Category: Discipleship

Living as Shining Stars in a Dark World

7/12/2017

A few weeks ago I preached a message from Philippians 2:12-18. In this passage, the Apostle Paul admonishes the Philippian believers to "appear as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15). Time would not permit me to say all I wished about this passage, but especially this verse. Here are 2 ways we can let our lights shine in the midst of a dark world who so desperately needs to see the light of Christ and know the love of Jesus...

1. Live a consistent life of Christian character.
It's been said that character is who you are when no one else is around. It's the real you. Often our character shines forth when we have a slip of the tongue in the office because our boss has upset us. Our character speaks loudly when our children have pushed us to the limit and we respond with anger and outrage. Perhaps it's the "real" you that shines forth when you're not with your "church" friends. Who are you? Do you live a life consistent with the Bible's description of a follower of Jesus? Paul gives us a great check list in Galatians 5:22-23. We know this as the fruit of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the character traits that should mark our life if we are going to "appear as lights in the world."

2. Don't become distracted by things of the world.
In this same verse Paul instructs believers–"prove yourself to be blameless and innocent, children of God...." The key here is "children of God." These are contrasted in Eph. 2:3 with "children of wrath." It's pretty simple–you are either a child of God or you are not a child of God. You are either a son/daughter of God or of Satan. Children of God remember who their Father is and are not distracted or pulled away by things of this world. In fact, Paul describes the world as "a crooked and perverse generation." This is the complete opposite to our calling as children of God. Peter reminds us that as followers of Jesus we are a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:9).

Sure there are lots more ways to let our light shine for Christ. However, if we'll start with these two, we'll be well on our way to living as shining stars in a dark world.

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The Rhythm of Personal Discipleship... Practical Suggestions for Prayer & Bible Study

9/8/2016

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Last week I wrote a blog on the Rhythms of Life. As promised I wanted to follow up that article with a series of blogs on what I believe are essential beats that must be included in the rhythms of our life. The first is personal time with the Lord in prayer and study of His Word.

Spending time with God in prayer and the study of His Word is often called "Personal Discipleship." This is taking upon oneself the initiative of personal spiritual growth and development. While the church plays an important role in the spiritual formation of her members, each individual has a personal responsibility to his/her own growth. Here are a few suggestions to help you develop the rhythm of prayer and Bible study.

Suggestions for Prayer:
Pray at a time when you're fully awake and rested! For some this may be during the morning, while for others it might be at a different time of the day. Don't wait to spend your focused and intentional time of prayer once you lay down at night. Trust me, you'll fall asleep.

Create your own strategy of prayer! One of the things I have learned about my own prayer time is that without a strategy I am in trouble. The key here is to create YOUR OWN prayer strategy. For me I have separate sheets of paper for each day of the week. I have written down specific things to pray for on specific days of the week. I also have an "everyday" prayer list, which includes my wife, child, family, personal walk with Christ, etc. I use sticky notes to pray for various requests, which are time sensitive. An example of this would be praying for our churches outdoor festival, Nextfest, which will be on Oct. 1. After October 1 I will no longer pray for that event, so I’ll discard that sticky note.

Be real! Don’t be superficial. Don’t be someone else! Don’t be a Pharisee! Just be you! Talk to your Heavenly Father just like you would talk to your best friend! He cares for you and He wants to hear from you.

Find “your place” for prayer! I think having a special place to meet with the Lord is helpful. While it’s certainly not required, I believe there is merit to this practice. For me I go into my home study upstairs. It’s far enough away from my family that I can have some alone, and quite, time with the Lord. If you don’t have a “place” that’s okay. Charles Wesley was the founder of the Methodist denomination. His mother has so many children that she never had a place to get alone with the Lord without interruption. So, she decided to just stop wherever she was and throw her apron over her head. That was her prayer closet! Her kids new to not interrupt their mother when she was found in this posture of prayer. Sometimes we just do what we have to do!

Suggestions for Bible Study:
Think quality not quantity! Sometimes we think that we have to read a certain amount of Scripture or read for a certain length of time to have a meaningful time of studying the Bible. That’s not true! The focus of Bible reading should be on quality, not quantity. We shouldn’t try to “get through the Bible.” We want the Bible to “get through” to us! I would suggest picking a book of the Bible (maybe James or John to get started) and reading a few verses each day. Many modern translations of the Bible already have the text divided into sections and paragraphs, which makes it easier to see the divisions of the passage.

