Prompts and Notes - STEP SIX

Purpose of Step Six: To strengthen our confidence in the Bible and learn how indispensable it

is for victorious Christian living and ministry.

Remember: Discipleship outside the context of active ministry quickly becomes counter

productive. Discipleship is effective only as our disciples become involved in ministry -- especially an outreach ministry where they can immediately begin discipling new Christians. Patiently encourage your disciple(s) to move ahead in discipling others. Review the concept of "sharing the pigment of our lives" in discipleship as presented in the Preface.

Note: BY NOW YOU HAVE DEVELOPED A COMFORTABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR DISCIPLE(S)

AND CAN EASILY CREATE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS FROM THE OUTLINES THEMSELVES. FOR THIS REASON, THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW IN THIS AND SOME OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS, WILL BE FEWER IN NUMBER AND WILL HIGHLIGHT JUST A FEW OF THE THEMES. AGAIN YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO ASK THE LORD TO FILL YOU WITH HIS SPIRIT AND HELP YOU ASK ORIGINAL QUESTIONS FOR GETTING INTO THE VARIOUS THEMES EACH WEEK.

2.2A Who are those for whom the reading and study of the Bible become meat? Heb 5:14

-- those who practice using and applying the Scriptures to daily living so they can do what is right

2.3A What does each response of Jesus have in common in these verses? In each He is

quoting the Scriptures. What can we learn from this for our lives? Here we can see the value of memorizing parts of the Bible.

2.3B Why is the word of God more powerful than our own words? Because it is the sword of

the Holy Spirit. Have you had any experience using the Bible as a defense against the enemy?

2.3C What does the Word do according to Heb 4:12?

2.4A If we sin who helps us come to God for forgiveness? See 1 Jn 2:1 for additional

teaching in this area.

2.4B What does Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection say to us about God's primary

concern for his creation? He wants the lost found. Compare Jesus' first and last words spoken to His disciples -- Mk 1:17 and Mt 28:19,20. How well do you think we are doing in following Jesus today?

Remember: Ask the Lord to help you focus on what you should emphasize as you meet

regularly with your disciple(s). It is good to talk about the future and what each of you can do along the way to remain faithful to the Lord five, ten, or twenty years from now.

4. How much do we remember when we hear the spoken word? Psychologists have found

that we remember at the best about 10% of what we hear. Thus the little finger represents the hearing of the word. Each successive finger represents a greater retention of the word as we move toward the thumb.

What do we have to do to have nearly 100% retention of what we hear or read? Memorize

what wehear or read.

Have you ever tried to get a grip on something without the use of your thumb? We hold on

much better when we use our thumb. What do we need to do in order to get the best grip on Scripture? Meditate on it. Mediation and memorization go together. We do well when we ask God for wisdom in understanding and applying the Scripture to our daily living--James 1:5,6.

What do you think is the most important part of the Hand Illustration? The application of the

word of God to our daily lives.

Note: Review the parts of the Hand Illustration out loud with your disciple(s). Have them

memorize it and practice explaining it. This along with the Wheel Illustration provides good outlines for devotional messages or sermons.

Discipleship Home | Jump-Start | The 10 Steps | Ordering Material| About the Authors| Other Resources

All materials Copyright ©2003 by Jerold & Nancy Reed.
All material in these Discipleship Encounters may be copied and passed on to others.