Life to Life Ministry
What is the value of seeing real examples of faith? How do we help people live the faith rather than just know it? Life to life engagement is essential for disciple making.
What does the Bible say about life to life ministry -
- See Reality - Mark 4:35-41
- Imitate - 1 Corinthians 4:16-17
- Pass On - 2 Timothy 2:1-2
- Holistic Learning - Philippians 4:8-9
See Reality
Mark 4:35-41
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How did what the disciples understood of Jesus’ teaching change through what they saw?
- How did Jesus’ understanding of the disciples’ progress change through what he saw?
- How have you been challenged to new levels by what you have seen?
Thoughts to consider
What we see in our teachers qualifies what they say. What people see in me qualifies what they hear from me. If I am vulnerable about my life, then they can imitate not just the teaching I discovered, but the struggle with God through which it came.
Imitate
1 Corinthians 4:16-17
So I urge you to imitate me. That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What is the purpose of imitation?
- What is it about Timothy that Paul urges the Corinthian church to imitate?
- What is the advantage of imitation over just teaching?
Thoughts to consider
Teaching by itself is out of the context of life. It is only when one sees the teacher live that one knows the extent to which they mean what they say. It is only when it is seen that the quality and love of the person tempers the teaching.
Pass On
2 Timothy 2:1-2
Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What do you notice about what children pick up from their parents?
- What was the relationship between Paul and Timothy that gives a context to the teaching?
- Why did Paul encourage Timothy to be selective about who was chosen to pass on to?
Thoughts to consider
Passing from one generation to another is intensive. We have limited capacity to develop the kinds of relationship that Paul is talking about. Therefore it is worth considering to whom we will entrust before we start.
Holistic Learning
Philippians 4:8-9
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What were the things that Paul was convinced the Philippians had seen in him?
- What means of transferring teaching does Paul mention?
- How could you live so that people could see your quality of life?
Thoughts to consider
Words are important because without words people are left to guess our motives. Living it out is important because without such an example, people will water down the teaching to make it manageable for themselves.
Overview question for reflection or discussion
- How does the life of the teacher impact the people who are taught?
- How do the imperfections of the teacher impact the learners?
Thoughts to consider
We pass on not just teaching but life. No teacher is perfect. The teacher will pass on poor behaviour as well as good. But, if teachers try to hide their imperfections, they passes on hypocrisy which is worse by far.
