t-c

How can we justify a desire for rewards for our labor in light of God’s free gift of salvation and our love for him Because it is motivated by a love for God and His will for our lives, as well as love for our neighbors who do not know God. The rewards are a by product of a life focused on living for God and doing His will. What does Christ reward? Christ abides in the Father (John 15), and calls us to abide in Him; as we do this, our life will bear much fruit and we will be in obedience to Christ. What doesn’t he reward? Disobedience to Christ and working for man's approval over God's approval. When we work for man's approval, we have already received our reward in our earthly life. Why should showing accountability to our Master bring us pleasure? Because our will is in line with His will and we have the joy that comes from intimate fellowship with Jesus; even when our circumstances aren't all that great. We enjoy the fruit of the Spirit,(Galatians 5:22) which is key to an abundant life, rooted in obedience to Christ. How does it motivate us? To love Him, know Him completely and to do His will. To desire a growing and intimate walk with the Lord, until He calls us home.

Hi, I'm from Wyoming, this is my first online study and the first time I've joined and posted on a forum. I look forward to this study and where God will led us through it.

What is the role of the Word of God in molding disciples’ lives? It is all impotant to the disciple. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is God-breathed, and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Does it have a power of its own? John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The power of the Word of God goes beyond our ability to comprehend. How does that seem to operate? Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return from it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seeds for the sower and bread for the eater, so my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. What are the implications for disciplers of this powerful action of the Word? An effective discipler of others, needs to know God's Word; to hold on, rely upon, and cling to it. Because it is the answer for all of life's questions and is relevant in all situations they may face as a discipler of others.

Why are “fatherly” roles so important to making disciples? Fatherly roles and motherly roles in discipling are equally important and together reflect God's charge to Christian parents to raise up (disciple) children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. The fatherly roles in disclipling others, complements and completes what Paul said in verses 2:6b-8 about motherly roles. We are all God's children and His love is complete and perfect, encompassing both roles in our lives. How effectively do you think women can adopt these traits? I think that they can be very effective, especially as they understand the importance of this role. To seek through prayer, for discernment and knowledge and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. God will give us what we need when we need it, as we seek Him and acknowledge Him.

Why are “motherly” nurturing qualities so important to growing disciples? I think that these nuturing qualities showed how much Paul cared about and loved those he was disclipling as well as ecouraging them in their faith. It fulfills the second part of the great commandment in Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." In 1 Corinthians 13, is says that in all we do, if we do not have love, we are nothing. It is also a picture of God's love for for his children. We are all sons and daughters of the Most High, who loves us more than anyone ever could. How effectively can male disciplers adopt some of these traits? 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul says,"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."

Which of the character flaws mentioned in these verses is the greatest problem in the church? Why do you say that? That's a tough question. They all are problems today, and I can only speak from what I see here in America. The media and culture and the complete absence of truth or anything that resembles it, are having, I believe an effect on the church. So the church finds itself wanting to be in step with the culture and in the process becomes man-pleasers. Tickling the ears of the hearer. Instead of the church transforming the culture, it seems the culture might be transforming the church. We are in a battle here in America, where the culture says, truth is relative and different for every person and "everyone does what is right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25 But Jesus say," I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me." John 14:6 How can you prevent one of these character flaws from overtaking you? To stay in the Word so that I will recognize false teaching when you hear it. Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13 To continue to submit yourself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? Because if you are a disciple or a discipler of Jesus Christ you will be hated by the world. John 15:18 " If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first." Jesus is the savior of the world, but He is also a stumbling block to unbelievers. If you proclaim the name of Christ you will face opposition and rejection. Fear, (lack of courage) is not from God. 1 Timothy 1:7 For I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. You will need the courage that comes from the indwelling leadership of the Holy Spirit to stand in the face of persecution and rejection. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? If evangelism is going to be powerful and effective it must be fueled by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. So, in the face of fear (lack of courage) evangelism doesn't take place. We tend to remain quiet and leave evangelism to others who we deem are more gifted in that area than we are; while others in our scope of influence, needing the good news, don't hear it from us. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? Once again God did not give us a spirit of fear; so if there is lack or courage in the pulpit, then the message will tend to be preached and inspired by man; and will be a watered down, weak version of gospel truth that will not have the transformative power of the unaltered, unedited, word of God, preached in the confidence, passion and power of the Holy Spirit. The congregation under this leadership would likely be misled and spiritually weakened by the messages received from the pulpit, much like; "A little yeast works through a whole batch of dough." Galatians 5:9 What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? To remain faithful to Him and to be in prayer about that next step and where it may lead; that God would give me faith and the courage to go where He would want me to go. For I am not a courageous man.

