Category Archives: Discipleship

Articles, Discipleship, Education, Prayer, Prophecy, Teaching

Why Study the Gospel of Mark? Part 03

The Hardworking Servant Messiah: 

The Issachar Teaching eLetter has been offering surveys of every one of the sixty-six books of the Bible, in the order that they are found. Our goal is to encourage personal and small group Bible studies, as a means of growing strong spiritually. As we continue and conclude this introduction to the Gospel of Mark, let’s remember a few main points:

  • It is the oldest and shortest of the four gospels;
  • It was written by John Mark, apostle to Africa, understudy to Barnabas, Paul, and Peter;
  • This gospel shows Jesus Christ as the tireless servant of God;
  • The key Greek word is eutheos, used forty-two times and translated ‘immediately’ or ‘straightaway;’ 
  • We also learned why the sometimes disputed verses in Mark 16:9-20 should be considered part of the canon of Scripture.

(Note: If you missed out on Parts 01 and 02 of our Gospel of Mark survey, they can be found on our website: tan.org.au).

Let’s finalise our introduction by offering this Outline of the Gospel of Mark. Have it handy when you endeavour to do your own study of this great gospel.

OUTLINE OF MARK

  1. Part 01: The Energetic Servant Messiah (1:1-8:26)
    1. Forerunner of Messiah (1:1-8)
    2. Baptism of Messiah (1:9-11)
    3. Temptation of Messiah (1:12-13)
    4. Messiah’s Mission & Miracles (1:14-2:12)
      1. Messiah’s Work (1:14-15)
      2. Call of the Disciples (1:16-20)
      3. First miracles (1:21-2:12)
    5. Opposition from the Pharisees (2:1-3:12)
      1. Friend of Sinners (2:13-22)
      2. Working on the Sabbath (2:23-28)
      3. Healing on the Sabbath (3:1-5)
      4. Pharisees seek to Destroy Him (3:6-12)
    6. The Twelve Chosen (3:13-19)
    7. Opposition from friends (3:20-21)
    8. Scribes & the Unpardonable Sin (3:22-30)
    9. Parables of the Messiah (4:1-34)
      1. Soil (4:1-20)
      2. Lamp (4:21-25)
      3. Seed that grows (4:26-29)
      4. Mustard seed (4:30-34
    10. More Miracles from Messiah (4:35-5:43)
      1. Calms the Storm at Sea (4:35-41)
      2. Gadarene Demoniac & the Swine (5:1-20)
      3. Jairus & Jesus (5:21-24)
      4. Woman with Issue of Blood Healed (5:25-34)
      5. Healing of Jairus’ daughter (5:35-43)
    11. Healings and Growing Opposition (6:1-8:26)
      1. Jesus Rejected in Nazareth (6:1-6)
      2. Disciples Sent on Mission (6:7-13)
      3. Execution of John the Baptist (6:14-29)
      4. Disciples: Mission Accomplished (6:30-31)
      5. Feeding of the 5000 (6:32-44)
      6. Jesus Walks on Water (6:45-52)
      7. Healings at Gennesaret (6:53-56)
      8. Pharisees & the Issue of Defilement (7:1-23)
      9. Retreat to the Gentiles (7:24-8:9)
      10. Pharisees Demand a Sign (8:10-13)
      11. Disciples Confused (8:14-21)
      12. Healing of the blind man (8:22-26)
  1. Part 02: The Watershed (8:27-9:29)
    1. Peter Confesses Jesus as Messiah (8:27-33)
    2. Call and Cost of Discipleship (8:34-38)
    3. The Transfiguration (9:1-13)
    4. Demonic Son Delivered (9:14-29
  1. Part 03: The Suffering Servant Messiah (9:30-16:20)
    1. Jesus Predicts His Death (9:30-32)
    2. Doctrine for Disciples (9:33-10:45)
      1. Servant Attitude (9:33-41)
      2. Beware of Hell (9:42-50)
      3. Marriage & Divorce (10:1-12)
      4. Children and the Kingdom of God (10:13-16)
      5. Attitude to wealth – Rich Young Ruler (10:17-27)
      6. Leave and Receive 100-fold (10:28-31)
      7. The Crucifixion predicted (10:32-34)
      8. Key to Greatness (10:35-45)
    3. Healing of Bartimaeus (10:46-52)
    4. Jesus Enters Jerusalem (11:1-19)
      1. Triumphal Entry (11:1-11)
      2. Cursing of the Fig Tree (11:12-14)
      3. Cleansing of the Temple (11:15-19)
    5. Doctrine on Prayer (11:20-26)
      1. Faith & Prayer (11:20-24)
      2. Forgiveness & Prayer (11:25-26)
    6. Jerusalem: Increasing Opposition (11:27-12:44)
      1. Christ’s Authority Questioned (11:27-33)
      2. Question on taxes (12:13-17)
      3. Resurrection Questioned (12:18-27)
      4. The Greatest Commandment (12:28-34)
      5. Christ: Son of David? (12:35-37)
      6. Christ Reproves Jewish Leaders (12:38-44)
    7. The Last Days (13:1-37)
      1. Questions of the Disciples (13:1-4)
      2. The Tribulation Period (13:5-23)
      3. Second Coming of Christ (13:24-27)
      4. The Fig Tree (13:28-31)
      5. Time to Watch (13:32-37)
    8. Passion of Messiah (14:1-15:47)
      1. Conspiracy to Kill Messiah (14:1-2)
      2. Anointing at Bethany (14:3-9)
      3. Judas Plans to Betray Messiah (14:10-11)
      4. Preparation for Passover (14:12-16)
      5. Passover Celebrated (14:17-21)
      6. The First Lord’s Supper (14:22-25)
      7. Peter’s Denial Predicted (14:26-31)
      8. Jesus’ Prayer at Gethsemane (14:32-42)
      9. Judas Betrays Jesus (14:43-52)
      10. Trial of Jesus (14:53-15:14)
      11. Scourging of Jesus (15:15-23)
      12. Crucifixion of Christ (15:24-41)
      13. Burial of Christ (15:42-47)

