Yesterday I asked, "How does grace make us disciples?" The question arises from my discussion of Titus 2.12, where Paul says that grace "trains us to reject ungodliness ... and to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly." (my translation) I can think of several ways that grace makes us disciples.  You can probably … Continue reading How Grace Makes Us Disciples

Let’s dissect Titus 2.11-14. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God … Continue reading Grace & Discipleship

Yesterday I said: “Hope” in the Bible is not just something wished for.  “Hope” is something you live into, something you aim your effort, your living, your prayer & fasting toward. Let's talk about the difference between wish and hope. Wish: let's say that I want the Cowboys win the Superbowl.  Can I do anything to make … Continue reading The Role of Hope in Discipleship

We make disciples by living life with people, accompanying them through days and weeks and years, all the while directing their gaze to Jesus and what he is doing in their lives. Like Paul in Titus, disciplemakers live "to further the faith of God’s chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth that builds toward … Continue reading We Make Disciples

We become disciples of Jesus by spending time with him, through prayer and Bible study. For discipleship, the gospels are especially valuable, because they remind us over and over of how startling, how amazing, this one we follow truly was and is. So study Jesus' words and deeds.  Try to become like him in his … Continue reading We Become Disciples

(sigh) “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

At the Biblical Institute, we believe that God is always at work, even in the things we don’t want or don’t understand.  He has a plan.  He is executing his plan, making it a reality.  He calls us to collaborate with him, to make his plan ours, to become his partners in his work. The … Continue reading The Most Difficult Spiritual Discipline

Tom Gombis is a professor at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.  As Dan Patrick would say, his blog, "Faith Improvised", has been "en fuego" throughout the coronavirus shutdown. The piece that spoke most clearly to me is "I Welcomed Grief as a Friend."  What follows is a sample, but you should read the whole thing. Paul’s … Continue reading Tim Gombis: “I Welcomed Grief …”

From 5Q Central: As we approach Holy Week and contemplate the journey that Jesus took, we are also reminded of a group of disciples who needed to let go of their old ideas and allow their eyes and hearts to be opened to a new way. Jesus' group of disciples and followers were about to … Continue reading Ministry in times of COVID-19