cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons" (v. 34). Instead of staying at home, Jesus said that he would "go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also” (v. 38). When disciples seek connections with others, acting as "fishers of people," they discover that the words of Jesus are true, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near" (v. 15). > **Questions:** What do you find to be the most disruptive about the decision to follow Jesus? When has Jesus led you into a new type of service to others, and what did you learn? When, if ever, have you sought a connection with a person of a different race, religion or ideology? What were the costs and the benefits of this relationship? **John 1:35-39** *The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day.* (For context, read [John 1:29-42](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxyyJ0A-2BEDvrQGKorIXaiDBlWdtzY-2FMzah0BmjH8I-2F4qQtMkD-2BsloE22KywfDrkMNf3u7D_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsOEqT1Vljcrrgl-2Bg-2BuT4cnv-2BBIApKQ5-2FY7-2BhZv7Md-2BYSL-2BXZQKqfiPt9j4v1F0uqo04WyDf-2BnhlNeAe7J8GoAvH0tOFcn7gsiwmHsl-2BDgFf8p-2BcAJjYW-2BU9zxaffCGINtlgkHLUkJHuyWg3Yt4t70-2FOPGwvSRxuDLeKgZggFIdDSJNN-2BopUvNs8DPPfrk58cdNF4qpcuMn0kX2h9FEgq258-3D).) The gospel of John is full of invitations that can be used effectively by disciples who want to share Christ with others. In chapter 1, John the Baptist sees Jesus and says, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (v. 29). The phrase "Lamb of God" brings to mind the time when God provided Abraham with a sacrificial animal in place of his son Isaac (Genesis 22:8), and it makes us think of the lamb that was sacrificed as part of the Passover (Exodus 12:3). Here, at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, John points us to the cross. He knows that Jesus is destined to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The next day, John is standing with two of his disciples. As he watches Jesus pass by, he exclaims, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" John has his own disciples, but it appears that he is not really interested in gathering disciples to himself. Instead, he wants to point people to Jesus and invite them to believe in him. This happens when he points two of his disciples to Jesus and they immediately follow him. John's words about "the Lamb of God" are an effective invitation. When Jesus turns and sees the two following, he says to them, "What are you looking for?" He offers an invitation, not a proclamation. They do not give an answer, but instead say, "Rabbi" -- the word used by Jews for their religious teachers -- "where are you staying?" More than anything else, they want to be in the presence of Jesus. At this point, Jesus does not give them a specific address, but he says, "Come and see." They respond by going to where he is staying and they remain "with him that day." "Come and see" is an effective invitation, and it is one that we can use in the life of the church. When we invite people to join the worship and activities of our congregations, we lead them to a place where the risen Lord is alive and well, a place where they can come face to face with Jesus. > **Questions:** What does it mean to you that Jesus is "the Lamb of God"? If you think about what your neighbors might be looking for, what comes to mind? How can you invite them to "come and see" the risen Christ in the worship and activities of your congregation? **Ephesians 5:1-2***Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.* (For context, read [Ephesians 4:31 - 5:2](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx-2F9xuITdvxpNxFuzW6j6ZGLiEwgVGDT20hVhQYZ8-2BkeS9AnCETyL-2BX3RZAKW-2Bi8mx22JIRJJ0ygeChZvCUQMEoA-3D-3D6-Ob_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsAcRTtSV7BPPXDByesI1Gd5ewkEzeeGmAPV6A5FGGE0kIQYUoMbXo1sphGXemqv6jPAFB-2FtEqCU5rLZeMUQHrSZfb8lpaQvFqK6HDw4-2F1TTvZ-2F-2FvsF07fUmBR4WobQfoRphi5kJJy1YxRs5fmyC1-2F7jbgMYOPZbdVQsRri8CbdaARqGIH3-2F2zonX8WNdwtaRXDVI2-2BhYC82G3mMH7eqbKF8-3D).) Writing to the followers of Christ in Ephesus, a wealthy port city in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey), the apostle Paul urged them to abandon "all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice" (4:31), and instead to be "kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you" (v. 32). Paul was making a strong contrast between the Gentiles' previous lifestyle and their new identity in Christ. At the beginning of chapter 5, Paul encouraged them to imitate God "as beloved children." The metaphor of "beloved children" is based on the cultural expectation that children would imitate their parents. As imitators of their heavenly father, the Ephesians were to be kind, tenderhearted, and willing to forgive each other as "God in Christ" had forgiven them. > **Questions:** How are we, as disciples, to imitate God? What are the particular behaviors we are to practice? Why would such a lifestyle be attractive to those who do not know Christ? **For Further Discussion** 1. TWW Team Member Mary Sells knows that weekly worship is the norm for hearing God's Word, but other gatherings can be helpful in equipping people for discipleship. Where else do you find spiritual food? In a world where the demands on pastors are great, how can volunteers provide leadership? What would help you to do a "deep dive" into Bible study and into the practices and teachings of your church? Be specific. 2. Commissioned by a private foundation, ["The Great Opportunity" is an independent report](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPEfeevEa1LXttiZ2jsP54PP71koW2OBWAmfRcqG-2Btfynefh-_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsIoxz2ol3uEFLYZFrvMgRLnaiwKTLI6HslJZD9-2FlKbhODWuDVTKNdwyd2vJ9mkYSamhDHTyDtazAhffoj54lIIigM8lQEJ-2B-2FgUdMUb1JXUL6rV5FmApDxiPRkxdgIXliCNJUzaRp0rT5zDf6PC5jH9UWh-2BOAzVbYYWCYY-2FxkghuAZNz2sCj1zCob9zt6bFNx-2FiS7FG0eKANdyEC-2B4QD2d9k-3D) estimating that over 40 million young people who were raised in Christian homes could walk away from a life with Jesus by 2050. How can your church help young people to engage or reengage with Christ? What are you willing to do personally, if anything? 3. According to the Barna Group, only 17% of Christians in the United States know what the Great Commission is and what it means.For the great majority of Americans who do not know what it is, see Matthew 28:19-20, in which Jesus says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." How is the Great Commission practiced in your church, if at all? What portion speaks to you? How can you respond? 4. In Mark, Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people" (1:17). In Acts, Paul and Silas said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (16:31). What difference is there, if any, between following Jesus and believing in Jesus? How are your actions and your faith connected in a life of discipleship? Which is more important to you, and why? **Responding to the News** Make an effort this week to engage the Bible more deeply. Try to put God first in your day-to-day life, even if it means denying yourself. Make an effort to serve God by serving others, and strengthen your relationships in the church. Look for an opportunity to invite a neighbor to "come and see" what the risen Jesus is doing in your community of faith. **Prayer** We seek you, Lord God, knowing that you offer us the path to life. Help us to follow where you are leading us, and inspire us to be faithful disciples of your Son Jesus Christ. Nourish us by life in the Christian community, so that we will be equipped to share Christ with others. In Jesus' name. Amen. ****Copyright 2026 Communication Resources**** [Unsubscribe From This List](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user_id=14323725&data=s2pCGvOxKzwqoV1pc5LlMD5R3ankotfBOLzOf2q6I1toMDAwdTAwMJ2WUTONo7OHNtPvO_oKTVjVaKAST84QpMUFy49jnCus0z43qRian8juVFADw32ZQVFuOI4oM1GAfBl84NdCu0vX_-K3cCnoemLng_1748-NwMw8-pL34_6BM8Qgu0BT2ErSkLsPJaSP_ODQoh-TweygAsHukihbNg6mCfUSv-DVf-8skbweTNufptZhiRgkYu9CwV-wK0Ggu4FqZfWx_daVQ76YEhSaLLp1mwUvmDjQiKu8_jMMl_VmgTxncGrHJH0UCPf03pkxwJ0bLSZ71WE1ShvDd_YeC4BDiufuD9-uop6untjGYymujqbv4J73Z0CserjEYi5sR_3mPI-KDpqdAK6-_04CBw6odZYtwHrFg8ht-Xy-aUeZ5ZCXUJiyJQ6tYXaIHfxC3Cuy4Hp0NDnYDy5qfuTy6oSpcK--I0jlTBgTnL-wi91yTuR4ZY7kVsE70o3qKAMwZBAfkVAN4A135XnPPpJpGAvg4iQMJt-wcIsSCo0KR88cZxwauPUlg7n_Zjd8xy3A8HEu8ahVelXXGRjqloP9tRBPs4-j8_fzNdoGLRey2i8hzaNYC51yYXfrG9DGqApyDehMmzPHpN8=) <div>Dear