Ministry Guide 2012–13
to redeem and restore sinful people to His likeness and reconcile all things to Himself by His Son and Spirit to the praise of His glory.
Section 1
EMBRACING GOD’S MISSION
THE BIG PICTURE Have you ever started toward a destination without having good directions? It really helps to know where you’re headed—to have the goal firmly in view! Fulfilling a leadership role in your residence hall is rooted in something much bigger than your individual circumstances or a university system. We want you to keep the big picture in mind and know where we’re headed. So what in this world is going on? Most of us enjoy hearing a good story. Perhaps you had an unforgettable experience this summer that draws riveted attention from those who hear you recount it. Stories shade life with color. So is it surprising that God has revealed Himself in human history by orchestrating the truest, most compelling, most revolutionary story ever? The Bible is God’s self-revelation, and His revelatory message is purposeful. God’s Word doesn’t merely inform us. It shapes us. It is the Spirit’s instrument to reconfigure us to look like Christ, the perfect image of God. The Lord sends out His Word to do His work effectively (see Isa. 55). Scripture is full of true narratives, doctrinal instruction, loving legislation, proverbial wisdom and sobering prophecy. Through all of these means and more, God tells His Story of truth and love that gives explanation and purpose to all of life. To put it briefly, God is on a mission
To better understand God’s mission and how we can participate in it in the day-to-day responsibilities of life, we need to remind ourselves how we arrived at this point, what God does to redeem and restore sinful people to His likeness, and what this mission requires of us.
HOW WE GOT HERE When God created Adam and Eve, He emphasized what distinguished them from the rest of creation: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Gen. 1:26). Scripture explains much about what it means to be made in God’s image and what God expects of His image-bearers. However, something has gone terribly wrong. Far from reflecting God’s image, fallen people live in rebellion against their Creator. They exalt their own wills and do the will of God’s archenemy, Satan (Eph. 2:1–2).
HOW GOD CONTINUES TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PLAN Genesis 3 tells of man’s fall and its devastating consequences. But in verse 15 God graciously promises a reversal. Through the “seed of the woman” He will defeat Satan and restore man to his original glory (Ps. 8:5). Jesus Christ is the ultimate Seed through whom God accomplishes His redemptive work. By repentant faith in Christ, people are delivered from sin and its results (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8–9). Christ alone provides the way to be forgiven and restored to God (John 14:6).
Justification The Gospel addresses every aspect of our fallen condition, including the central issue of our justification (our legal standing before God). As our Substitute, Jesus kept God’s law that we failed to obey (Gal. 4:4–5). On the cross He suffered the penalty of God’s wrath for our violations (1 Pet. 3:18). By resurrecting Jesus, God declared that He was fully satisfied 3
with Jesus’ work (Rom. 4:24–25). God can justly forgive sinners who rely upon that work, declaring them to be righteous and eternally accepted in His presence (Rom. 3:21–26; 8:1). Through faith we are united with Christ, and God credits us with Christ’s perfect and changeless righteousness. Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Rom. 8:31–39). Justification is one of our greatest joys as believers because it guarantees us God’s favor. Whatever we do for the Lord should be motivated not by guilt but by gratitude and love (2 Cor. 5:14–15).
Reflection 1 What are two things the Lord will expect from you this year in your leadership role that need to be from gratitude and love, not guilt?
Sanctification Sanctification is the ongoing work of God the Holy Spirit in progressively conforming a believer’s mindset and choices to mirror accurately his position and identity in Christ (Rom. 6:1–14). Justification and sanctification are both components of the Gospel, but there are important differences between them. Justification is a once-for-all declaration, but sanctification is a process (2 Pet. 3:18). The new birth gives us spiritual life, yet that life has to be nurtured and developed (1 Pet. 1:22–2:3). Although sin does not alter our justified legal standing before God (Rom. 8:1–4) or characterize the life of a child of God (1 John 3:4–10), the Scriptures affirm that we will contend with temptation from within ourselves as long as we remain on the earth (Col. 3:5–8). Through the work and advocacy of Christ, God promises forgiveness of sin to any child of His who confesses (1 John 1:9). Justification is entirely an act of God, but sanctification involves our active participation. Paul writes, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12–13). God has given us all the resources we need for the development of Christlikeness (2 Pet. 1:3–7).
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The Holy Spirit sanctifies us by producing in us qualities of godliness as we yield to His working (Gal. 5:16 ff.; Eph. 5:18 ff.). He delivers us from sin’s dominance over our hearts and decisions. He purifies us so that we become zealous for good works (Titus 2:11–14). And He increasingly transforms us into His own image so that we can accomplish the purpose for which He created us (2 Cor. 3:18). To accomplish His work of sanctification, God uses His Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17; Col. 3:16), prayer (Phil. 4:6–7) and the ministry of other believers in our lives (Eph. 4:15– 16; 1 Cor. 12:4–7). It has been said, “The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make us like the Son of God through the circumstances we face in the providence of God.”
Reflection 2 What goals could your room/organization pursue to glorify God through these means of grace (God’s Word, prayer, the ministry of other believers)?
