Discipleship Vs. Bible Study

Today's lesson will focus on the distinction between discipleship and Bible study. It's crucial to recognize that these are not interchangeable terms, and as leaders, we should understand their unique attributes for effective ministry. When conducting a Bible study, especially on online platforms, clarity is essential. If a session is advertised with a specific subject, it's vital to stay focused on that topic. Straying into unrelated discussions can confuse participants and lead them to disengage. Discipleship, on the other hand, involves guiding individuals towards a deeper understanding of the scriptures in the context of their personal spiritual lives. Discipleship is tailored to the unique needs of individuals, bringing them face to face with the Word and helping them embody the teachings in their lives.

Discipleship Explained

The term discipleship originates from "discipline," emphasizing the level of effort required to guide individuals toward aligning with God's heart, mind, and Word. Discipleship involves convincing people to discipline themselves in the Word, leading them to take on the mind of Christ.

Submitting to the mind of Christ is a natural outcome of discipleship. It involves thinking and feeling like Him, resulting in attributes such as patience, love, and long-suffering. It is not a struggle for those who are born again, because they are new creatures, fashioned in righteousness according to Ephesians 4:24.

In discipleship, we follow the example set by Jesus, who addressed the spiritual disposition of his disciples. For instance, when they struggled to cast out a demon, Jesus identified the root cause – their unbelief – and provided personalized guidance. This approach goes beyond a generic Bible study and delves into the spiritual location and needs of the individuals involved.

In a Bible study, the focus is on exploring and explaining the Scriptures in a meticulous, line-by-line manner, giving glory to God. This involves breaking down the phrases and delving into their meanings. On the other hand, discipleship centers around the personal spiritual disposition of those present.

Discipleship goes beyond addressing the entire body of Christ; it zooms in on the individuals in attendance. This targeted approach is powerful in addressing the specific needs and growth of the individuals present. This requires much discernment as it's not a generic message for everyone, but a tailored discussion for those in the room.

Side note: Discipleship and bible study should not be confused with preaching. While some aspects can be shared in both discipleship and preaching, there are topics more suitable for discipleship due to their personal nature. Preaching, in contrast, involves declaring the Word of God in a broader and more general way, to the congregation. If personal grievances are aired during preaching, the people will recognize this and feel uncomfortable. They will discern that the message is addressing private matters in a public setting. It's crucial to discern when to disciple individuals privately instead of preaching about personal issues. As a leader, you will have legitimate grievances, you will see where your members are straying outside of the boundaries of the faith, but instead of preaching about them, create platforms of discipleship for them to be dealt with. Jesus, as an example, had concerns about his disciples, yet he approached it through discipleship, guiding them toward their purpose.

Romans 8:29

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

This scripture emphasizes God's purpose for us to be conformed to the image of Christ. When God points out something in our lives that is not aligned with Him, the hurt comes when we are unwilling to submit. We shouldn't be offended or hurt when God is trying to form the character of Christ in us.

Discipleship involves God addressing our areas of weakness, such as temperaments or improper responses. Offense arises when we resist submitting to God's word, challenging the narrative of our hearts. The hurt in discipleship is often translated into offense. If we, as believers, get offended by the truth, it indicates a rebellious spirit against the Holy Spirit, who is the spirit of truth within us.

Ministers must also be aware of the spirit in which they minister, ensuring that they align with God's perspective. Discipleship should lead to genuine transformation, and recipients should be open to receiving correction in the spirit of humility

Bible Study

We're about to delve into a brief example of a Bible study, focusing on Romans chapter 7. The purpose of a Bible study, as we understand it, is to help people grasp the depth of the scriptures that they are reading. It involves unraveling the language and deciphering the spiritual connotations embedded in the text. Bible study isn't an opportunity to showcase preaching skills but rather a platform to dissect and comprehend the scripture.

Romans 7:1-4

1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Paul begins by addressing those familiar with the Jewish law, using it as an analogy to explain his teaching. He uses the example of a woman bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is freed from that law. Paul then makes a shift in verse 4, applying this analogy to believers, stating that we have become dead to the law of sin and death through the body of Christ.