Class Members, American churchgoers were recently surveyed on Christian doctrine and practice, and researchers found that churchgoers are not doing well as disciples of Christ. Since Jesus calls us all to follow him, this installment of The Wired Word will focus on what it means to be a disciple, how we can be better followers of Christ, and what we can do to share him with others. <center><img src="https://www.thewiredword.com/\_img/tww\_logo\_email.jpg"/></center> Discipleship Deficit Found Among Churchgoers The Wired Word for the Week of March 8, 2026 In the News <div style="mso-element: para-border-div; border: none; border-bottom: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in; background: white;"> Lifeway Research recently studied discipleship among churchgoers in the United States. They discovered that if discipleship were a test, the average churchgoer would just barely get a passing grade. Lifeway asked dozens of questions related to Christian doctrine and practice, all connected to eight characteristics that are present in the lives of Christians who are growing in their faith. What was the grade that churchgoers received? According to The Roys Report, "Churchgoers were given a score from zero to 100 overall for each of the eight characteristics of discipleship. The average total score is 68.1, with some factors topping near 80 while others languish in the 50s." There is a clear need for improvement among American church members, and pastors know it. While 52% of pastors are satisfied with discipleship and spiritual formation in their churches, only 8% strongly agree. "Pastors know their congregations can follow Christ more closely, but they often don't know the specifics of what areas of people's lives don't align with what the Bible calls us to," said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway. "This research provides a national snapshot of these details." The online survey of 2,130 Protestant churchgoers was conducted in March 2025, using a national panel. Respondents were screened to include those who identified as Protestant/nondenominational and attended religious services at least once a month. So, what did Lifeway discover? The study used eight keys of spiritual maturity in its research: Bible engagement, obeying God and denying self, serving God and others, sharing Christ, exercising faith, seeking God, building relationships and living unashamed. The average churchgoer scored the highest in seeking God (78.5), followed by obeying God and denying self (75.1), serving God and others (73.1), exercising faith (71.6), Bible engagement (69.8), building relationships (64.0) and living unashamed (61.0). The lowest score was sharing Christ, where the average churchgoer got a 54.8. One challenge for discipleship in American churches is that there is not a commonly understood set of definitions for terms such as disciple, discipleship and disciple-making. Since the core meaning of the word disciple is "learner," a Christian disciple can be understood as a follower or student of Jesus. By this definition, most churchgoers are doing well with a grade of 78.5 in seeking God. But if disciples are also to share the good news of Jesus and be disciple-makers, then people are failing with a score of 54.8 in sharing Christ. Most churchgoers (54%) in the survey have been regularly attending church services for more than 20 years. The average churchgoer has been at their current congregation for 12 years, with a total of 30 years of church attendance overall. The engagement of these churchgoers is really quite high. Lifeway found that in a typical month, the average churchgoer attends a worship service at their church more than four times. About three in ten, 29%, say they are currently involved in ministries or projects that serve people in the community not affiliated with their church. A slightly higher number, 33%, have regular responsibilities at their church. Of those with church duties, 50% say that includes teaching or facilitating a Bible study, and 46% say it includes leading a ministry such as youth, worship or a food pantry. On average, churchgoers say they give 9% of their annual income to