I will demonstrate that the knowledge I have obtained, through life experience, formal training and internship has equipped me to meet the course objectives listed for MBTS class U-CE405: Making Disciples CCC. I became a Christian in my early twenties after a year long process of reading my Bible. It was a tremendous journey full of unbelief, discouragement and finally faith. A year later the Lord called me into full time ministry. In the fall of I995 I was enrolled at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. It was here at Bible College that I not only learned of the deficiencies of most people’s view of discipleship, but I began a long journey in realizing my own. Over the course of 20 years many great men have met me “at
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In Transformational Discipleship by: Geiger, Kelley, and Nation the authors make a very decisive statement, “Discipleship is transformation, not information overload or behavior modification” p.28. (see recommended reading in course syllabi). How are we to understand the Biblical implications of discipleship? Christ Himself was very clear about this; He told the crowds to love Him so much that all other relationships appear as hate (Luke14:26), and be willing to forsake all and take up their cross and follow Him or one cannot be His disciple (Matthew 10:38-39). Being a disciple results in obedience, but not begrudging obedience. It is a joyful, loving obedience (John 15:10). This is why transformation is essential. Herein lies the tension, the work of God is to create a new person (John 3:3), our response is to abandon ourselves to Jesus. “The distinguishing mark of Christian discipleship is transformed heart, transformed affections.” (Transformational Discipleship pg. 29). These biblical truths have played themselves out significantly in my life experience in many ways. First, it has manifested itself in the lives of people around me who profess to know Christ and is a determining factor on how I minister to them. In my estimation many people who profess Christianity are not aware of what it truly means to be a …show more content…
The course objective uses the verbiage “appreciate the challenge”. These are excellent word choices to evaluate the distinguishing marks of this role in biblical discipleship. To appreciate; have an affection for, value. To challenge; test, strain, make demands, dare. One way to put that together is to say, to “love the demands” or “to have an affection for the strain”. How does Jesus put it? “…take up his cross daily and follow me (Matt. 10:23) . I believe the scriptures teach that one of the primary aspects in the roles of discipleship is being taught by the word of God and then teaching others. “What you heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim.2:2). This must be a personal process of diligence in bible study and a willingness to be bold in finding someone to share. Discipleship requires faithfulness in prayer. “Pray without ceasing” (1Thes. 5:17). Sacrificing of one’s self, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). My first major role in this regard was granted to me while attending Baptist Bible College. As I sophomore I was selected as one of ten young men to be a Resident Assistant (R.A.) in the Harper Dormitory. This was considered an upper classman dorm and 24 young men were put directly under my leadership and guidance. My door was always open to these young men. It was here that I learned firsthand the value of
In Transformational Discipleship by: Geiger, Kelley, and Nation the authors make a very decisive statement, “Discipleship is transformation, not information overload or behavior modification” p.28. (see recommended reading in course syllabi). How are we to understand the Biblical implications of discipleship? Christ Himself was very clear about this; He told the crowds to love Him so much that all other relationships appear as hate (Luke14:26), and be willing to forsake all and take up their cross and follow Him or one cannot be His disciple (Matthew 10:38-39). Being a disciple results in obedience, but not begrudging obedience. It is a joyful, loving obedience (John 15:10). This is why transformation is essential. Herein lies the tension, the work of God is to create a new person (John 3:3), our response is to abandon ourselves to Jesus. “The distinguishing mark of Christian discipleship is transformed heart, transformed affections.” (Transformational Discipleship pg. 29). These biblical truths have played themselves out significantly in my life experience in many ways. First, it has manifested itself in the lives of people around me who profess to know Christ and is a determining factor on how I minister to them. In my estimation many people who profess Christianity are not aware of what it truly means to be a …show more content…
The course objective uses the verbiage “appreciate the challenge”. These are excellent word choices to evaluate the distinguishing marks of this role in biblical discipleship. To appreciate; have an affection for, value. To challenge; test, strain, make demands, dare. One way to put that together is to say, to “love the demands” or “to have an affection for the strain”. How does Jesus put it? “…take up his cross daily and follow me (Matt. 10:23) . I believe the scriptures teach that one of the primary aspects in the roles of discipleship is being taught by the word of God and then teaching others. “What you heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim.2:2). This must be a personal process of diligence in bible study and a willingness to be bold in finding someone to share. Discipleship requires faithfulness in prayer. “Pray without ceasing” (1Thes. 5:17). Sacrificing of one’s self, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). My first major role in this regard was granted to me while attending Baptist Bible College. As I sophomore I was selected as one of ten young men to be a Resident Assistant (R.A.) in the Harper Dormitory. This was considered an upper classman dorm and 24 young men were put directly under my leadership and guidance. My door was always open to these young men. It was here that I learned firsthand the value of