The Desperate Need For Discipleship

And happy anniversary to Discipleship Journeys with Jesus!

Podcast (listen-to-this-article-here): Play | Download (Duration: 12:13 — 22.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

The need for discipleship around the world is desperate and immense. In Jesus’ Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20, there is only one grammatical command and it is to “make disciples.” Yet true discipleship is often missing in Christianity.

Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash

In his book The Great Omission, Dallas Willard expressed the problem in this way: “Churches are filled with ‘undiscipled disciples,’ as Jess Moody has called them. Of course there is in reality no such thing. Most problems in contemporary churches can be explained by the fact that members have never decided to follow Christ.”

The need for discipleship creates major difficulties within Christianity, which those who are experienced in worldwide ministry are well aware of and greatly concerned about.

Dr. Marvin J. Newell is Senior Vice President of Missio Nexus, a network of evangelical mission agencies, churches and training centers. He described this desperate need for discipleship in this way:

The lack of genuine changed lives has become the greatest omission of the Great Commission the world over. All too often “proselytes” are made instead of “disciples.” When this happens, churches get filled with bodies that exhibit little evidence of changed beliefs and behaviors.

This results in spiritually apathetic adherents who quickly deteriorate into dysfunctional gatherings or nominal Christianity. They easily become victims of aberrant doctrine, heresy and deviant cults. Although they wear the label “Christian” many are not Christ-followers at all. They are superficial followers of “the way” in need of a genuine conversion experience. This sad state has become the bane of the Church the world over. Superficial conversions and inflated statistics only promote non-authentic outcomes.

To address this distressing need for discipleship, we launched Discipleship Journeys with Jesus(DJJ) in September of 2016, two years ago this month. Our vision is to help provide a clear process of discipleship, especially for the half billion Christians in the Global South who often lack any discipleship materials in their language.

Our DJJ mission statement reads:

“This mission exists to disciple people in actionable, biblical wisdom.”

But this is not just a global issue. It is a personal issue for all believers. The need for discipleship begins with each of us who claim to be a Christian. It begins with our own discipleship and our discipleship of others.

Here are 3 reasons you should walk through the Discipleship Journeys with Jesus lessons:

1. You need discipleship.

Where would you honestly rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 spiritually? Are you a 3, a 5 a 10?

My guess is you’re probably not a 10—there just aren’t many 10’s around.

So, if you’re not a 10, are you satisfied with where you are, and more importantly, is God happy with where you are? Jesus said,

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26 ESV)

When Jesus said “take up his cross and follow me” he pictured total commitment. Gain the world but lose your soul–forget it! Lose your life and you’ll save it—yes!

The free lessons from Discipleship Journeys with Jesus can take you on the journey you’ve always wanted to take—a journey to intimacy with Jesus.

You have a need for discipleship! | CLICK TO TWEET

2. Others need you to guide them in discipleship.

Even if you’re a perfect ten in your walk, others around you are not. Will you help them become true disciples?

The actual command of the Great Commission is NOT “be a disciple.” It’s “make disciples.” Are you making disciples? If you want to be a perfect 10 as a disciple, this is a command of Christ you cannot skip.

For those who think, “I’m nowhere close to a 10, in fact I don’t know if I’m capable, I have some problems.” Oftentimes we think we cannot be a discipler because:

• We don’t have all the answers.

• We’re not perfect enough.

But consider the facts:

• No one has “all the answers.” And actually, the answers to questions in the lessons come right from the biblical text. If you can read, you can answer the questions. If you are thinking of other questions that might be asked, don’t worry, Google has all the answers, or just ask Siri or Alexa. Seriously, there are others who have the answers. No one has all the answers. If you know a little more than someone else, disciple them!

• No one is “perfect.” If you think you’re not perfect enough, that too is not necessarily a reason to avoid discipling others. The original disciples were far from perfect. In fact, every one of them abandoned Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter even denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus predicted. Here’s a better question: Are you willing to pick yourself up again when you fail and keep seeking to follow Jesus? And are you willing to grow? If so, you’re ready to be a disciple-maker.

Not only will your disciples grow as you lead them on the journeys, you will grow, perhaps more than they do!

And don’t worry, the lessons work well for people of any culture or educational level.

3. Making disciples is easy with DJJ.

Discipleship Journeys with Jesus has taken the complexity out of making disciples. It is a simple way to meet the desperate need for discipleship. Anyone can do it—all you have to do is:

• Read a question from the lesson

• Read the Bible

• Answer the question from the Bible

Then the only thing left is to obey what you’ve learned.

Furthermore, we’ve made Discipleship Journeys with Jesus as compelling as we know how:

• It’s free of charge!

• Each lesson includes 2 videos recorded on location in the Bible Lands. We did these so people can see the sites of the journeys.

The journeys are a clear, pathway to Christian maturity.

