Introduction

The sources of a disciple-makers message are tradition, observation, participation and inspiration.[1] The first source of a disciple-makers message is tradition which is to teach the whole counsel of God.[2] The second source of a disciple-makers message is observation which is to be aware of what the student and or congregation is going through.[3] The third source of a disciples-makers message is participation which is providing a message to share with others as well as a lesson to experience.[4] The final source of a disciple-makers message is inspiration, which is to be lead of the Holy Spirit In all preaching and teaching.[5]

The forms of a communicator’s message are subject matter, environment, life (experiences), and teacher (model).[6] The first form of a communicators’ message is the subject matter which relates to the content of what the teacher will say to the student and or audience.[7] The second form of a communicators’ message is the environment, which concerns the audience into which the teacher will speak his/her message into.[8] The third form of a communicators’ message is life (experiences) which will help the student and or audience learn how to take the lesson into real life.[9] The final form of a communicators’ message is the teacher who needs to embody the truth of the message they are communicating to their audience.

Romans 15:18

Dr. John Stott commenting on Romans 15:18 notes that words explain works, but works dramatize words.[10] Dr. Schreiner rightly stresses that the spotlight here is on not on Paul’s private life but on his ministry.[11] Paul in Romans 15:18 summarizes his entire ministry by saying that Christ accomplished his work through him by word and deed, that is, both by Paul’s preaching about Christ and by Paul’s actions (lifestyle, with mighty works) that accompanies those words. Dr. Moo explains that the success of Paul’s ministry is due entirely to divine enablement. Christ is the active “worker” in the things of which Paul is speaking; Paul is simply the instrument.[12]

1 Corinthians

In 1^st Corinthians 1-2 Paul opens his letter in 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 with a greeting and an explanation of his purpose, for writing which is the sanctity and unity of the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 Paul is thankful that God has richly blessed the Corinthians with speech, knowledge and spiritual gifts. Paul in 1^st Corinthians 1:10-4:21 states one of his primary purpose in writing this epistle, which is that the Corinthians’ pride has led them to value outward appearance and eloquence over the work of the Holy Spirit.

In 1^st Corinthians 1:10-17, Paul begins with a description of the problem of division as “Chloe’s people” have reported to him. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:17b-4:21gives God’s Word which can heal the Corinthians if they see the distinction between the world’s wisdom and God’s Wisdom. Dr. Bloomberg notes that the self-centeredness that is at the heart of rejecting “Paul’s gospel” is the essence of human sin.[13]

In 1^stCorinthians 1:17b-2:16 Paul explains the nature of God’s Wisdom, which is displayed in the message of the cross, the calling of the Corinthians, the preaching of Paul, and the wisdom from the Spirit. Paul’s point is that in order to hear God’s Spirit, His people must live a prophetic life, always ready to follow our crucified Lord; and must always listen to others who live such lives.[14]

2^nd Peter 1

Peter opens with a greeting in 2^nd Peter 1:1-2 where he identifies himself as the author, as well as his intended audience, and concludes by giving them a blessing.  2^nd Peter 1:3-4 explains how God’s power is exercised on behalf of His people. In 2^nd Peter 1:5-7 Peter teaches believers to make every effort to live a godly life. 2^nd Peter 1:8-11 teaches that God’s people to live an effective life for Christ.  2^nd Peter 1:12-15 stirs Christians to holiness. Thinking of his impending death, Peter urgently reminds the churches to continue living in a godly way. Peter explains in 2^nd Peter 1:16-18 that his preaching results from his own eyewitness experience. Peter in 2^nd Peter 1:19-21 teaches the truth about Jesus Christ is anchored in the Prophetic Word of Scripture.

Conclusion

Paul’s instruction to Timothy in 1^st Timothy 4:15-16 is the most appropriate and effective form for these messages, because there- he places the emphasis on Timothy’s behavior and teaching. Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:15-16 that he is to practice, and immerse himself in all the things commanded to him in 1 Timothy 4:12-13, which encompasses his behavior and teaching. Timothy’s perservance in sound doctrine and practice will have him meaning it will lead him to preserve in the faith, confirming his salvation. This type of ministry will be effective in preserving his hearers as well. Whether I am teaching, preaching or writing, I need to make sure, I am first preaching the message to myself, so that the message is being modeled in my behavior and life lest the message and my life be in conflict, and bring ill-repute upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Bibliography

Bloomberg, Craig, 1^st Corinthians NIV Application Commentary, (Michigan, Zondervan, 1995) 55.

Mitchell, Michael R. Leading, Teaching, and Making Disciples (Bloomington: CrossBooks, 2010), 6.

Moo, Douglas, The Epistle to the Romans (Michigan, Eerdmans, 1996), 892.

Schreiner, Thomas. R., Romans (Michigan, Baker Academic, 1998), 767.

Spencer, Aida B. and Spencer, William D. “The Truly Spiritual in Paul: Biblical Background Paper on 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, “In Conflict and Context: Hermeneutics in the Americas, ed. Mark L. Branson and C. Rene Padilla (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986), 247-48.

Stott, John R. W., The Message of Romans (Illinois, Intervarsity Press, 1994), 380.

[1] Michael R. Mitchell, Leading, Teaching, and Making Disciples (Bloomington: CrossBooks, 2010), 281.

[2] Ibid, 282.

[3] Ibid, 282.

[4] Ibid, 283.

[5] Ibid, 287.

[6] Ibid, 287.

[7] Ibid, 287.

[8] Ibid, 287.

[9] Ibid, 287.

[10] John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans (Illinois, Intervarsity Press, 1994), 380.

[11] Thomas. R. Schreiner, Romans (Michigan, Baker Academic, 1998), 767.

[12] Douglas Moo, The Epistle to the Romans (Michigan, Eerdmans, 1996), 892.

[13] Craig Bloomberg, 1^st Corinthians NIV Application Commentary, (Michigan, Zondervan, 1995) 55.

[14] Aida B. Spencer and William D. Spencer, “The Truly Spiritual in Paul: Biblical Background Paper on 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, “In Conflict and Context: Hermeneutics in the Americas, ed. Mark L. Branson and C. Rene Padilla (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986), 247-48.