Thayne A. Thompson, DMin | EFC-MAYM Lead Superintendent
Several weeks ago, our son approached me about the possibility of the two of us meeting online for a Bible study once per week since he and his family were in the middle of a church transition. They live in the D.C. area and we don’t get to see them very often, so obviously, I was thrilled at the idea of connecting once a week and spending time in scripture together.
After discussing potential options, we landed on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Phillippi, which we know of as Philippians. This happens to be one of my favorite books in scripture. It was the first book of the Bible I preached through as a seminary student years ago. The approach we took was to take one chapter a week, with the goal being that both of us would read the chapter once per day, before meeting to discuss what we observed, and what the Spirit seemed to be saying to us through that chapter. We also took one verse from each chapter and put it to memory for that week.
That experience has been powerful. I have read and preached through portions of Philippians many times over the years, but never have I read the same chapter over and over again 5-7 days in a row, observing and meditating on what I was reading.
In chapter 2 we memorized vs. 3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” (NIV) What a POWERFUL passage to think on daily! Reading, rereading, memorizing, and meditating on those two verses have been life-changing for me. Daily I have been challenged and encouraged to intentionally value others.
Not only was that a good exercise for me during December, but it is a good thought to meditate on as I begin 2025. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves…” I begin with those closest to me and think in concentric circles to others around me. I am by no means perfect. I have a really long way to go. But I hope I am making progress. The intentional focus on those couple of verses for an extended period of time has kept them at the forefront of my mind more than any time in the past.
With that I am reminded about the power of our thought life, and all that the scriptures have to say about it. Here are a few references:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2, NIV)
So, letting your sinful nature control you mind leads to death, but letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:5, NLT)
Finally, brother and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. (Philippians 4:8, NIV)
Reading and rereading scripture while allowing it to change the way we live is what discipleship is all about. Our goal, as Christ followers, is to daily become more like Jesus in the way we think, act and ultimately in the way we live.
During our Regional Leadership Retreats this winter we are talking about the topic of “discipleship”. What is discipleship? How were you discipled? Who are you discipling? Bottomline: all of us are being discipled everyday of our lives, whether we realize it or not. Either our culture is discipling us, our friends are discipling us, television is discipling us or (hopefully) our Christian community (church) is discipling us. It all begins with who or what controls our minds. It has been said we become what we eat. But truthfully, we become what we think about.
I have noticed this so clearly in my life. Whatever controls my mind, controls my desires and ultimately my actions and habits. For us to find true freedom in Jesus we, as churches, must be effective at discipling those under our influence and care.
How is your church doing in discipling people? Are those who call your church home more like Jesus today than they were a year ago? If so, it didn’t happen by accident. It happened as you intentionally made decisions to not only impart truth into the minds of people, but to help them apply that truth in their daily lives. What an awesome responsibility and privilege we have to help people move from where they are to where Jesus wants them to be, so they can experience life to the full. (John 10:10)
So, as we begin 2025, I encourage you to consider two questions: (1) Who or what is discipling you? And (2) What are you doing to help others learn to know, love and follow Jesus? Discipling won’t happen by accident. But it will and does happen every day of our lives by someone or something. How will we in EFC-MA produce genuine followers of Jesus (disciples) in 2025?
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