It is crucial to note that Paul is not using this scripture to teach the Jewish law of marriage to believers, as some have erroneously done, yoking the church with these Jewish laws which were abolished by the cross. He emphasizes that believers are now dead to the law through their union with Christ, akin to a Jewish woman being freed from marital obligations when her husband dies.

Here, Bible study comes into play by unveiling the revelation that believers are no longer under the jurisdiction of the law of sin and death, due to their union with Christ's body. It counters the notion of a sinful nature, clarifying that believers have been made dead to the law.

Romans 7:5-6

5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

The fifth verse in Romans 7 is pivotal, marking a time in the past when we were in the flesh. During this time, the motions of sin, guided by the law of sin and death, worked in our members, producing fruit unto death. This means that our actions resulted in spiritual death. This emphasizes the innate sinful nature of our old selves.

Side note: Many struggle with accepting that this time has passed of living in sin and death has passed for the believer, but Romans 8:9 makes it clear that those in the flesh cannot please God. The shift is evident – we now dwell in the Spirit, and if the Spirit of God resides in us, we belong to Christ.

Paul then changes gears by using the term "but now" (verse 6). This signals a change in the present. We are now delivered from the law, no longer bound by the oldness of the letter (referring to the Mosaic law). Instead, we serve in the newness of the spirit. This transformation is essential for understanding salvation accurately.

Side note: Ephesians 5:30 is a key corroborating scripture: "For we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones." This verse emphasizes that our current bodies are now considered the body of Christ, highlighting the transformative nature of salvation.

The body that we had before salvation has died, and it was resurrected as a member of the body of Christ. This concept is crucial for understanding the mystery of Christ. We were resurrected in a new spirit, called the Holy Ghost. Our bodies have experienced a spiritual transformation that removed the sin and death from them. This new state is what Paul calls “delivered”, and it is distinct from the worldly body we were born with.

Romans 7:7-9

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Paul delves into the relationship between the law and sin, explaining that the law defined sin. Without the law, we might not have recognized certain actions as sinful. He highlights the role of the commandments in exposing sin and, consequently, the need for atonement.

Before knowing the law, we were alive without it. However, when the commandments came, sin revived, and we were separated from God. This death signifies the guilt and separation from God due to sin, prompting the need for atonement.

Atonement - Bible Teacher App: The concept of atonement in the Christian context refers to the reconciliation between God and man through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. It is through His death that our sins are forgiven and we are made right with God (Leviticus 4:13-21; Romans 5:11). The atonement is a demonstration of God's love for us and His desire to bring us back into a relationship with Him (1 John 5:11-12). It is through faith in Jesus and His sacrifice that we can receive eternal life and be saved from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9-11).

We have truly been apprehended by God's Spirit. We no longer reside in the flesh; instead, we live in the Spirit of Christ, and Christ dwells in our flesh.

Romans 7:10

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

This verse emphasizes that the commandments, intended for life, were twisted by sin, making them appear restrictive. This verse reveals how to identify a lack of salvation – where the Holy Spirit is absent, God's commandments seem burdensome.

Romans 7:11-25

The passage exposes the mindset pre-salvation, where Paul grapples with the internal struggle against sin. It's essential to differentiate this from the post-salvation experience, where sin no longer has dominion over us. The conflict exists between his desire to do good and his inability to consistently perform it. In these verses, sin's dominion is evident.

The conclusion of Romans 7 underscores the cry for deliverance from the body of death. Only through Jesus Christ can this liberation occur. The chapter emphasizes the need to serve from the position of the Spirit, highlighting that it is futile to try to serve God while still living in the old body.

In conducting Bible studies, it's crucial to break down the scripture line by line, precept by precept, maintaining focus on the specific topic at hand. This method enables a thorough understanding and fosters growth in the Word. If uncertainties arise during the study, seek clarification from the scriptures and from leaders to ensure accuracy. You may also opt to shelve certain questions until you are able to answer them.

Conclusion

While Bible study focuses on specific subjects, especially in online sessions, clarity is crucial to avoid confusion and maintain participant engagement. Discipleship, on the other hand, involves guiding individuals toward a deeper understanding of the scriptures in the context of their personal spiritual lives, tailoring the process to meet their unique needs and helping them embody the teachings in their daily lives.