their local church and 4% to other nonprofit charitable causes or organizations. Only 15% say they do not donate to their congregation. The group surveyed by Lifeway seems to be more highly engaged in the life of the church than the average American today. According to Ordinary Movement, on any given weekend, only 30% of Americans now attend religious services (Gallup, 2021 - 2023), and weekly church attendance has declined from 42% to 30% in 20 years (Gallup, 2003 - 2023 comparison). In 1990, 90% of Americans identified as Christian, while in 2023, only 63% did (Pew Research Center). In 1990, 8% of Americans identified as atheist, agnostic or religiously unaffiliated, while 29% do so today (Pew Research Center). Over 40 million Americans have disaffiliated from Christianity since the 1990s (Pew Research Center), and since 2020, members of Gen Z who never attend church rose from 28% to 37% (Barna Group, 2023). In terms of discipleship, 93% of pastors say discipleship is a priority, but only 28% have a clear process for it (Barna Group). Among those who describe themselves as born-again, only one in 10 is actively discipling someone else (Barna Group), while 39% of Christians overall are not engaged in any form of discipleship (Barna Group). More on this story can be found at these links: </div> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPPWSnH6V5CN0R-2BjVpXeTgKEB90Fof2DUGhWDLTLq9RV7jdOT6ecyU0vv3vCH6pcQWOYMy4ef-2BthyXWo91D9QM8Em2fxrcTbAFXyXayf-2FK3ENV0JacCCM9ADlODX7kjwVWuP0u4FhShiwaebtTPHBMjxImfb-2F85S1BRTLQbmXOUCDA1xb\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsHC2vuDcSh-2Fkyss6tvmn8sDzoj7wqxVhyMNDDkxfaffZUMEgHnh4yfSe3rIgu1PbZKfB28vMUC383g69Ais2Z6kBQKGL2qtp0Uc4xHWwred1IW6LTU6Xh-2Fr-2FbfDOJ0EqzLCi0-2F8bPTtALpOVaFa0IQ7RyaAReHXIrgi1WitOvgS7Za-2BrFKY6Ya3yNXBjtwaoqplzEir6dt6Eh84w4YTrmRw-3D">Study Shows Discipleship Deficit Exists Among U.S. Churchgoers. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPPWSnH6V5CN0R-2BjVpXeTgKEB90Fof2DUGhWDLTLq9RV7jdOT6ecyU0vv3vCH6pcQWOYMy4ef-2BthyXWo91D9QM8Em2fxrcTbAFXyXayf-2FK3ENV0JacCCM9ADlODX7kjwVWuP0u4FhShiwaebtTPHBMjxImfb-2F85S1BRTLQbmXOUCDa\_iO\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsKxZ0UL8-2FERPj8C3LMBM-2FpmyLSjMJ4Q9-2B9RCSMGbPXogAZwWqer-2BH1iLwKF0RY7jpPbrSNC724QaiBiegWI5cU51VbW-2BMu1lFzX-2FoRLrRZkYuyNfmswt5DhJHxPiHThDtCLq7lJfWM6uoWtIkcHKVtKMGbvMe2aaOIfBj7VlOdZ-2FYegiWkZlH7-2Be2wgERcbjt9fzB2MFq8alST8TUgXTP9w-3D">The Roys Report</a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAuRKjrfiGwRkpy3YxlTTb7-2F-2F39HO3keJGWeIj30s0v2xm7VV0lxFAjrOxJzl-2BbxhvBrEVCJD2EdV-2FDolvioPu5fShw-2BH3HcUjFRKrrGdoLj173pt5JhBv5YeQ-2FC6VBGXw-3D-3D4Hlf\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsA-2Fw4IdeCw1WG0rbyNNFjZgmik25s6Y8C9xWyOvecgdQfe0yAEUm-2F36cwwK8YIlfqM-2F3bsSLBcFtzsvDliHlR2r93shPAqdj7OrHnT81iR-2BKo2ncNMMVfTpXBgPJgwSPA0Nv3Mr4qGcD0h1X0a7EOF8-2FPXG92Lj3sOujXGDOqnIBA08gruR0cpa71pqMRAcEGvS0vA80p30-2FcP6INta2Mao-3D">Discipleship Deficit Exists Among U.S. Churchgoers. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAuRKjrfiGwRkpy3YxlTTb7-2F-2F39HO3keJGWeIj30s0v2xm7VV0lxFAjrOxJzl-2BbxhvBrEVCJD2EdV-2FDolvioPu5fShw-2BH3HcUjFRKrrGdoLj173pt5JhBv5YeQ-2FC6VBGXw-3D-3DwvoL\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsLAdNCkhmAiBpyBw-2BjwG9rLr5b1VrRoduSBvhgs-2FEhvrzoAtnrBxJGV0zDJ0xM4pkmrSNzvuigNROlHXiekvAmIctnH72-2BW-2FTKwLLsIPe2-2F48-2FRQf8M12IypoEvgyMyOtInWQpz5WmcWlEOmJGvmDGDW2mfRHm3fPjKowLnwQEWa6KOQ1rfKvrBpjgjEOkPKHWqhOcBsGJly1TgjRGWn8Og-3D">Lifeway Research</a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIbpAHOX5sBPdkusiCwx5Awg4wlJUxjJ6IOCLmvTKiLp18W-2BgQSfZWrqIwdRRtqWOw-3D-3DYgYd\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsJiOWbfTvS3DY61P1Hq22-2BMX5NKd-2FXmNiJIFOkD2Ut6NzqS-2B8CQmm9H5pQ0h-2BVoMpEHT5qBpqpt7eu4XjITtd9kVI859hAoHi8moB7zs7SP-2F5mwjWWrKlk6yZxckC31Wng9rAZl-2F7oeYk6Q0bdYvJvEUmz7ROcgIGxilBOnpCOxQPNNCKhXqHP-2FoC4L4JjKckd5wRvFYk8OO1DPmuDUg6ow-3D">Church & Discipleship Statistics (2026). </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIbpAHOX5sBPdkusiCwx5Awg4wlJUxjJ6IOCLmvTKiLp18W-2BgQSfZWrqIwdRRtqWOw-3D-3D\_TI4\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsLleiPZy4M5ADpA9JsReJpPgImrV9HYgELOJQzxP1H1i6G6DNKUwRjxMYRASFhXqnL0T-2BNZ-2FFtJsyLlthwpuebMXi6xftfnvepz5QEfmmwta2SJz29hckZBX9zigyodPVc9ItU9urBmBKHa3mFZEZqK-2FaPNSbQ9C32r7ZHfQ31QNQR5cb6P7DchIp9t52hIITQ9O08ZEi-2F3WQ99q4-2FQp7Qg-3D">Ordinary Movement</a> Applying the News Story Discuss what it means to be a disciple, how you can be a better student and follower of Christ, and what you can do to share him with others, as an individual and a church member. The Big Questions 1. How do you engage the Bible each week, individually and in community? 