Conversion & Calling, Student Workbook, SW01

/ 1 0 3

C O N V E R S I O N A N D C A L L I N G

The Word that Calls

Segment 1

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

This first segment explores the concept of the Word of God as a Word that calls to discipleship. God does not simply convert us to Christ, he calls us to live the adventure of his Story in a committed life of discipleship. The same Word that calls us to salvation through faith calls us to make ourselves unconditionally available to Jesus that we might love him supremely, above marriage and family, in such a way that we may serve him without conditions. We are to embrace our new identity in Christ, and this call to discipleship involves us taking on the identity of aliens and sojourners in this world, as those who seek to honor God and look for the new city of God in glory. The call to discipleship also includes God’s command to us to become sacrificial servants to his glory. All that we are and have in this life become devoted to knowing God and making him known as his bondslaves in this world. Our objective for this first segment of The Word that Calls is to enable you to see that: • The Word that effectively leads us to salvation and conversion also calls us to live as disciples of Jesus, obedient to his will. • This Word that calls us to discipleship demands that we make ourselves available to Jesus that we might love him supremely, above all other loves, including marriage and family, in such a way that we may serve him as Lord above all. • The call also asks us to embrace our new identity in Christ as aliens and sojourners in this world, those men and women who act and work as citizens of the Kingdom of God in the midst of the world, as representatives of Jesus. • The lifestyle of discipleship is demonstrated when we respond favorably to the call to live as sacrificial servants to his glory. As slaves of Christ, we commit all we are and have to glorifying him and accomplishing his will in the world, as he directs.

Summary of Segment 1

4