Sharing Circle

Did Jesus Have Other Caring Circles?

While the Twelve were His primary caring circle, Jesus also had broader relationships:

The Seventy-Two Disciples (Luke 10:1-24):  (Inside Sharing)
He sent them out to preach and heal but did not spend as much personal time with them as He did with the Twelve.

• Role: Carried out ministry tasks but did not have the same level of personal interaction with Jesus as the Twelve.

• Key Event:

  1. Jesus sent them out in pairs to preach and heal, giving them authority over demons (Luke 10:1-24).

  2. Upon their return, Jesus celebrated their success and reminded them to rejoice that their names are written in heaven.

The Crowds:  (Outside Sharing)
Though He often taught and performed miracles for the multitudes, His interaction with them was less personal compared to the Twelve.

• Role: Recipients of general teachings and miracles but without deeper relational intimacy.

• Key Characteristics:

  • Jesus taught them through parables (e.g., Matthew 13).

  • He healed the sick, fed the hungry (e.g., feeding the 5,000 in John 6:1-14), and showed compassion.

  • However, He often withdrew from the crowds to spend time with His disciples or in prayer.

Walk in Love: Ephesians 5:1-7

5 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For [a]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 

Boundary Line:

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 

Walk in Light: Ephesians 5:8-14

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the [b]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Boundary Line:

 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [c]expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are [d]exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”

Walk in Wisdom: Ephesians 5:15-21

15 See then that you walk [e]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Boundary Line:

17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of [f]God.

In the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat (Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43), Jesus describes a field where good seed is sown, but an enemy secretly plants weeds among the wheat. As both grow together, the servants notice the weeds and want to remove them immediately. However, the master instructs them to wait until the time of harvest.

Even though the servants can clearly see that the weeds are harmful and may seem to drain nutrients from the good plants, they are not allowed to uproot them prematurely. The concern is that in trying to remove what is false, they might also damage what is true. Instead, both must grow together until the appointed time of judgment, when the master will bring perfect separation.

In the same way, in today’s church we see both kinds of people—those who are genuinely rooted in Christ and those who appear outwardly similar but are not truly transformed. They exist side by side in the same environment, under the same teaching and grace. Yet we are not called to act as judges or attempt premature separation.

This parable teaches that God, in His perfect wisdom, allows both to coexist for a season. Our responsibility is not to uproot, condemn, or separate, but to remain faithful, grounded, and obedient while trusting His timing. At the end, Christ Himself will bring righteous judgment and reveal what is truly wheat and what is weed.

The New Testament consistently points back to one standard:

• “We preach Christ crucified.” — 1 Corinthians 1:23

• “Fixing our eyes on Jesus.” — Hebrews 12:2

The health of the church is not determined by style, gifting, or size—but by how deeply Christ is known, obeyed, and reflected. The intent is not to label people harshly, but to discern tendencies and call the church back to Christ-centered leadership. 

Jesus calls His followers to be light in the darkness and salt that has not lost its flavor. Light reveals, guides, and exposes what is hidden. Salt preserves, purifies, and brings life-giving influence. But this calling cannot be fulfilled through human effort, religious activity, or outward behavior alone.

If our being—our inner life, identity, and dependence—is not aligned with Christ, then whatever we reflect will be artificial. It may look bright, but it will not illuminate Christ. It may look like salt, but it will have no taste, no power, and no spiritual effect. Without abiding in Him, we produce artificial light and artificial salt—expressions of self instead of expressions of Christ.

True influence flows only from Christ formed in us. When our being is rooted in Him, our light becomes genuine, our salt becomes potent, and our impact becomes eternal. Transformation on the inside always precedes transformation through our lives.

We are not called to act like light and salt—we are called to be light and salt by abiding in the One who is the true Light and the source of all flavor and life.

In the story of the ten lepers, only one returned to Jesus with a thankful heart, while the other nine received the blessing but never returned to the Blesser (Luke 17:11–19). This same attitude is still present in the church today: many gladly receive God’s goodness, healing, help, teaching, or ministry support — but only a few respond with deep gratitude, devotion, and genuine pursuit of Christ.