HOW WE MUST RESPOND God created the universe by design. Everything around us exclaims the intentionality of our God. And He has scripted and performed His mission with a goal in mind. God acts purposefully. So what about us? Do we live with purpose? We’re not talking about a preference here. This is not one among many opinions. This is what we were made to do—to be radically transformed to participate in God’s mission to reconcile all things to Himself for His name’s sake. All New Testament believers form a Body that unites different people into God’s family (Eph. 2:11–22). Christians should not live in isolation. God calls believers to live in community with each other, to share the joys and struggles involved in pursuing Christlikeness (Heb. 10:24–25). He uses fellow believers to minister grace to us (Eph. 4:29). A Christian university like BJU provides a unique setting in which to live out the amazing unity we enjoy in Christ. Successful community life requires a spirit of mutual humility, love and consideration under
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the expectations of a student covenant designed to promote spiritual growth. Because growth often follows failure, our community also values repentance, forgiveness and restoration (Gal. 6:1).
Submitted to God’s Inspired Word Living together in a truthful, loving way begins with our shared authority: the Bible, God’s inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:14–17; 2 Pet. 1:19–21). When everyone does what is right in his own eyes, sin and disunity reign (Judg. 17:6; 21:25). Because God inspired the Bible, it contains no errors and can be trusted to provide infallible guidance (John 10:35). The inspiration of Scripture is more than a doctrine to be affirmed. It demands that we submit ourselves to the Bible’s instruction (Ps. 119:4), including its prescriptions for living together in a Christian community.
Developing Biblical Discernment God’s authoritative Word is entirely sufficient for Christian faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16–17). In many areas Scripture gives clear imperatives. In other situations where Scripture does not directly give specific commands, believers must use Spirit-guided discernment to make wise choices based on biblical principles. Therefore, it is essential for believers to develop biblical discernment. Biblical discernment operates on two levels. Sometimes it requires choosing between good and evil (Heb. 5:14). But more often it requires choosing between what is acceptable and what is best, or what is to Jesus’ greatest advantage in particular situations (1 Cor. 10:23; Phil. 1:9–11).
Reflection 3 Think of one situation in which you or your peer(s) may be faced with an opportunity to choose between what is acceptable and what is best? As a skill for living, discernment must be developed (Heb. 5:14). Progress occurs through regular study of Scripture, a deepening control by the Holy Spirit, keener biblical insight into human nature, and life experiences. Younger believers also develop discernment as they follow the examples of mature believers (2 Tim. 3:10). 6
BJU is a Christian community where discipleship of younger believers takes place, where students learn how to follow Christ in a loving and encouraging atmosphere. Discipleship is a “work in progress” for all believers, including faculty, staff and administration. This discipleship demands humility on everyone’s part as we learn from one another (1 Pet. 5:5b). Discipleship also requires a teachable spirit and a desire to learn from elders (1 Pet. 5:5a).
Submitted to Institutional Authority God’s written authority, the Bible, teaches that He also exercises authority through several kinds of human leadership. The primary biblical authority structures are the family (Eph. 5:22–23; Deut. 6:7–9), government (Rom. 13:1–7) and church (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:7, 17). But the Bible also allows for human authority structures that support those three. Just as you are learning and growing, so are those that lead you. Exercise humility and love even when you disagree with a decision or response of a leader. Support the leader, especially with your speech and attitude.
Reflection 4 What verses may be helpful to consider when tempted to undermine or dishonor a leader or authority?
CONCLUSION Your situation is common to most people whom God has called to minister. You probably feel far from perfect, unqualified and not completely prepared for the leadership responsibilities you have accepted. Perhaps you have a full plate of other responsibilities. Perhaps you did not want to pass up the opportunity for advanced privileges. Regardless, you are not the first person in redemptive history to recognize your inadequacy. Moses was not seeking a position of leadership when God spoke to him from the burning bush. David was content with watching his father’s sheep when Samuel anointed him to be the next king of Israel. Gideon, 7
most of the prophets, the disciples and the Apostle Paul were all called to minister at times when none of them were seeking prominence and additional responsibility. Most of them felt inadequate and even initially balked at the announcement of their selection by God. The promises God made to them of His presence and His provision will become sources of special encouragement to you in the days ahead as you fulfill the responsibilities God has chosen for you at this time in your life. And the first step is viewing your opportunities in light of the Lord’s purposes. Our great God has a gracious plan to glorify Himself and give us joy as we believe and obey what He says. Will you embrace His mission?
Section 2
BEING AND MAKING DISCIPLES
Because God is on a mission and works all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11), whatever we do at BJU must find its motivation and purpose within that mission. That’s why Dr. Stephen Jones writes, “Bob Jones University is all about discipleship toward Christlikeness. Everything we do here—from academics to sports to society outings to prayer groups—is designed to help you develop Christlike character that is manifest in a scripturally disciplined life, in service to others and love for God in sharing the Gospel, and in biblical discernment of what counts for eternity.”
BEING DISCIPLES* Discipleship isn’t a special program for those who want to be better Christians. It isn’t a certificate received after completing a series of Bible courses. Nor is it advancing to a position of Christian leadership or ministry or simply enjoying fellowship with other believers. Whether you just acknowledged Christ as Lord or have known Him for many years, as a child of God you are His disciple.
*We are grateful to Dr. Robert Vincent for contributing many of the ideas in the beginning of this section.
