A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

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A Compe l l i ng Tes t imony

B. Connection to your witness, preaching and teaching in urban ministry contexts

2 Cor. 8.9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

1. Do I understand the underlying principles of what it means to live a disciplined life? Do I understand the difference between being disciplined and being holy?

2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in the

2. What insights from this lesson must I master and incorporate into my current teaching, preaching, and counseling ministries? Which elements do I understand and employ most today? Least?

grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

3. How can I help my current students under my care learn how to better discipline their lives in order to gain the maximum benefit that comes from living a disciplined life in the Lord?

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Prayer and Affirmation to God

Happy are the simple followers of Jesus Christ who have been overcome by his grace, and are able to sing the praises of the all sufficient grace of Christ with humbleness of heart. Happy are they who, knowing that grace, can live in the world without being of it, who, by following Jesus Christ, are so assured of their heavenly citizenship that they are truly free to live their lives in this world. Happy are they who know that discipleship simply means the life which springs from grace, and that grace simply means discipleship. Happy are they who have become Christians in this sense of the word. For them the word of grace has proved a fount of mercy.

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Cost of Discipleship . New York: MacMillan Publishing Company, 1963. p. 60.