Where Do Good Ideas Come From? and Drive: What drives us

There is a new style of teaching that I find fascinating.  These videos show that style but the content of them is good as well.  Thought you might enjoy

The Student Ministry at KCI

Hey everyone!!

At PV-KCI, we are taking time each week to highlight a different ministry and what God is doing among the people.  Here is an intro by Chip Bruce:


Here are some clips by some of the students on why they like the Student Ministry . . .







Hmmm . . seems to be a theme about volleyball . . . . .

Guidelines for Discipleship

Today we are continuing our gaze into the Disciple's Study Bible (1988, Holman Bible Publishers: Nashville), specifically at an article about the Doctrine of Discipleship.  Yesterday, we covered the "Nature of and Preparation for Discipleship".  Today, we look into Guidelines for Discipleship.  As yesterday, I have spelled out the references fully. Coloring is mine for visual acuity (ie break up the monotony of the black lettering.   Click  eBible search to look up the references if you want.

     Guidelines for discipleship. Discipleship occurs only under God's leadership.  He has provided leadership in the lives and affairs of His people throughout human history (Genesis 12:1-5; 24:1-67; Exodus 14:15-16).  He provided basic guidelines for disciples through His covenant (Exodus 19-24) in which He sought to establish His kingdom.  Under the old covenant God made His will known by laws and prophets.  Under the new covenant He makes His will known by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).  Jesus said the only ones who will enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do "the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).  To be a Christian disciple demands a willingness to give up everything to experience the reality of the kingdom of God through the immediacy of Christ's ruling authority.  Being part of the kingdom means a live-evidencing repentance (Matthew 3:2; 4:17).
     Discipleship is living out the confession, Jesus is Lord.  Disciples of Jesus extend the ministry He began by doing obediently what He commands.  Discipleship involves hearing the teachings of Jesus as authoritative and following His commands (Luke 6:46; Romans 6:16).  Christ exercises His lordship in the lives of disciples through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14:17, 20; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatians 5:16).  When a person repents and makes a personal commitment to Christ by faith, Christ enters the heart in the person of the Holy Spirit and becomes guide, energizer, and enabler in the Christian life (John 16:13-14).  Disciples also need human role models and spiritual leaders.  Disciples do not seek out leadership positions but answer God's call to them (Hebrews 13:7-17).

I enjoy the insight that discipleship is LIVING OUT the confession that Jesus is Lord.  How many of us have witnessed people confessing Christ as Lord, but denying Him by their lifestyle?  Oh, that I may not fall into that trap of busyness for God that I am not busy with God. 

On the next to last sentence above, do you have someone pouring into and discipling you? 
Are you discipling someone else?

Coming up . .
the Purpose for Discipleship
the Focus of Discipleship

Nature of and Preparation for Discipleship

The following is a paragraph excerpt from the Disciple's Study Bible (1988, Holman Bible Publishers: Nashville) concerning the Doctrine of Discipleship.  This is Part 1 (yesterday was the intro) to our series this week on Discipleship.  I have spelled out the references fully. Coloring is mine for visual acuity (ie break up the monotony of the black lettering.   Be sure to utilize the eBible search to look up the references if you want.

     Nature of and preparation for discipleship.  Obedient service is the basic expression of discipleship.  Such service is voluntary but never optional for the people of God.  Christian conversion is the first step of discipleship.  Mere profession of faith in words accomplishes nothing.  True confession is conversion, converting a sinner into a servant of Christ.  Faith is completed by actions it prompts (James 2:14-26).  Christians are saved to serve (Ephesians 2:8-10).  Humans cannot achieve or deserve conversion or discipleship.  People become Christians on Christ's initiative and have no reason to boast (John 15:16).  Conversion leads to discipleship, the living out of God's will.  God provides enabling power for His people to do His will (1 Samuel 30:3-8; Haggai 2:4-5).  Christians need the inner moral power necessary for living victoriously as obedient disciples (Ephesians 3:16; 1 Peter 4:11).  Family and church have responsibilities to train young disciples toward maturity in Christ (Luke 9:2; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).
     Disciples become part of God's holy priesthood as promised by Moses (Exodus 19:6) and fulfilled in the church, the ideal Israel (1 Peter 2:9).  All Christian disciples are brothers and sisters with free access to God (Matthew 23:1-11) through Christ, our High Priest (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:19-22).  We need no other Mediator.  We have the responsibility to go to God and learn from God directly through Christ rather than depending on human intermediaries.
     All Christian disciples are God's fellow workers.  None is left out.  All are needed.  A witnessing and serving laity is essential to a functioning and growing church, as Acts illustrates.  Women played an important part in the work of God in the past and should continue today (Exodus 15:20-21; Judges 4-5; Proverbs 31; 2 Kings 22:11-20; Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 8:2-3; Romans 16:1-3).

Tomorrow, we will look at: Guidelines for Discipleship.
Then later: Purpose for Discipleship and Focus of Discipleship.

What are your thoughts?  Anything strike you in particular?

Discipleship

I have been working through an old (but goodie) Bible Study by Avery Willis who died recently.  See a fitting tribute by Jerry Rankin HERE.  The study is entitled "LifeGuide: Discipleship & Doctrine (Using the Disciple's Study Bible)".  Both the study and the Disciple's Study Bible are out of print.  I found them in my Dad's library.
Here is the 2nd edition of the Disciples Study Bible (also out of print)

What a great tool!!  One of the key facets of this Bible is how it outlines major doctrines of Christianity throughout the whole Bible as well as providing histories, Scripture references, chain references, and study helps.

One such example is the Doctrine of Discipleship.  Over the next couple of days, I am going to outline for you the following from the Disciple's Study Bible notes:
1.  Nature of and preparation for discipleship
2.  Guidelines for discipleship
3.  Purpose of discipleship
4.  Focus on discipleship

The material shared is from the Disciple's Study Bible.  I hope you find it striking, encouraging, and challenging.  Watch everyday this week for more!!  I would love to get your thoughts!

Litany of the Lord's Prayer

A picture hangs from my stepmom's wall, written in calligraphy by my mother's hand.  I was struck by the words of the titled 'Litany of the Lord's Prayer' with the initials C.S.J.P. (I do not know the author)

Litany of the Lord's Prayer

I cannot say “OUR”
If my religion has no room for other people and their needs.
I cannot say “FATHER”
If I do not accept others as brothers and sisters in my daily life.

I cannot say “WHO ART IN HEAVEN”
If all my interests and pursuits are earthly things.

I cannot say “HALLOWED BE THY NAME”
If I who am called by His name, do nothing to praise His name.

I cannot say “THY KINGDOM COME”
If I am unwilling to give up the “good” of my selfishness and accept the reign of God's love.

I cannot say “ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN”
Unless I am truly ready to give myself to His service here and now.

I cannot say “GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD”
If I am lazy and expect “handouts” or if I continue to ignore the needs of my brothers and sisters.

I cannot say “FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS”
If I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone or refuse to forgive them.

I cannot say “LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION”
If I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say “DELIVER US FROM EVIL”
If I am not prepared to fight against the evil in my life and injustices in the lives of my brothers and sisters.

I cannot say “THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY”
If I do not listen to God and His way, if I fear what neighbors and friends may say or do, if I seek my own glory first.

I cannot say “AMEN”
Unless I can honestly say also “Cost what it may, this is my prayer.” Yes Lord, I am for You too!