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Jesus continually had to correct misunderstandings about discipleship. Many people listened to Him for a time, perhaps in hopes that He would make life better for them or even overthrow the hated Romans and establish the Messianic kingdom. But Christ had a different vision of what it meant to be His disciple. He said, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). A disciple in the ancient world was a learner-follower. He believed the words and adopted the ways of his master, displaying commitment to the point of imitation. Therefore, a disciple of Jesus Christ is progressively conformed in thought and word and way of life to his Master, who is Himself the perfect image of our glorious Father. Discipleship is believing the words and adopting the ways of our Master, as well as displaying commitment to the point of imitation. Christian discipleship is centered on Jesus Christ. Disciples count the costs of following Him (Luke 14:25–33). Like Him, they hear and obey the Father’s words (John 15:9–10). They obey His commission to make more disciples (Matt. 28:19–20). They abide in Him (John 15:5) and seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 6:33). Being a disciple is simply growing as a Christian. If it were up to us alone to resemble the character and lifestyle of Jesus, we would be miserably hopeless. But thankfully, this pursuit is not one of mere self-effort. It is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies redeemed sinners (2 Cor. 3:18), and He does so by turning our attention to what God has said about Himself and by blessing our faith-filled effort to know and please the One who loved us first (Eph. 5:10; 1 John 4:19). This is why spiritual health is pictured as the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23). God views growth as the development of Christlike virtue springing from our knowledge of the Lord (2 Pet. 1:1–11). Again, true disciples of Jesus Christ believe His words and adopt His ways, displaying commitment to the point of imitation—all by faith in the supernatural work of God’s Spirit.
of His presence with us (Matt. 28:20), His presence in us (John 15:4), His prayers for us (John 17:9, 20), His love for us (John 14:21), His selfrevelation to us (John 14:21), His friendship with us (John 15:15), and ultimately His commitment never to forget us and to take us with Him to His Father’s house (John 14:2-3). Compared to that of every other master, Christ’s yoke is easy; His burden is light (Matt. 11:30).
MAKING DISCIPLES If God had wanted to sanctify us without the Spirit-filled influence of other imperfect people, He certainly would not have created a Body to grow up together into the maturity of His Son (Eph. 4:11–16). As a disciple of Jesus Christ, you have been given a sacred responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ. Before ascending to His Father, Jesus told His disciples, “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:18-20). Disciple-making is introducing others to Jesus Christ, teaching them His words and ways, and sending them to teach others of Him. A vital component of one’s own discipleship, therefore, is making other disciples. You may not realize it, but you may have a roommate or someone in your prayer group who has never come to place his or her faith in Jesus. You may also have a roommate or someone in your prayer group who has never really grown in his or her relationship with Jesus Christ. Or you may very well have someone in your prayer group or room who is quite mature in his or her relationship with Jesus Christ.
Remember, Jesus’ commitment to His disciples is every bit as strong and personal as the commitment He demands from us. He assures us 10
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Jesus: The Model for Making Disciples God has given you the responsibility to disciple all of those He has entrusted to your care in your position of leadership. The Gospels provide the pattern of discipleship that Jesus used to teach and develop the actions and attitudes of effective disciples. He had no formal curriculum and no elaborate classroom, but His training program contained three distinct elements that must be included when making disciples. As we look at these, keep in mind that you are being discipled (by means of these same three elements) by your leaders while you are discipling others.
1. Personal Example In Mark 3:14 Jesus “ordained twelve, that they should be with him.” As they observed His life and character, the disciples gained His vision for the lost, learned the lessons of servanthood and acquired a desire for personal godliness. His disciples ate their meals with Him, observed His interactions with people, saw His compassion, slept in the same house with Him, noticed His patient love, traveled dusty roads with Him, heard Him pray, and observed His faithfulness and submission to God the Father. Jesus gave His disciples much instruction and was always an example of what He was teaching. When He wanted to teach them about servanthood, He washed their feet. When He wanted to teach them to respect God-ordained authority, He paid His taxes. God has given you the responsibility to be the live-in illustration of Jesus Christ to your roommates and generally to those in your sphere of influence. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. . . . Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting [example of spiritual growth] may appear to all.
Take heed unto thyself [your growth and testimony], and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save [spare] thyself, and them that hear thee (1 Tim. 4:12, 15, 16). Anyone in the position of being an example has an especially vulnerable position. None of us come equipped with “bulletproof ” lives. We are going to be disappointed, hurt and misunderstood by those we try to help, not to mention far from perfect in our leadership. Because of this, many avoid such positions and consequently never grow. God is grieved when He finds this attitude. He says: For when for the time [taking into consideration how long you have been saved] ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat (Heb. 5:12). Paul testifies that he learned to rejoice in vulnerability because it gave him an opportunity to see God work firsthand. Consequently, he grew (2 Cor. 12:10). Jesus said that “whosoever shall do [His commandments] and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:19b). He put a high priority upon living out what we know and influencing others. Who are the three people who have had the greatest influence on your life because of their example? What one factor in their example had the greatest influence?
