A Few Thoughts About Discipling Part 1 Introduction

Definition:

B1 To train in accordance with rules or principles (Source)

B2 DISCIPLE, verb transitive to teach; to train, or bring up. (Source)

B3 Process of making disciples. The apostles went about discipling the believers in Jesus Christ. (Source)

Every Christian must know and defend 3 things

· The Gospel

· Doctrine (teaching, beliefs, precepts)

· Christian life (lifestyle, worldview)

Side note

All Christians need to know what the Gospel is, our teachings are, and our way of life. These have been given to us in the New Testament, by the Lord Jesus, Jesus’s Apostles, and prophets. I just have a few topics here for a start. We are all responsible to study the Scriptures.

I have not covered everything or a defense of the faith, which you will have to find elsewhere. For doctrine, I am briefly covering the attributes of our God, Yahweh. For a Christian worldview, I am only giving a few thoughts on its necessity.

Sometimes I have a question or two for you to ponder.

For my studies, I used the Bible in many different translations. For general reading, I recommend New Living Translation, Good News Translation, and God’s Word. For more serious study, I use Modern English Version, My own translation (WEL), New American Standard, New King James, New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Young’s Literal Version, and Pickering New Testament. For Greek, I use the Byzantine Text (the Majority Text) mainly. Other books I used are Dictionary of Bible Themes by Manser, Nave’s Topical Bible, Thompson Chain References, Torrey’s New Topical Textbook. For electric Bible Software I use e-Sword, theWord, and Bible Analyzer 5. My main online study Bible is Blue Letter Bible.

It is so very important to know what we believe and why. We have a reasonable faith. We have answers. The Lord Jesus does not change; He gave us the Gospel and the teaching we need to know what He believes and what He expects from us in living the Christian life.

May God bless your study.

Broad Way or Narrow Way Destruction or Life

Matthew 7:13-14 WEL “Enter in at the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in there. 14 “Because the gate is narrow and the road difficult that leads to life and there are few who find it.

What is destruction?

B1 The Greek word is ἀπώλεια apṓleia. It means destruction and destroy. Often, the idea is the effects/punishments of the sentence of a judge.

C1 2 Peter 3:7 NIV By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

C2 Philippians 1:28 NIV without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God.

C3 2 Thessalonians 2:3 NIV Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

B2 It will be spiritual and physical destruction. It does not have the idea of disappearance as in composting or annihilation.

God opens the eyes and mind of all people, calls them, and offers salvation. Most resist His call. Pride is usually the reason for refusal. God frees our will from our darkness and bondage to sin. With a freed will, then we can make our choice. God is omniscient and omnisapient. He knows how to communicate perfectly. God does not lie. The offer is for all people. In His sovereignty He desires and initiates salvation. If He did not initiate, then no one could or would be saved.

B1 1 Timothy 2:4 NIV who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

B2 Isaiah 45:22 NIV Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

B3 Isaiah 55:1 NIV Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

B4 Ezekiel 18:32 NIV For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

B5 John 3:15-17 NIV that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

B6 2 Peter 3:9 WEL The Lord doesn’t procrastinate in keeping his promise as some think, but is longsuffering towards us not willing that anyone should perish but that all should repent.

A Few Thoughts on Proverbs 27:17

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

As Christians, we have a large body of wisdom.

• God has taught us through precept and laws.
• God has taught us through people's lives both good and evil.
• God has taught us through people seeking/praying for wisdom. This is especially so in the Bible book of Proverbs.
• God has taught us through the life of His Son, the Lord Jesus, the Son of man and God the Son.
• God has taught us that He will give us wisdom when we ask for it. James 1:5 NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

A harden steel file can be used to sharpen a knife, ax, shovel, etc.

Countenance

• The Hebrew word is פָּנִים pânîym and means face. It is used in many difference ways
  • The face
  • A person
  • A seraphim or cherubim face
  • An animal face
  • The face of the ground, etc.
  • When used with a preposition it indicates a position relative to person, etc.
• Here, it is used for people

Sharpen

• Used to illustrate a truth
• Used to show edification and grow in our Christian life.

How do we sharpen each other?

