Master the Bible: How to Get and Keep the Big Picture of the Bible's Story

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Mas ter the B i b l e : How to Get and Keep the B i g P i c ture of the B i b l e ’ s Stor y

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“How can we be disciples of Jesus today?” In a small group Bible study on discipleship, one of the group members asks, “Doesn’t all of this talk on discipleship belong to the first century Christians only? After all, we don’t walk the dusty streets of Palestine with Jesus, and since his death and resurrection, he has founded his Church. As members of his Church, how can we be disciples of Jesus, too?” How would you answer the question of the group member? Are we still to strive to live as disciples of Jesus, or was that call limited to the apostles and disciples of Jesus’ own time? In discussing their pastor’s sermon last week, two friends from church debated the idea of Jesus as our “Rabbi.” The first friend had this to say about Jesus as our Teacher: “Sure, the Bible says that Jesus is our Teacher and Lord, and during his earthly ministry he was called a rabbi. But, today, Jesus is the exalted Lord of all. No longer does he walk the roads of Judea calling men and women to follow him. Now, he calls us to believe in him, and join his people – that is what we’re called to do.” The friend disagreed. “I disagree. Jesus continues to be the Rabbi for his people. He is our Teacher, and he personally calls each person to repent from their sins, and to follow him. While we should commit ourselves to the body of Christ, we cannot miss the importance of each Christian living as a follower of Christ, called by him, and obeying his teachings, just like the first disciples did long ago.” What do you think about the positions of the two friends? Are they both correct, and if so, how so? In what way does Jesus still call us to obey him as his disciples and followers today? If differences exist between our call and the first disciples, what are they, and how ought we to view our role today as his disciples? “Is the Bible an impossible book to understand?” In a conversation about studying the Scripture, one believer laments that in spite of being a Christian for more than ten years, and in spite of all their effort, they still don’t understand the Bible. “I’ve tried through-the-Bible programs, attended a number of seminars and classes on the Bible, and even have taken in a course at the local Bible school. But, after all my effort, I still feel that the “What is the relationship between discipleship and church membership?”