Practicing Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

Please take as much time as you have available to answer these and other questions that the video brought out. The concept of exhortation and spiritual discipline requires the most careful distinctions and understandings, all of which must be tested against Scripture for their accuracy and truth value. Dealing with the rough edges of the Christian life is a serious and valuable gift for the urban Christian leader. Therefore, as you discuss your reaction to the teaching, be careful that you make your answers both clear and concise. As ususal, you should do all you can to include support for your claims and interpretations from the Scriptures, God’s authoritative source for this and all other concepts related to the Christian’s maturity. 1. What is the definition of exhortation? What is the relationship between the Christian leader’s responsibility to exhort believers and their need to be built up in Christ? Explain. 2. Why is it not valid to associate exhorting with lording it over others, and getting overly involved in their personal affairs? Why does our understanding of the world, our sin nature, and the devil make biblical exhortation a desirable and important part of Christian leadership? 3. List three reasons why exhortation and spiritual discipline are necessary for the well-being of growing Christians. Which of these do you find most convincing? 4. What is the definition of a Christian’s “standing before God?” What is the definition of a Christian’s “state in the world?” How are we to understand the relationship between the two? 5. Why it is so important to not allow sin to go unchecked in our lives, and in the lives of those whom we are called to protect and serve? What are the consequences of letting immorality and sin remain unconfronted and not dealt with? 6. What kinds of things will tempt the Christian to turn their back on God and his Kingdom? Can a Christian be restored again if they backslide? Explain your answer. 7. Is it possible to so turn one’s back on the Lord as a professing Christian that they would actually lose the salvation in Christ that they once had? Explain your answer.

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Student Questions and Response

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