2. When have you been challenged to obey God and deny yourself? Describe the experience. What was the result? 3. What actions do you take to serve God and others? How do you build relationships in the church? Be specific. 4. When, if ever, have you shared Christ with another person? How did you do it? What was the outcome of this sharing? 5. What do you do to seek God, both inside and outside of church? Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: Proverbs 10:17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxtUL-2BBngs4gHqgEeaCN1ihRVFuwL0kvFzpoTajRie1rPEMN5kCfSF1Bd7idm9N5isJ20M\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsJR7I-2FqiYsQNwv8-2BKhzEHhli9BEVNTcamDmIiIiNGIVsytmkbE87Zrqx7psk9f0kbYaOO-2BD6UTTvOCfGAkU3G-2FRrg5j4k9Ab-2Bh4DIHp1lHG3W4K9gFjLNpOGQ9ZchaEImTfpzntoQbR5MX4e3sXa7rRrcUJrew0sUuVLr4gejx4X0zz-2FeGxYxPpaBcAlpPzPdjmKXQIiGsV1DP0PZ-2BwSEms-3D">Proverbs 10:11-32.</a>) The sayings in the book of Proverbs are attributed to the Israelite king Solomon, who has traditionally been linked to great wisdom. Chapter 10 begins a second collection of sayings, under the heading, "The proverbs of Solomon" (v. 1). Many of the sayings are written in a form called "antithetical parallelism," in which one line carries a thought that is contrasted in the second line. A good example is, "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence" (v. 11). In verses 11 through 32, the importance of the mouth is stressed in numerous proverbs. Since disciples are students who follow a teacher and learn from him or her, there are many proverbs that stress the importance of listening to wise speech: "On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found" (v. 13); "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver" (v. 20); "The lips of the righteous feed many" (v. 21); "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom" (v. 31); and "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable" (v. 32). "Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life," says Solomon. This tells us that listening to the insightful speech of a good teacher is not only a way to become wiser, it is "the path to life." A disciple who follows a God-inspired teacher will be enriched in heart, body and mind, and will remain on the path of righteousness in this life and the next. <blockquote> Questions: Among the characters in Scripture, who are your most influential teachers, and why? What biblical instructions are most important to you on the "path to life"? Why is wise speech so important in shaping a good life? </blockquote> Mark 1:16-17 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people." (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxikgjJ9vF4LL2cy1DRnryEEvTea3w1-2BuUtl-2B62veaHhbVcPNvEKykITU5fE5UJv5fzqT8\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsH7h5js1zPaI8R4u9rBTl2g0Jr5loYT1C1t0noNV0sUKsioEfKnvT0FABLigjJOO-2BWKLqp55HpyntoO3c578LHHiQoiUKvN2-2B152csPyHuiieNmnkbBEvJs5BJslBGna63PGVMCZRjHGkC-2ByGwdrx4fIs82xBU8fNIT2UGZThcHpMigq4Ycq696ZplP4XYkowzb-2BYqROSRpUghUHmMu0sR8-3D">Mark 1:14-20</a>.) The gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea. Jesus called for the two to follow him, and "immediately they left their nets and followed him" (v. 18). They left their nets and presumably their families as well. Although the Bible does not say anything about wives for these men, Mark tells us that Simon had a mother-in-law (v. 30). Where there is a mother-in-law, there is usually a wife. Then Jesus saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were also fishermen, sitting in their boat and mending their nets. Jesus called them and they left their father "in the boat with the hired men and followed him" (v. 20). This probably caused problems, since fishing was a