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Basic Discipleship
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

This material is copyrighted c2002 and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the Berean Baptist Church.

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PHASE 3                                   CHURCH ORIENTATION AND EDIFICATION

 

INTRODUCTION TO PHASE 3

 

CHURCH ORIENTATION AND EDIFICATION

 

          Hopefully by this point in your discipleship efforts, your disciple is showing sure signs of growth and stability.  Phase 2 has exposed him to many very important Bible truths.  It has sent him to the Word of God to discover wonderful truths for himself.

          You are about one third of the way through the process.  At this point things get a bit heavier.  More and more is required of the disciple. As a developing child he should become increasingly self-sufficient from a human standpoint.  (His real dependence should be on the Lord. Your efforts should be producing that result.  You do not want this disciple to have too great a continuing dependence on you.)

          This third phase of the discipleship training will take him deeply into church life.  The life of all effective believers centers around the church.  All that glorifies God will have its roots in the church and the church is the framework of God for bringing all believers to maturity and fruitfulness.  No believer can by-pass the church and be a successful Christian.  This phase of discipleship training addresses that head-on.  Here now is the approach to Phase 3 of this discipleship training:

 

Connection with a church establishes accountability. The organization and internal structure of a scriptural church. The church provides worship which promotes individual growth in believers.

 

          The doctrine section will consume much of the work of Phase 3.  Although all doctrinal positions of the Christian faith will not be examined, those of a more key and foundational nature will be a part of this discipleship training.  Phase 3 involves 17 study guides.  It will require just over four months to complete.  May God richly bless you as you go about the great work of “committing to faithful men... the things that thou hast” learned in order that they may become “able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

 

SESSION 1

 

ACCOUNTABILITY

 

          This session begins the third phase of this disciple's training.  More and more, your disciple should be doing these studies on his own.  Your time with him (in person or otherwise)  should increasingly be spot checks and to help with any misunderstandings or questions.  Remember that the ultimate goal of this effort by you is to get him on his own.  This study deals primarily with the concept and merits of voluntary accountability.  The Lord's church is a place of accountability and placing himself under the authority of the church is vital to this disciple's proper spiritual development.  It is there that he can get the guidance and direction which are necessary to his growth and maturity.

          As is the pattern of this discipleship course, this lesson is not merely a reading exercise for the disciple. It forces him into God's word for answers and allows him to discover those answers for himself.

          Be careful to observe any areas of question which your disciple may have as well as any misconceptions which may develop within him. Always show him a good example of godliness.

          Be sure that he gets the next study guide. 


          With this study you are entering a new level of Christian growth.  You have already seen how important your relationship with God is and how vital it is for you to maintain a true, daily fellowship with Him.  You know also that strong, godly relationships with other Christians are also very important to your spiritual welfare.  Satan, through a menagerie of ways, is ever out to derail and destroy you; but God has provided you with three primary resources to help you withstand Satan and prosper in your spiritual life.  As you now know, they are the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and the church.

          The church is uniquely important to your spiritual welfare.  Think of it as a sort of umbrella of protection for you and as the hub or center of the rest of your life.  Read Ephesians 3:20-21.  What should be the center of our spiritual activity?  His church.

          This phase of your discipleship training is designed to further acquaint you with our Lord's church, in order that you might begin to avail yourself more fully of its benefits.  As you work through the Bible studies in this level of your training, you will understand more about the church and more fully realize what a help to you it is designed of God to be.  It is God's primary place for your "edification."  Do not let this big theological term confuse you.  It simply means to build up.  God wants you to grow up and become strong and spiritually mature.  His will for you will not be fully accomplished until you become a functional member in one of His churches; not just an attendee, but functional.  His church has the responsibility of edifying you to the point of mature attitudes and activity.  Among those are (1) being truly objective, (2) being humble, (3) the ability to respond properly to criticism, (4) the ability to respond properly to adversity and (5) the habit of reproducing yourself spiritually.  A healthy relationship with your church will do much to promote you toward these godly objectives for your life.  As an active part of the Lord's church, you become accountable to (1) learn, (2) worship and (3) serve.  This is God's environment for your spiritual well-being.

WHAT IS ACCOUNTABILITY?

Look up the word accountable in the dictionary and write the definition in this blank. "obliged to account for one's acts; responsible."

1.                Have you made yourself accountable to any person? Write his\her name in this blank.                     .

2.                Are you as honest and transparent with others as you expect them to be with you? Yes     No      Read Luke 6:31.

3.                Can you legitimately expect from others in a friendship what you are unwilling to give? Yes      No      Read Proverbs 18:24.

