The Call to Humble Service: Discipleship Boot Camp Week 5

Gathering Information

• Leader: Charles (teaching); Mark (will lead closing prayer)
• Time note: Charles needed to leave by 6:20 p.m. for the opening of “Rooted.”

Scripture References

• Luke 22:24–30

Introduction

• Opening reminder that the 10-week “Rooted” discipleship course begins tonight; next session begins in ~18 weeks.
• Session aim: expose our default instinct to protect personal status and contrast it with Jesus’ call to humble service.
• Warm-up: rapid-fire everyday scenarios (potluck line, last slice of pizza, four-way stop, credit for work, etc.) to surface personal instincts.

Made for This: Serving Like Jesus

Scripture References

• Mark 10:42–45
• Isaiah 58:5–10
• 1 Peter 2:9
• 1 Peter 4:10
• 1 Corinthians 12:4–27

Introduction

• The preacher (Breaux) greets the congregation in the New Year and promotes the “Rooted” discipleship experience as a next step for everyone—from skeptics to seasoned believers.
• He frames the current sermon series as “Boot Camp,” a practical training in living the life of Jesus. Previous weeks covered baptism, Spirit-dependence, truth, and community; today’s theme is serving.
• Personal mission statement written at age 25: “I just want to look, love, and live like Jesus.” Serving is indispensable to that pursuit.

A Disciple Assembles a Band of Brothers / Sisters

Gathering Information

• Live, online snow-day study from Josh & Jana Howerton’s home (“Howerton Casa”), Dallas-area, early Feb 2023
• Interactive stream across multiple platforms; comments fed to leader in real time

Scripture References

• Luke 5:1-11
• Luke 6:12-16
• John 21:1-19
• James 5:16
• Proverbs 27:17
• Proverbs 12:18
• Proverbs 13:20
• Matthew 5:29-30
• Romans 8:1-3
• 2 Peter 1:3
• 2 Corinthians 6:14
• 1 Peter 1:13

Introduction

• Snow and ice cancelled in-person services, so the Howertons invited everyone into their living room for a “life-group style” Bible study.
• Viewers asked to grab Bibles, coffee, and drop comments (location, snow-day activities, questions).
• Light-hearted moments: showing a newly mounted gemsbok, naming suggestions (“Zulu,” “Howie,” “Paul”).
• Celebrations shared:
  • 7,148 people at Night of Prayer & Worship (Rockwall campus)
  • Two volunteers (John Mixon & Kelly Vrooman) got engaged that night
  • Healing testimony: Jackson, 19, 18-months free of fentanyl, instant relief from 10/10 back pain
  • Jana’s ongoing ministry to couples battling infertility

Trust, Obedience & Submission in the Wilderness

Scripture References

• Luke 4:1-13
• Exodus 16:2-3
• Exodus 17:2-4, 7
• Exodus 32 (Golden Calf episode)

Introduction

• Ice-breaker on favorite fast-food chains (Whataburger, Burger King, Portillo’s, Raising Canes, In-N-Out, Steak ’n Shake, etc.) highlighted convenience, taste, speed, and affordability—setting up the contrast between quick satisfaction and long-term health.
• Theme: believers often feed on “spiritual fast food.” Luke 4 shows Jesus choosing the harder, healthier way of trust, obedience, and submission in the wilderness immediately after His baptism.

Men & Women of the Word

Scripture References

• Genesis 1:29
• Deuteronomy 6
• Deuteronomy 8
• Psalm 119:11
• Ezekiel
• Matthew 4
• Matthew 6:13
• Matthew 24:35
• Luke 4
• Romans 6
• Ephesians 6:10-17
• Hebrews 5:12
• 1 John 2:16
• 1 John 4:1

Introduction

• Week 3 of the “Boot Camp: Training for Team Jesus” series.
• Focus: a true disciple becomes a man or woman of the Word and of prayer.
• Pastor warns that drowning people don’t need Greek word studies on “life-jacket”; they need someone to throw the jacket—today’s sermon is that practical life-jacket.
• Special assignment: text “BIBLE” to 20411 for a podcast deep-dive on reading, studying, and teaching Scripture to families.

