Disciples

Receiving the Holy Spirit – Beginning

• Happens at salvation (conversion, new birth).

• The Spirit comes to dwell in the believer (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16).

• One-time, foundational event — you now belong to Christ.

• Without this, there’s no Christian life.

Being Filled with the Holy Spirit – Empowerment

• Ongoing, repeatable experience after receiving.

• Commanded: “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

• Increases surrender, spiritual power, fruit, and sometimes gifts.

• Helps believers overcome sin, witness boldly, and grow in maturity.

Being Led by the Holy Spirit – Daily Walk

• Continuous lifestyle of listening, discerning, and obeying.

• Galatians 5:16-25 — “walk by the Spirit” instead of gratifying the flesh.

• Involves decision-making, guidance, moral integrity, peace, and direction.

• Evidence: bearing the fruit of the Spirit in everyday life.

Receive Holy Spirit - God's Promise - Galatians 3:1-7,26-28 

2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4 Have you experienced[a] so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you , heard about Christ.-::-

6 In the same way, “-Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”[b] 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.

26 For you are all children[m] of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.[n] 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,[o] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children[p] of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. 

Living as Children of Light - Ephesians 4:17-32

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[d] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[e] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Living in the Light - Ephesians 5:1-20

5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”

Living by the Spirit’s Power

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Spirit-Guided Relationships: Wives and Husbands - Ephesians 5:21-33

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.[b] 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.

31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”[c] 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Children and Parents - Ephesians 6:1-20

6 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,[a] for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”[b]

4 Fathers,[c] do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Servants and Masters

5 [d]Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your [e]masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as [f]servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the [g]heart; 7 with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: 8 knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 

9 And, ye [h]masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him. 

The Whole Armor of God

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[d] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[e] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[f] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[g]

Challenged – To Throw the Net

Verse: Luke 5:4–6

“When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” 

Summary: Peter was challenged to act in faith despite failure, and obedience led to abundance.

Believed – Jesus Is the Son of God

Verse: John 6:68–69

“Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God.’”

Summary: Peter confessed faith in Jesus’ divine identity when others turned away.

Examined – His Faith Tested at Sea

Verse: Matthew 14:28–31

“‘Lord, if it’s You,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water.’ ‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’”

Summary: Peter’s faith was tested between fear and trust—revealing both courage and weakness.

Revealed – Witnessed Jesus’ Transfiguration

Verse: Matthew 17:1–2

“After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”

Summary: Peter witnessed Christ’s divine glory revealed before the crucifixion.

Confessed – Jesus Is the Messiah

Verse: Matthew 16:15–16

“‘But what about you?’ He asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’”

Summary: Peter boldly confessed Jesus as the promised Savior and Son of God.

Rebuked – Called “Get Behind Me, Satan”

Verse: Matthew 16:22–23

“Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to You!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’”

Summary: Peter’s human reasoning clashed with God’s redemptive plan, earning Jesus’ sharp correction.

Warned – Of His Denial

Verse: Luke 22:31–34

“‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with You to prison and to death.’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me.’”

Summary: Jesus lovingly warned Peter of his coming failure—and the hope of restoration.

Tempted – Denied Jesus at His Trial

Verse: Luke 22:55–60

“A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with Him.’ But he denied it… Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.”

Summary: Peter’s courage faltered under pressure, fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy of denial.

Restored by the Risen Christ

Verse: John 21:15–17

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ … ‘Feed My lambs.’ … ‘Take care of My sheep.’ … ‘Feed My sheep.’”

Summary: Jesus graciously restored Peter’s calling, turning his failure into renewed purpose.

Stepping Out in Faith
When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28).
Peter dared to believe beyond what was humanly possible. Though fear caused him to sink, Jesus reached out and lifted him up (Matthew 14:31). This moment reminds us that faith begins when we take a step beyond our comfort zone, trusting God even when circumstances look impossible.

Every disciple faces moments when faith feels risky — when God asks us to take a step into the unknown. Do I trust Jesus enough to walk toward Him, even when the waves of doubt and fear surround me? Am I willing to focus on His voice more than the storm around me?

Submitting to God’s Plan
When Jesus told His disciples about His suffering and death, Peter said, “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” (Matthew 16:22).
Peter’s heart was sincere, but his understanding was limited. Jesus replied, “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23).
Faith is not only about loving God — it’s about aligning with His will, even when His plan includes pain, pruning, or waiting.

As disciples, we often want God’s blessings without His breaking. Do I resist God’s will when it doesn’t match my desires? Can I trust that His path, though painful at times, leads to greater glory and growth in me?

Restored by Grace
After denying Jesus three times, Peter wept bitterly (Luke 22:61–62). Yet Jesus later restored him, saying, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17).
Even after failure, Jesus didn’t give up on Peter. Instead, He reaffirmed His calling, turning Peter’s brokenness into boldness. Grace doesn’t just forgive — it restores, reassigns, and renews purpose.

Every disciple stumbles. But do I allow my failures to define me, or do I let Jesus’ forgiveness rebuild me? Am I willing to rise again, serve again, and love again — trusting that His grace is greater than my past?