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Tag: March 2

  • Essential Actions of a Discipler

    1 Thessalonians 3:2 “And sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,”

    Defining what discipleship is and what a discipler does brings about many discussions.  As I look to God’s Word, I find one verse after another from the teaching of the apostle Paul that explains what a discipler does thus defining for us what discipleship is.  Here in this verse, Paul tells the Thessalonians the purpose of Timothy coming to them and in doing so reveals what it means to be a discipler and the primary actions of a discipler. 

    First notice that Paul described the character of Timothy as a discipler must be an example. 
    As a reminder, there is one tremendous verse on being an example that anyone wanting to be a discipler must know and live out.  I speak of 1 Timothy 4:12 which says, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

    Secondly, to disciple a person is to help them become established or firm in their faith. They are to be taught to know what they believe AND why they believe it. 
    1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

    Thirdly, we find discipling others calls for encouraging them as they run the race God has for them. Just as Moses was to encourage Joshua we are to encourage those we disciple. 

    From this one verse, we learn three essentials of being a discipler and doing the actions of discipleship.  Be an example to the disciple, teach them what to know and why they should know it to establish their faith, and give encouragement as to them as they run the race with endurance that God has set for them. 

    My checklist for myself as I disciple is what are they learning from what they are seeing (example).
    What are they learning from what I am intentionally teaching to establish their beliefs and behavior?
    What are they hearing from me to stay running strong in the race? (encouragement)

    Continue Strong being a disciple that disciples,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Learning the Behaviors Of A Believer

    Titus 3:2 “Remind them “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

    The Apostle Paul is laying out for Titus the behaviors of a believer. Titus 3:1 begins with remind them and as we look at verse 2 we are to be reminded to not speak evil (slander) of others, of anyone. The phrase, “If you can’t say anything good then don’t say anything at all” has roots in Titus 3:2. Not only are we to not speak evil of another we are to avoid quarreling or fighting.  In other words, we are not to be attacking others.

    Then, as the Apostle so often does, he moves from what we should not do to what we should do. We are to be gentle with one another. Handle with care is the idea.  Instead of slandering and attacking, we are caring and sensitive with each other. Each person is to be shown courtesy, meaning we treat them with dignity and respect. Instead of backbiting and criticizing, we are to be courteous and gentle.

    We have some major contrasts here in behavior. As believers, we do live differently.

    Are you tearing up people or are you building up people?

    A March To Remember Day 2

    With our Date the Word daily devotion for March we are including a verse for each day and suggesting 2 chapters to read that will help us remember our Savior as we make our way to Easter on March 31.  

    For March 2, let us consider 1 John 2:2as it says, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”  

    That big word propitiation means that on the cross Jesus took all the wrath of God to the point God was satisfied.  Jesus was the wrath absorber the cross for us – for you – for the entire world.  May our hearts proclaim what a Savior on March 2 as we Remember our Savior from 1 John 2:2

    On March 2 we would encourage you to read Matthew 2andPhilippians 2.
    We encourage you to go to the new DATE the Word App and join the Bible Reading plan where you can read or listen to Matthew 2 and Philippians 2 to be reminded that Jesus was obedient unto death.  

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word