Use an easy to read translation! Realizing that this statement might offend some readers, it still needs to be said. The 1611 King James Bible is not the Bible that Paul preached out of, nor is it the only correct or perfect translation of the Scriptures. It’s just as much a translation as those we have available today. In fact, few people could actually read a 1611 KJV if they had one. All of our printed Bibles today are translations from copies of the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. Now, some translations today and less accurate because they are paraphrases of the original texts. My suggestion would be to study from a “word for word” translation of the Bible. These include the New American Standard Bible (NASB), the New King James (NKJV), the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), and the English Standard Version (ESV). These Bibles are clear, easy to read, and are faithful to the original text. There’s no value in reading something you can’t understand. So, use an easy to read translation.

Use a Study Bible or Commentary! Study Bibles and Commentaries are helpful because they provided explanation to the texts of Scripture. Remember, they aren’t Scripture! These resources are human interpretations and explanations of God’s Words. However, there are some intelligent scholars who walk close to the Lord and have committed their lives to the study of His Word. We can learn much from these men and women. Along with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, the insights of these can be used of God to enlighten us to the truths of God’s word. Here are few helpful resources you might consider using…
MacArthur Study Bible by John MacArthur
Life Application Study Bible published by Tyndale
Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald

These are just a few suggestions to help you develop the rhythm of prayer and Bible study in your life. I know there’s more to be said, but you have to start somewhere. I pray these suggestions are helpful in your personal discipleship and journey of thinking, acting, and living like Jesus.

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The Rhythms of Life

8/31/2016

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In music there is a term that is often used to describe the repeated pattern of sound. This is called "rhythm." Other synonyms used for rhythm are pattern, beat, and tempo. Every song, orchestration, and arrangement of music has rhythm. It is rhythm that keeps all the musicians together.

In the world of performing arts rhythm is crucial. Think of two dancers and how detrimental it would be for them to be on different beats during a performance. A mistake like this on Dancing With the Stars will bring a sure and stern rebuke from head judge Len Goodman!

Did you know that life has rhythms also? Sure you did! If you have ever had a newborn in your home, then you understand the importance of having your child on a schedule or routine--that's rhythm! We make sure the baby is fed at certain times of the day and night. We ensure that naps are taken throughout the day...not too long and not too short! We have structured "tummy time" to help with neck muscle development. All of this is part of an infants, and parents, rhythm of life. Without it you will surely have a cranky baby and exhausted parents!

When I think about this time of the year I think of how so many of us are trying to get back into the "swing of things." Guess what? That's rhythm! So, here are a few essential beats that MUST be included in the rhythms of your life as we enter the fall season...

Personal time with the Lord in prayer and study of His Word!
Intentional time with your spouse and children, or other family, if unmarried!
Personal growth and development!
Worship with the people of God in the house of God!
Times of rest!

I know what you're thinking...where do I have time for those things? Well, the key is intentionality! Sometimes we have to say, "No" to good things in life, so we can say, "Yes" to the great things in life! I believe these four beats listed above are the great things that God wants for you! I also believe that living in these rhythms of life will help you be a disciple who thinks, acts, and lives like Jesus!

Throughout the month of September I'll be posting written, and/or video, blogs on each of these beats. I will offer practical steps and guides to implementing these into the rhythms of your life. You can read these at kbullard.com. Be sure to enter your name and email address on the home page, so you will receive these posts in your inbox as soon as they become available.

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What is Disciple-Making? Part 2

8/10/2016

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Central to disciple-making is the disciple-making relationship. At Temple we have begun several d-groups (discipleship groups) to facilitate these relationships. In fact, including those who are currently in d-groups, we have over 30 people in discipling relationships. While we are still in the infancy stages of d-group formations, I am very excited to see how the Lord has already been working through these groups to make disciples who think, act, and live like Jesus!

Here are some common questions about d-groups…
What is a d-group?
A d-group is a gender-exclusive group of three to five believers who meet, at a minimum of, every two weeks. While there are various components to d-groups the purpose should always center around prayer, accountability, encouragement, and Bible study. D-groups should meet for 12-18 months.

What happens when a d-group meets?
I’ll simply share what happens when my d-group meets. We usually meet at a local restaurant where we can sit together and they don’t mind us staying for a longer period of time (usually 1.5 to 2 hrs). After breakfast and a time of fellowship we open with prayer. The first thing we do is discuss our Bible reading for the week. Our group has chosen to use the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan. We share insights and lessons we have learned our Scripture reading. As the group leader, sometimes I will pull out something from our reading to teach on for a few minutes, however, my goal is to get our d-group participants to talk about the Word and what the Lord is teaching them. It is important that we start with our Scripture reading because we want that to be the focus of our d-group. While there are great resources that we can, and do, use in our d-group, there is nothing outside the Bible that is more important than the Bible.

