Rock My Relational World #4: Very Inner Circle
“After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him and led them up a high mountain where they were alone. There He was transfigured before them.” Mark 9:2
Context: Six days after Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah He choose three of the apostles to accompany Him for a preview of His glory in heaven. Later, on the evening of His arrest, He chose the same three to accompany Him for prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Content: Peter, James and John moved from the inner to the very inner circle of Jesus’ relational world. What unique factors characterized their relationship with Jesus? Peter, James and John had unique …
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Access |
They were asked to go alone with Him both times. |
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Experiences |
They witnessed His glory and His agony. |
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Responsibility |
He told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until He had risen from the dead. |
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Revelation |
They saw a side of Jesus that the other apostles didn’t see. |
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Background |
They were partners in a fishing business. James and John were blood brothers. Peter was married, and his house served as ministry headquarters in Capernaum. |
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Character |
– Peter moved from cowardice to courage, from impulsiveness to stability. – James moved from self-importance to self-sacrifice. – John moved from flashes of temper to flames of love. |
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Roles |
– Peter became the shepherd of the early Church. – James became the first apostle to be martyred. – John became responsible for Mary the mother of Jesus. |
Conclusion: As you choose people to move from your inner to very inner circle:
- Spend a great deal of time with them.
- Create special moments with them.
- Assign specific responsibilities to them.
- Be reflexively vulnerable with them.
- Consider the backgrounds of each of them.
- Communicate their specific role to them.
Prayer:
“Lord, give me wisdom and discernment in choosing my very inner circle. Amen.”
© 2013 Designed to Serve
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.