  1. Part 04: Resurrection of Messiah (16:1-20)
    1. The Resurrection of Christ (16:1-8)
    2. Jesus Appears (16:9-14)
    3. The Great Commission (16:15-18)
    4. Ascension of Messiah (16:19-20)
Articles, Discipleship, Education, Prayer, Prophecy, Teaching

Like a Bamboo Tree: How to Grow Spiritually and Quickly

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Life in the fast lane of the 21st Century requires spiritual strength and maturity. With potholes and speed bumps on the road and deep ditches on the side, it will take an amazingly resilient spiritual condition to keep steady and come out on top.

It is said that the bamboo tree has a very slow start. Its growth is short and measured. Then suddenly it miraculously shoots up overnight. In the coming days, we need to be like a bamboo forest.

Would you like to grow spiritually? And quickly? Experiencing God’s peace at all times, a flourishing prayer life where you get big answers and breakthroughs, and endowed with wisdom that unscrambles every riddle and points the way to a brighter future?

For the born again Christian, there are several key things that facilitate spiritual growth. These include:

1.       Prayer: This is particularly important when it is done ‘in the Spirit’ and also in the ‘understanding’ (1 Corinthians 14:15). Prayer helps you become strong in God; failure to pray renders one spiritually weak (Matthew 26:41).

2.       Discipleship: This is the core of the Great Commission, the only assignment God ever gave the church. Described in Matthew 28:18-20 (and elsewhere), the Commission involves teaching believers to know and obey the commandments of Christ.

3.       Fellowship: Interrelated to prayer and discipleship is fellowship – a key component of Christian life and growth.

TOP PRIORITY

Yet, here is something that should be top priority for every believer. We are called to learn the Word of God. The reasons are wonderful and compelling. The Word of God is:

1.       Protection from error;

2.       Good seed to the seeker, sincere milk to the babe, and strong meat to the mature;

3.       A lamp to our feet and a light to our path;

4.       Able to make you wise to salvation;

5.       Endures forever;

6.       Quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword;

7.       Other metaphors of the Bible: mirror, hammer, fire, laver, honey, rain, snow, bow, gold, and power

It’s simple: Jesus tells us that we don’t live by food alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Without its light, power, nourishment, we become distracted, dark, and weak like any other man.

God’s Word is more important than food itself.

Amos 8:11 speaks about a famine in the land, not of bread and water but of hearing the word of the Lord. There are credible and dramatic reports of an increase of Biblical illiteracy. This is a serious problem, because it prevents us from having a Biblical worldview. When Christians lacks a Biblical worldview, they think, speak, and act like people in the world.

Ignorance of God’s Word leads to serious error (Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:24). Furthermore, spiritual growth is stunted and people are caught off guard when trials and challenges come.

REMEDY

How can we get a healthy diet of God’s Word? It helps to attend services at a Bible-based church, where the Scriptures are preached with faith, anointing, and without compromise. For some, they can only access such priceless messages through the internet.

Even if you get a ‘ten course banquet’ each weekend, it simply is not enough. What about the other six days of the week?

