The Life of a Disciple-Maker
Jerry N Watts
Ephesians 4:1-6
- The more I learn about Paul and his connection to the church at Ephesus, the more I understand his passion, urgency, and instruction. He was deeply concerned about the people who made up the church in Ephesus, he wanted them to live 'in Christ' as disciples and disciple-makers so that they would reach and disciple their entire community with the gospel. Thinking about this, I offer, the very reason churches, us included, have so many 'inactive church members' is because of the lack of this process.
- During my time here, I have talked about discipleship. Discipleship is simply the process of making disciples who make disciples, which expands the Kingdom extends the reach of the local church. In order to have this type of process, the beginning is understanding who we are in Christ.
- This first half of this letter was written so he could help them understand their position, power, and his personal prayer for them in Christ. Largely, the first 3 chapters are what we might say "doctrinal". He wanted them (and us) to have a firm Spiritual foundation upon which to walk or live.
- The town of Ephesus was not an easy culture to navigate. There were many mystical religions and other belief systems. Magic and Gnosticism were both prominent in the town. When I think about it, it seems to me that modern day American's default religion has become Pragmatic Gnosticism. Why? We won't talk about the dualism (another time), but the root word is gnosis which means 'revealed knowledge'. Of all the things that plague us today, it is this thing of "knowledge." We were told in the 70's that by the 90's information would be the currency for the future. Now today, we are in the place that we CAN find information in seconds, and we are expected to know information. Information seems to have replaced discipleship and/or commitment to following after Jesus with our whole hearts.
- This reminds me of Jeremiah ...
Jerry N Watts
Ephesians 4:1-6
- The more I learn about Paul and his connection to the church at Ephesus, the more I understand his passion, urgency, and instruction. He was deeply concerned about the people who made up the church in Ephesus, he wanted them to live 'in Christ' as disciples and disciple-makers so that they would reach and disciple their entire community with the gospel. Thinking about this, I offer, the very reason churches, us included, have so many 'inactive church members' is because of the lack of this process.
- During my time here, I have talked about discipleship. Discipleship is simply the process of making disciples who make disciples, which expands the Kingdom extends the reach of the local church. In order to have this type of process, the beginning is understanding who we are in Christ.
- This first half of this letter was written so he could help them understand their position, power, and his personal prayer for them in Christ. Largely, the first 3 chapters are what we might say "doctrinal". He wanted them (and us) to have a firm Spiritual foundation upon which to walk or live.
- The town of Ephesus was not an easy culture to navigate. There were many mystical religions and other belief systems. Magic and Gnosticism were both prominent in the town. When I think about it, it seems to me that modern day American's default religion has become Pragmatic Gnosticism. Why? We won't talk about the dualism (another time), but the root word is gnosis which means 'revealed knowledge'. Of all the things that plague us today, it is this thing of "knowledge." We were told in the 70's that by the 90's information would be the currency for the future. Now today, we are in the place that we CAN find information in seconds, and we are expected to know information. Information seems to have replaced discipleship and/or commitment to following after Jesus with our whole hearts.
- This reminds me of Jeremiah ...
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