“If we aren’t careful, we’ll follow Jesus on our own. Failure to grasp the community focus of the gospel can cut us off from the grace God gives through the church. This reminds us that discipleship is a community project because the gospel redeems a people. Jesus created and redeemed us as people in relationship, not individuals in isolation. Instead …
“Although I didn’t understand it at the time, my motivation for obeying Jesus had shifted from grace to works. It progressed from attempting to earn God’s favor, to gaining the favor of my disciples. “Discipleship” had become a way to leverage my identity and worth in relationship with others. I was comfortable on the pedestal dispensing wisdom and truth.The more …
We must pay attention to how we serve “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:14-15 This final article highlights the fact that God doesn’t save His church …
Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus shows us what discipleship should look like. Knowing the myriad distractions Timothy will encounter, Paul writes in 1 Timothy of the urgency of remaining steadfast. Challenges such as age-related doubts, Paul’s absence, spiritual neglect, and ministry obstacles threaten to steal Timothy’s focus. These issues, unique to Timothy, mirror one of the great stumbling blocks …