2. Private Exhortation Jesus also set aside times of personal instruction for His disciples (Matt. 5–7, 24–25). Sometimes He instructed them before a new assignment (Matt. 10); sometimes He instructed them after a rebuke or failure (Matt. 17:14–21); at other times He gave them instruction after a great miracle or victory (John 5–6). As a student leader, you will need to be sensitive to the times when those you are discipling and leading are most ready to receive instruction.
* We are grateful to Dr. Jim Berg for contributing most of the ideas throughout the rest of this section.
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Sometimes you will give help in the form of regular instruction (room devotions and prayer group meetings, for example). Work to be sensitive to what would work best in any given situation. Would a word of encouragement be appropriate or a loving rebuke? Maybe both?
of opportunity to practice what they had been taught. They reported back to Him (Luke 10:17–20), and He held them accountable for the results, asking them why they didn’t have more faith or why they had so soon forgotten what He said.
A faithful disciple maker will not sit quietly by while problems and tensions build in the room. Building up others will include both comfort or encouragement and confrontation and warning. The Bible commands us to do both. One of these will come more naturally for you than the other. You will need to work on the one that is the most difficult and seems to be the most uncomfortable for you. Some people are quick to correct and warn but feel very uneasy being sensitive and supportive. Others who are more tenderhearted find it hard to be firm and assertive when necessary. Since the Lord wants balance and maturity in our ministries, you can be sure He will give you circumstances that will provide practice in the area of your weakness.
The residence hall experience of living closely with other people, blended with a full calendar of classes, work responsibilities and extracurricular activities, furnishes countless occasions for the principles of the Christian life to be tried and proven. Thank God for the opportunities He has provided for you to grow.
It is important to remember that any ministry to others is a verbal ministry. Example is important, but it is only part of the total impact. Christ gave His disciples verbal instruction, and we must do the same with those we disciple. Paul said his ministry involved “...warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect [complete] in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). Giving comfort is a verbal action. Warning and rebuking are verbal actions. If you are weak in verbal skills, observe others who are effective communicators. Seek counsel about any problems in your life that would make you overly inhibited verbally. Fears can be overcome and verbal skills developed if you get the help you need.
3. Practical Experience Christ provided ample opportunity for the disciples to gain practical experience in the things they had learned. Jesus sent the twelve out on errands, on evangelistic missions, took a few with Him when He went to important meetings (Matt. 17), and basically ensured that they had plenty 14
Your mission is to help those in your room see the design and plan of God in their circumstances and help them apply God’s truth to those experiences. It was easy for Israel to think that the pressures and problems they had from enemies, dwindling food supplies and hardship were just part of living in the desert. God, however, had very specific intentions for them in each of these experiences. Moses reminded them that God “...led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live” (Deut. 8:2–3). When confronted with a problem, we often see only the problem or become irritated by the inconvenience or hardship presented by the problem. Often those you serve will be tempted to overlook God’s working in the midst of the circumstance. A student leader brings an awareness of God to each situation through a right example and edifying verbal interaction.
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What is your initial response to, “A student leader brings an awareness of God to each situation through a right example and edifying verbal interaction”? How well do you “recognize the design and plan of God” in your own circumstances?
What’s the Purpose of Discipleship? We briefly looked at the processes that Jesus used when training His disciples and discovered that these are the same elements He will use to develop us and the same elements He expects us to use when developing others. The Lord had both a long-range purpose and a more immediate purpose behind His actions. His long-range objective was His disciples’ personal sanctification and future glorification (John 17). He wanted them to reflect His nature. We saw earlier that Paul’s objective also was to “present every man perfect [complete] in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). Christ could not hope to accomplish that purpose fully in the three and a half years He was with His disciples. Neither can we expect to see it totally fulfilled in the time we minister at BJU. Like our Savior, Jesus Christ, we want to influence those around us toward godliness to the extent that we are able and they are receptive. Christ had a more immediate objective, however. In John 14:12 and in the Great Commission, Jesus made it clear that He was training His men to replace Him—to do what He did. This is true biblical leadership. Leadership is not merely getting people to do your work or motivating them to follow your teaching. Biblical leadership is training people to do exactly what you are doing as you follow Christ (which is recruiting willing volunteers, teaching them how to walk with Christ, and then teaching them how to repeat the process in someone else). This was Paul’s burden in 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 16
You, too, must have both long-range and immediate objectives for those you lead. They might look something like this: Long-range objective: Growth in godliness and Christian maturity (1 Pet. 1:14–16; 2:9-12; 2 Pet. 1:5–11). Teach them to reflect the nature of their Lord. Immediate objective: Teach them the attitudes and actions necessary to replace you in your discipleship ministry as a GL or an RL. This may be the farthest thing from their mind right now—and they may not even qualify right now. Your mission is to be God’s vessel to help them grow in God’s grace and to equip them to minister to others. People follow and imitate those whom they respect. This is why consistency in your personal testimony is so vital. They must see the power and presence of Christ in all of us who lead them. In your previous residence hall rooms, have you had a student leader who took seriously the mission of discipling the individuals in the room? If so, what means did that person use to promote growth in Christlikenss? If not, how do you think the absence of that kind of example will affect your leadership this year?