family business and Zebedee could not have been happy to be left holding the nets. Discipleship can be disruptive, since it involves leaving what we know and walking with Jesus into a new form of service to others. It may mean tutoring an at-risk child, teaching English as a second language, or swinging a hammer with Habitat for Humanity. Service brings us closer to Jesus, who said that he "came not to be served but to serve" (10:45). A good disciple also leaves the familiar for the unfamiliar, seeking connections with people who do not share their race, religion or ideology. Disciples understand that Jesus did not begin his ministry by talking only with like-minded Galileans. Instead, he and his disciples immediately faced "a man with an unclean spirit" (1:23). Then Jesus "cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons" (v. 34). Instead of staying at home, Jesus said that he would "go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also” (v. 38). When disciples seek connections with others, acting as "fishers of people," they discover that the words of Jesus are true, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near" (v. 15). <blockquote> Questions: What do you find to be the most disruptive about the decision to follow Jesus? When has Jesus led you into a new type of service to others, and what did you learn? When, if ever, have you sought a connection with a person of a different race, religion or ideology? What were the costs and the benefits of this relationship? </blockquote> John 1:35-39 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxyyJ0A-2BEDvrQGKorIXaiDBlWdtzY-2FMzah0BmjH8I-2F4qQtMkD-2BsloE22KywfDrkMNf3u7D\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsOEqT1Vljcrrgl-2Bg-2BuT4cnv-2BBIApKQ5-2FY7-2BhZv7Md-2BYSL-2BXZQKqfiPt9j4v1F0uqo04WyDf-2BnhlNeAe7J8GoAvH0tOFcn7gsiwmHsl-2BDgFf8p-2BcAJjYW-2BU9zxaffCGINtlgkHLUkJHuyWg3Yt4t70-2FOPGwvSRxuDLeKgZggFIdDSJNN-2BopUvNs8DPPfrk58cdNF4qpcuMn0kX2h9FEgq258-3D">John 1:29-42</a>.) The gospel of John is full of invitations that can be used effectively by disciples who want to share Christ with others. In chapter 1, John the Baptist sees Jesus and says, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (v. 29). The phrase "Lamb of God" brings to mind the time when God provided Abraham with a sacrificial animal in place of his son Isaac (Genesis 22:8), and it makes us think of the lamb that was sacrificed as part of the Passover (Exodus 12:3). Here, at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, John points us to the cross. He knows that Jesus is destined to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The next day, John is standing with two of his disciples. As he watches Jesus pass by, he exclaims, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" John has his own disciples, but it appears that he is not really interested in gathering disciples to himself. Instead, he wants to point people to Jesus and invite them to believe in him. This happens when he points two of his disciples to Jesus and they immediately follow him. John's words about "the Lamb of God" are an effective invitation. When Jesus turns and sees the two following, he says to them, "What are you looking for?" He offers an invitation, not a proclamation. They do not give an answer, but instead say, "Rabbi" -- the word used by Jews for their religious teachers -- "where are you staying?" More than anything else, they want to be in the presence of Jesus. At this point, Jesus does not give them a specific address, but he says, "Come and see." They respond by going to where he is staying and they remain "with him that day." "Come and see" is an effective invitation, and it is one that we can use in the life of the church. When we invite people to join the worship and activities of our congregations, we lead them to a place where the risen Lord is alive and well, a place where they can come face to face with Jesus. <blockquote> Questions: What does it mean to you that Jesus is "the Lamb of God"? If you think about what your neighbors might be looking for, what comes to mind? How can you invite them to "come and see" the risen Christ in the worship and activities of your