Some think that by going to Bible college, you will become an expert in the Word. This author served as a lecturer and principal in a leading Australian Bible college: No, you will not be an expert at the time of your graduation. Bible college can help lay a good foundation for a life-time of study, but your only beginning, not finishing, your walk in the Word. Nor does Bible college guarantee spiritual growth, particularly if the emphasis more academic than spiritual and practical.

The truth is that spiritual growth comes from a regular intake of God’s Word, particularly quiet time or personal devotions; this is a must. Yet, let’s face it, many do not know how to set aside the time for devotions or even have the discipline of study.

Is there a remedy for all this?

Yes, join or start a small group textual Bible study that is interactive. Provided that the facilitator has a good guide and the participants are given quality material, it is amazing how much you will learn and grow together. It is recommended to do textual studymore than topical study. Both are great but textual study forces you to engage with the very words of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak volumes into your heart. Because you are in an interactive group, iron sharpens iron; you will learn from others and they from you.

Make this a priority and watch for the coming breakthrough in your life.

 

 

 

Articles, Discipleship, Education, Evangelism, Mission, Prophecy, Teaching

What is the Church Part 04: Its Mission

In this important series, we have been exploring the nature of the Christian Church. More than any other ideology or religion, Christianity strongly depends on its founder, Jesus Christ. Not only does it derive its identity from Him, He is alive, well, and highly interactive with His people. We also learned the key activities of the church based on Acts 2:42-47: teaching doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. To this we add acts of power, community, praise and worship, pastoral care, obedience, and discipleship. When the church functions properly, in enjoys community favour while God adds to the congregation more and more saved people.
Now we will explore the church’s mission. What ‘on earth’ is it meant to do?
One – Glory: The church is called to give glory to the Lord (Romans 15:6,9; Ephesians 1:5f, 12, 14, 18; 3:21; II Thessalonians 1:12; I Peter 4:11). We accomplish this through holy living (John 15:8), praise and worship. Though the Psalms are replete with exhortations to ‘praise God,’ the New Testament expects no less. Hebrews 13:15 Tell us to offer a ‘sacrifice of praise’ continually, which is the fruit of our lips. Eternity is not long enough to thank Jesus for such a great salvation.
Two – Edification: Our purpose is to ‘build up’ the church. This is the meaning of the word edification (Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 2:7; I Corinthians 14:26). It is like an athlete going to the gym and doing weight-training in order to build up muscle. Nasty, carnal people are adept at tearing down but those who are born again and spiritual are able to edify in a way that lasts forever. Our modern-day Barnabas’s spend much time encouraging others in the faith; this is one of the great aspects of edification. May their tribe increase.
Three – Holiness: Like so many wonderful doctrines like repentance, regeneration, justification, and sanctification, holiness is most necessary but it is also neglected. Our world is getting darker and without holiness even church people will be cast into the shadows. Holiness is to be separated for God’s purposes. It is to live a life without reproach, blemish, defilement, or corruption. Holiness is heavenly purity. It is also indispensable, because without holiness a person will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:24). It is impossible to give glory to God, in the manner He deserves, if holiness is missing. It is time to return to ‘first things first’ (Ephesians 5:26; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:6-8, 13; I Peter 1:22).
Four – Evangelism: This means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. ‘Gospel’ means good news (Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8). It is wonderfully summarised in I Corinthians 15:3-5: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. When you repent, believe, and receive, you have the gift of the new birth, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. No amount of money could ever purchase this great salvation; it came via the highest price, namely, the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Evangelism is to the church what children are to marriage: it grows and perpetuates.
Five – Discipleship: This is the main objective of the church and evangelism. Evangelism leads the person to faith and discipleship establishes them in the faith. One way to describe discipleship is ‘to follow Jesus with all of your heart, all of the time.’ Following Jesus with some of your heart all of the time, or all of your heart some of the time, is to fail in the call of discipleship. A disciple will become like the Master, but this will be a process, not an event. Discipleship is not an option; it is a divine command (Ephesians 4:12; Matthew 28:20; II Timothy 2:2; Philippians 4:8). When a person is properly discipled, they will live a normal, Biblical, Spirit-empowered Christian life to the glory of God. Failure to disciple means the person may remain no more than an old wineskin, ready to burst asunder when the new wine comes. To ‘make disciples’ in Matthew 28:19 (Greek: matheteusate) is a command, even an imperative. It is of the highest priority to the Lord and thus should be to the church as well.
Six – Mission: This is merely an extension of four and five: to proactively and globally evangelise and disciple people. God is calling the (Gentile) nations to be His people (Acts 15:14). One person aptly said that a person with Christ in their heart is a ‘missionary’ and a person without Christ in their heart is a ‘mission field.’ Whether we go around the block or around the world, we need to put mission as our highest priority until the ‘fullness of the Gentiles’ comes in (Romans 11:25). Mission is another name for ‘the Great Commission,’ to go and make disciples of all nations. The Great Commission is found in all four gospels and in Acts (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8). The Great Commission is the only mission Christ gave His church;
Next Time: How to Fulfil the Mission of the Church

