1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel. 2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. (Nehemiah 8:1 – 3, New International Version)
1 On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God. (Nehemiah 9:1 – 3, New International Version)
Theme: Discipleship
Context:
Your introspective responses to yesterday’s question were insightful. Thanks for the transparency displayed by all who commented.
So far, in our examination of the discipleship journey of the Children of Israel, we have extracted lessons from their idolatry and obstinacy. Today, we will discuss a more positive aspect of the discipleship journey of the Children of Israel – community. In the book of Nehemiah we learn that as the Children of Israel were coming out of exile and coming to grips with their waywardness, they asked that the Law of Moses be read to their community for hours at a time. They also prayed as a community, including public confessions. The public reading of Scripture in Nehemiah was consistent with a commandment issued by Moses that the Law be read before all of Israel every seven years (Deuteronomy 31:10 – 11). For our discussion, the significant point is this, discipleship for the Children of Israel was enacted in the context of community.
How do we think about discipleship today where community is concerned? For example, how do we interact with Scripture and pray as a community? Small group Bible studies and prayer meetings are a great example of discipleship in community, but do we overlook many other opportunities for discipleship in community? For example, how does public prayer and the public reading of Scripture by the Children of Israel compare with the treatment of prayer and Scripture reading in many of our worship services. Do we see sufficient focus on discipleship?
We must be mindful of the fact that our Western culture promotes individualism, and unfortunately, we often take an individualistic mentality into the sphere of discipleship. While being a disciple of Jesus clearly has personal elements (e.g., certain aspects of decision making and accountability), the New Testament often portrays discipleship in community (e.g., Jesus and His disciples and the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles).
Bible Passages:
In our Scripture passages today, Nehemiah provides a window into how the Children of Israel responded as a community to their time in exile. Please prayerfully read the passages and consider the questions below.
Questions:
- What are some warning signs of an unhealthy focus on individualism where discipleship is concerned?
- Can you think of New Testament Bible passages that encourage discipleship in community? Please share at least one.
Sharing your thoughts could be a big help to someone else. Please leave a comment on the blog.
March 20, 2024 at 4:59 am
I believe as a result of the pandemic, worship moved to online and virtual services. Although a wonderful way to worship and hold Bible studies, it moved us away from leaving our house and physically being with other Believers. This would have encouraged individualism.
Two verses that encourage discipleship in community are from Hebrews 10 when Paul was encouraging to persevere in faith.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
March 20, 2024 at 7:24 am
An example of an unhealthy focus on individualism where discipleship is concerned:
– the Christian who seems to be in competition with regard to their good deeds. They may mention how much more they did when they volunteered, or how much they gave the homeless man. There’s an attitude of “look what I did because I’m a great disciple.” Sometimes a person like this feels comfortable with never going to church to fellowship, and insists reading the Bible alone at home is the equivalent. It’s not wrong to live as a disciple as an individual, it just should not be an “everybody look at me” situation.
In 1 Corinthians 12, we are encouraged to work together, like a body, with a different members (of the body) working together.
March 20, 2024 at 7:30 am
Matthew 18:19-20 says “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Even though this verse only says 2-3 people, the fact that it emphasizes more than just one person points us to the importance of community. There is power in gathering, rather than relying solely on individualism.
March 20, 2024 at 7:35 am
I think a lot of emphasis is placed on wealth in our churches and this wealth isn’t dispersed or finds its way into many of the congregants hands but in the purses of a few. It’s a how much can I get for me. Jesus told his followers to give to everyone who asks (Luke 6:30), to give to those who can’t repay (Luke 14:13 – 14) and to freely give what we have freely received (Matthew 10:8). Acts 2:42 depicts early Christians devoting themselves not only to teaching but also to fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. The unity of believers is highlighted in Philippians 2:1-2, urging them to be like-minded and united in spirit.
March 20, 2024 at 9:22 am
To encourage discipleship one should be filled with the Holy Spirit so that the focused would not be on individual effort. You cannot be an effective disciple if you only rely on yourself. The Holy Spirit is the one working and helping us to glorify God
John 14:26 ” But the advocate, the Holy Spirit,whom the Father will send in my name , will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ”
A disciple who is filled with the holy Spirit trusts the Lord completely and knows that he is only an instrument being used by God to fulfill His purpose. Romans 15:13 says ‘”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This is a good reminder for us all as we disciple others at church.
March 20, 2024 at 12:16 pm
I agree with James in that the pandemic era created more believers to remain at home and encouraged an individualistic approach to worship and bible study. In Acts 2: 44 we see how the early believers worked as a community, caring and sharing with one another.
” All the believers continued together in close fellowshipand shared their belongings with one another”