Yet Christ calls us to serve all ten, not just the one who returns. Ministry cannot be based on how people respond, appreciate, or reciprocate. If our service depends on applause, gratitude, or affirmation, disappointment will crush us. Jesus healed all ten, knowing nine would walk away — yet He served with joy and purpose because His heart was anchored in the Father.

This is why your Being Circle (your identity, intimacy, and dependence on Christ) must be fully aligned with your Sharing Circle (your ministry, service, and sacrifice to others). If sharing for others grows bigger than your being in Christ, you will quickly move into burnout, resentment, frustration, or emotional exhaustion. But when your Being fuels your Sharing, your ministry flows from Christ’s strength, not your own.

True, sustainable ministry comes from a heart that is rooted in Christ, not the reactions of people. Serve like Jesus served — freely, faithfully, and from abundance — knowing your reward comes from Him, not from the nine who never return.

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus reveals the heart of true compassion. The Samaritan did not wait to be asked, thanked, or rewarded—he sought out the helpless and hopeless man lying on the road. He stepped toward the suffering that others avoided. His love was not transactional, selective, or convenient; it was willing, sacrificial, and personal.

Yet Jesus also shows that the Samaritan did not abandon his own journey. He paused to share, invested what he had, ensured continued support, and then returned to the path he was called to travel. His compassion did not derail his purpose; it demonstrated it. He served deeply—but he also walked faithfully.

This teaches us that true Christian love is not measured by dramatic sacrifices that remove us from our God-given responsibilities but by faithful compassion expressed along the way. We are called to see the wounded, stop for the broken, and help the hopeless—without expectation of return, without craving recognition, and without losing sight of the path God has called us to walk.

Like the Good Samaritan, we serve because Christ served us. And we continue our journey because Christ has set a race before us. Compassion and calling walk hand in hand.

In the story of the widow’s two coins (Mark 12:41–44; Luke 21:1–4), Jesus observes people giving offerings at the temple. Many rich people contribute large amounts, but a poor widow gives only two small coins. Yet Jesus declares that she has given more than everyone else.

This moment reveals a deep spiritual truth: God is not impressed by the quantity of what we do, but by the quality and intent of the heart behind it. The rich gave out of abundance, but the widow gave out of trust, devotion, and sacrifice. She gave not from surplus, but from surrender.

Jesus teaches that in God’s kingdom, value is not measured by size, visibility, or recognition. It is measured by love, faith, and wholehearted dependence on Him. The widow’s offering, though small in human eyes, carried eternal weight because it came from a fully yielded heart.

This story reminds us that “little” in the hands of a surrendered heart is greater than “much” offered without devotion. God sees beyond outward actions into inward motives. In His eyes, faithful hearts matter more than impressive numbers.

Evangelizing Through a Christlike Life

True evangelism is not merely speaking about Christ—it is living in a way that reveals Him. The gospel shines most powerfully through a believer’s character, decisions, and quiet obedience.

• Evangelize with your presence:
  When people face emotional or physical needs, simply being there with compassion communicates Christ’s heart more than words ever can.

• Evangelize with your absence:
  Saying no to certain places, conversations, and behaviors sends a strong, silent message. Your refusal to join gossip, inappropriate discussions, or compromising environments shows that your life is led by different values.

• Evangelize through your patience:
  In workplaces filled with tension, difficult personalities, and pressure, patience becomes a testimony. Responding gently when others react harshly reflects the Spirit of Christ.

• Evangelize through your contentment:
  While the world chases status, money, and recognition, a content heart stands out. Contentment shows trust in God’s provision rather than striving for worldly approval.

• Evangelize through your prayers:
  Praying quietly for people, situations, and your own walk with God is a hidden but powerful form of evangelism. Heaven moves even when no one sees.

Jesus taught that evangelism is not about publicity but purity.
He warned against praying “on street corners to be seen by people” and against giving to the needy in ways that seek attention (Matthew 6). The goal is not applause, but authenticity—a life that quietly points others to Christ.

In all these ways, believers evangelize not only with their words but with a consistent, humble, Spirit-shaped life that makes others curious about the hope within them.

• Evangelism - Part 1 - Paul Washer

• Evangelism - Part 2 - Paul Washer 

• Evangelism - Part 3 - Paul Washer