What Can I Expect? After pondering the responsibilities above, you may be overwhelmed. Keep in mind, however, that while you have been selected to lead others, someone has also been selected to lead you. There are those above you providing the example, the exhortation and the experience needed for you to be discipled as you disciple others. God intends your ministry as a student leader to be one of the missions on which He sends you in order to develop you. God has provided you with plenty of instruction on living the Christian life, through your church, daily chapel services, classroom instruction, daily interaction in a Christian community and consistent time in the Scriptures. There are examples around you, people who are zealously pursuing Christ and can assist you as you grow. You may need help with relational skills or knowledge of the Scripture as it applies to solving 17
various problems, or you may need help discerning how to apply yourself as a disciple maker. Consider asking one of your leaders to disciple or mentor you so that you have someone actively promoting Christlikeness in your life.
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thes. 5:23–24).
The Lord Himself will handpick the experiences you need this year to become what He wants you to be. He already knows who your roommates are going to be and how difficult your classes will be. He knows how things will go at home this year and is already aware of the failures and successes that are on the horizon for you. When you feel you lack understanding to fulfill Christ’s mission, just keep meditating on God’s witness to the Gospel in His Word. When you recognize how self-centered you are and how little you do to make a difference in others’ lives, keep coming back to Christ’s example of washing the disciples’ grimy feet, and remind yourself why He came. When you realize how shallow your faith is that God will change you and those around you, keep rehearsing the wonderful acts of God that delivered His people from bondage and disease and death. When you struggle to submit yourself to the demands of the Gospel, flee to the sympathetic ear of a faithful High Priest, and cast yourself on His mercy. When you grow weary and start to turn around like Lot’s wife, look to Jesus long enough to find His grace sufficient, His burden light, and His rest satisfying. Look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. God wants to teach you how to be like Jesus, faithful and fruitful for Him this year. You play a vital role in the lives of your fellow students and will be subject to the enemy’s assaults. Remember the words of Moses to Joshua at Joshua’s inauguration as the new leader of Israel: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:9).
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IMPERATIVES: HOW WE LIVE AS BELIEVERS Section 3
LIVING IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
We’ve looked at God’s global mission of redeeming and restoring sinners. We’ve been confronted with the necessity of joining God’s mission by following Jesus Christ. And that imitation extends to adopting His lifestyle of speaking truth in love to those who are lost and teaching them to observe everything He has commanded us. Certainly, discipleship is easier said than done. Describing it on paper and practicing it in real life can be two very different things. The message never changes, and the methods always need to reflect God’s character, regardless of the location. Nonetheless, this ministry of discipleship is not simply an ideal floating around in best-selling books. It is a way of life that takes shape in particular contexts. One advantage of a Christian university is the opportunity to live in community with other believers. Let’s consider Christ’s commission in the context of residence hall life at BJU. In order to grow in Christ’s grace and knowledge, we need to partner with one another in obeying Christ’s commands. After reviewing these foundational imperatives related to campus life, we’ll look at particular responsibilities and opportunities in the residence halls.
We are created in God’s image, designed to reflect His glory, defective because of sin, but redeemed by God’s grace through the work of Christ. As believers we are to reflect His image and our identity in Christ by the way we live. To reflect that identity, we must hear and do God’s words (James 1:22-25). Here are some foundational imperatives we should practice:
Love God wholeheartedly. Reflecting Christ starts with love for Him—a personal relationship with and a wholehearted commitment to Him in response to the Gospel (Rom. 12:1; Deut. 6:5; 2 Cor. 5:14–15). This love motivates everything we do. Action Step 1: What is the first action you will take to help those you lead to have a single-minded devotion to God? How will you need to change in order to model a single-minded devotion to God?
Love your neighbor as yourself. Reflecting Christ continues with love for others. Scripture commands us to esteem others as more significant than ourselves (Phil. 2:3). Action Step 2: How will you help those you lead to show sacrificial consideration for the well-being of those around them? Are there any changes you need to make in order to model sacrificial consideration for the well-being of others?
Be holy for God is holy. Reflecting Christ also means displaying God’s distinctive character in grateful response to Christ’s costly redemption (1 Pet. 1:15–19). We have been set apart to exhibit God’s glory as God’s people by God’s grace. Holiness entails separation from the godless “world” system (1 John 2:15–17; Ezra 6:21) by discerning where one’s culture reflects evil values. By living holy, separated lives, we publicly proclaim that only He is worth loving and following.
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Action Step 3: What will you do to help those you lead to obey God by not fitting in with the world around them? Is there a need for any change in your life in relation to being comfortable with the world around you?
Renew your mind. Reflecting Christ calls for transformed thinking. Instead of conforming to the spirit of the age, a redeemed sinner renews his mind by meditating on God’s words (Ps. 1:2; Rom. 12:2). Action Step 4: What is the first action you will take to help those you lead to seek to know God through His Word? Will you need to make any changes in order to be a Christlike example of knowing God through His Word? Action Step 5: How do you plan to develop a Christian worldview in your followers? Besides taking a college course, what action(s) will you take to personally develop a Christian worldview in order to help others develop a Christian worldview?
Submit to authority. Reflecting Christ requires walking in humility and choosing to submit to others (1 Pet. 5:5). Action Step 6: What is the first action you will take to help those you lead obey the God-given authorities in their lives?
