Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Discipleship for
Witnessing
“You
must teach what is in accord with the sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be
temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in
love and in endurance”.( V.1,2 )
In His great commission ( Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus expresses the major components of in the process of making disciples; Baptizing and Disciplining or Teaching. The authority to do this is from the Father, channeled through the Son. The Greek word for Authority is "exousia" which means "permission, authority, right, liberty, or power to do anything." (Dr.Zodhiates' Greek-Hebrew Study Bible). Based on the authority given to Jesus by the Father we are armed with liberty, power and right to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world! The order of sequence in making disciples are Baptizing and Teaching or Discipling the believers. Today’s passage explains the need of sound doctrinal teachings within the Church.
DISCIPLING IN THE CHURCH
Titus 2:1-15 is a Manual for Disciplining. Paul instructed young Titus who was discipled by Paul how to disciple the members of his congregation. It is an age specific and gender specific approach so as not to malign the name of God, or bring shame to the congregation. Evangelist must maintain his personal integrity and his actions should be above reproach. Titus was told to disciple Older Men and Older Women so that they in turn would disciple younger men and younger women respectively. In Titus 2:2-5 Paul lays down the credentials for men and women who will be doing the discipling. "Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance." Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious, gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good." The older women are to learn sound doctrine and share it with their younger sisters in faith.
In His great commission ( Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus expresses the major components of in the process of making disciples; Baptizing and Disciplining or Teaching. The authority to do this is from the Father, channeled through the Son. The Greek word for Authority is "exousia" which means "permission, authority, right, liberty, or power to do anything." (Dr.Zodhiates' Greek-Hebrew Study Bible). Based on the authority given to Jesus by the Father we are armed with liberty, power and right to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world! The order of sequence in making disciples are Baptizing and Teaching or Discipling the believers. Today’s passage explains the need of sound doctrinal teachings within the Church.
DISCIPLING IN THE CHURCH
Titus 2:1-15 is a Manual for Disciplining. Paul instructed young Titus who was discipled by Paul how to disciple the members of his congregation. It is an age specific and gender specific approach so as not to malign the name of God, or bring shame to the congregation. Evangelist must maintain his personal integrity and his actions should be above reproach. Titus was told to disciple Older Men and Older Women so that they in turn would disciple younger men and younger women respectively. In Titus 2:2-5 Paul lays down the credentials for men and women who will be doing the discipling. "Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance." Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious, gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good." The older women are to learn sound doctrine and share it with their younger sisters in faith.
TEACHING MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH
We
need to pay much attention to the teaching/discipling ministry . In our
churches new believers as well as the newly confirmed young people are to be
followed up with sound doctrine and regular scripture reading and fellowship.
Just before His ascension The Lord left us a mandate, making disciples of
all the nation " and gave us authority to do it with His power and
presence. Let us follow His instructions diligently.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me about my responsibility to be a witness. Help me to fulfill my role in discipling new believers and young people to equip them forbeing witnesses for The Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thought For The Day:"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to beashamed rightly dividing the word of truth"( II Tim. 2:15)
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me about my responsibility to be a witness. Help me to fulfill my role in discipling new believers and young people to equip them forbeing witnesses for The Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thought For The Day:"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to beashamed rightly dividing the word of truth"( II Tim. 2:15)
Dr. Mathew T. John , NJMTC, Randolph NJ