Disciple-Making Church Critique - Essay Example

Disciple Making Church By Bill Hull Introduction ABOUT one quarter of the world's population claim to be Christian. They all profess to follow Jesus Christ, yet they are very divided. Some 580,000,000 are said to be Roman Catholic. But since VaticanII there has been a division into Catholic liberals and pro-Latin traditionalists. The estimated 74,000,000members of the Eastern Orthodox religion are divided into various national churches, with differing liturgical rites. As for upwards of 343,000,000Protestants, they are separated into numerous Episcopalian, Lutheran, Calvinist (Presbyterian, Reformed), Baptist, Methodist and other churches. True, with the many religions making up the society right now, there had been a branched out reasoning as to what Christianity actually pertains to. The doctrines that it posses, according to Millard Erickson, author of the book Introducing Christian Doctrine, Christianity could be identified and assessed. In this Chapter Summary Review, the different points presented through the book of Millard shall be noted so as to give a brief overview of the different parts of the author's understanding of Christianity. Brief Summary Theology, as a primary study of God and his ways has actually affected the society for several years of human civilization already. From generation to generation though, the human knowledge about God also changes. With the emergence of philosophical ideas that govern the human society today, the belief about an existing God has been inevitably considered as an important part of the development of the lives of human today. Such belief even assisted the human generations in becoming concerned with their moral standards in life and the way that they follow such guidelines with the things and situations that they are further expected to deal with in life everyday. From this particular part of the discussion featured by the author, he has mentioned that it is indeed necessary that the human society today be able to recognize the major issues with regards the existence of God thus making them realize how much they are supposed to be affected by the said fact about a more superior persona living beyond their understanding. Along with this, understanding about the Bible is actually the main procedure by which a person could learn much about who God is. Certainly, studying and understanding the Bible is the basis of real and trustworthy foundation of theology. Understanding the Bible is not that easy to do. The context of the entire book stresses a certain deepness that is not that easy to comprehend with. Certainly, the procedure in studying the Bible is then perceived to have more complicated vitalities. How then could an individual understand the Bible without actually going to theological institutions and getting a formal education Are individual owners of the Bible given the privilege to understand the Bible Certainly! The Bible is made available and understandable to anybody wanting to gain knowledge from it. Furthermore, the author adds the need to create leaders who would be able to naturally increase the possibility of further making a better ministering process of the churches today. Critical Analysis Understanding the Bible is not that easy to do. The context of the entire book stresses a certain deepness that is not that easy to comprehend with. Certainly, the procedure in studying the Bible is then perceived to have more complicated vitalities. How then could an individual understand the Bible without actually going to theological institutions and getting a formal education Are individual owners of the Bible given the privilege to understand the Bible Certainly! The Bible is made available and understandable to anybody wanting to gain knowledge from it. Elements of Scriptural Convincing Before an individual even starts to study the Bible, he must be primarily convinced that he really believes the principles and the laws that are found in the Bible. How does one assure himself of this truth The following elements shall help him have a clear understanding of this particular truth. Conviction of the truth that he needs to depend upon God's laws A person's conviction that he indeed needs the strength and the guidance of God to be able to live a fruitful life is the primary basis of his faith upon the guidance of God that is outlined in the Bible. Once he does realize this fact, he is then motivated to start his Bible study with a more certain optimism in is vision towards the result of the Bible education that he is about to get. "For this means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you and of the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ" (John 17:3) Getting the accurate knowledge about the truth is a necessary element of conviction if a person is about to study the Scriptures. Willingness to Learn This motivation is strengthened still more by an accurate knowledge of God's purposes. Such knowledge helps to change the very 'force actuating our minds,' the spirit that motivates our thoughts and actions. (Ephesians 4:23,24). An individual's willingness to learn the basic knowledge about life that the Bible offers certainly identifies the ability of the person to actually absorb the lessons that he would primarily grasp form the Bible. Determination to change and apply the principles of God's words IN THE middle of the first centuryC.E., the apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Christian congregation in Rome. In it he highlighted the requirement that true Christians had to make changes. He said: "Quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) Once the lessons of the Bible have been introduced to an individual, it is necessary that the individual acts upon the needs of adjusting one's personality in accord with the policies and principles of the Holy Scriptures. Willingness to adjust one's personality according to the ways of God "The word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) "Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according tothe image of the One who created it."-Colossians 3:9,10. The verses of the scriptures cited above are indeed effective in applying the element of studying the Bible that pertains to personality change. The willingness and the motivation of the individual to change his paths in life certainly identifies his ability to change his personality in accordance with the Bible's suggested path of understanding life and living with it. Ability to communicate with God in fervent prayers "Persevere in prayer." (Romans 12:12) By prayer we address Jehovah, praise him, thank him, and ask for his help. If we ask for help to overcome undesirable personality traits, such as a bad temper, stubbornness, impatience, or pride, God's spirit will back up any efforts we make in harmony with that prayer.