BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #55

From “Discipleship and Discipline” by William H. Hicks, copyright March, 2005:

“Paul gave Timothy insight and instruction into how “one ought to conduct himself in the household of God”, to put this “truth” into practice as would a disciple (in I Timothy 3: 15). Paul encourages Timothy to be dedicated to truth, to be a “pillar and support of the truth.” Paul describes how a disciple is a leader in the home, and in the church, the “household of God.” Paul makes sure that Timothy understands that being a disciple is “work” that one must “desire to do” (I Timothy 3: 1). Discipline is the consistent application of truth to one’s life. Spiritual growth occurs only when one is dedicated to the truth; honesty is the predicate to growth.

A disciple’s personal life must be in order, manifesting that his relationship with the truth, with God, is in ‘good working order’. Being dedicated to the truth- “Thy Word is truth” (John 17: 17), a disciple “must be above reproach, the husband of one wife; temperate; prudent; respectable; hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle; peaceable; free from the love of money; he must manage his own household well, be a good parent; as a leader in the household of God not a new convert, but one having been tested; he must have a good reputation with those outside the household; he must be honest; she must be dignified; self-controlled; not a gossiper and, he must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.””

About THE DISCIPLE

William H. “Bill” Hicks is a graduate of Wesleyan University, BA, Religion, 1971 who also holds a Masters in Public Health Degree (MPH) from the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health (1973). Bill also has studied at the Dallas Theological Seminary. He grew up in Harlem, New York City, USA during the 1950s and 1960s, graduating from high school before attending Mount Hermon Preparatory School and undergraduate school in Connecticut. He has spent most of his professional life in the public health arena, while being constantly in ministry. He received his license to preach the Gospel at Oklahoma City, OK in 1971. He has written extensively on Christian topics. He enjoys life in Chattanooga, TN with former District Public Defender Ardena Garth Hicks, his wife of 30 years. They have two daughters, Rachel (BA, University of Memphis magna cum laude, 2014) and Sarah (Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, Global Scholar, University of Tulsa, 2017).

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