Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Elective 203: Disciple Making: Devine Mentorship Personal Paper


Elect 203: Disciple Making

Reflection Paper

While I’m on this road you take my hand

Somehow you really love who I really am

I push you away, still you won’t let go

You grow your roses on my barren soul

Who am I, who am I, who am I

To be loved by you?

Who Am I by NeedToBreathe

“Encouragement is God’s native tongue” (Cordeiro, 10)

When I began reading the book, The Devine Mentor, I was not sure what I was expecting but at first I thought this book would help me navigate to find a good mentor. Then I found myself feeling a bit dimwitted as this book is revealing to me that the best mentors, I could look to are the people of the Bible. In the lyrics above, I thought what an amazing discovery that in the pages of this majestic book are the mentors that I have read about multiple times. I have connected with them and in their lives, God answered the question of who am I to be loved by you. As the words came to life as I read how God loved them so much, he died for them, but his love continues in the story of my life and into the future of generations to come.

The author makes a great point when he talks about divine testimonies as being left as a legacy of life skills. “Take those life-giving insights and secure them in your heart” (Cordeiro, 37) is advice I had not thought about. I have memorized scripture, but it is not just to prove a point, but is a life skill of learning “mighty insights of God’s eternal Word” (Cordeiro, 37). I am highly interested in how the lives of the Bible can provide me counsel for my path. In the lesson, The Word Hand made sense and it is also mentioned by the author, so I did learn that:

Hearing: we need fresh insight into scriptures as we retain only 5% of what we hear.

Reading: foundation of our daily time with God where we retain 15% of what we read.

Studying: deep dive into scripture to increase knowledge that leads to the Holy Spirit revealing nuggets of wisdom. It is here we retain 35% of what we study.

Memorizing: becomes the “sword of the spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) so if we stay consistent with reviewing scripture then we remember 100% of what we memorize.

Meditation: this is the best way to engage fully with God’s word as we hear, read, study, and memorize. This is the transforming power of the Holy Spirit at work as we meditate.

Now to combine what I learned in the lesson to what the author has outlined so that I take accountability for my own spiritual health which led me to revisiting the lives of my own divine mentors. Looking through my journals I wrote out the history, lives, and outcomes of the lives of Jeremiah and Peter. In previous classes, I had written extensively about them.

I am drawn to Jeremiah because he weeps for his nation. Why was he so compelled to weep for people who rejected his warnings? Once I delved into his heart I do too feel my heart weeping for our nation and the indoctrination of our kids. Seeing the consequences of young people now trying to find identity in de-transitioning. The regret and isolation is so intense. Jeremiah would be found weeping over the fate of his beloved country as he knew it was coming with the judgment of God who was going to allow Judah to be taken into exile by Babylon. His dedication to stay aligned with God’s word as his spokesman for forty years is what drew me to this prophet. His passion never strayed while speaking God’s message.  He was dismissed, ostracized, and isolated from his people by being thrown into prison and then a cistern.   His God-fearing love just exudes through his message even though he agonized over his message that he had to deliver just speaks to his dedication and how he worked through so much rejection from people. 

Oh, Peter I sure have walked in your shoes. I see my own downfall moments when I read Peter’s story. The downfall of Peter was when Jesus was arrested as the words prophesied by Jesus comes true as “immediately the roster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times. And he broke down and wept” (New Application Study Bible Mark 14:72). I would expect him to be shamed by Jesus, but instead on the beach while fishing Jesus appears so Peter jumps in the water to swim to him. Jesus once again singles Peter out when he asks him three times “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:16) Peter answers with a yes, each time. Peter’s life transformed knowing Jesus had forgiven him and then commissioned him to feed Jesus’ sheep. Jesus changed this fisherman into an evangelist. Peter’s identity changed from impulsively immature to a bold powerful dynamic speaker during Jesus’ ascension through the Holy Spirit. Peter finally understood the significance of Jesus’ words about his death and resurrection. 

In the lesson, being a disciple is defined as having a lifestyle of generational spiritual transformation by “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1: 6). The author also points to the essential need for me to know my Bible and make sure I know how to navigate through it. “The Bible calls itself your sword, and if you’re about to go into battle you’d better know how your weapon: how it fits your hand, how it feels when you swing it, and what outcome will result for anything wielded against it” (Cordeiro, 78). God’s mentors wear multiple hats when I need instruction, coaching, reminding, and reprimands. I know they are there to help me store the wisdom of God’s word in my heart and to equip me as a disciple so that I fulfill the great commission to go out and make disciples of all nations as Jesus commanded. “And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

Cordeiro, Wayne. The Divine Mentor. Bethany House Publishers, 2007.

Life Application Study Bible: NIV. Zondervan, 2019.