• Encourage each other to Bible reading, study, and prayer
• Kindly pointing out our errors in life, thinking, actions, etc.
• Thanking each other when appropriate
• Listening to each other
• Finding a solution to a problem together
• Discussing a topic
• Using our spiritual gifts together. For example, one might have wisdom and the other mercy, teaching, etc. We need to be open to each other's gifts.
• Answering questions. For example, I don't understand the problem of evil, but another believer has spent hours on that very topic. It doesn't mean that we have to believe them, but we can listen closely.
• Praying for each other

Some other verses

• Good counsel: Proverbs 27:9 NKJV Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel.
• Encouragement: Isaiah 35:3-4 NKJV Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.
• Encouraging each other to live a Christian life: Hebrews 10:24 NKJV And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
• Encouraging each other when facing difficulties: 1 Peter 4:12-13 NKJV Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

I do not believe the proverb refers to an argument where each person's face shows anger.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Moses is speaking to Israel

He gives these truths
• Be strong
• Be courageous
• Do not be afraid or terrified

He tells them why
• God (Yahweh) goes with you
• He will never leave you
• He will never forsake you

God's protection
• He is able
• Jude 1:24-25 GNB92 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to bring you faultless and joyful before his glorious presence— to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might, and authority, from all ages past, and now, and forever and ever! Amen.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 GNB92 But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.

He is encouraging. What God told Israel can be applied to us: Isaiah 41:9 HCSB I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are My servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you.

He is reliable: 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 Weymouth who will also keep you stedfast to the very End, so that you will be free from reproach on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is ever true to His promises, and it was by Him that you were, one and all, called into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Listening versus Offering Opinions

Proverbs 18:2 NIV - Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

How many people do we know that do not fully listen to another person?

People need to communicate to each other.
• Husbands and wives
• Children and parents
• Teachers and students
• Pastors and congregation
• Bosses and those under them
• Leaders and those under them
• Medical professionals and their clients
• Legal advisers and their clients

Understanding
• We must know what the other is saying
• We must clarify what they are saying if we are not sure
• We must be listeners
• Remember that we too have issues
• We are one family (Christian)
• Listening is showing love
• Listening is a virtue
• Listening is showing mercy

Good listeners
• Sit quietly
• Do not stare at the speaker but have enough eye contact that the speaker knows they are listening
• Do not give their opinion
• Do not talk except to clarify
• Do not offer solutions unless asked or absolutely necessary (for example a crime has been committed)
• Do have body language that reflects their interest in the speaker
• Do not judge until they understand what the speaker is saying
• Do not ask for details except to clarify. Example, evil pastors wanting details of sexual abuse or molestation
• Will relisten if necessary. Sometimes what someone tells us is so upsetting, they must repeat themselves.
• Don't gossip. This is private information, unless the speaker requests others know or a crime is committed (which must be reported)

After understanding, then
• Believe them
• Give advice briefly
• Refer as necessary (especially after abuse, molestation, and crimes)
• Pray with them seeking wisdom and comfort
• Offer to help ("How can I help you?")
• Follow up and make sure the person is receiving help

The fool
• Does not listen
• Quickly offering advice instead of listening
• Interrupting with conversation not related to what the speaker is telling them
• Using their cell phone, reading, or doing something else instead of listening
• Interrupt the speaker with their own experience
• Will not believe them
• Accusing them
• Will not refer
• Will not comfort
• Will not offer to help
• Seeks revenge
• Takes advantage of someone when they are susceptible to further damage
• Makes excuses
• In cases of abuse, etc. believes the abuser instead of the abused
• Gossips
• Mocks them
• Insults them

God (Yahweh) is a good listener
• Matthew 11:28 NIV - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
• 1 Peter 5:7 NIV - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
• Romans 8:26-28 GW  At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don't know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words.  27  The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God's people the way God wants him to.  28  We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God-those whom he has called according to his plan.
• Luke 6:12 GW  At that time Jesus went to a mountain to pray. He spent the whole night in prayer to God. (So if we need too, we can. If the Father listened to the Lord Jesus, so He listens to us as well).