Articles, Discipleship, Education, Evangelism, Mission, Prophecy, Teaching

What is the Church Part 04: Its Mission

In this important series, we have been exploring the nature of the Christian Church. More than any other ideology or religion, Christianity strongly depends on its founder, Jesus Christ. Not only does it derive its identity from Him, He is alive, well, and highly interactive with His people. We also learned the key activities of the church based on Acts 2:42-47: teaching doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. To this we add acts of power, community, praise and worship, pastoral care, obedience, and discipleship. When the church functions properly, in enjoys community favour while God adds to the congregation more and more saved people.
Now we will explore the church’s mission. What ‘on earth’ is it meant to do?
One – Glory: The church is called to give glory to the Lord (Romans 15:6,9; Ephesians 1:5f, 12, 14, 18; 3:21; II Thessalonians 1:12; I Peter 4:11). We accomplish this through holy living (John 15:8), praise and worship. Though the Psalms are replete with exhortations to ‘praise God,’ the New Testament expects no less. Hebrews 13:15 Tell us to offer a ‘sacrifice of praise’ continually, which is the fruit of our lips. Eternity is not long enough to thank Jesus for such a great salvation.
Two – Edification: Our purpose is to ‘build up’ the church. This is the meaning of the word edification (Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 2:7; I Corinthians 14:26). It is like an athlete going to the gym and doing weight-training in order to build up muscle. Nasty, carnal people are adept at tearing down but those who are born again and spiritual are able to edify in a way that lasts forever. Our modern-day Barnabas’s spend much time encouraging others in the faith; this is one of the great aspects of edification. May their tribe increase.
Three – Holiness: Like so many wonderful doctrines like repentance, regeneration, justification, and sanctification, holiness is most necessary but it is also neglected. Our world is getting darker and without holiness even church people will be cast into the shadows. Holiness is to be separated for God’s purposes. It is to live a life without reproach, blemish, defilement, or corruption. Holiness is heavenly purity. It is also indispensable, because without holiness a person will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:24). It is impossible to give glory to God, in the manner He deserves, if holiness is missing. It is time to return to ‘first things first’ (Ephesians 5:26; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:6-8, 13; I Peter 1:22).
Four – Evangelism: This means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. ‘Gospel’ means good news (Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8). It is wonderfully summarised in I Corinthians 15:3-5: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. When you repent, believe, and receive, you have the gift of the new birth, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. No amount of money could ever purchase this great salvation; it came via the highest price, namely, the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Evangelism is to the church what children are to marriage: it grows and perpetuates.
Five – Discipleship: This is the main objective of the church and evangelism. Evangelism leads the person to faith and discipleship establishes them in the faith. One way to describe discipleship is ‘to follow Jesus with all of your heart, all of the time.’ Following Jesus with some of your heart all of the time, or all of your heart some of the time, is to fail in the call of discipleship. A disciple will become like the Master, but this will be a process, not an event. Discipleship is not an option; it is a divine command (Ephesians 4:12; Matthew 28:20; II Timothy 2:2; Philippians 4:8). When a person is properly discipled, they will live a normal, Biblical, Spirit-empowered Christian life to the glory of God. Failure to disciple means the person may remain no more than an old wineskin, ready to burst asunder when the new wine comes. To ‘make disciples’ in Matthew 28:19 (Greek: matheteusate) is a command, even an imperative. It is of the highest priority to the Lord and thus should be to the church as well.
Six – Mission: This is merely an extension of four and five: to proactively and globally evangelise and disciple people. God is calling the (Gentile) nations to be His people (Acts 15:14). One person aptly said that a person with Christ in their heart is a ‘missionary’ and a person without Christ in their heart is a ‘mission field.’ Whether we go around the block or around the world, we need to put mission as our highest priority until the ‘fullness of the Gentiles’ comes in (Romans 11:25). Mission is another name for ‘the Great Commission,’ to go and make disciples of all nations. The Great Commission is found in all four gospels and in Acts (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8). The Great Commission is the only mission Christ gave His church;
Next Time: How to Fulfil the Mission of the Church