congregation? </blockquote> Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx-2F9xuITdvxpNxFuzW6j6ZGLiEwgVGDT20hVhQYZ8-2BkeS9AnCETyL-2BX3RZAKW-2Bi8mx22JIRJJ0ygeChZvCUQMEoA-3D-3D6-Ob\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsAcRTtSV7BPPXDByesI1Gd5ewkEzeeGmAPV6A5FGGE0kIQYUoMbXo1sphGXemqv6jPAFB-2FtEqCU5rLZeMUQHrSZfb8lpaQvFqK6HDw4-2F1TTvZ-2F-2FvsF07fUmBR4WobQfoRphi5kJJy1YxRs5fmyC1-2F7jbgMYOPZbdVQsRri8CbdaARqGIH3-2F2zonX8WNdwtaRXDVI2-2BhYC82G3mMH7eqbKF8-3D">Ephesians 4:31 - 5:2</a>.) Writing to the followers of Christ in Ephesus, a wealthy port city in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey), the apostle Paul urged them to abandon "all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice" (4:31), and instead to be "kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you" (v. 32). Paul was making a strong contrast between the Gentiles' previous lifestyle and their new identity in Christ. At the beginning of chapter 5, Paul encouraged them to imitate God "as beloved children." The metaphor of "beloved children" is based on the cultural expectation that children would imitate their parents. As imitators of their heavenly father, the Ephesians were to be kind, tenderhearted, and willing to forgive each other as "God in Christ" had forgiven them. <blockquote> Questions: How are we, as disciples, to imitate God? What are the particular behaviors we are to practice? Why would such a lifestyle be attractive to those who do not know Christ? </blockquote> For Further Discussion 1. TWW Team Member Mary Sells knows that weekly worship is the norm for hearing God's Word, but other gatherings can be helpful in equipping people for discipleship. Where else do you find spiritual food? In a world where the demands on pastors are great, how can volunteers provide leadership? What would help you to do a "deep dive" into Bible study and into the practices and teachings of your church? Be specific. 2. Commissioned by a private foundation, <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPEfeevEa1LXttiZ2jsP54PP71koW2OBWAmfRcqG-2Btfynefh-\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmWLx6TyUyaCUtFvG-2Ff9yq2M33TMCH-2B1P3zDSBszXiZr3EiO7cg9ehBgUdjpXnAptsIoxz2ol3uEFLYZFrvMgRLnaiwKTLI6HslJZD9-2FlKbhODWuDVTKNdwyd2vJ9mkYSamhDHTyDtazAhffoj54lIIigM8lQEJ-2B-2FgUdMUb1JXUL6rV5FmApDxiPRkxdgIXliCNJUzaRp0rT5zDf6PC5jH9UWh-2BOAzVbYYWCYY-2FxkghuAZNz2sCj1zCob9zt6bFNx-2FiS7FG0eKANdyEC-2B4QD2d9k-3D">"The Great Opportunity" is an independent report </a>estimating that over 40 million young people who were raised in Christian homes could walk away from a life with Jesus by 2050. How can your church help young people to engage or reengage with Christ? What are you willing to do personally, if anything? 3. According to the Barna Group, only 17% of Christians in the United States know what the Great Commission is and what it means. For the great majority of Americans who do not know what it is, see Matthew 28:19-20, in which Jesus says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." How is the Great Commission practiced in your church, if at all? What portion speaks to you? How can you respond? 4. In Mark, Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people" (1:17). In Acts, Paul and Silas said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (16:31). What difference is there, if any, between following Jesus and believing in Jesus? How are your actions and your faith connected in a life of discipleship? Which is more important to you, and why? Responding to the News Make an effort this week to engage the Bible more deeply. Try to put God first in your day-to-day life, even if it means denying yourself. Make an effort to serve God by serving others, and strengthen your relationships in the church. Look for an opportunity to invite a neighbor to "come and see" what the risen Jesus is doing in your community of faith. Prayer We seek you, Lord God, knowing that you offer us the path to life. Help us to follow where you are leading us, and inspire us to be faithful disciples of your Son Jesus Christ. Nourish us by life in the Christian community, so that we will be equipped to share Christ with others. In Jesus' name. Amen. 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