New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ - Book Report/Review Example

Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ BY GEORGE BARNA Content Summary and Reflections With the many religions around the world, George Barna tried to decipher the differences of each religious affiliation so as to identify the definitive factors that contribute to the success in discipleship that each particular church adapts into. It could be noted that through the statistical data that the author collected from all his researches, he was able to make a manifestation that that churches displaying much success in disciple making are the ones aiming to make their members more Christ like than those other churches that are primarily aiming to increase their number of members. Understandably, through this particular manner, he was able to pick certain points of importance that highlighted the successful strategies of living a spiritually mature life as incited by the church within the individuals whose personality they hone. In the book of George Barna entitled "Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ" he naturally notes the different issues that are involved in Christian discipleship today. Based on collected statistical data and system comparison, he was able to identify the problems of modern discipleship and was then able to give ample solutions to the ways by which the said process is taken into consideration by the Christian churches at preset. Making A Bible-Based Spiritual Development: The Key to Successful Discipleship 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. The procedure to be taken is not based upon quite an arranged system that is followed in formal institutions of theology. Opposite from what people think, studying the Bible is quite easy. What's not easy is the fact that there are required elements of being scripturally convinced of an individual before the success of the said study could be expected. There are at least six major elements of being scripturally convinced (Barna, 16); and at least 12 major procedures of studying the Bible (Barna, 17). 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. 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. Overall Reaction and Reflection Barna describes discipleship in this reading as an important part of church development. However, more than that, he also noted that the said matter is considered to be among the most important developmental procedures that ay individual could receive. Undoubtedly every human deserves to know about God, and the Christian churches today that recognize that are the ones that are most successful in establishing a strong sense in discipleship. It is undeniably true that such matter is seriously considered as something most important in the sense of establishing spiritual maturity among human individuals who are longing for guidance. Naturally, a successful manner of discipleship is then reflected by the author to be based upon the real essence of igniting the people's passion for God as well as for His principles for living as noted in the Bible. Reference: Barna George, "Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ" Colorado Springs; Water Brooks 2001. ISBN 157856439. Read More