Why "Immersed in Jesus"?
Jesus encouraged his original followers – called disciples – to make more disciples, people who follow his teachings (and get baptized, as we find in Matthew 28:19,20).
A “disciple” back in Jesus’ day was someone who would stick close to his “master” in the learning process, walking, talking, working with him, even living with him in some cases. This was often more than a month or two apprenticeship, but years, or like in the case of Jesus, a life-long concept.
The premise behind this site is to help you stick close to Jesus as a life-long follower, staying immersed in Jesus.
Where to Start?
Immersions are daily devotions.
This page provides a summary of each day's devotional content.
Don't feel rushed to read everything at once. Read it one day at a time, just lke you would a devotion.
Monday:
Your Biblical Identity in Christ
Mondays draw from bible verses slated for the coming weekend’s worship experience. The Gospel reading is reserved for Tuesdays. The online IMMERSION material often quotes more than just the readings, but you are encouraged to open your bible or use an online bible to catch the scriptures in context.
Pondering Point
Mondays also introduce the Identity in Christ piece included to counteract the world’s influence in our daily lives and personal outlook. This identity language is based on 2 Corinthians 5:17:
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
The identify also acknowledged in the worship service just before the benediction, where we identify ourselves as blessed in order to be a blessing.
Tuesday:
God's Mission in (gospel)
Thematic bible verses from the gospels will be used to connect us with God’s mission in the world – and our role in that as disciples of Jesus.
Pondering Point
Points like these are a daily staple, often with a text from the bible referenced above it or below it. You are encouraged to look up the bible passage to read more of the passage's context.
Wednesday:
Biblical Teaching on Prayer
Bible verses with a teaching about prayer will be quoted in italics with the speaker and location identified.
Pondering Point
The bible has teachings on prayer that are not actually prayers in themselves. These points will be tied into the theme for the week. The IMMERSION devotions will help you learn these teachings and incorporate them into your life as a disciple of Jesus. The entire year is built around expanding our hearing from God through His Word and through prayer.
Thursday:
Re-Center Around God
Generally, Thursdays share a prayer from the bible. As the year progresses, we hope the Holy Spirit uses them to encourage, shape, and direct you in your life. It is a simple way to introduce how to pray using Scripture into your life and the life of others.
Pondering Point
Thursday’s devotions Re-Center our lives around God with a process of reviewing, repenting if necessary and returning to God as necessary. One may not need to repent in each area, but a review of your life with God is always wise.
Friday's Bit of Discipleship
Fridays continue to include a Discipleship Point and subsequent Discipleship Prayer. Though generally taken from sources like Discipleship materials, Luther’s Small Catechism, or Bible themes, starting in January, we are drawing from a book called The Great Sending, which will be used Fridays and Saturdays.
The Discipleship point and prayer will be preceded by a snippet from another book titled The Prideful Soul’s Guide to Humility by Michael Fontenot and Thomas Jones.
Humility is a great asset in relationships with both God and people. We desire to instill some godly humility into our lives as disciples of Jesus. That quote will conclude with a prayer based on the reading, similar to the one below:
Humility Prayer
Lord Jesus, I want to follow you and learn to be like you, gentle and humble in heart. I want to learn to take up your yoke and burden and in doing so find the rest that my soul so desperately seeks – and needs. Amen.
Pondering Point
Questions to ponder with yourself and others will accompany these excerpts from the book
Saturday:
Scripture Story for the Week
The more stories of the bible you let God implant into your heart and mind, the more that the Holy Spirit can draw from them at any time of day or night. This enables you to meditate on the Word of God day and night without needing to “open the bible” physically or in an App.
Let God install that Word in you like an App and open it as He wills, not just for your sake but also for the benefit of others.
Once we hit January and the Great Sending book, Our Scripture Story for the Week will move to Sundays.
This story will not always be referenced in worship, but it is great material for Small Group and Micro Group time. Both Men’s and women’s groups have done this successfully.
Sunday:
Call to Gather, Pray and Worship God
Each Sunday a different blessing from the bible makes its way into the worship service. The intent is that you meditate on, remember, and consider how to apply the blessing for yourself and others in your life.
This naturally includes family and friends, but also Micro and Small Groups, church people, neighbors and co-workers; you can even keep in mind your church, national, and world leaders as God leads you to do. You are blessed to be a blessing.