DISCIPLESHIP BOOK SAMPLE

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP — Jabe Nicholson — A Helping Hand: Chapter Target Just as Jesus “went about doing good”, we need to train others to do the same in order for our lights to shine into this dark world. When I was a boy, the most common word association I had with “good works” was “filthy rags”. How true it is: good works can’t cancel out bad deeds, nor be traded for eternal life. But, while we cannot work our way to heaven, we ought to work on our way to heaven.  I was already in adulthood when I noticed the Bible’s empha- sis on believers’ good works. At first, I only thought about doing good, until I discovered that God doesn’t answer daydreams; He answers prayers. In daydreams, I was the hero. What I’d do if I had a million bucks! But in prayer, He’s the Hero. I love Luke’s commendation of Dorcas, who provided goodwill for the awakening under Peter’s preaching: “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named…Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did” (Acts 9:36). Not good works which she thought about, or planned for her retirement, but “which she did”. The Ouch Factor? “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin,” James 4:17. What does our Disciple’s Manual say? “As we have opportu- nity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the house- hold of faith,” Gal 6:10. “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works,” Titus 2:7. “Affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works,” 3:8, — good works as a lifestyle. 1

MAKING DISCIPLES The Lord is our Exemplar. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good,” Acts 10:38, a key element in His revealing the Father to an unbelieving world. Many today have caricatured God as cruel, vindictive, and remote. When scoffers describe Him in this way, I reply, “That isn’t the God I know. He ...one of answers my prayers. I see Him meeting people’s the aims needs. He’s always doing wonderful things!” of [Jesus’s] In Jesus’ day, folks had wrong thoughts about ministry God, too. So one of the aims of His ministry was was to to show how generous His Father was. He knew show how the power of good works to win people’s hearts generous His Father and point them to God. “Many good works I have was. shown you from My Father… If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him,” Jn 10:32,37,38. Paul ex- plained, “the goodness of God leads you to repentance,” Rom 2:4. WHY ARE GOOD WORKS SO IMPORTANT? The astronomical cost of Calvary was not only to save us from sin, but to salvage us from purposelessness. Christ “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works,” Titus 2:14. These works were pre-planned to match the capabilities our Designer placed within us. “For we are His work- manship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God pre- pared beforehand that we should walk in them,” Eph 2:10. God put these good works on your To-Do List. Our Lord described this earth-heaven linkage as follows: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven,” Mt 5:16. I have found that good works are the ideal handmaiden of the gospel. Especially in a 2

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP community where you are unknown, even unwelcome, good works done in a godly way increase your visibility and credibility. Like a wall receptacle, the Christian is the interface between heaven’s largesse and earth’s needs. We soon are recognized as God’s local reps. As one school secretary said, “We don’t know your name, sir. We just call you the man from God.” Will some take advantage of us, and misuse what we give? Yes, just as they did with the Savior. But we can’t afford to become cynical. Here’s a helpful verse: “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given,” Prov 19:17. Be wise on the front end, but relax on the back end. The Lord takes giving on His behalf personally. He has you covered. THE BENEFITS OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP “It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth,” Lam 3:27. I have found it a great blessing to labor alongside young men when doing good works in the community. As my body becomes less capable of manual labor, they are just coming into their own. My experience and their energy are a great combo. Young men, perhaps before they’ve begun to express them- selves in a public way in church life, can nonethe- Many less speak the universal language of love. Many young men young men have not been shown how to work have not well: how to pick the right tools for the job, how to break a large job into smaller, manageable tasks, been how to work cooperatively with others, how to shown how happily serve in lowly tasks, how to not quit until the service is completed, and that the job isn’t to work well... done until the tools are away. And, of course, that loving service begins at home, sweet home. I recall speaking to my son, David, while I was away preach- ing. A brother had marshaled the young teen boys to help a spinster move apartments. She had quite a stash, and the work was rigor- 3

