TED—Theological Education Discourses: The Church // Christian Discipleship

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DIGGING DEEPER

The Church is God's idea, and His plan for this age is demonstrated throughout the book of Acts. 

In Acts, the Bible unfolds the birth of the church and its vital mission to spread the Gospel to all nations. In New Testament times, everywhere the disciples went, they formed churches.  

Today we, too, need the church. Believers need the church to be a strong focal point as they go about on mission for God. But many believers feel they don't need to be a part of a local church.  

The Bible teaches that there are essential and imperative reasons why we need to be a part of a local church in the present day.  

Some reasons for being a part of the church are because the church is:

• God's idea and His plan for this age. (Matthew 16:18)
• Where we worship God. (Acts 2:47; Romans 15:6-7)
• Where we are taught and admonished. (Colossians 3:16)
• Where we receive support and encouragement. (Hebrews 3:13)
• Where we have fellowship with other believers. (Hebrews 10:25; 1 John 1:7)
• Where discipleship is taught and practiced. (John 13:34-35)
• Where we practice the sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. (Acts 2:41; Luke 22:19-20)
• Where believers' spiritual gifts are used to build up the body. (Romans 12: 3-8)
• Where we experience love, grace and forgiveness. (Romans 13:8; Romans 5:21; Ephesians 4:32)
• Where we are on mission together, sharing the Good News of the Gospel, serving God and others. (Matthew 5:16)

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We are thankful for Northland Church. We commit ourselves to be faithful and contribute to our church with our time, talents and treasures. Let Northland Church be a place where we are on mission together as a body of believers so that those who do not yet know Jesus will find salvation, grace and love in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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WHAT NOT TO MISS

The Church 

We believe that the true church is composed of all who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, that those who are thus members of the true church will be eligible for membership in the local church—and they are responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord as well as to the pastors/elders who have the calling of overseeing the congregation. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are to be observed by the church during the present age. The decision to participate in Baptism and the Lord's Supper will be on an individual basis, but this participation is not to be regarded in any sense as a means of salvation. 

KEY SCRIPTURES

Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2- 3; 21:2-3.   

(Baptism/Lord's Supper) Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.  

The Church in Scripture

The church or Ekklesia is a called-out assembly or congregation. We are called out of the dark domain of this world to everlasting light. 

• The word church is not used in the Old Testament.

• While not used in the Old Testament, the coming of the church is prophesied.

• Daniel 9:24–27, Deuteronomy 18:15, Ezekiel 37:24–27, Hosea 11:1, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 8:14, Isaiah 8:22–9:1–2, Isaiah 9:6, Jeremiah 31:15, Micah 5:1-2, Psalm 2, Psalm 16, Psalm 22

• The word church is used 114 times in the New Testament.

• The focus passage is Ephesians 3:20-21.
• The church represents God's rule and reign through all generations.

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Mission and the Church

     The church is made for mission.

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Definition of the Church

• The representation of God's rule and reign to manifest His Kingdom here on earth through those who are in eternal relationship with Him by the finished work of his Son through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

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Two Roles (Offices) in the Church

• Elder whose primary purpose is to oversee.

• 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9

• Deacon whose primary purpose is to serve. 

• 1 Timothy 3:12-14; Acts 6:1-7

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Six Markers of a New Testament Church by Ed Stetzer

1. Function Under the Authority of Scripture. 

2. Have Biblical Leadership.

3. Exercise Biblical Preaching and Teaching. 

4. Partake in Ordinances/Sacraments. 

5. Be in Covenant Community. 

6. Live/Go on Mission Together.

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Activity 

The marks of a New Testament church speak to the activity and purpose of a New Testament believer.  

Christian Discipleship

We believe that we are called with a holy calling to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. The flesh (our natural desire), which in this life is never fully eradicated, must be kept by the Spirit (through our walk of faith) constantly in subjection to Christ, or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives, to the dishonor of our Lord.

KEY SCRIPTURES

Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, 1–2 Peter.

The Big Idea

Jesus' life, death and resurrection can inform anyone's life, but it only transforms the life of someone who has died to themselves and submits to the rule and reign of King Jesus.

What is the Christian Life?