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 5:13-20

C3 The Christian life—Prayer James 5:13-20

D1 Believers Should Sing If Happy and If Sick Should Pray James 5:13-16

D2 Believers Should Know of the Example of Elijah James 5:17-18

D3 Believers Should Guide Our Erring Brothers and Sisters Back to Truth James 5:19-20

James 5:13-20 WEL Is any among you experiencing troubles? You must pray. Is any happy? Then sing praise. 14 Is any among you sick? Then summon the church’s elders, and let them pray for them, anointing them with oil in the Lord’s name. 15 The prayer of faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, they will be forgiven. 16 Confess [your] sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. 17 Elijah was a man with emotions just like us, he earnestly prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the ground for three years and six months. 18 Then, he prayed again, the sky yielded rain, and the ground produced its crops. 19 Brothers, if any of you wanders from the truth, and someone brings him back again, 20 Then let him understand that whoever brings the sinner back again from that wandering path he was on will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

• Here are some more directions from James for living a Christian life.
• Emotions=
  • Troubles
    • We must pray. James does not tell us that God answers our prayers the way we want them or even how long to pray.
    • Philippians 4:6-7 CSB Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
    • Acts 12:5 BSB So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him.
    • An example: Genesis 32:9-12 CSB Then Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper,' "I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. Indeed, I crossed over the Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps. "Please rescue me from my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children. "You have said, 'I will cause you to prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to be counted.
  • Happiness
    • We sing praise
    • For teaching, admonishing, and thankfulness: Colossians 3:16 BSB Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
    • God also sings: Zephaniah 3:17 BSB The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.
    • For deliverance: Isaiah 35:10 BSB and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.
  • Sickness
    • We call upon our leaders and fellow believers
    • Many understand this to refer to placing a believer in God’s hands for strengthening the body and soul and for safety of his/her soul.
    • We still must seek the assistance of a physician because it might be the means God brings healing. If we are sick, we are to seek the assistance of a licensed health care person.
    • There is no guarantee offered in the Scriptures of always happening.
• Prayer of faith
  • Faith is believing God, not a manipulation of God guaranteeing what we pray for.
  • God’s will is to be prayed for. 1 John 5:14 CSB This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
  • The prayer of faith is a prayer that God’s will be done.
  • Sometimes sickness is caused by sin. Confession of the sin brings healing.
  • It is the faith of the elders, not the sick.
  • James could be referring to a spiritual sickness, not physical sickness.
  • Then James gives examples of God’s answering Elijah’s prayer.
• Confessing sins
  • All sin is against God and His law.
  • All sin must be confessed to God. We must acknowledge that truth of our sin, not cover it up.
  • If the only one knows of my sin, then I confess and ask forgiveness of only God.
  • If I sinned against one person, then I go to God and the person I sinned against to make things right.
  • If I sinned publicly then, I go to God and the public.
  • There are still consequences to sin. A pastor who sins may be permanently banned from pastoring. Today, we see too many fallen pastors who have abused, sexually molested, and other heinous sins starting new churches. This is a very wicked practice.
• We are to seek for those who have wandered from the faith.
  • Questions they have not being answered, so we can answer them.
  • Offended by someone in the congregation, so we can deal with that offender. This would include exposing the offender’s sin and removing them from church if necessary.
  • Drifted from lack of Bible reading and prayer.
  • Drifted from not understanding Christian doctrine.
  • Drifted from wanting to sin.
  • Drifted from something happening to them as addictions, homelessness, etc. That the congregation can help.
• Delivering a soul from death
  • Does not mean a guaranteed physical healing
  • The removal of sin refers to God’s forgiveness. There still might be consequences of sin as we read when King David raped Bathsheba and then had her husband killed.
  • Physical healing is wonderful, but how much more spiritual healing.
• We need to help each other both those who have sinned and those tempted to sin.

Questions=

• Name some of the rules we must follow as taught in this passage.
• Why should we pray?
• What if God does not heal? How are we to respond?
• How can we prevent wandering from the faith?
• How do we seek those who have wandered from the faith?

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.” –Hudson Taylor

“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” –Abraham Lincoln

Romans 12:1-2 CSB Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Colossians 3:5-10 CSB Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God's wrath is coming upon the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.