Speak truthfully and graciously. Speaking the truth in love is not optional for believers (James 5:12). Believers must communicate in ways that build up instead of tear down, including wholesome language that avoids profanity and euphemisms (Eph. 4:29; 5:4). Action Step 7: How will you promote speech that is truthful and gracious? What changes will you need to make in your speech?
Exercise self-control. Reflecting Christ demands Spirit-empowered moderation and discipline (Gal. 5:23). No pursuit is more worthwhile than conditioning oneself for eternity (1 Cor. 9:24–27; 1 Tim. 4:7–8). Action Step 8: How will you help those you lead to submit their impulses and fleshly habits to the renewing influence of God’s Spirit? How do you plan to lead them by your own example in this area?
Exhibit modesty. Reflecting Christ means focusing on internal beauty that pleases God rather than external fashions that allure people (1 Tim. 2:9–10; 1 Pet. 3:3–4). Modesty is a powerful way for believers to glorify God in a culture filled with sensuality and seduction. Action Step 9: What are some ways in which you can promote modesty (displaying in appearance and conduct a heart devoted to Jesus) among your followers?
Abstain from lust and immorality. Reflecting Christ also entails pursuing moral purity. In calling us to purity, God forbids viewing sexuality as a means of exploiting others (1 Thess. 4:1–8). Since what we do springs from how we think (Mark 7:20–23), this commitment means controlling what you allow yourself to view and read (Matt. 5:27–30) and petitioning God’s Spirit to purify your thoughts, motives and actions. Action Step 10: How can you encourage those you lead to obey God by respecting His design for sex, celebrating it only within the marriage relationship? What actions will you need to take to be a faithful example?
Run with endurance. Reflecting Christ necessitates persevering through trial and temptation rather than living on yesterday’s victories (James 5:11). How we finish
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is more important than how we began. Christ persevered to the end in accomplishing our salvation and calls us to endure by looking to Him (Heb. 12:1–2). Action Step 11: What is the first action you will take to aid those you lead in bearing up under responsibilities and burdens in the power of God’s Spirit with the hope of eternity (Rom. 5:3–5)? How do you plan to run with endurance in the midst of a busy schedule and leadership demands?
Conclusion To summarize, we are committed to obeying the directives of our heavenly Father in response to the death and resurrection of His Son in the power of His Spirit. We affirm this commitment, recognizing that our flesh is weak and that we’ll often need the cleansing and forgiveness God promises to those who confess their sins and repent (1 John 1:9). We strive to obey not with slavish fear of a vindictive Master but with joy in the God who loved us first (1 John 4:19). Because He died for us in love, we are compelled to live for Him (2 Cor. 5:14–15).
RESPONSIBILITIES OF RESIDENCE HALL LEADERSHIP Roommates Meet and talk with each roommate during the move-in process. Try to be around your room as much as possible for the first few days. This goes a long way in establishing a relationship and assuring your roommates of your approachableness and availability. By the opening service you should find out if everyone in your room professes to know Christ as Savior. If someone does not, pray especially for him or her during the opening services and give a verbal witness when possible, but be careful not to nag, harass or coerce. Be alert to anyone who might be homesick. One way to encourage a homesick roommate is to include that person in your life as much as possible. 24
“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad” (Prov. 12:25).
PRAYER GROUP Time Room and group leaders are to meet with their prayer groups every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 to 10:45 p.m. The meeting time may not be changed, and no one is to miss this meeting to sleep without the supervisor’s permission, which is granted only on rare occasions. On Sunday and Wednesday, the student leader in each room must have room devotions beginning no later than 10:30 p.m. and lasting 15 minutes.
Format To a large degree, you set the tone for prayer group. You will undercut your own leadership if you allow prayer group to become a replay of the events of everyone’s day. Remember your mission, to equip committed, compassionate and courageous disciple makers for Jesus Christ. Everyone should come to prayer group appropriately dressed. Though you are in a residence hall, you are in a prayer meeting. For that reason, please do not allow anyone to lie down during prayer group or room devotions. Be aware and address any disruptions to consistent times of prayer. While fellowship and social interaction are important, the purpose of prayer group is for you as a group of believers to pray. Anyone disrupting room devotions or prayer group should be addressed kindly and immediately. Involve your resident assistant or resident counselor for problems related to prayer group. Try to involve everyone in room devotions and prayer group. Keep in mind that this is a prayer time. It should not include any singing or musical instruments so as not to disturb other prayer groups and in order to spend as much time in prayer as possible. A brief challenge is acceptable. Focus your attention on prayer by reading a passage of Scripture, such as the 25
Lord’s Prayer. Consider allowing a moment of quiet so that each person can prepare his heart by confessing sin and praising God. Seek to pray for as much of the fifteen minutes as possible.
in missions. This prayer time each week can serve as a great reminder to pray that “the Lord of the harvest ... will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:38).
Prayer requests are important in showing concern, compassion and support for those in your prayer group. This is one of the ways that Christians bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2). However, prayer requests can take a lot of time. Talk privately to anyone who seems to dominate the time by long, drawn-out prayer requests, blessings and so forth. Often just offering to meet with him or her privately on a regular basis to pray specifically about concerns will solve the problem. It will also provide you with a personal discipleship opportunity with that person.
