Rock My Relational World #3: Inner Circle

Steven Lake Posted on Posted in Life Well-Lived

“When morning came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles.” Luke 6:13

Circles
Context:  During His first year of public ministry Jesus called specific people to follow Him.  Others came to Him through His teaching and healing ministry.  Galilee was His base of operations, and Capernaum was His home.

Content:  The time had come for Jesus to select a small group for more intensive preparation for ministry. They would move from the outer to the inner circle of Jesus’ relational world, and play a critical role in spreading the Gospel. What principles did Jesus follow in forming and shaping His inner circle?

Solitude                      “…Jesus went out to a mountainside…”1
Time                “…spent the night…”2
Prayer             “...praying to God …”3
Focus               “He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve…”4
Designation    “…whom He also designated apostles…”5
Diversity                     Fishermen, tax collector, Jewish nationalist, etc.6
Purpose                      Community: “…that they might be with Him…”7
  Ministry: “…that He might send them out…”8
Training                      Modeling: “Follow Me…”9
  Practice: “…He sent them out two by two…”10
  Questioning: “Who do you say that I am?”11
Leadership      Vision: “…I will make you fishers of men.”12
  Direction: “We are going up to Jerusalem…”13
  Support:: “I am with you always…”14
Protection      “Jesus… asked them, ‘Who is it you want?”15
Commission    Go: “…all nations…”16
                                    Say:     “…preach the Gospel…”17
                                    Do: “…make disciples…baptizing…teaching…”18

Conclusion: How do you know whom to move from your outer circle into your inner circle?

  • Reflect on your decision in solitude
  • Allocate extended time for your decision
  • Continue prayer until God has spoken
  • Consider the diversity of the candidates
  • Extend a personal call to each person

Prayer:
“Lord, Your Word is so practical in providing guidance for ministry decisions. Please guide me as I consider individuals to be part of my inner circle. Amen.”

Endnotes:

1 Luke 6:12 7  Luke 6:14 13 Matthew 20:18
2 Luke 6:12 8  Luke 6:14-15 14 Matthew 28:20
3 Luke 6:12 9  Matthew 4:19 15 John 18:4
4 Luke 6:13 10 Mark 6:7 16 Matthew 28:19
5 Luke 6:13 11 Mark 8:29 17 Mark 16:15
6 Luke 6:14-16 12 Matthew 4:19 18 Matthew 28:19-20

© 2013 Designed to Serve®

About

Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.