This week marks the beginning of a six-week series on discipleship based on the book of Ephesians. The series will focus on “making disciples,” that is sold-out followers of Jesus Christ, who go where He leads and do what He commands so that God is glorified. Thus the good news of His kingdom is experienced by more and more people whom He loves and for whom He died.

The call to discipleship begins with God’s grace. Ephesians 1:3-7 is just one of the Bible passages that tell us His grace is what has allowed us to be in Christ in the first place. In other passages, we see that God’s grace is what provides us strength each day to live out our call as faithful disciples. When we respond to God’s grace by giving our lives to Him, we have a “glorious grace story” about how Jesus saved us from our particular path of sin and death.

We also respond to God’s grace by worship. Worship comes in many forms and is known in our lifestyle choices; however the focus here is on corporate worship—coming together to worship the Lord. When we worship together, four things happen: 1. We have a spiritual encounter with God (Psalm 22:3); 2. We experience spiritual connection with each other (Ephesians 3:17-19); 3. We acquire spiritual victories (2 Chronicles 20:21-22); 4) We make it a priority.