After we spend some time going through the Scripture, we turn to an excellent resource on disciple-making that we are reading through together–“Growing Up: How to Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples” by Robby Gallaty. I was first exposed to this book about three years ago and I haven’t been able to put it down. Yes, it’s a simple read, but it had a tremendous impact upon my life. Most importantly it provided me an excellent resource to use, along with the Bible, to disciple others. We read one chapter a week, if we meet weekly, or two chapters, if we meet bi-weekly. We usually work through the chapters discussing various points of interests and statements from Gallaty. After discussing Gallaty’s work we turn our attention to to applications of the truth we have learned and close with a time of prayer and surrender to the Lord.

This is what a d-group can look like. There are other models and structures that serve well. If you are a member or attender of Temple Baptist Church and would like to know more information about being in a d-group, please email me at Kelly@templebaptistfay.com and I’ll be happy to discuss this in more detail with you.

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What is Disciple-Making? Part 1

8/10/2016

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At Temple our mission is to “make disciples of Jesus who think, act, and live like Him.” In Matthew 28: 18-20 we find the marching orders of the church, what is commonly referred to as the Great Commission. These orders are straight forward–make disciples! One thing I have learned in ministry, and as a pastor, is that it’s one thing to know what we’re supposed to do, but it’s an altogether different thing to do what we’re supposed to do. So, this begs the question–what is disciple-making and how are we to make disciples?

One passage that helps us understand disciple-making is 2 Timothy 2:1-2… “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” These words of Paul to Timothy serve as a classic text on disciple-making. We are most familiar with this relationship of spiritual fatherhood and sonship between Paul and Timothy. However, a close examination of this text reveals that there are at least 4 generations of disciple-making relationships represented. Paul (generation 1) taught Timothy (generation 2) who taught faithful men (generation 3), who taught others (generation 4). Can you imagine what would have happened if Paul failed to disciple Timothy, and if Timothy failed to disciple a group of faithful men, and if those men failed to disciple others?

Consider the twelve disciples. When Jesus called these men to follow Him He did so to make them “fishers of men.” This is most clear in His call to to Peter and Andrew in Mark 1:17 as they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. This personal invitation from Jesus is extended to everyone, and for all who receive it the call to become fishers of men is a call to “join Jesus on his mission to love and reach a lost and hurting world” (p. 49, DiscipleShift by Jim Putman). Can you imagine how different history would look if the disciples would have said, “thanks, but no thanks!” One could wonder if we would be here today!

The truth is as disciples of Jesus we are the means by which God accomplishes His purpose of redemption on the earth. God chooses to use us, as disciples of Jesus, to lead people to faith in Christ and then help them grow up in maturity in Him. God’s plan is that of disciples making disciples who make disciples! It’s like connected links in a disciple-making chain!

For too long the church has confused “disciple-making” with “discipleship.” Yes, there is a difference! Discipleship is often thought of as the next Bible study or class. While there is nothing wrong with studies and classes, this is not what Jesus had in mind when He issued the Great Commission. In his book, The Complete Book of Discipleship, Bill Hull writes “The most common mistake made by well-intended leaders, particularly acute in the Global North, is turning discipleship into a curriculum that a serious disciple completes and then graduates from” (p. 36). There is most definately a place for curriculum and studies; however, disciple-making looks entirely different.

Disciple-making is the process whereby we help people come to faith in Christ, grow to maturity in their relationship with Jesus (learning how to think, act, and live like Him), and then lead others to do the same. In short, disciple-making begins with a transformation of the heart (regeneration & justification), is worked out in daily transformational living (sanctification), and is in the context of relationships.

I believe disciple-making is most effectively accomplished through what is often called “d-groups” (discipling groups). In his book, Growing Up, Robby Gallaty explains – “A d-group creates an atmosphere for fellowship, encouragement, and accountability, and it is an environment where God can work. A healthy d-group has three purposes: to help you grow in your relationship with Christ, give a defense for your faith, and guide others in their relationship with Christ” (pg. xxii).

Why d-groups? What do they look like? When do they meet? What do they do? These are a few questions I will answer in my next blog. Stay tuned…

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kelly bullard

Living as Shining Stars in a Dark World

The Rhythm of Personal Discipleship... Practical Suggestions for Prayer & Bible Study

The Rhythms of Life

What is Disciple-Making? Part 2

What is Disciple-Making? Part 1

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