Baptism: From God; For God

Scripture References

• Matthew 28:19–20
• Luke 3:21–22
• Romans 6:3–4
• Ephesians 1:13

Introduction

The group launched week 2 of an eight-week discipleship series that parallels Sunday sermons at Lake Pointe. Tonight’s focus: baptism—Is it something we do for God, or something God does for us?

Baptized in Water & Spirit

Scripture References

• Luke 3:1–22
• Malachi 4:5-6
• Romans 6:3-4
• Matthew 3:13-15
• Matthew 28:19
• 1 Corinthians 12:13
• Romans 8:9
• Luke 4:1, 14
• Luke 10:21
• Isaiah 61:1-2
• John 20:19-22
• Acts 1:4-5
• Ephesians 5:18
• Acts 2:38
• Acts 8:12-17
• Acts 19:1-6
• John 3:16

Introduction

• Series: “Boot Camp – Training for Team Jesus.”
• Year-long theme: “I am a disciple.” Congregation using a “Field Guide” to pray over one specific next-step in discipleship.
• Today’s focus: a disciple is “baptized in water and Spirit.”
• Humorous opening: video of young Caroline taking medicine, mimicking pastor’s salvation invitation count-down—illustrates responding in obedience.
• Setting: Luke 3 and the ministry of John the Baptizer—eccentric, fearless forerunner who prepared Israel for Messiah after 400 years of prophetic silence.

It is finished: Trusting the Completed Work of Christ

Scripture References

• Luke 1:1–4
• Luke 2:21
• John 19:30
• James 1:5 (alluded to in the “ask for wisdom” discussion)

Introduction

The group mirrored Sunday’s sermon on John 19:30 (“It is finished”), asking: “If Jesus really finished the work, is my life showing that I believe it?” Big idea: “If Jesus truly finished the work, trusting Him isn’t optional; it is simply what belief looks like.”

Tetelestai It Is Finished: The Starting Line of Discipleship

Scripture References

• John 19:28-30
• Genesis 3:15
• Ephesians 2:8-9
• 1 John 4:10
• 1 John 1:5-10
• 1 John 2:1-2
• Galatians 2:16
• Romans 6:23
• Revelation 12:10

Introduction

• Pastor Josh launches a new six-week series, “Boot Camp: Training for Team Jesus,” designed to raise—not lower—the bar of discipleship.
• Sets a military tone with an illustration of a blunt Marine recruiter: people long for a mission worth living and dying for.
• Lake Pointe’s vision: not crowds, but disciples who “come die with Jesus.”
• 2025 ministry recap: 11 church plants (total 90), 3,854 finished Rooted, 3,131 baptisms, new Sunnyvale campus (881 at Christmas). 2026 outlook: Roy City campus, two more in process.
• Practical tools distributed: “Field Guide,” tear-off “One More” evangelism card, 2026 church-family calendar, new Lake Pointe app with Bible-reading plan and Lift Read podcast.
• Series challenge: Each person asks, “What is my next step of obedience?"—then does it.

Confronting Hubris

Scripture References

• James 4:14–15
• James 5:1–12
• Matthew 5:3–12
• Job (general allusions)

Full Texts of Every Passage Read Aloud

James 5:1–6

1. Look here, you rich people. Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
2. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
3. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.
4. Listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
5. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.
6. You have condemned and killed innocent people who do not resist you.

James 4:14–15

14. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
15. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

James 5:7–12

7. Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord to return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
8. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
9. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
10. For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
12. But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath—by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

Matthew 5:3–12 (Beatitudes)

3. God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
6. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
7. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
9. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
10. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
12. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Introduction

• The facilitator has spent the entire week burdened by the word “hubris,” convinced it sits at the root of fear.
• Tonight’s aim: let James 5:1-6 expose hubris in both material and spiritual “wealth,” then learn patience from 5:7-12.
• Context: Last week Mark covered James 4; the class is now in the penultimate session of the letter.