Discipleship
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5. Serving and Mentoring in Community
Influence, discipleship, and fellowship. Theme: Active participation in church, community, and mentorship. Chapter (6) Family, Friendships, and Community Bible Verses: 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and…
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3. Mentoring and Discipleship
Raising the next generation of believers. Theme: Teaching, mentoring, and making disciples for Christ. Chapter (10) Eternity, Legacy, and Society Bible Verses: And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 7…
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Chapter 15: Integrating the Ten Commandments into Discipleship — Practical Models for Spiritual Formation
Kingdom Ethics and the Ten Commandments Today Relevance for the Church, Culture Wars, Law vs. Grace, and Christian Discipleship This chapter focuses on integrating the Ten Commandments into discipleship, offering practical models for spiritual formation. 1. Introduction Discipleship in the Kingdom involves more than knowledge of Scripture; it requires living…
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Pastoral Care and AI Chatbots: The Ethics of Digital Discipleship
1. Introduction: A New Frontier for Shepherding Souls The landscape of pastoral care is undergoing a radical shift. AI chatbots are now capable of responding to spiritual questions, offering Bible verses for comfort, simulating prayer, and even imitating empathetic conversation. As churches explore digital discipleship and mental health support via…
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Christians in the Age of Algorithms: Discipleship in a Digital Culture
1. Introduction: Living by the Spirit or by the Feed? From curated social media timelines to AI-driven recommendation engines, modern life is shaped by algorithms—systems that suggest, sort, and subtly influence everything from news to entertainment, relationships to religion. These digital forces, largely invisible, profoundly shape habits, affections, and worldviews.…
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17: Jesus and the Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath
Theme: Lordship of Christ, Human Need, and the Reinterpretation of Sabbath Ethics 1. Introduction In the Gospels, one of the earliest and most pivotal controversies between Jesus and the Pharisees concerns the disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath. This event is not only a test of legal observance, but a…
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11: The Calling of the Disciples
Political Subversion of Social Hierarchies in Jesus’ Ministry Introduction The calling of Jesus’ disciples, particularly the invitation to fishermen and other low-status individuals (Mark 1:16–20; Matthew 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11), represents a profound challenge to the social and political hierarchies of first-century Judea. Viewed politically, this event embodies Jesus’ subversive mission…
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36. Discipleship
Leviticus 11:44-45 44 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up…
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37. Discipline
Deuteronomy 4:36 36 Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire. Deuteronomy 8:5 5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that,…
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12: Implications for Pastoral Theology and Discipleship
Human Composition in Biblical Theology 1. Introduction A biblical understanding of body, soul, and spirit is not merely theological—it is deeply practical. It shapes how Christians view conversion, growth, suffering, worship, mental health, and eternal hope. Effective pastoral theology and discipleship must address the whole person. This final entry explores…
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Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Christian Ethics and Discipleship
Top Christian Theologians by Theme and Denomination – Article 9Theme: Christian Ethics and DiscipleshipDenomination: Lutheran (Confessing Church, 20th Century) 1. Introduction Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident whose life and writings bear witness to the intersection of doctrinal fidelity, moral courage, and Christian discipleship.…
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Chapter 5: Digital Technology and the Church 3.0 Movement
Abstract This chapter analyses the transformative role of digital technology in enabling and shaping the Church 3.0 movement. It explores how online platforms, social media, and digital communication tools facilitate decentralised community formation, hybrid worship, discipleship, and mission. The chapter also considers challenges such as maintaining relational depth, digital divides,…
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Chapter 9: The Path of Discipleship
PART III: DISCIPLESHIP AND SANCTIFICATION – GROWING IN CHRIST Overview: Learning to Follow Jesus in Every Area Discipleship is the lifelong journey of following Jesus Christ in every area of life. It is the natural and necessary continuation of true conversion. While justification is a once-for-all declaration of righteousness through…
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Chapter 13: Evangelism and Disciple-Making
PART IV: SERVING, STRUGGLING, AND PERSEVERING Overview: Every Believer’s Call to Share the Gospel Evangelism and disciple-making are not reserved for a spiritual elite or specialised class of ministers—they are integral to the calling of every follower of Christ. To be a disciple is to engage in the mission of…
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The Cost of Discipleship