-John 14:13,14; James 1:5; 1John 5:14. The ability of people to understand the privilege that they have in terms of communicating with God through prayers help them gain more confidence and faith on whatever they are able to grasp from primarily studying the word of God. Interest in learning not only the major parts of the Bible but the entire book as it is The Bible contains 66 books in two sections, often called the Old Testament and the New Testament. Thirty-nine Bible books were written mainly in Hebrew and 27 in Greek. The Hebrew Scriptures, consisting of Genesis through Malachi, cover creation as well as the first 3,500 years of human history. Examining this part of the Bible, we learn about God's dealings with the Israelites-from their birth as a nation in the 16th centuryB.C.E. on into the 5th centuryB.C.E. The Greek Scriptures, containing the books of Matthew through Revelation, focus on the teachings and activities of Jesus Christ and his disciples during the first centuryC.E. (Knowledge that Leads to Everlasting Life, 16). Certainly, from this particular claim, the Bible could be viewed as a book with a singular theme that leads to one's understanding of the necessity that an individual studying the Bible should study not only several portions of the Bible but the entire book as well. These elements are indeed to be preset within the mind of the individual who aims to study and apply the biblical principles that are embedded within the context of the entire Biblical theme. To understand the effects of the said elements on individual Bible students, the following diagram shall be presented: Diagram 1: The impact of the elements of conviction upon a Bible student Diagram Explanation: The diagram above shows how much the circles containing the elements of conviction affects the learning motivation of the students. As a result, the become more convinced to continue progressing in their study and thus progress as well in their application of the major lessons that they learn from the Bible. True, the application of the elements of conviction before actually studying the bible helps an individual collectively arrange the procedures of learning as to how they fit their needs. The following paragraphs shall discuss on the twelve major methods of studying the Bible: 1 - Method One - The Devotional Method of Bible Study Method one is a method that pertains more on the divine conviction of the student in learning the Bible. The desire of the student based upon his desire in becoming a person who follows the principles of the Bible conscientiously is the primary reason for him to continue learning the basic principles of the Bible. 2 - Method Two - The Chapter Summary Method of Bible Study Every chapter in the Bible is of high importance in connection with the main theme that the Bible intends to portray for its readers. The summarizing procedure that a student does to be able to come up with a single conclusion of what has been read every time the Bible study ends, helps the students recognize the importance of each chapter within their lives. 3 - Method Three - The Character Quality Method of Bible Study The early Christians of the 1st century have left a pattern for the present Christian to follow. Their capability of dealing with the challenges that they had to face way back them and the characteristics and the consequences of their decision certainly have an impact on how the Christians at present act towards the different issues in the society as well as with their personal lives. 4 - Method Four - The Thematic Method of Bible Study Thematic method is based upon the evaluation of the student of the sub-themes of the bible that primarily pertains to the entire theme of the Scriptures which is pointed to the purpose of God for the lives of humans on earth. This method helps the student understand the different idealisms presented in the Bibles and thus get the entire thought of actually applying them within the social and personal activities of the individual himself. 5 - Method Five - The Biographical Method of Bible Study The lives of the people within the historical accounts of the Bible leave a strong impact upon the personality of the people today. Studying their biographical backgrounds would not only increase the knowledge of a student about biblical characters, it would also increase the possibility of the individuals familiarity with what the said characters did and how they fared so far with the decisions that they made. Hence, by this, the student is equipped with the wisdom that he needs to face and decide for his life. 6 - Method Six - The Topical Method of Bible Study Topical method encourages the student to focus on certain topics that primarily interest him. Since the topics interest him, it is not impossible that it would be easier fro him to grasp the lesson's importance. 7 - Method Seven - The Word Study Method of Bible Study This is more of enriching ones knowledge based upon the different vocabularies that are found in the Bible. The vocabulary-based meaning of the context would certainly help the student locate the connection of each Bible book with reach other through the thematic approach of the presentation of the vocabularies of the entire context of the Bible. 8 - Method Eight - The Book Background Method of Bible Study Knowing the Bible's history and how it has been passed on from generations to generation and how it has been preserved amidst all the Christian persecution during the early Years of Christianity helps the students understand how important the Bible really is. 9 - Method Nine - The Book Survey Method of Bible Study Book survey involves the evaluation of the Biblical theme based form book to book. Once students glance on the book and immediately recognize the ideas presented in theta particular book, then the said method has been utilized effectively by the student. 10 - Method Ten - The Chapter Analysis Method of Bible Study Chapter analysis helps the students get the gist of every chapter and thus be bale to explain the said ideas to others when the chapters are being discussed. 11 - Method Eleven - The Book Synthesis Method of Bible Study The condensing of the lessons that were previously studied and carrying them into becoming a single conclusion, it could be noted that the theme of the Bible is certain and thus through this method, the proof of such claim could be well established. 12 - Method Twelve - The Verse by Verse Method of Bible Study Each verse is important in creating the main theme of the bible. Studying each verse and understanding how they are able to affect the lives of the students both personally and socially determines the success of the application of this particular method. Conclusion IT IS only reasonable that God would provide a book of instruction and guidance for mankind. More than 2,500 years ago, a prophet and historian wrote: "It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jeremiah 10:23) Today, the truthfulness of that statement is more evident than ever. True, with the certain methods and elements of studying the Bible presented herein, it could be observed that being able to understand the Bible clearly indeed provides the best benefits that one could ever get form informal yet highly-established procedure of studying. Through understanding Bill Hull's written work, it could not be denied that that process of understanding the matter of discipleship becomes a deeper sense of progress among churches rather than simply considering it as a process of recruitment. Reference: Hull, Bill. The Disciple Making Church. (1998). Revell Publications. Read More