Residence Hall Guests
In order to use prayer group time wisely, try one of the following methods when taking prayer requests. ■■ Take prayer requests via email. Appoint one person to be the secretary to which everyone sends prayer requests. The secretary can bring a copy to prayer group and send an e-copy to everyone in the group. ■■ Have each person pray for his or her own request. The student leader can get involved in the lives of others by following up with those who have urgent prayer requests. ■■ Have people bring their prayer requests written on 3”x 5” cards, which they then exchange with another person in the group. During room devotions, encourage daily personal time with God. Talk with your roommates regularly outside of prayer group about how they are growing in their relationship with Jesus. God may be dealing with them about personal matters that they do not want to discuss, but a consistent attitude of loving care will demonstrate that you want to help when they are ready.
Missions Night: Saturday Focus the Saturday prayer group on prayer for missions. Each week Missions Advance will deliver missionary information to each room. The purpose of missions night is to increase awareness of and involvement 26
Hospitality is defined as “welcoming guests with warmth and generosity” (American Heritage Dictionary). Scripture tells us to remember to care for strangers because “some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). While you may seriously doubt that any visitor you ever met was an angel, hospitality is one of the signs of spiritual maturity and a requirement for leaders (1 Tim. 3:2). Make sure that your visitors are welcomed, attended to and cared for while in your room. For example, try to avoid putting a visitor in an awkward situation, such as asking, “Do you mind sleeping in the top bunk?” when it is obvious that the rest of the beds are already claimed by roommates. If you know a visitor is coming, someone in the room should move to the top bunk before the visitor arrives and give the visitor one of the better bunks. Make room in the closets for visitors to hang their clothes. If you are in the room when a visitor arrives, offer to go to the van or bus and help carry in luggage. If you know ahead of time the names of visitors staying in your room, post a welcome sign. Offer to take them to classes; introduce them to friends of yours or faculty members in the majors they are interested in; invite them to meals and athletic events; show them you care. Take your visitors by the Welcome Desk to arrange a meeting with an admission counselor. After a visitor leaves, send a note from his or her “roommates” thanking him or her for visiting. An overnight visit in the residence hall is often the deciding factor when a prospective student is considering attending BJU. If a visitor is in a room where nobody cares about him or where the roommates are disgruntled, no amount of exciting programs or beautiful facilities will persuade him that this may be God’s will for him. Notice our Lord’s promise when we extend hospitality to others: 27
“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward” (Mark 9:41).
AACS/High School Festival Visitors are under all residence hall regulations while they are guests on our campus. If a visitor is out of order, creating distractions and morale problems, address the guest kindly but firmly. If the response is not good, let your resident supervisor know about it immediately. Because of your crucial role in the residence hall during High School Festival and AACS, no student leader may be away overnight unless on an overnight pass away from the Greenville area. Rooms have room devotions during these events, and you need to be present to conduct those and to help meet the needs of visitors.
LEADERSHIP FOCUS Your Mission There is no more strategic position on a Christian campus than that of a student leader in a residence hall room. Your life is a living example for Jesus Christ when you choose to submit yourself to His Word and faithfully lead those entrusted to your care. Your mission is to promote Christlikness in others and to equip committed, courageous and compassionate disciple makers for Jesus Christ. Peer leaders have a tremendous opportunity to promote faithful, godly living at BJU. The responsibilities are enormous, but God is faithful to equip and enable you.
Your Leadership Being involved in an outreach ministry and regular Sunday evening church attendance is a necessary and a vital part of growth in Christlikeness. As a student leader, you set the pace by your example and enthusiasm. As part of your efforts to disciple those you lead, do all you can to get them involved.
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Consider getting your room and/or prayer group involved in a ministry or attending Sunday evening church as a team. This is an excellent way to foster unity and accountability. You will see fruit not only in the lives of those to whom you minister but also in each other’s lives as you serve together and pray for the needs of others. A room leader or group leader who does not maintain regular Sunday evening church attendance and regular gospel outreach forfeits influence, a student leadership position and advanced privileges.
Problem Solving While you want to be careful not to be overbearing about everything, you cannot be afraid of consistency coupled with kindness and understanding. Minor problems easily develop into larger ones. Know the difference between a roommate who is weak and needs support, direction and encouragement and one who is willful and needs restraint and correction. The student leaders in each prayer group should meet together no less than once each week to discuss problems and solutions and to pray together. These brief, informal discussions provide mutual edification and understanding. There really is safety in a “multitude of counselors” (Prov. 15:22). One of the most damaging things to your leadership is to give advice predicated on fear. For example, if someone needs more help than you are qualified to give, or if he needs to clear his conscience about something, or if he wants to discuss a personal matter with someone in the administration, encourage him to get the help needed by seeing his resident counselor, supervisor or dean. Assure him that people are here to help and to promote Christlikeness in his life. Work together with your residence hall staff and administrative leaders to care for those struggling and in need of help. Encourage speech that edifies (Eph. 4:29) by refraining from unwholesome conversation (things like mom jokes, name calling, euphemisms, embellished stories of students who are called to the dean’s office, exaggerated stories about faculty or staff members and so forth). 29
Help your roommates to feel at home and to desire interaction from their campus community. If you are unsure of how to handle something, talk with your resident assistant, counselor or supervisor. They will give you advice and let you handle the problem yourself without intervening if it is at all possible. In addition, please be sure your advice about the student covenant and university policies is accurate.
