The Equipping Ministry, Student Workbook, SW15

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T H E E Q U I P P I N G M I N I S T R Y

3. List some of the major distinctives of the teaching ministry in the Church, and explain especially its focus on building up disciples in Jesus Christ to maturity, the fulfillment of the teaching clause of the Great Commission (i.e., teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you,” Matt. 28.19). 4. In what way can we say that the Apostle Paul envisioned the teaching ministry as the same as equipping the saints for the work of the ministry? How does the teaching ministry in the lives of new Christians especially protect them from some of the common threats to Christian maturity? 5. How did the teaching ministry evolve in the lives and work of Jesus and the apostles? From our understanding of the early Church, what role did the teaching ministry play in the advancement of the Gospel and upbuilding of the Church? 6. What was the thematic focus of Jesus’ teaching, and how did the apostles add their commentary on these themes? What conclusions can we draw about the relative importance of the teaching ministry to credentialing the leaders, defending the apostolic faith, and offering an apology for the Christian hope in the early Church? 7. What are some of the difficulties associated in our time with the teaching ministry? Why must we be vigilant to safeguard the teaching ministry of the Church today? Of all the possible challenges and errors associated with the teaching ministry today, which do you believe may be the most important for us to address right now? Explain your answer. 8. In your opinion, what is the greatest single threat to this ministry in the urban church, and what can we do to revive it within it? What must we do to recover the ministry of teaching in our urban churches–what would you say are the first three steps we ought to take?

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