Fruit That Remains: Evaluating With Humility, Finishing Well, and Commissioning

What You Will Learn

• Evaluate the fruit of discipleship with humility, without pride or despair
• Describe what it means to finish well, personally and when a group ends
• Complete The Timothy Pattern by being sent out
• Present a Rule of Life, a Multiplication Plan, and a commissioning statement

Lesson Notes

Evaluating Fruit With Humility

Jesus chose us that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain (John 15:16). Fruit matters. But neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7). We evaluate to learn, not to boast or condemn ourselves. Paul warned that comparing themselves among themselves is not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12).

Use a Humble Fruit Check after a group or season:

• Are women growing in love, joy, peace, and the other fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)?
• Are they reading the Word and praying on their own, not only when I am there?
• Are they connected to a local church or chapel community, not only to me?
• Has anyone begun to encourage or disciple someone else?
• Was the group safe, free, and grace-filled? Did we refer out when needed?
• What would I do differently? Whom do I need to thank?

When It Does Not Go as Planned

Some groups end early; some women stop coming. Jesus restored Peter after he denied Him (John 21:15–17). Disappointment is part of ministry, not proof that God has stopped working.

When a woman leaves, keep the door open, pray for her, and respect her choice. Do not chase, pressure, or shame her. Own your mistakes humbly, and talk with your own mentor or chaplain about what is hard. If you are worn out or dreading meetings, slow down and rest. Remember: you are responsible to people, not for their choices.

Finishing Well

At the end of his life Paul wrote, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Finishing well means staying faithful over the long road: let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1–2).

To finish well personally: keep your Rule of Life, stay discipled yourself, stay in a church, keep healthy boundaries, rest, and refer out.

To end a group well: celebrate what God did, thank each woman, name the next step (continue, multiply, or close), and commend them to God as Paul did: And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up (Acts 20:32).

Sent Out: Commissioning

In CMD 271 you learned The Timothy Pattern: Be With, Build Up, Send Out. You have been with Jesus, built up in His Word, and now you are sent out. The church in Antioch sent Barnabas and Saul with prayer: when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away (Acts 13:3). Today we commission with prayer and blessing. (No one is asked to fast for this commissioning.)

Your commissioning statement declares how you will follow Jesus and pass faith on, where you hope to serve, and how you will stay accountable.

This certificate is not ordination or a counseling credential. Inside, any ministry you do follows the chaplain's guidance; outside, it happens under a local church's oversight. Go with this promise: lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20).

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Humble Fruit Check

Think about your practice group or a composite group. Answer each Humble Fruit Check question in one or two sentences. Then write one thing to celebrate, one thing to improve, and one person to thank (by role or first initial).

Commissioning Circle

Each woman who chooses to may read her commissioning statement aloud (one to two minutes). The class responds together with Numbers 6:24–26: The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. You may pass, and your statement will still count.

Assignment: Final Project Submission

Submit your Rule of Life, Multiplication Plan, and Commissioning Statement with a short reflection (see the Final Project section).

Graded with the Final Project Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Jesus said, I have chosen you... that ye should go and bring forth fruit. What fruit have you seen God grow in you through this certificate? Where do you sense Him sending you next, and what will help you finish well?

Prayer focus: Thank God for choosing you and sending you, and ask Him to make your fruit remain, to keep you faithful to the end, and to bless every woman you will walk with.

Sent

Jesus said, I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain (John 15:16). Fruit matters, but God gives the increase. We look back on our ministry with humble questions: Are women growing in love? Are they reading and praying on their own? Are they connected to a church, not only to me? Has anyone begun to pass it on?

Some groups end early. Some women walk away. Jesus restored Peter after he failed, and He has not stopped working in anyone's story. Keep the door open, pray, and respect each woman's choice. You are responsible to people, not for their choices.

Paul could say at the end, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Finishing well looks ordinary: keeping your Rule of Life, staying discipled yourself, staying in a church, resting, keeping boundaries, and referring out.

Today you are sent. You have been with Jesus, built up in His Word, and now you go out to pass faith on to others also. This certificate is not ordination or a counseling credential; you serve under the chaplain's guidance inside and a local church's oversight outside. And you go with His promise: lo, I am with you alway.

Think About It

1. What fruit have you seen God grow in you? ______________________
2. What will help you finish well? ______________________
3. Where do you sense God sending you next? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 8

Chosen and Sent

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:— John 15:16 (KJV)

Your calling begins with God's choice, not your worthiness.

Reflect: How does it feel to be chosen by Jesus?

Pray: Lord, thank You for choosing and sending me.

Do: Write John 15:16 on a card and carry it.

God Gives the Increase

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.— 1 Corinthians 3:7 (KJV)

Results belong to God, which frees us from pride and despair.

Reflect: What result do you need to leave with God?

Pray: Lord, I plant and water; You give the growth.

Do: Do one faithful thing without worrying about the outcome.

Finished My Course

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:— 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Faithfulness over a lifetime is the goal.

Reflect: What would finishing well look like for you?

Pray: Lord, keep me faithful to the end.

Do: Review your Rule of Life and adjust one part.

Commended to Grace

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.— Acts 20:32 (KJV)

When we let go of a group, we place them in God's hands.

Reflect: Whom do you need to entrust to God?

Pray: Lord, I commend them to You.

Do: Pray Acts 20:32 for the women you hope to disciple.

Here Am I

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.— Isaiah 6:8 (KJV)

God still calls ordinary, forgiven people to go.

Reflect: What is your answer to God's call today?

Pray: Lord, here am I; send me.

Do: Read your commissioning statement aloud as a prayer.