Romans 15:13 CSB Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 31:24 CSB Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 CSB May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 5:7-12

C2 The Christian life—Suffering James 5:7-12

D1 Believers Should Be Patient in Suffering James 5:7-9

D2 Believers Should Know About Those Who Have Suffered Before Us James 5:10-11

D3 Believers Should Know That Yes and No Are Better Than Oaths James 5:12

James 5:7-12 WEL Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord comes. Look how the farmer waits for the valuable yield from the land and waits for a long time for the early and later rains. 8 Likewise be patient and steady your hearts, for the Lord’s coming draws near. 9 Do not complain about one another, brothers, lest you be condemned. Look! The judge stands at the doors. 10 My brothers, let the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord be your example of suffering affliction and of patience. 11 Look, we consider them happy who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the Lord’s conclusion [to it], because the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brothers, do not take a vow, not by heaven, nor by the earth, or anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, lest you fall into hypocrisy.

Another list from James regarding how to live our Christian life.

Patience=

• The Greek word for patience is μακροθυμέω makrothyméō. It means to persevere patiently and bravely (Thayer’s).
• Patience towards God to intervene in suffering. He wants all to repent.
• Luke 18:7 NIV And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
• 2 Peter 3:8-9 CSB Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
• This patience is a character and action of love: 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
• Abraham waited for many years: Hebrews 6:15 NIV And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
• We need patience, too, in this world of evils. God gives grace. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 GW I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But he told me: “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me. 10 Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong.

Lord’s coming=

• What is this coming?
• Various opinions
• This is His coming for Christians, that is, the Rapture.
• To destroy Israel and the Temple, Israel, and the Jews that existed in James time. Then Jesus would begin His reign.
• But why would James want the Temple and Israel destroyed? There is no indication that he wanted such a thing. He wanted his people, his kinsmen, to repent.
• The people that James wrote to want deliverance from evil. The Jews aren’t the only ones who are evil. All people are evil.
• Some resources.
• Major Rapture Terms and Passages (pdf)
• Waiting for the Blessed Hope (pdf)

Judgment=

• We need to stop complaining.
• Judgment is coming.
• James 5:9 GW Brothers and sisters, stop complaining about each other, or you will be condemned. Realize that the judge is standing at the door.
• So, we want to warn people.
• Romans 2:7-8 GW He will give everlasting life to those who search for glory, honor, and immortality by persisting in doing what is good. But he will bring 8 anger and fury on those who, in selfish pride, refuse to believe the truth and who follow what is wrong.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 NKJV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
• Personally, I understand this as a warning to those who do not believe that judgment is coming.
• But many others understand the warning to be to Christians that we must live a life pleasing to God, because we Christians will be judged.
• Doesn’t make much difference though, we must persuade Christians to live a life pleasing to God, and we must persuade non-Christians to believe. Judgment is going to happen but there is a different judgment for the believer and the unbeliever.

In verse 10, James gives examples of those who suffer and are patient (longsuffering)

Endure=

• We are to patiently endure testing and temptation: James 1:12 NLT God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
• The Lord Jesus is our example: Hebrews 12:2 NIV fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Again, it is God’s grace that we can endure, but we also need each other to comfort and pray for each other.

Vows=

• The Hebrew words are נָדַר nâdar (verb) and נֶדֶר neder (noun). They mean to do or give something, and is a promise to God. It is understood to be voluntary and of a free will. Here is an example: Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 CSB When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.
• Making a vow is very serious and should be a rare occurrence.
• Our yes and no should be sufficient.
• If a vow is necessary for someone to believe, it might mean that we appear to not be totally honest.
• God honors truth. He does not lie; He cannot lie.
• What James is teaching is a reflection of the Lord Jesus who said, “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. "But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; "or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. "Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. "But let your “yes” mean “yes” and your “no” mean “no;” Anything more than this is from the evil one.“ (Matthew 5:33-37 CSB)

Questions=

• What is patience?
• Is there a difference between a Christian and non-Christian’s patience?
• Why are we to persuade others?
• Why is making a vow to be a rather rare occurrence?