MAKING DISCIPLES ous. “I’m learning to sweat for the Lord,” said David — one of the best lessons in the textbook. You can help young men master this. Good works, unlike many spiritual ministries, have immediate results. It’s energizing for young men to experience the joy of a job well done. Legitimate compliments go a long way in making diffi- cult tasks become worthwhile. Of course, we shouldn’t be looking for praise from men; hopefully we’re doing it for the Lord. “When you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do…that they may have glory from It’s more men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their sanitary to reward,” Mt 6:2. It’s more sanitary to toot your toot your own horn, but the music will not be sweet. own horn, A young man once told me, “Your life and but the mine are opposite; you dance on the clouds; I music will drag through the mud.” I inquired if there was not be sweet. any time during his week when he felt joy in serving. Yes, he said, every Friday afternoon he helped an old couple around their house, then shared supper with them, the highlight of his week. “Ah, so you do have the formula. It really is ‘more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35). So now just multiply that Friday evening experience as many times as the Lord gives you strength and opportunity, and you’ll be living in the heavenlies, too.” To paraphrase the Lord’s words: Try it; you’ll like it. ...working Young men need to learn what “a good kind with one’s of tired” feels like. The world says with disdain, hands “I’ve been used.” The devoted disciple says, “I [helps to] want to be used.” This should be the heartfelt calm the desire of every servant, to “very gladly spend and soul, order be spent” for Him, 2 Cor 12:15. When the Scripture the mind, says it’s good “to work with your own hands,” 1 and Thes 4:11, it means it. In this high-tech/low-touch world, the tactile pleasure of working with one’s develop hands gives opportunities to calm the soul, order the body the mind, and develop the body for future service. for future service. 4

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP PRACTICAL HINTS IN GOOD WORKS   “Give to him who asks you,” Mt 5:42. Our primary goal in ministering to others is not simply to meet material needs. The Lord gave people bread, but really wanted them to receive the Bread of Life. We want people to understand their value to God, His attention to our cries, His generous heart in giving, and the Supreme Gift He especially wants them to receive. But when we are instructed to give to the one who asks, we don’t always give what he asks. We don’t want to enable bad habits. The drug addict who asks money for food should probably be treated to a meal, not given money. A single mother, rather than a handout, might be better served with help in saving, budgeting, couponing, and buying produce in season. If love, like a Thus Paul’s prayer mingles encouragement rolling river, with warning: “This I pray, that your love may doesn’t abound still more and more in knowledge and all flow within discernment,” Php 1:9. If love, like a rolling river, the banks doesn’t flow within the banks of knowledge and discernment, it can do great harm. of knowl- edge and How do we know when to involve ourselves discern- ment, it can in practical projects for the Lord? How could do great Jesus say, “I have finished the work” after only a harm. few years? Because He added “which You have given Me to do” Jn 17:4. It is true that we are to be servants to people, but we must remain servants of God. Men are not our masters. When called on to rescue Lazarus, “He stayed two more days in the place,” Jn 11:6. There’s a time element to God’s will. Every morning, available for service, He checked with His Father.  In seeking a practical way to know where to invest good works, we found a simple solution. When one asked for help, we let them know our wealth is in God. He’s promised to meet our needs, not greeds: “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” Php 4:19, — this to believers who had expended their resources in the gospel. God delights to find those willing to be channels of His blessing. 5

MAKING DISCIPLES It isn’t up to us to determine if something is legitimate. We pray with the person, asking the Lord to provide if it’s a true need. In this way, if it is provided, we know the Lord considers it a legitimate need. But more, the person has a real-life lesson that a) God is real; b) He answers prayer; and c) He deserves all the thanks. This is crucial. People are quick to give you the thanks that God deserves. We must explain, “I’m just the delivery boy. God asked to use my pickup, but this is all from Him.” Only once in our ministry here has the Lord not sent the pro- vision for a request. A school, thinking this was their only oppor- tunity, “padded” their list with things they didn’t need, to keep for the future. No money arrived for this large appeal. I returned with the list and told them my suspicion. With a sheepish smile, they confessed that was the case. When they edited the list to only their needs, the money showed up that very day! Here’s the way the Lord usually works. I received a call from a teacher in a county I seldom visit. She heard through another teacher that I might help. A special needs girl in her class, sight-im- paired, couldn’t see the smart-board. If she had an iPad, she could have the lesson up close.  “That sounds like a real need. How much would that cost?” She said about $1,000.  “Oh, I don’t have that much money,” I replied. “I thought you did.” “No, but I have a Friend who does. Could we ask Him?” “Of course.” “Could we ask Him right now?” I inquired. Long silence. “You mean…pray? That works?” “Well, God works,” I said. And so we prayed together for the child — for the needs of her spirit, soul, and body — and said good- bye. That was at 3:30 pm. At 4:30, the phone rang again. It was a friend in Alabama. “Could we have lunch tomorrow?” “Sure, brother. What’s up?” “I have something for you. A check for a thousand dollars.” 6

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP I called the teacher back. “The money just arrived,” I told her. “I’ll see you at the store tomorrow afternoon.”  The story went right through the school, then through the community. Soon I got a call from a state trooper with a special needs child. I was invited to his home where other special needs parents were gathered. They were not looking for material assis- tance, but for spiritual help. It was a life-changing time for several that evening. FAITH TO ASK & FAITH TO WAIT Be careful about mixing good works and Good News. If you say, “I’ll help if you let me preach the gospel,” they think you’re trying to buy converts. Instead, follow Christ’s example. He “went about doing good”, waiting for the Father to open a door for the gospel. One day He fed the multitude; the next ...I haven’t had one day He applied the lesson. It takes faith for this, occasion but I can tell you, through scores of opportunities where God to serve, I haven’t had one occasion where God failed to failed to open a door for the gospel. Here are a few open a examples. door for One afternoon, the phone rang. It was a dear Christian who, although she has a PhD., works the gospel. humbly in a small county school, aiding strug- gling students. About 40 of the students had aced the state test, and they wanted to celebrate. Someone offered to serve lunch, but had just backed out. Our number was the emergency line. Could we provide lunch for 50? As in, tomorrow? This underlines the scripture, “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,” 1 Tim 6:18. We need to be ready, or opportunities will slip by. Forget personal in- convenience. One of the hard lessons of true servanthood: servants work on other people’s schedules; we don’t respond at our leisure. My son-in-law, Chris, purchased the fixin’s for the best burgers in the south. A friend in Georgia keeps us supplied with cases of 7

MAKING DISCIPLES “The King of Glory” by Paul Bramsen, so we offered to give them as gifts. The principal was skittish about us handing them out but said we could have a stack for any students who would take one. The next day, Chris grilled as the students sat in the football stands. The superintendent was supposed to address them — this was a big deal in a rural town with minimal parental involvement. We waited. And waited. Finally, the vice-principal said, “Mr Nich- olson is providing our wonderful lunch.” (Applause.) “Sir, would you like to speak to the students?” I was happy to oblige.  I explained that their DNA declared each of them unique crea- tions of God. But what were they made for? Only God knew, but He had revealed His plan in the Bible. Thankfully, the Bible’s message is compressed into one sentence, and I gave the gospel from John 3:16.  When I sat down, the mayor rose. His face glowed with the joy of the Lord. He said he hadn’t planned on running for mayor, but felt the town needed spiritual revival and so had offered his services. He said everyone was encouraged with the students’ marks, and a good education meant a good job. “But,” he said, “what Mr Nicholson told you is the most important thing you’ll ever hear. A good job will buy groceries, but salvation gives you eternal life.” When he sat down, the town’s activities director stood up. “Some of you think your family are losers and you’ll be a loser, too,” he began. “Well, I was a loser. I ended up in prison. But Jesus came to me in prison, I was honest with Him about my sins, and He forgave me. He gave me a whole new life, and He can do that for you, too.” More was said, but you get the drift. A school celebration was planned — and a gospel meeting broke out! Oh, and one of the teachers didn’t get the principal’s memo. As the students left, she handed a “King of Glory” book to every student. Why do we sometimes have so much gospel effort with so little fruit? Is this one reason? “Let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful,” Titus 3:14. 8

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP GOD LOVES GIFT-GIVING Do you ever feel that God hasn’t provided enough? I did one day. A small minority community wanted to build a pavilion so families would have a place to picnic. I’m all for encouraging fam- ilies, especially in a state where 70% are born out of wedlock. I helped purchase building supplies, and the men did all the work, with bathrooms and a kitchen, along with the pavilion. When the work was concluding, they wondered if I could I said I’d help with a fridge and stove. I said I’d pray. pray. But I didn’t pray. I forgot, until the town sec- retary called me on the Thursday and wondered But I didn’t. if there was any hope for appliances. “The grand I forgot... opening is Saturday,” she said. With deep apologies, I said I’d pray then and there. Whatever the Lord sent the next day, I would use it for appliances. You’ll no- tice I was assuming the Lord had moved someone to send the check several days before, so it would arrive the next day. That’s nothing to Him. The mail came before I took my wife to her hairdresser’s appoint- ment. I opened the one envelope — a check for $400. Really? You can’t buy junk for that! I was sure the Lord had short-changed me. My wife’s appointment is brief, so I decided to do our news- paper’s crossword while I waited. Then my eye drifted into the Personals. “New fridge for sale,” it read. “$200.” It must be a trick. I dialed the number anyway. The woman confirmed it was new. The make? “A Frigidaire. Designer black.” “How can it be that price?” “My husband sells mobile homes,” she explained. “They come with these, but some folk already have appliances, so my husband clears them this way.” “I’ll be there asap.” My grandson BJ and I headed off pronto — and bought a brand new fridge for $200. Her husband helped us load it. “It sure would be nice,” I opined, “if you had a matching stove.” 9

MAKING DISCIPLES “I may have one in the barn. Want to have a look?” And there it was. Brand new. Designer black. Same brand. Same price. Total of $400, no tax. Sorry again, Lord. The next night was the Grand Opening. BJ and I attended with a prayer in our hearts for an eternal opportunity. The whole com- munity was there, about 350 people. The emcee was having a hard time because a local band hadn’t shown up. (What’s this motif about people not showing up?) The mayor sidled up to me. “Mr Nicholson, could you tell the folks how God provided the fridge and stove?” They were as quiet as church mice as I told them how God cared about them. How He didn’t deal in junk. He gave them “every good…gift…from above.” But why? He wants us to re- member that He hadn’t just given us a fridge and stove, but life, and food, and health, and sunshine, and rain, and our children. Oh, and His Son. He gave His Son for us! And so it went, into a short gospel word. LOVE, THE HEART-SOFTENER We’re working in an increasingly hostile ...working world. This provides the opportunity to stand out in an in- from the run-of-the-mill do-gooders, acting su- pernaturally by “doing good to your enemies,” creasingly Lk 6:26-35. Here’s a great cancel-culture verse: hostile “that when they speak against you as evildoers, world... provides they may, by your good works which they ob- the oppor- serve, glorify God in the day of visitation,” 1 Pet tunity to 2:12. stand out from the I was asked to address a school staff meeting by the principal who had just received a truck- run-of-the- load of supplies from the Lord. I expressed to mill do- gooders... them my appreciation for their hard work, but ex- plained that all the important lessons students needed to learn are not in the textbook: honesty, diligence, cooperation, etc. They 10

