DSMN 500

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Writing Assignment 1

Critique of the Statement to make a disciple who worships Jesus as the goal of Christian Ministry

A Paper Submitted to Dr. Don Clark

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In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Course Discipleship Ministries DSMN 500

By

Gabriel J Skypala (ID# 23522713) 4 September 2011 Contents Title Page Table of Contents Body Introduction What is a Disciple? What is Worship? 1 2 3-7 3

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An Issue of Semantics The Churchs Focus Conclusion Bibliography

Introduction In chapter 8 of his book, Leading, Teaching and Making Disciples, Mitchell states that the purpose of any Christian ministry is to make disciples who worship Jesus1. This statement is true but it needs explanation so we can gain a true understanding of what is implied in this statement and begin to apply it to our ministry. As we dig into Mitchells statement we will take a closer look at what is meant by worship and exactly what a disciple is while taking into account the differing terms used to describe it. What is a disciple? Mitchell, Dr. Michael R. Leading, Teaching and Making Disciples (Bloomington, IN: Crossbooks, 2010), Kindle ebook, locations 562224
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In order to understand what Mitchell means in his statement we must first understand what is meant by disciple. A disciple is defines as one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another as either one of these are one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christs followers according to the Gospel accounts or a convinced adherent of a school or individual.2 Also, a disciple is defined as a name given to the followers of any teacher.3 Looking at the Greek found in the New Testament we find (mathts), which is translated follower or student but going a bit further often a disciple who is a believer and close follower, though other less committed relationships are indicated and student, one tutored, implying a closer relationship than mere information.4 All of these definitions give us a general idea but there is still something lacking. Mitchell uses a quote from Dallas Willard to emphasize this idea saying that discipleship as a term has lost its content.5 In order to gain a better understanding of what a disciple and discipleship is I will turn to Barna. Barna states that discipleship is about reproducing spiritually mature zealots for Christ.6 This definition of discipleship gets the point across much better because the term zealot holds its meaning whereas disciple has become a much overused term and has lost its intended meaning especially in the context of Christian ministry. There is intensity to the word zealous that I believe is crucial for us to associate with being a disciple.7 Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Swanson, J., & Nave, O. (1994). New Nave's. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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Mitchell, Kindle Locations 353-356 Barna, George Growing True Disciples (Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press, 2001) Page 18 IBID
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What is worship? Worship is another word that has lost some of its meaning in my opinion. There is a tendency to associate this with the singing of songs at church. To more fully understand what worship truly is lets look at Romans 12:1. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (NASB). Here we see that worship is something much more than singing. Mitchell tells us that worship is acknowledging God, adoring God, and acting in service for Him.8 It entails living out every aspect of our lives as Jesus would have us and seeking to become imitators of Him in every thought, word and deed.9 Jesus said, Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46, NASB95) and we worship Him by submitting to Him as Lord and Master and doing what He said. An issue of Semantics As we read through Mitchells book it is obvious that much of what he describes is the process of education as discipleship and even brings in the phrase spiritual formation to help us grasp the idea saying that the term has been used to help infuse the ministry process regain some of the meaning that may have been lost in the terms education and discipleship.10 Mitchell defines discipleship as 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 their community and culture. This process anticipates both personal and corporate maturation, operates in both
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Mitchell, Kindle Location 5518-5535 Barna Page 17-18 Mitchell, Kindle location 353-356
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transmissive and reflective content distribution modes, and facilitates an increase in both capacity and maturity.11 It seems to me that all three of these terms essentially mean the same thing when we are talking about the work of Christian ministry and to differentiate between them is mainly an argument of semantics. While education implies a structured learning environment and discipleship implies more of a one on one mentoring they are both essentially spiritual formation which means simply that work is done to mature a believer so that they may grow to worship Jesus in more and more aspects of their life. The Churchs Focus The goal of any biblically based church is going to be in line with Jesus Great Commission in Matthew 28 and that is to make disciples. Whether or not a given church uses the term discipleship it is most definitely a part of what they are interested in doing because it is Jesus final command to his followers and all successive generations of believers in Christ and if we are to call Him Lord we will do what He says and be about making disciples. It truly does not matter which term a church uses because they are essentially the same thing and accomplish the same purpose of maturing a believer. Granted some programs may be more effective than others they all are essentially trying to make disciples who worship Jesus. Each of these three terms are a part of worship. As a person or church seeks to live out the Great Commission they are worshipping Jesus by acknowledging Him, Adoring and praising Him in Word and serving in His name, thus worship. Conclusion

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IBID., Kindle location 5135-5139

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Making disciples is the mission of the Church. Each of us is given gifts to accomplish this goal in the context of a larger body and should be actively engaged in growing and helping others to grow in Christ, thus worshipping Him. If a given body of believers, or church, is not actively making disciples (see Barnas definition specifically the term re-producing) then they are not accomplishing the main work which we have been given. And finally a disciple is known by his fruit and that fruit is worship. Again going back to Barnas definition one who worships

Jesus will give Him all of the glory and in all things submit to Him and such a person can be nothing less than a zealot. So taking Barnas definition of discipleship and Mitchells statement together we can form a clear idea of what the main focus of any given ministry should be and the evidence by which that ministrys effectiveness can be judged.

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Bibliography Mitchell, Dr. Michael R. Leading, Teaching and Making Disciples (Bloomington, IN: Crossbooks, 2010), Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc Swanson, J., & Nave, O. (1994). New Nave's. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems. Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

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