OUTREACH MINISTRY AND MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT Getting Started in Outreach Ministry How do you get involved? Survey the available opportunities, pray for the Lord’s will, choose one, talk to the leader and go. Opportunities include working in churches, camps, child evangelism clubs, hospitals, jails, colleges, nursing homes, rescue missions, street work, youth work, special education ministries and personal witnessing. If you have trouble finding a ministry, talk with a staff member in the Office of Outreach Ministries or check with ministerial students, other group leaders and room leaders, resident assistants, your society chaplain, other friends and local church pastors and staff. They will be able to help you get involved in serving Jesus and others right away.
The Office of Outreach Ministries The Office of Outreach Ministries coordinates student ministries and helps solve problems related to those ministries. The staff is eager to assist you in finding an opportunity for service to the Lord. They also want to help you perform your ministry more effectively. They can provide information about churches and Christian organizations as well as answer questions about outreach ministries, preaching opportunities, best practices and so forth.
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TOOLS FOR STUDENT LEADERS Evaluations In Philippians, Paul takes on the pastoral role of encouragement when he assures the people of Philippi that God will complete the work that He has begun in them right through until the day of Christ. What a comfort to know that even on our “worst” days, God is continually doing a work in our lives for His glory. Most of us would admit that our flesh wishes we could sit back and wait for God to change us from the inside out without any effort on our part; and God does wondrously redeem, justify and glorify us. The truth is, however, that by God’s grace and enablement, sanctification is a pursuit for which we must strive. Paul uses the imagery of a professional athlete in training and a soldier fresh out of boot camp when he describes the effort it takes to press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Our nature wants to be able to sit on the couches of our lives and watch documentaries of other “Christian athletes” training for the mastery, when we should be translating God’s work in us into action—literally, the “to be willing” and “to be doing” of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:12). In the power of God’s grace, we have to deny ourselves and begin fleshing out our salvation with acts of sanctification. Some might argue that a spiritual life is private, meant only to be shared with God, and that “inspecting fruit” is legalism. Yet it was Jesus who pointedly addressed that way of thinking in Matthew 7:16–23, when He exhorted His followers to bear fruit. He said it was by their fruit that they would be known. John 15:4–16 reiterates the emphasis with the central idea, “If a man abides in me, and I in him, the same will bear much fruit.” Is it all our own doing? Definitely not since the verse continues, “For without me, you can do nothing.” The balance must be in place: it is God’s grace that works in us, but it is out of gratitude and love that we respond by choosing consistently to be willing and doing that which produces the fruit of which Jesus spoke.
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Our flesh and pride naturally recoil from an evaluation where the fruit of our Christian walk is undergoing inspection—even from ourselves. Proverbs encourages us toward welcoming evaluation and instruction when it says, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” It is the foolish person who despises rebuke and hates the one who brings it (Prov. 13:1; 15:12). Prayerfully use the evaluations this year as a means by which you may recognize areas in which you have slacked off in your disciplined “training for the mastery,” and allow the interaction with your leaders to be one of “iron sharpening iron.”
Personal Example One of the most important tools for your success is your own consistency and example. Know the condition of your relationship with Jesus Christ and make it your greatest priority. Student leaders generally dilute their influence in two areas. Sometimes while trying to help a fellow student who is struggling with moral challenges, the student leader will share something of his own failure in that area. While leaders never want to give the impression that they have no problems, neither should they give the flesh a chance to destroy God-given ministry or another person’s relationship with Christ. Often, conversations exposing past moral failure can cause both the leader and those he leads to stumble. Consider Paul’s attitude toward this kind of sin in Eph. 5:1–12, especially verse 12.
meditation in this area, study the message of Eccles. 10:1. Just as a fly trapped in a bottle of perfume can taint the odor when it dies inside the jar, so a person’s reputation can be ruined by one foolish and thoughtless action. Never set your standards for how an RL/GL lives by the example you had in a previous year or by your friend who is an RL/GL, unless the person you follow is following Christ. To do so merely perpetuates mediocrity. Instead, ask God for grace to discern what will please Him (Eph. 5:10). Your personal example cannot be maintained without regular, daily time spent with God. You must be in a vital relationship with the Vine to produce godly fruit (John 15). As John Owen said, “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” For that reason, consider asking your resident supervisor, resident counselor, a staff member, a faculty member or a graduate assistant to mentor you. A mentoring relationship provides support, accountability, encouragement and an abundance of growth. May God bless you as you seek to disciple those who have been entrusted to your care! “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thes. 5:24).
The other area that dilutes influence is inconsistency. For example, a student leader who is not careful about BJU policies such as being in bed with lights out by midnight or getting passes will find it difficult to lead roommates who are aware of his flaws. Just as devastating is the student leader who is moody, materialistic or sensual. If you are particularly prone to any of these, God intends to use the pressure of leadership to change you to be more like Him through joy, contentment or purity. Seek out the help of your pastor, resident counselor or resident assistant to begin seeing transformation to Christlikeness in your life. For a sobering 32
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