Kingdom Disciples With Tony EvansSample

Individual and Family 

The call to be a kingdom disciple affects our lives in all four realms of God’s kingdom. Today we’ll consider the first two, our individual and family lives. 

I wasn’t raised with money. I was raised in a row house in an urban community
in Baltimore, where my parents just barely made it. Many of you know that narrative because you’ve lived it too. Sometimes, my mom would have to find a way to cook the fish my dad caught for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. But despite this reality, I never went to bed worried. The load of life didn’t weigh me down. The reason I never struggled with life’s burdens as a young child was because they weren’t my problem. They were my parents’ problem. I let them worry. 

Therefore, whether we would eat tomorrow was never my concern. When my dad was laid off for weeks without work as a longshoreman, I didn’t stress. I relied on those who were responsible to care for us. I was able to rest because I trusted my parents and lived in conscious dependence on them. 

Now as an adult, however, I understand that life’s burdens can weigh people down. I’ve had that experience myself, especially as a young man with four young children, a wife, and the challenge of balancing full-time academia with providing for my family. Yet despite all the stress we carry as we become adults, Jesus says if we’ll simply grow in discipleship as individuals and families, we can rest. We can experience one of the greatest benefits of belonging to Him: peace. 

The solution to life’s burdens isn’t found in your knowledge, success, or understanding. As a true kingdom disciple, you access the covering of the Father and the wisdom He imparts as you live under His lordship and in an abiding relationship with Him. His covering and wisdom will radically transform your life and will give you all you need to live abundantly and victoriously with kingdom authority.