Liberty Theological Seminary

Written Assignment One: What is the Essential Activity of Christian Ministry?

A Paper Submitted to Dr. Rod Earls In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the course Discipleship Ministries DSMN 500

By Deborah M. Baskin 1 April 2013

Page 1 of 10

Introduction Christian education, discipleship, and spiritual formation are words common in theological circles. While some Christians believe these words convey different meanings, others would argue that they are nearly identical in nature. The subtle differences and more obvious similarities of Christian education, discipleship, and spiritual formation will be briefly defined in this paper. This will be followed by a succinct discussion on which of the three a churchs ministry should be most interested in and why this matters in an effective ministry. Finally, worship and growing new disciples will be shown to be important outgrowths of these disciplines. Regardless as to how one defines these terms, they are vital in a biblically sound church. Terms Defined Christian education, as detailed by Michael Mitchell, must include five salient points. Education is the creative process of utilizing external and internal forces to facilitate the functions of teaching and training in promoting and attaining growth and development, enabling complete individuals to comprehend, contemplate, and contribute to the community and culture.1 This definition demonstrates that education is curative, instructive, and inspirational. It should be accomplished by utilizing individual and corporate activities. Finally, its completion should be demonstrated by the learners ability to reproduce and recognition that he is complete
Dr. Michael R. Mitchell, Leading, Teaching, and Making Disciples: World-Class Christian Educa tion in the Church, School and Home (Nashville: CrossBooks Publishing, 2010), 233. Page 2 of 10
1

in Christ.2 In Christian education ones desire is to follow the will of God, which can only be accomplished by recognizing that the Bible is the foundational text.3 A Christian educator may well be thought of as a curriculum designer who seeks to engage persons in education, service, fellowship, proclamation and worship4 Discipleship is becoming a complete and competent follower of Jesus Christ.5 True discipleship becomes an all-consuming task as one exchanges the control of his life to the complete surrender to Christs management.6 Often, discipleship is accompanied by personal sacrifice. In Mark 8:34, Christ said, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.7 These instructions are specific in the denial of self. Discipleship challenges one with the task of learning to follow Christ, which can only be truly accomplished by denial of self and of cross-bearing.8 Discipleship encompasses ones entire life. It is not something that one does, but something that one lives and becomes. In modern
2 3

Ibid., 229 & 256. Sophia Steibel, Christian Education and Spiritual Formation: One and the Same? Christian Education Journal 7, no. 2 (Fall 2010): 34052, http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA239092342&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it =r&p=ITOF&sw=w#.UVEcn3yvyPM.gmail (accessed March 31, 2013). 4 Ibid. 5 George Barna, Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ (Colorado Springs, Colo.: WaterBrook Press, 2001), 17.
6

James Houston, The Future of Spiritual Formation, Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care 4,

no. 2 (2011): 13139,http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA285088189&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it= r&p=AONE&sw=w#.UVEfQRpzwxU.gmail (accessed March 31, 2013).

7 8

Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures will be New American Standard Bible. Houston, 131. Page 3 of 10

society, a disciple cannot physically follow the incarnate Christ. Therefore, one must use the Bible as his means of following the Savior. According to Chris Shirley, Spiritual formation is the sanctification or transformation that happens during the process of intentional discipleship.9 Paul Bramer would appear to agree with Shirleys definition. He asserted that there are practices that help to cultivate ones spiritual formation. These include retreats, reflection through journaling, prayer-reading of Scripture, individual and group spiritual direction, daily and weekly worship and engagement with those in various forms of poverty and alienation.10 However, these definitions and instructions leave out an important piece of the puzzle. One must not neglect the most vital aspect to spiritual formation. In John 14:26, Christ told his disciples the following, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Without the Holy Spirits guidance, mans understanding of the scripture is

Chris Shirley, It Takes a Church to Make a Disciple: An Integrative Model of Discipleship for the

Local Church,Southwestern Journal of Theology 50, no. 2 (Spring 2008): page nr.,http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=95f4e3ad-1c9d-48b4-8029d6130ebcd364%40sessionmgr198&vid=4&hid=118 (accessed March 31, 2013).
10

Paul Bramer, Christian Formation: Tweaking the Paradigm, Christian Education Journal 4, no. 2 (Fall

2007): 35262,http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/docview/205463196?accountid=12085&title=Christian+For mation%3A+Tweaking+the+Paradigm#.UVEeSYjgufA.gmail (accessed March 31, 2013). Page 4 of 10

limited. Spiritual formation refers to the work of the Holy Spirit as persons teach and learn.11 There are shared elements to each of these activities. They all involve intentionality. Each clearly demonstrates that growth, learning, and active involvement with the Triune God are necessary. Also, they are accomplished in both private and community settings. The differences in definitions are slight. Education seems to imply a more formalized program of study with many scholarly texts and articles even referring to the psychological aspects of the process. It appears to be born out of humanitys effort to follow Christ. Discipleship is a result of a personal drive to become Christ-like coupled with the compelling desire to share Christs teachings with others. Spiritual formation could be described to be the end result in the above two by the direction of the Holy Spirit. However, the emerging result of each activity has the same end in mind equipped disciples who can help fulfill the Great Commission due to their devotion to God and mankind. Which of the Three Activities Should a Churchs Ministry Be Most Engaged? Acts 2:42-47 asserted: They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and
Robert Pazmino, Christian Education Is More Than Formation, Christian Education Journal 7, no. 2 (Fall 2010): 35665,http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/docview/757072865?accountid=12085&title=Christian+Edu cation+is+More+Than+Formation#.UVEd9WRvMWs.gmail (accessed March 30, 2013). Page 5 of 10
11

possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. This passage indicated the activities that the early church deemed necessary. They were in the business of discipleship. Following Christ became their all-consuming goal. Self-sacrifice and serving others were demonstrated through the selling of possessions and providing for one anothers needs. But, the first things mentioned in this scripture were teaching and fellowship. These two activities fall into the definitions of all three activities: education, discipleship, and spiritual formations. An integrative approach would be in the best interest of the church. Education without the intended result of the educator is useless. Discipleship without one being totally sold out to Christ would be void of true passion. Spiritual formation without sound biblical education would be blasphemous. Discipleship is not just a program for the local church. If the local church fails in making committed disciples, all the evangelism, teaching, fellowship, worship, and ministry will be empty and powerless.12 The word disciple (230 times in scripture) came from the Greek word mathetes, and it means thought complemented by endeavor.13 Discipleship is the state of being a discipleDiscipleship is not only an internal condition of believers, but also

12 13

Shirley, 212. Ibid., 208. Page 6 of 10

involved active manifestation of their relationship with Jesus Christ.14 As the church educates (disciples), it is critical that the role of the Holy Spirit is not minimized. The Holy Spirit guides persons into all truth (John 16:13)The Spirits guidance is indispensable for both the teaching task and any learning that is hoped for as a fruit of that teaching.15 Evidence of Effective Church Discipleship If a church is effective in her ministry, it will be verified in a couple of ways. The goal of the church is to be reproducing disciples of Christ who grow to maturity and are able to go and make more disciples. A true disciple will be compelled to share the knowledge and love of Christ with others through his actions. The purpose of Christian education is, to so touch the learners whole life that it may become his purpose to do the will of God. 16 Christ told the disciples to go, make disciples and to teach the disciples to follow Him. Finally, worship is another outgrowth of true discipleship and Christian formation. Bramer asserted, The formational objective in worship is that people become perceptive, receptive, and responsive to God, increasingly seeing and reflecting Gods glory, developing profound respect, love and awe for God leading to commitment, honor, and adoration.17 No one can truly worship God without being His disciple. Mitchell suggested that worship of God should
14 15 16 17

Ibid., 211. Pazmino, 357. Steibel, 342. Bramer, 358. Page 7 of 10

follow the preaching of the Word.18 He further emphasized, In other words, God speaks or acts, and we respond to his initiativeWhen a student grows in knowing, loving, and obeying or serving his Master, the inevitable manifestation will be a disciple who worships Jesus.19 Worship is more than singing praises to God. Sacrifice was an integral part of Jewish worship. A modern disciple of Christ will be sacrificial in his living. Active service to Christ and sacrificial ministry to God and his people are proof that discipleship has occurred in the church.20 Conclusion Regardless of how one chooses to define the terms education, discipleship, and spiritual formation, all are necessary ingredients if a church is to have an effective ministry. The leadership must be diligent in teaching the Word and equipping the Saints to be imitators of Christ Jesus. This spiritual objective should be paramount in all church activities. Without the infilling of the Spirit, this task of discipleship would be impossible. When the church is faithful in her ministry of discipleship, the Lord will add to the churchs numbers day by day.

18 19 20

Mitchell, 260. Ibid., 259. Ibid. Page 8 of 10

Bibliography Barna, George. Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ. Colorado Springs, Colo.: WaterBrook Press, 2001. Bramer, Paul. Christian Formation: Tweaking the Paradigm. Christian Education Journal 4, no. 2 (Fall 2007): 35262. http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/docview/205463196?accountid=12 085&title=Christian+Formation%3A+Tweaking+the+Paradigm#.UVEeSYjgufA.gmail(acc essed March 31, 2013). Houston, James. The Future of Spiritual Formation. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care 4, no. 2 (2011): 13139. http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA285088189& v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w#.UVEfQRpzwxU.gmail(accessed March 31, 2013). Mitchell, Dr. Michael R. Leading, Teaching, and Making Disciples: World-Class Christian Education in the Church, School and Home. Nashville: CrossBooks Publishing, 2010. Pazmino, Robert. Christian Education Is More Than Formation. Christian Education Journal 7, no. 2 (Fall 2010): 35665. http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/docview/757072865?accountid=12 085&title=Christian+Education+is+More+Than+Formation#.UVEd9WRvMWs.gmail(acce ssed March 30, 2013). Shirley, Chris. It Takes a Church to Make a Disciple: An Integrative Model of Discipleship for the Local Church. Southwestern Journal of Theology 50, no. 2 (Spring 2008): page nr.http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=95f4 e3ad-1c9d-48b4-8029-d6130ebcd364%40sessionmgr198&vid=4&hid=118 (accessed March 31, 2013). Steibel, Sophia. Christian Education and Spiritual Formation: One and the Same? Christian Education Journal 7, no. 2 (Fall 2010): 34052. http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA239092342&
Page 9 of 10

v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w#.UVEcn3yvyPM.gmail(accessed March 31, 2013).

Page 10 of 10