How to ‘Make Disciples’ - Deliver Sound Teaching (correctly derived from scripture)
General Introduction
In this series we are building what we will refer to as the ‘One Page New Testament’ - #onepagenewtestament. Our approach is building a pictorial summary of the main messages for disciples of Jesus in a systematically derived, structured form. We aim to keep the descriptive text to a minimum and share with you the different Themes that are being created. We will consider the scriptures on their own merit, Theme by Theme, without introducing much in the way of theology. Within each Theme, we will let the scriptures speak for themselves - hopefully in a way that demonstrates the validity of the analysis.
Introduction to this Faith Article
This article is the twenty first in a series that is unpacking some of the analysis work currently being undertaken to draw out the main teachings from the New Testament from a personal discipleship perspective. The previous articles can be found in the reference at Note [1] and they focus upon the New Testament’s teaching that corresponds to the challenges of what we have so far called ‘Kingdom Fundamental 1 [KF1]’ - ‘Love God’, and ‘Kingdom Fundamental 2 [KF2]’ - ‘Follow Jesus’. Last time we started to consider what we have called Kingdom Fundamental 3 [KF3] - ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ and some of the sub-components of this. We outlined that there were three Kingdom Practices at Level 2 as follows:
Make disciples [KP7]
Forgive (don’t judge) others [KP8]
Undertake acts of service / generosity - [KP9].
Under the first of these (Make Disciples) we introduced seven Kingdom Actions (at Level 3):
Preach the Gospel (Word) to all people groups (locally, nationally, and internationally) - [KA27]
Be a witness (testify of Jesus to others) [KA28]
Deliver sound teaching (correctly derived from Scripture) - [KA29]
Encourage / build up the church (including the use of spiritual gifts) - [KA30]
Correct / admonish other disciples (apply church discipline) - [KA31]
Have fellowship with other believers (the body of Christ -) [KA32]
Share the Lord’s Supper (communion) together - [KA33].
We explained KA27 and KA28 in the last article and here we will explore KA29 and its components, described above and shown in light blue (encouragements) in Figure 1.
If readers take away nothing else from these articles other than the sense, logic, and directive actions in the Figures - for disciples to put into practice in the strength God gives - we will hopefully have achieved our initial objective.
Figure 1 - Investigating the Kingdom Fundamental to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’
Kingdom Action 29 [KA29] - ‘Deliver sound teaching (correctly derived from scripture)’
The over-arching scripture that summaries this Theme the best is this:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work [2].
We have identified 31 Greek words ([3] & [4]) that relate to this subject of delivering sound teaching. Some example scriptures where these words appear include the following:
Luke 6:40 - The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained (2675) will be like their teacher.
Luke 24:27 - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures (1124) concerning himself.
Acts 8:35 - Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture (1124) and told him the good news about Jesus.
Acts 19:9 - But when some were becoming hardened and were not believing, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he left them and took away the disciples, reasoning (1256) daily in the school of Tyrannus (LSB).
1 Corinthians 1:19 - For it is written (1125): “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
1 Corinthians 4:6 - Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written (1125).” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
1 Timothy 4:13 - Until I come, devote (4337) yourself to the public reading of Scripture (320), to preaching and to teaching.
Titus 2:12 - training (3811) us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age (ESV).
1 Peter 5:2-3 - Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them (1983)—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
2 John 1:9-10 - Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching (1322) of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching (1322) has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching (1322), do not take them into your house or welcome them.
We have identified over 300 verse references where the Greek words we have considered have relevance to this Theme.
Kingdom Action 29.1 [KA29.1] - ‘Imitate the early churches'
There is only one verse that links very strongly to this Theme (1 Thessalonians 2:14 below) and some others that can support this and Kingdom Objective 1.2 [KO1.2] - Imitate the Apostles’. These involve three Greek words and here are some of the verses they appear in.
Philippians 3:17 - Brothers, join in imitating (4831) me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us (ESV).
1 Thessalonians 2:14 - For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators (3402) of God’s churches (1577) in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews.
Hebrews 6:12 - We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate (3402) those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 13:7 - Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate (3401) their faith.