However, a word of warning: While we’ve made the pathway of disciple-making easy, being a disciple is not necessarily easy. In fact, every Christian will be challenged by the journey lessons. They’re not just for baby believers. Long-time believers will grow deeper in their walk with Jesus.

It has been said that discipleship is “a long obedience in the same direction.” It doesn’t happen overnight. And discipleship doesn’t happen without obedience, a long obedience in the same direction.

However, the rewards are out of this world. As Jesus said in the passage above, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25 ESV)

Conclusion:

So, what’s your next step? I implore you to:

1. Sign up for the FREE Discipleship Journeys with Jesus materials. We’ve made it easy, just go to www.djjministry.org and click where it says, “START YOUR JOURNEY HERE.”

2. Find someone (or several people) to go through the lessons with you. It could be your spouse, a friend, your child, your family, a group of men or women, your grandchild, your Sunday School class, a lunch group at your work and so on.

You won’t do anything more important in your lifetime than to become a fully-devoted disciple of Jesus and help others do the same.

The need for discipleship is immense, but we have an answer. Please check out the lessons at www.djjministry.org

And, if you’re not sure you are indeed a Christian, please go HERE to learn how to be saved now.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• The Goal of the Great Commission is Disciples

• Podcast: What’s the value of 1 to 1 discipleship?

• The Power of Mentoring

• Video: The Great Commission is for ALL Christians

• 3 Reasons You Need a Strategy for Spiritual Growth

• How to Know if You are Truly Saved

• How to Know if You’re a Powerful, Fruitful Christian

• 5 Reasons God’s Definition of Success is Wonderful

• Submit to Get What You Want

• How to Attain Christian Nobility

• Four Kinds of People, Which One Are You?

• Vlog: Build Stuff that Will Last

• Quote card: He is no fool who gives what he cannot lose…

• Quote card: Spurgeon on Being a Missionary

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth

Your Word Is A Lamp For My Feet And A Light For My Path -Psalm 119:105

God’s word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. His word is a lamp because it shows us our need for Jesus Christ, our Savior. God’s word is a lamp in that it also protects us from danger and reveals truth; and His word is a lamp that guides and directs our footsteps.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

One of the ways that my husband demonstrates his love is by doing all he can to ensure my safety and well-being. He ordered me a battery-operated alarm to carry with me that I can use to sound a loud noise if I’m ever in trouble. In addition, there are numerous powerful flashlights in our home, in case I’m in the dark and without electricity. There is a flashlight in my car and I carry one in my handbag as well, all because of his care.

He has also positioned several battery-operated LED lanterns in strategic places throughout the house; such as the kitchen, family room and bedrooms.

My husband has taken all of these precautions because he doesn’t want me to get hurt. He wants me to be safe; therefore, he has equipped me for danger and darkness.

God loves us and wants us safe too; that’s why He’s given us His word as a lamp for our feet. If He didn’t love us; He would have kept us in the dark and not given us the Truth.

His word is called a lamp and a light; because it contains the truth. In it we read about our sinfulness and His holiness. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the true source of Spiritual light. If we receive and follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior; we will not walk in darkness or sin, but we will have the light that leads to life.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’”  (John 8:12 NLT)

God’s word is a lamp for our feet that prepares and equips us for our journey through life.

Proverbs 6:23 says, “The Law of the Lord is a lamp, and its teachings shine brightly. Correction and self-control will lead you through life.” (CEV)

God’s word is a lamp for our feet that shines brightly in a dark world.

Just as it would be dangerous to drive down a dark road without headlights, it is dangerous for us to live without the lamp of God’s word.

We need a lamp for our feet, because sometimes the way is dark and treacherous. We may face obstacles like temptation, deception and numerous false paths intended to harm us.

God’s word is a lamp that gives light and understanding.

The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.” (Psalm 119:130 NLT)

God’s word is a lamp to guide and direct us. Each day we are faced with multiple decisions to make. But, as we read the Bible we can receive guidance and direction.

Psalm 19:8 says, “The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.” (NLT)

God’s word is a lamp that shows us how to live and walk; like a Spiritual compass. His Word illuminates the path for each step and, keeps us from missteps and wrong turns.

Living without the Word of God is like trying to go somewhere you’ve never been without directions.

Do you use the Word of God as a lamp for your feet and a light for your path?

Have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Please click here if you would like to do so now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105 GW) | CLICK TO TWEET

For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• Who Needs Jesus, I’m a Good Person

• Four Powerful Proofs Jesus Lives

• 4 Reasons You Can Love and Trust the Bible Today

• How Digging in the Dirt Proves the Bible is Reliable

• 3 Contradictions of Scripture

• Have You Written Your Own Bible?

• Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

• There is no failure in God’s will,God always gives His best…

• 5 Reasons God’s Definition of Success is Wonderful

• 6 Solutions When You Suffer for Doing Good

• 7 Ways to Pray When You’re Suffering

• Podcast: Why do some Bible versions omit certain verses?

• Video vlog: Twisting Scripture

• Podcast: How do we know we have the right books in the Bible?

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth

Is Living Together Before Marriage a Good Idea?

Some Christians Are Confused About This Issue

Podcast (listen-to-this-article-here): Play | Download (Duration: 9:32 — 17.5MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Living together before marriage is becoming increasingly common in many places around the world. Surprisingly (or perhaps not) it is also becoming more prevalent amongst those who call themselves Christians. In fact, recently I became aware of some Christian parents who were actually insisting that their daughter and her boyfriend live together before marriage to “try things out and make sure they work.” I was astounded, but I understand this is not that uncommon.

Photo by Gabby Orcutt on Unsplash

So, I’d like to help those who are Christians understand what the Bible says about this topic.

Here are the three Scriptural points I’d like to say on this subject, which I will elaborate on below.

God prohibits sex outside of marriage.God gives prohibitions to protect us, not to rob us of pleasure.Sex within marriage is not just God’s suggestion, it is His mandate.

Here are my explanations of these three points related to living together before marriage:

1. God prohibits sex outside of marriage.

Hebrews 13:4 says “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” (ESV)

The word for “sexually immoral” in this verse includes any sex outside the marriage relationship of a man and a woman. It’s the Greek word PORNEIA from which we get our word pornography.

The same word is used in 1 Corinthians 6:18 which warns: “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (ESV)

Sexual immorality is not just to be avoided, Christians are to “flee” or run away from it as fast as they can.

This is a far cry from living together before marriage that some try to legitimize!

Having marriage plans in the future doesn’t mean it’s OK to live together and have sex now. Christians are to maintain purity until the marriage covenant is formalized.

For those who have violated this teaching the answer is to confess sin, receive God’s forgiveness and begin a new path of purity.

2. God gives prohibitions to protect us, not to rob us of pleasure.

It is very important to understand that not living together before marriage is God’s instruction not to rob us of pleasure but to protect us.

How so? Because there is a deeper bond in sexual relations than the mere physical union. If it were merely a physical act, then no one would care who had sexual relations with anyone. However, married people care very deeply that their spouse is exclusive in their sexual expression. Likewise, those in a committed dating relationship want faithfulness also.

In fact, part of the design of sexual expression is to seal the bond between a husband and a wife (see the next point for a deeper explanation).

Sex is God’s wonderful wedding gift to married couples! | CLICK TO TWEET

1 Corinthians 6:18 says it this way, “Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, ‘The two will become one flesh.’” (ESV)

In other words, you must not become one flesh with anyone that you don’t want to be joined to in marriage for the rest of your life. If you do, you’re cheating yourself and the other person.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 gives this challenge, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

For those who are engaged to be married, the same rules apply: wait to have relations until after the marriage has taken place.

3. Sex within marriage is not just God’s suggestion, it is His mandate.

When it comes to sex within marriage, the picture changes completely. Not only is sex permitted, it is commanded by God.

1 Corinthians 7:4-5 says, “A wife belongs to her husband instead of to herself, and a husband belongs to his wife instead of to himself. So don’t refuse sex to each other, unless you agree not to have sex for a little while, in order to spend time in prayer. Then Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (CEV)

This one of God’s commandments that is usually quite easy to obey!

Within marriage God WANTS us to find sexual fulfillment and great joy. He has made this abundantly clear, stating here and in other places that married couples are to find fulfillment in each other.

“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” (Proverbs 5:18-19 ESV)

Conclusion:

Cultural norms change, but the “new morality” is just the old immorality that God has corrected in the Bible. Living together before marriage was a bad idea 2,000 years ago when the Bible was written, and it is just as bad today.

Instead, let’s use sex as God intended—a major part of the glue that makes a married man and woman “one flesh” until “death do us part.”

If you’re not sure you are indeed a Christian, please go HERE to learn how to be saved now.

Help Spread the Word!

If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• Podcast: Why did God invent marriage?

• Why did God Create Marriage?

• How to Deal with Irreconcilable Differences

• 4 Simple Yet Powerful Ways to Protect Your Marriage

• Irreconcilable Selfishness, Grounds for Divorce

• Podcast: Is divorce OK if things just aren’t working?

• 5 Ways to Porn-proof Your Mind and Marriage

• The Toilet Bowl is Swirling — Keep the Lid Closed!

• Podcast: How can I overcome pornography?

• 5 Reasons a Little Porn Will NOT Help Your Marriage

• Can a Christian Support Gay Marriage?

• Seven Guidelines for Discussing Gay Marriage

• What Scripture Says About Homosexuality: Uncut, Uncensored and Unedited

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth