DISCIPLESHIP AND DISCIPLINE

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

“The fifth responsibility of a disciple of Christ is to bear fruit.  Jesus said, in John 15: 8, “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” What is this fruit?  As noted above, the nature of this fruit to be borne by disciples is found inGalatians 5: 22 – 23, where Paul writes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Please refer back to the prior discussion (page 12 or 13) on this subject.  What does it mean to “prove”?  To prove, or demonstrate, is here closely related to the greek word “pistis” or faith, and connotes complete assurance.

One may suggest that by this prescription we are doomed to fail, because none can achieve it.  Indeed, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3: 23); however, in that we are not perfect, yet are being perfected, we disciples of Christ must strive to emulate His example, and desire in our hearts to show forth the fruit of the Spirit, which we cannot accomplish on our own (John 15:5).  Yet, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4: 13).  And again, in Deuteronomy 30: 6, “Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live.”  And finally, in Jeremiah 24: 7, “And I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.””

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

“The Life of a Disciple

The fourth responsibility of a disciple of Christ is to be a teacher of God’s Word.   Teaching may be considered to be the core of the discipling transaction.  It is the “show me the money”, the payoff, of the discipling relationship between teacher and disciple.  The currency of this transaction is the Word of God coupled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit of God, the sharing experience between teacher and disciple and the ‘akou’ (gr.), “effectual hearing and doing” on the part of the disciple.  It is obvious from Paul’s letter that Timothy has the spiritual gift of teaching.  He is encouraged by Paul to cultivate and nurture his gift (I Timothy 4:13 – 16).

In II Timothy 2: 2, Paul tells us why disciples should teach: “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others.”  And again, in II Timothy 4: 2, Paul writes: “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”  So, we conclude that disciples must also be teachers.  This is consistent with the Great Commission, wherein we are called upon to “make disciples of all men, teaching them whatsoever I have commanded you”.”

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

“In I Timothy 4: 16, Paul gives another reason why disciples should be diligent students of God’s word: “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”  “Go and make disciples of all the nations…”  There are two effective means of teaching someone: by concept, or instruction and by precept, or example.  An even more effective means to teach, to get one’s point across, is to combine the two approaches.  Paul addresses this concept twice in the scripture just cited.  He admonishes Timothy to pay close attention to himself- his behavior, his need to remain disciplined and diligent in the study of God’s Word.   He also tells Timothy to pay close attention to his teaching. The best way to do so is to be rooted and grounded in your Source material.   In I Timothy 4: 13 – 15, Paul has provided Timothy with both instruction and encouragement: “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.  Do not neglect the spiritual gift (of teaching) within you, which was bestowed upon you through the laying on of hands by the presbytery.  Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all.” This requires study- diligent study.  Thus, we must be diligent students of God’s word- taking pains and being absorbed in it- because it is incumbent upon us to pass it on, to teach others what ‘thus saith the Lord’.”

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

“The third responsibility of a disciple is to be a diligent student of God’s Word.  Why here the emphasis on being a diligent student of God’s Word?  II Timothy 2: 15 encourages us to “Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”  This is the foundation scripture for the AWANA program (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed), a youth-focused program designed to spread the gospel and to build church census.  As a young boy growing up in the African American church, we were taught the Ten Commandments.  As an exercise in Sunday School, we were called upon to recite the Ten Commandments from memory.  The King James Version.  The implication I received over time was that I was righteous for having learned to recite the Commandments.  However, the Lord makes clear, in Deuteronomy 6: 3, that recitation is not all that is required:  “O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.”  At Hebrews 11: 6, the KJV encourages disciples to “diligently seek” the Lord.”

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

“The second responsibility of Christ’s disciples is to be a student of God’s Word.  In II Timothy 1: 13, Paul encourages Timothy as follows:  “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”  We disciples should have the same attitude as the Berean Christians who, Paul notes, “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.”  (Acts 17: 11).  Our Lord Himself said, in John 8: 31, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples;” and again, in John 8: 47, He says, “He who is of God hears the words of God;”; and again, in John 14: 23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.”  When I was a young boy (7 – 12 years old), we were in church all day on Sundays.  We attended Sunday School at 9:30AM, 11:00AM worship, had dinner at church at about 1:30PM to 3:00PM, had afternoon worship beginning at 3:00PM or 4:00PM, and then had evening worship beginning at 7:00PM.  That’s a long time for a kid to be in church!  Between worship services, particularly between the 11:00 AM service and the afternoon service, I would stand in the pulpit and read the Bible.  For hours at a time.  I would read any Scripture that I could.  I didn’t know that God was working on me even then; I just was totally absorbed in His Word.”

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

“Paul emphasizes the importance of intercessory prayer to the discipling process in Ephesians 6.  In verse 18 – 19, he writes, “With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,…”

It is clear that disciples should pray for those who spread the gospel.  There is the clear, emphatic affirmation that prayer is not easy.  Most of us think nothing of falling on our knees before God and praying- until we get there!  When Paul says that we should “be on the alert with all perseverance”, it becomes apparent that prayer can be a battle and being “on your knees” becomes a “theater of operations”- a military term which describes the field of battle, of major conflict.”

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

“The Responsibilities of Disciples

In Matthew 5: 16, Our Lord says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  My pastor, W. McKinley Holloway, Jr., often points out that we disciples of Christ are the wicks, God’s Word is the spark that lights our fire, and the Holy Spirit is the fuel, the oil that keeps us burning.  Paul, in his writings to his spiritual son, Timothy, delineated the responsibilities of disciples of Christ.  The first responsibility we agree to accept is prayerful intercession.  I Timothy 2: 1 – 4 says, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  Thus, prayerful intercession is an essential ingredient in the process of being and making disciples.  Disciples are charged to “pray for those who persecute you, in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;” (Matthew 5: 44b – 45a), and to “Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5: 17).”