I agree that verse 10 articulates the gospel message very well. I guess what it shows me is that Christ came and completed his work here on earth, gave us the Holy Spirit, and has given us the charge to take the message of Savation to a many people as possible until He returns. I think the elements are all important and its hard to single out just one. There are none less important than the others; but there is one that is very relevant to us as believers. That is that God's wrath is coming upon sin. As believers, we need to ready for Christ return; but we should also have a heightened awareness of the lost around us. To be in prayer for them and to actively share the good news of Jesus Christ with them. They are the object of God's wrath; the ones who have thus far rejected Jesus as Lord and Savior. The is a world out there in desperate need of the good new of Jesus Christ. We are the church, the body of Christ, and the ones to bring it to them. The wrath to come and the Body of Christ's role needs to be spoken.

Imitation is all important; As Jesus rebukes the Pharisees in Matt 23:15 we see the result of imitating poor leadership. " Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you turn him into twice as much a son of hell as you are." Ministries that focus on the discipleship or the mentoring of new believers. Jesus left us a great example of this, as He daily taught His disciples and those who became His followers. In John 15:5 Jesus says, " I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Paul later followed Jesus's example. Poor character can produce in their followers bad character and bad fruit. This multiplied over many times could cause a church to break apart and eventually fail, That is why it is so important to be in God's word and to rely on the Holy Spirit; we'll have the discernment to see right from wrong. In Hebrews 10:25 it reads, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." We are Christ's body here in this world and we all have a function to perform. If we aren't there, we suffer and others do also because we aren't there to be what God has created us to be; the same applies if we withdraw from the world and isolate ourselves. The Christian community helps us grow and our presence help others grow. We help to keep each other accountable. Proverbs 27:17 reads: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpen another." In isolation we we can be easily misled and fail to grow spiritually. It's all important; as a father, bad character in me leads to the same in my children; as well as poor spiritual leadership of our family. It also causes disharmony in our family that could lead to marital problems as well as other negative issues with our kids as they grow older, including the rejection of our faith.

With the power of Christ in us (the Holy Spirit) we can do all things, without Him we can do nothing. Paul was led into Macedonia and Thessalonica by the Holy Spirit. (Acts 16:9) And that church's success was a result of God's timing, Paul obedience, and Thessalonians readiness to receive the Truth. It will be manpowered ministry, and may even accomplish some good works, but will never accomplish what it could have if the power of the Holy Spirit is not the driving force behind it. The Holy Spirit sends us out and equips us to be successful. Our efforts alone are domed to eventual failure. The miracles were evidence that Paul's teachings of Christ, His suffering, crucifiction, and ressurection were indeed true. They led the people to believe that Paul was sent by God, with miraculus powers, to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them. They added tremendous weight and credibility to the message. Here in the U.S., we generally don't feel we need Jesus to save us, because we have so much and are distracted by the fast pace, entertainment and prosperity of this culture. (the things of this world) When disaster and need come to us we are broken and are open to the Gospel Message. Miracles from God in evangelism would be a powerful witness of God's presence, but Jesus in His time, tired of showing the people signs and wonders. Faith comes by hearing the Word, and sooner or later we must go from being disinterested, to seeking, to believing. I think as believers, if we would step out in the power of the Holy Spirit and proclaim the gospel message with boldness to those around us, God would do great things. We need to confess and repent of our sins, get right with God, and do what we know He has called us to do. Lack of prayer and time in God's word, sin in our lives, fear, being overly busy, worldliness and not believing that God has called each of us and will equip us to take His gospel message everywhere we go. We would see more miricacles if we all got right with God and truly believed what we read in the Bible!

They were losing their importance, power and some of their congregation to another man, whose teaching went against their beliefs. They had jealous hearts, that weren't open to the truth. Paul had met Jesus on the road to Damascus and was forever transformed.He became a "bond servant" of Jesus Christ; a slave to Christ and His righteousness. He considered it an honor to suffer in the name of Jesus Christ. Preaching the gospel was an outpouring of the joy he had in Christ; it was his indenity. No, even though that would be our natural inclination. I think a violent reaction shows that the truth of the gospel of Christ is hitting the mark. I have heard it said that "persecution is Satan's reaction to the presence of God",(truth) Although it is easier said than done! I have never had to stand up against a violent reaction to the gospel message, as Paul did and many around the world continue to experience today. That comes as a result of the power of God (Holy Spirit) working through us to accomplish His purposes.