Kingdom Action 29.2 [KA29.2] - ‘Only appoint people of noble character to leadership roles in fellowships’
Two passages of Scripture explicitly define the criteria for electing those who can act in leadership over communities of believers: Firstly - 1 Timothy 3:1-7 & 3:8-13 and secondly Titus 1:5-9. In addition there are further instructions for servants of the Lord in 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
There are some 18 Greek words that have a strong link to the scriptural orders about how to choose people to lead Jesus’ followers. Some of these are set out in the verses below and relate to the passages identified above:
John 21:15 - When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed (1006) my lambs.”
Acts 14:23 - Paul and Barnabas appointed elders (4245) for them in each church (1577) and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Acts 20:28 - Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (1985). Be shepherds (4165) of the church (1577) of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Romans 12:8 - if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead (4291), do it diligently (4710); if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
1 Timothy 3:1-2 - Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer (1984) desires a noble task. Now the overseer (1985) is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach (1317).
1 Timothy 3:5 - (but if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care (1959) of the church (1577) of God? (LSB))
1 Timothy 3:8 - In the same way, deacons (1249) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
1 Timothy 3:10 - They must first be tested (1381); and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons (1247).
1 Timothy 5:17 - The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard (2872) at preaching (3056) and teaching (1319) (NASB).
2 Timothy 2:24 - The Lord’s bond-servant (1401) must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching (1317), patient when wronged (NASB)
Titus 1:5 - The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint (2525) elders (4245) in every town, as I directed (1299) you.
1 Peter 5:2 - Be shepherds (4165) of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over (1983) them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.
There are some 40 verses where the Greek words we have considered can be found that are relevant to this topic.
Kingdom Action 29.3 [KA29.3] - 'Resist opposition to the truth / the Gospel’
There are eight Greek words of relevance to standing against those who challenge the Gospel. Some example verses where they appear include the following:
Luke 2:34 - Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against (483)”.
Luke 21:15 - for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your opponents (480) will be able to resist (436) or refute (471) (LSB).
Acts 6:10 - But they could not stand up against (436) the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
1 Corinthians 1:10 - I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions (4978) among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
1 Corinthians 8:9 - Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights (1849) does not become a stumbling block (4348) to the weak.
1 Timothy 6:20 - Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly (952), empty chatter (2757) and the opposing arguments (477) of what is falsely called “knowledge” (NASB).
Titus 1:9 - He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught (1322), so that he can encourage others by sound (5198) doctrine (1319) and refute (1651) those who oppose (483) it.
We have identified in the order of 20 relevant verse references where these Greek words appear.
Summary
In this twenty first Faith Article, we have explored some of the Greek words and idioms (presented in Louw and Nida’s [3] and Mounce’s [4] reference materials), that have continued to look at what it means to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ - [KP7].
In the next article we will look at other facet of this Kingdom Practice, concentrating upon what we have called Kingdom Action 30 [KA30] - ‘Encourage / build up the church (including the use of the spiritual gifts)’.
Just as with many English words, Greek words can have more than one meaning and consequently when translated into Biblical texts can be used to convey several different sentiments. Which is used is dependent upon the context.
Ultimately, this analysis and these groupings are subjective, as will be the inclusion (or exclusion) of many verses within each Theme and sub-Theme. We should note that some verses have a much stronger relevance to the derived Themes than others.
During this analysis, the aim has been to restrict the number of Themes that can be associated with any specific Greek word to eight or less - as any more implies poor analysis technique and the wrong heading choice / naming process.
Any thoughts on this Article, the process being undertaken, and related constructive feedback are welcome.
Notes:
[1] - All previous Faith Articles focusing on the One Page New Testament can be found at this page: www.teachthemtoobey.co.uk/blog/
[2] - Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM.
The Bible references presented are illustrative rather than aiming to be ‘proof texts’. They are examples only as there are, generally, many more we could look at. Please note that when looking at any Bible verse references, you should ideally consider more than one translation / respected version to get a more rounded view, and look at the wider context for each verse too. When Greek words are translated, Bible scholars do not always use the same English word every time it appears in the Greek. This is why it is useful to look at more than one Bible version.
[3] - “Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, based upon Semantic Domains” Volumes 1 and 2 - Louw and Nida - Published by and © United Bible Societies - 1988
[4] - “Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” - © William D Mounce, 2006 - Published by Zondervan
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