What Does "Gospel Centered" Mean? -
It’s no secret that r3ally.org is a huge Jonathan Dodson fan. In this short article from Ed Stetzer’s blog JD describes what the phrase “gospel centered” means in the context of discipleship.
From Casey Cease, writing at theResurgence.com: Sometimes you just feel like you are stuck and get started. Here are five things to remember when you find yourself there.
“Without the Holy Spirit, Christian discipleship would be inconceivable, even impossible. There can be no life without the life-giver, no understanding without the Spirit of truth, no fellowship without the unity of the Spirit, no Christlikeness of character apart from his fruit, and no effective witness without his power.” —
John Stott (via milestradewell)
photo via Flickr
(via kingspraiseministry)
Part 3: It’s Out There. Now What?
photo via http://fortheloveofhistruth.com
We’ve been talking about how truth travels the road of relationships. At this point in the process we have established a relationship with someone, and we have broached the subject of spiritual things. To borrow from a current twitter meme: it’s that awkward moment when the relationship has gone somewhere new. Now what?
Your friend’s response will be somewhere on the spectrum that ranges from “I hate Jesus and I hate you. Never speak to me again,” to “I was hoping someone would offer me the chance to pray and receive Christ today. Looks like you are that person.” Most likely, the response will be enigmatic and somewhat tepid. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1) Now that you have brought Jesus into the relationship you can truly be yourself with this person. Transparency is the key in any relationship, and your friend having a chance to see you do your best to walk with Jesus, even when it’s not too pretty, could well be the most compelling form of the gospel they have encountered.
2) You are a messenger, not a savior. The Holy Spirit is the real Evangelist. You have gotten real with your friend and you can continue to be real, but you won’t be able to talk them into the kingdom. Or twist their arm. Or high pressure sell them. You can be there for them and pray for them, but you have to trust the Lord with the results.
3) Talk about Jesus. If he really is the most important thing in your life, you should be able to talk about him as much as the other important things in your life like Dancing With the Stars and the NFL Draft.
If we are real and winsome, we can be ourselves, give the Spirit room to operate, and with time and prayer, see some gospel fruit.
by Michael Smith
Community Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church of NWA
mismith@fellowshipnwa.org
“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” —
Jesus
in Luke 11:11-13
Gospel Centered Discipleship has quickly become one of our favorite sites here at r3ally.org. This great post has 20 questions to reflect on the gospel; a great discussion piece with your man or woman or an opportunity for some honest self-evaluation.
Tomorrow I am teaching class on discipleship. It is session #4 called “The Commitment of a Disciple” and I laughed out loud when I saw this cartoon.
In this blog post, Ed Underwood describes the importance of emphasizing grace in your discipleship relationships.
photo via Flickr
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” —
Peter
in Acts 4:11-12
“The bottom line is that gospel ministry is a privilege, a stewardship. It was here long before we arrived on the planet and will be long after we are gone. I’ve learned that the sooner I get over myself, the easier and better it is for me to lead. You’ve got to die to yourself.” —
Daniel Darling
(via his blog)