The Cost of Discipleship – Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1. Full Citation Bonhoeffer, D. (1937) The Cost of Discipleship. Translated by R.H. Fuller. London: SCM Press. 2. Introduction The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a seminal work on Christian ethics, discipleship, and grace. Written during the rise of Nazi Germany,…
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The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Hidden Treasure 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Joyful Discovery; Costly Discipleship; Eternal Value 4. Parable Summary Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to treasure hidden in a field. A man finds it, hides it again,…
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The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price(also known as The Pearl of Great Value) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Sacrificial Discipleship; Recognition of True Worth 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a merchant in search of fine pearls…
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The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders(also known as The Two Foundations) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Judgment and Eschatology; Obedience; Discipleship; Spiritual Foundations 4. Parable Summary Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount (or the Sermon on the Plain in Luke) with…
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The Parable of the Cost of Discipleship
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Cost of Discipleship(also known as The Tower Builder and the Warring King) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Commitment; Sacrifice; Prioritisation of the Kingdom 4. Parable Summary Jesus presents two short illustrations to explain the seriousness of following…
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The Parable of the Friend at Midnight
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Friend at Midnight 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Prayer; Persistence; Boldness in Approach to God 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a man who goes to a friend at midnight to ask for three loaves of bread…
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The Parable of the Unjust Judge (Persistent Widow)
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Unjust Judge(also known as The Persistent Widow) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Prayer; Perseverance; Divine Justice 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a widow who persistently pleads for justice from a judge who neither fears God nor…
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The Parable of the Rich Fool
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Rich Fool 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Wealth and Materialism; Mortality; Spiritual Priorities 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a rich man whose land produces abundantly. He decides to tear down his barns and build larger ones…
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The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Dishonest Manager(also known as The Shrewd Steward) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Stewardship; Wisdom; Faithfulness with Resources 4. Parable Summary Jesus tells of a manager who is about to be fired for mismanaging his master’s property. Knowing…
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The Parable of the Lamp under a Basket
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Lamp under a Basket(also known as The Lamp on a Stand) 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Witness; Visibility; Responsibility 4. Parable Summary Jesus compares disciples to a lamp that, once lit, is not meant to be hidden…
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The Parable of the New Cloth and New Wineskins
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the New Cloth and New Wineskins 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Discipleship and Faith; Renewal; Covenant Transformation; Receptivity to Change 4. Parable Summary Jesus compares His message and ministry to new fabric and new wine. He states that: Luke’s account adds:…
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The Saying: The Salt of the Earth
1. Title of the Saying The Salt of the Earth 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Short Parabolic Sayings / Similitudes; Discipleship; Influence; Integrity; Witness 4. Saying Summary Jesus declares to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matt. 5:13)But He warns that if salt loses its taste,…
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The Saying: Light of the World
1. Title of the Saying The Light of the World 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Short Parabolic Sayings / Similitudes; Witness; Visibility; Mission; Discipleship 4. Saying Summary Jesus tells His disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”“Nor do people…
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Practising God’s Presence – Daily Discipleship and Moral Formation
1. Introduction The biblical affirmation of God’s presence is foundational to both Old and New Testament faith. From the Garden of Eden to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God is presented not as distant, but as imminently near and relational. This theological truth has profound ethical implications: living in…
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7.2 Stories of Disciples
🔹 Story 1: Jesus Called the First Disciples Main Characters: Peter, Andrew, James, John, JesusStory Summary: Jesus called fishermen to follow Him, promising to make them “fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.Key Verses: Matthew 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11Theme Connection: Discipleship begins with a call and a…