• Being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
• A disciple is a pupil or apprentice, and training is ongoing.
• Making disciples is an element of the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:16-20)
• God is on mission to redeem a people from all peoples to reflect His glory in all spheres of life. 
• Making disciples is the convergence of theology of both the Missio Dei, which is the mission of God, and the Imago Dei, the image of God.
• Discipleship is the redemptive process of learning what it means to be human after the image and likeness of Christ.

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What Does Discipleship Look Like?

• Much of the New Testament, through direct instruction and the telling of stories, informs and demonstrates what this looks like in the life of a Jesus follower.  
• The life of Peter gives us handles to hold onto, which are specific attributes that describe the life of a disciple. (2 Peter 1:3-9)
• Eight attributes of discipleship that consistently show up in the lives of believers who are progressing in spiritual maturity from the LifeWay research study are:

• Bible engagement.
• Obeying God and denying self.
• Serving God and others.
• Sharing Christ.
• Exercising faith.
• Seeking God.
• Building relationships.
• Unashamed (transparency).

Discipleship Must Contain Three Essential Parts:

1. Word - The Bible is the singular source of knowing about God.
2. Community - Just as God exists in community, we were created for relationships.
3. Practices - Those things that grow our understanding and activate our faith, including Bible reading, prayer, generosity, serving and sharing our faith with others.

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What Did Peter's Discipleship Journey Look Like?

• One of the first disciples called and an eyewitness to Jesus' miracles.
• Obeyed Jesus' instruction. 
• He walked on the water and then sank.
• Acknowledged Jesus' deity and said he’d follow Jesus anywhere!
• Jesus told Peter, "I will build my church on you."
• When Jesus predicted His own death and Peter rebuked him, Jesus called Peter Satan.
• In Gethsemane, Peter slept and cut off an ear, then later denied Jesus three times.
• One of the first who encountered the risen Jesus.
• He received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• After Jesus died and appeared to the disciples, Peter confessed his love for Jesus three times at the Sea of Tiberias.
• Taught in the early church and raised to life a girl who had died.
• In prison, set an example for the Christians.
• He requested to be crucified upside down.

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None of us know when our last day will be — or the circumstances. The question isn't, “How would you die?” or “How would you die for King Jesus?" The question is: “How will we choose to live?" 

Peter was willing to live the life of a disciple, a Christ follower. (2 Peter 3:14-18)

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Life Application

As shared in the sermon, Lifeway Research conducted a Transformational Discipleship Project and presented eight attributes of discipleship that, based on their research, are at work consistently in the life of believers who are growing in their faith and spiritual maturity. The eight attributes that they found are: 

• Bible engagement
• Obeying God and denying self
• Serving God and others
• Sharing Christ
• Exercising faith
• Seeking God
• Building relationships
• Unashamed (transparency)

Take time this week to complete this Discipleship Questionnaire to receive personalized feedback on your next discipleship steps.

• https://northlandchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/579431

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Small Group Discussion Questions

• What was the name and location of the first church you remember attending?
• Why is it important that believers be a part of a church?
• What is discipleship? 
• How do you measure your spiritual growth as a believer?
• What spiritual practices or exercises help you grow in your Christian maturity? 
• Take the Discipleship Survey: https://northlandchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/579431. What did you learn about your discipleship journey?
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Daily Devotional Bible Passages

• Day 1- Authority of Scripture-Isaiah 40:8; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21‍
• Day 2-Biblical Leadership-Proverbs 11:14; Matthew 20:26-28; Romans 12:3-8
• Day 3- Community-1 John 1:7; Galatians 6:2; Matthew 18:20
• Day 4-Discipleship-Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 9:23-24; John 13:34-35
• Day 5-Mission-Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I ask that you give me wisdom and direction as I seek to grow in my relationship and faith with you. Let me be a disciple who contributes to my church with my time, talents and treasures. Help me to share my faith boldly and be on mission for you. Open up opportunities for me to invite others to come to Northland so that they can experience your love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

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Additional Resources

• Discipleship Questionnaire
• https://northlandchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/579431
• LIFE² Groups
• Fall LIFE² Groups
• All LIFE² Groups