4.                How important is confidentiality to openness and accountability?  Proverbs 17:9. "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."

5.                Circle the three main reasons why you are resistant to making yourself accountable to another person.

 

Fear                                Pride                                Too restrictive

 

Embarrassing                Don't see the need                Distrust

 

Rebellious spirit                                Something to hide                               

 

6.                Rate the following merits of accountability in priority order of importance.

                         Make you more conscience of yourself.

                         Helps identify blind spots in your life.

                         Can be a big source of improvement.

                         Becomes a barrier to unrestrained activities.

                         Tends to prevent sin and evil in your life.

                         Builds trust in those who know you.

                         Can promote better relationships.

                         Promotes your esteem and the respect of others.

                         Cuts down suspicion.

                         Enhances your ability to defend yourself.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD

Read the following verses and match them with the appropriate answers.

 

1. Romans 14:11-12           (8) Pastors must give account

 

2. Matthew 12:36           (4) Excessive scorners must account

 

3. Luke 12:48                      (3) More opportunity; more accountable

 

4. I Peter 4:3-5                     (5) Everything to be accounted for

 

5. Ecclesiastes 12:14               (7) All saved people to give account

 

6. I Corinthians 3:13        (2) Even idle words to be accounted for

 

7. II Corinthians 5:10        (1) No exceptions to accounting to God

 

8. Hebrews 13:17           (6) All that's done to be tried by God

 

In view of the above considerations, how would you rate if God should suddenly called you in for an accounting (audit)?

 

Poorly  < 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   > Excellent

 

1.        What area of your life do you most need to improve?

          ____________________________________________

2.        Stop right now and ask God to help you in this area.

 

ACCOUNTABILITY TO ANOTHER PERSON

          Read the following scriptures and record which mortal is accountable to which other mortal in each one.

 

          1.   Hebrews 13:17                Church members accountable to pastors. 

          2.      Ephesians 5:21              Church members accountable to other church members.

          3.      Ephesians 5:22              Wives accountable to husbands. 

          4.   I Peter 3:7                      Husbands accountable to wives. 

          5.   Titus 1:3-4                  Younger women accountable to older  women. 

          6.      Colossians 3:20              Children accountable to parents. 

          7.      Colossians 3:22              Employees accountable to employers. 

          8.   Romans 13:1-7                Citizens accountable to political rulers.

 

          The idea of accountability is of God and has many applications.  In many areas of life, people are legitimately accountable to other people.  In that accountability, there is safety.  Accountability produces restraint as well as penalties for irresponsibility.  All participants in an organization, society or group benefit from accountability.  Marriages are greatly strengthened where voluntary accountability prevails, as are friendships, work relationships and nations. You need at least one other person to whom you make yourself fully accountable in terms of time, money, morality, actions, motives, and all else that you are.  You surely should be accountable to your mate.  It's wise to have another true friend to whom you make yourself accountable.

 

YOUR CHURCH IS A PLACE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

 

Name some of the people to whom you become accountable as a part of the Lord's church.

 

1.     Pastor                            2.         Sunday School Teacher

3.     Older brother and sisters     4.         The church, corporately

6.     Ministry leader(s)                       3.     Deacons

          Read The Great Commission to the church in Matthew 28:19-20. What is the third command to the church? "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." In view of  this, name five ways you can benefit by making yourself accountable to your church? The scriptures provide clues.

          1.   Acts 20:28.                By learning the truths necessary to my spiritual growth.

          2.   Galatians 6:2.   By having older brothers and sisters helping and  guiding me with my growth process.

          3.          Galatians 6:1.   By having others to help me identify and correct  my weaknesses and who pick me up when I fall.

          4.   Hebrews 10:24     By the safety of a godly peer and support group   which helps insulate me from wrong influences.

          5.   I Timothy 4:7-8.          By providing me a place for the exercise and   development of my spiritual abilities.

 

As is illustrated in nature by a growing child, we need direction in our spiritual development.  In the Lord's church we can receive that needed direction.  Read the question of the man in Acts 8:31 and meditate on its relevance to each believer, especially to those who are young in the Lord.

In Romans 10:2 Paul spoke of misdirected zeal.  Another word for "pastor" is superintendent.  Acts 20:28 calls them "overseers."  As a part of the church, you make yourself accountable to the body as a whole and to the authority of church elders who are charged of God and committed to your growth, edification and healthy spiritual development and progress.  They are dedicated to keeping you from misdirection and to bringing you to full maturity as rapidly as possible.  As we progress through this third phase of your spiritual training, you will see that more clearly.

 

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"