Podcast Summary: "Living as a Disciple of Jesus in Community"

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Host/Author: Focus on the Family
Release Date: January 14, 2025

Introduction: The Importance of Community

The episode opens with Ray van der Lijn emphasizing the divine intention behind community formation. He states, “God wants to create a community, not only because a community is a picture to the world of what God's people and God's own person are like, but God wants a community because it's difficult to stand alone” (00:02). This foundational idea sets the tone for the discussion on discipleship within a communal context.

Jim Daly and John Fuller introduce the theme, highlighting Ray's teachings on bringing God's shalom into a chaotic world. John Fuller shares personal experiences, mentioning their involvement in foster care, which has exposed them to profound chaos and the desperate need for adult compassion (00:51).

Applying Shalom in a Chaotic World

Ray elaborates on his extensive career as a Bible teacher, focusing on discipleship as a means to restore shalom—God’s peace and wholeness—in a broken world. He articulates a threefold goal for his students:

1. Belief in Jesus as Savior: While not the study's primary focus, the foundational belief in Jesus’ salvation is acknowledged (03:46).

2. Purpose Beyond Redemption: Ray argues that redemption is not just about God’s love or hatred of sin but about creating partners for His mission of restoring wholeness. He hopes to inspire believers to embody God’s character, thus offering the world a glimpse of divine shalom through their transformed lives (06:28).

3. Practical Application: Encouraging students to integrate their faith into daily life, Ray uses the example of Michelangelo. He recounts how Michelangelo inspired his workers by instilling eternal meaning into mundane tasks, thereby making their labor part of a divine cathedral (08:58).

RVL Discipleship Series Overview

Jim Daly introduces the RVL Discipleship series, a new online resource developed in collaboration with Ray van der Lijn. The series aims to deepen believers' understanding of Biblical contexts and empower them to live out their faith authentically. John Fuller praises the series as foundational for various aspects of Christian life, including marriage, parenting, and cultural engagement (02:29; 02:31).

Ray expresses personal investment in the series, describing it as his life's work focused on teaching discipleship grounded in Biblical truth. He emphasizes the transformative potential of the study in changing hearts and behaviors (03:16; 03:28).

Understanding Purpose and Identity

The conversation shifts to identity and purpose, addressing contemporary issues where individuals seek identity in transient attributes like appearance or achievements. Ray counters this by asserting that true identity is found in a relationship with God:

John Fuller highlights the necessity for Christians to recognize their identity in Christ rather than societal labels (07:01). Ray reinforces this by teaching that every aspect of life, no matter how trivial, can have eternal significance when aligned with God's plan (08:55). He shares the story of Michelangelo to illustrate how mundane tasks can contribute to God's greater purpose when viewed through a spiritual lens (08:58).

God’s Call to Hear and Act on Others' Cries

Ray delves into the Exodus narrative to illustrate the concept of chaos and God’s response to human suffering. He explains that the chaos endured by the Israelites was a means to sensitize them to others' suffering, fostering a compassionate community (12:01). He emphasizes the importance of having "ears" not just to hear God's word but also to hear and respond to the cries of those around us:

“They don't hear us, but there was a God who would hear and then bring your request to make sure the God got the point to respond.” (14:41)

Ray draws parallels between ancient scriptures and modern-day challenges, urging believers to listen to and act upon the suffering they witness:

“God is looking for a people of the ears who not only hear his words but hear his cry.” (17:35)

He underscores Jesus’ responsiveness to human suffering, noting that the only cry unanswered in the Bible is His own on the cross, highlighting the depth of divine empathy (17:30).

The Role of Community in Discipleship

Addressing the necessity of community, especially in discipleship, Ray explains that discipleship is inherently a communal activity. He references Jesus sending out disciples in pairs to emphasize mutual support, accountability, and shared growth:

“Discipleship was practiced in community. It was not individual students doing their thing with the rabbi. It was communities of people.” (25:54)

John Fuller brings up the example of Rosaria Butterfield, who found a sense of community lacking in Christian circles compared to other communities she experienced (23:48). Ray responds by reiterating the Biblical mandate for community, where believers support and uplift one another, reflecting God’s character to the world.

Two Kingdoms: Spiritual vs. Worldly

In discussing the concept of two kingdoms, Ray differentiates between God's kingdom and worldly or demonic influences. He uses the Exodus narrative to illustrate the conflict between God and the Egyptian gods, revealing that many pagan gods are linked to demonic powers:

“Behind the pagan gods of the nations are demonic powers.” (19:02)

Ray connects this ancient struggle to modern-day idolatry, where personal identities become idols, enabling demonic influence. He urges believers to align with God's kingdom by obeying His word and resisting the temptations of worldly self-idols:

“If I hear the word of God and obey what Jesus taught, interpreted and taught, then in a sense I'm saying I'm doing the will of God and the kingdom of heaven is advancing.” (22:08)

Conclusion and Encouragement

The episode concludes with heartfelt endorsements for the RVL Discipleship series. John Fuller and Jim Daly express their enthusiasm and commitment to the study, encouraging listeners to engage with the material to deepen their faith and community ties. Ray acknowledges their support, emphasizing the spiritual enrichment the series aims to provide.

“This is a great opportunity for people to know the word of God and know what it is. We should be pursuing the purpose that we're given.” (26:34)

The hosts reiterate the availability of the RVL Discipleship series exclusively through Focus on the Family’s website, urging listeners to take advantage of this resource to enhance their discipleship journey.

Notable Quotes

• Ray van der Lijn: “God wants to create a community...because it's difficult to stand alone.” (00:02)
• Ray van der Lijn: “I'm a part of God's great plan to bring wholeness to a broken world.” (08:55)
• Ray van der Lijn: “God is looking for a people of the ears who not only hear his words but hear his cry.” (17:35)
• Ray van der Lijn: “God wants a community because it's difficult to stand alone.” (00:02)

This episode of Focus on the Family with Jim Daly provides a profound exploration of living as a disciple of Jesus within a community. By intertwining Biblical narratives with practical applications, Ray van der Lijn and the hosts offer listeners valuable insights into fostering meaningful relationships, understanding divine purpose, and actively participating in God's mission to restore peace and wholeness to the world.

For further engagement, listeners are encouraged to access the RVL Discipleship series through the Focus on the Family website, as highlighted by the hosts throughout the episode.