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP would have to learn those from the teachers’ examples. Loving the children was key, and the most unlovable ones need love the most. For that we need God’s love in our hearts. How to get it? Only at Calvary. You get the drift. The art teacher, right beside me, was offended. She held a manila folder between me and her face the whole time, then immediately went to her room. This was a job for love. The next day, I bought the kind of art supplies her class would never see. But that night, the Lord touched my heart. You know those big art books of your favorite artists that your father gave you? It’s time to pass them on. Gulp. When I offered the art teacher the supplies, she thanked me perfunctorily. But when I told her about the books, she started to cry. “You got me,” she said. Well, actually, the Lord got her. She walked me to the door, where the other teachers were saying goodbye to the students at day’s end. For their benefit and mine, she said, “Well, Mr Nicholson, we know when God sends someone, and we know He sent you.” Love never fails. We should be frugal for ourselves with our own resources, but generous with others. The Number One Giver in the Universe said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, We should pressed down, shaken together, and running be frugal over,” Lk 6:38. His Father, from whom comes for our- every good and perfect gift, “is able to do exceed- selves with ingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,” our own Eph 3:20. We can afford to be generous, because resources, you can’t outgive God. but gener- ous with Young disciples should be given opportuni- others. ties to report on good works in the local church. The stories they tell should be brief, accurate (no exaggeration), and God should always be the Hero. This gives ac- count to those who invested in the project, makes these young people know they are valued members of the team, and encourages others to join in: “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” Heb 10:24. 11

MAKING DISCIPLES CONCLUSION: Going From Here... In conclusion, here is the apostle Paul’s comprehensive admonition: “Command those who are rich in this present age” — and who of us in the West is not rich by comparison? — “not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life,” 1 Tim 6:17-19. Yes, good WORKS! PRACTICAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1. Summarize the importance of good works, citing the verses that stood out to you in this chapter. Specifically, locate these descriptive words in the verses where they are used, and give your own definition of each word:  • charitable ( ) • ready ( ) • maintain ( ) • pattern ( ) • discernment ( ) 12

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP 2. Explain the connection between faith and good works in your own words.  How can you apply this to your own life? 3. Describe the relationship between God’s giving and our own. You might find help in 2 Corinthians 9.  How does this impact your view of giving and of the needs around you? 4. Contrast the Christian lifestyle presented in the Bible with what the world promotes regarding this topic.  How do we remind ourselves to not follow the way of the world in our daily decisions?  5. Read Luke 4:18. What needs are described?  13

MAKING DISCIPLES How does this show the link between people’s needs and access points for the gospel?  What needs do you see in your family? Your neighbor- hood? Your local church? Where could you start to help? 6. Discuss 1 Timothy 5:25. What do you think Paul is explaining to Timothy? What good works are being done in your local church (or your community) that we easily overlook? In what ways can you encourage those whose good works aren’t always noticed? Do you see needs not being met where you could be a help? 14

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP THE MULTIPLICATION OF DISCIPLES — Sandy McEachern — A Helping Hand: Chapter Target Let’s consider some fundamental components in- volved in teaching and molding those in our charge into fully formed disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus far we have talked about the importance of relationships in “multiplying disciple” and stressed a wholistic approach, build- ing connections that are multi-faceted and genuine. Within these relationships our aim will be to build people up and help them through the challenges of becoming a disciple for the Lord Jesus. This is the “Go” in our Lord’s great commission - “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matt. 28:19). MOVING FROM ‘GO’ TO ‘MAKE’ At this point we want to look at the other critical concept in our foundation text. Make! Making takes time. Making takes work. Making involves a clear idea of what we are trying to produce. “Go” speaks of the establishment of relationships. “Make” points to the grand purpose of those relationships, to make disciples of Jesus Christ. I would never want to give the impression that multiplying disciples is primarily making friendships into which we sprinkle a little bit of Christianity now and again. Yes, we are working to- wards developing meaningful relationships, but we need to always have in the forefront of our mind how we can leverage in love those relationships towards spiritual things; how we can help, teach and mold those who have been brought into our charge into fully 15