Selecting a Disciple-Maker's Message Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Selecting a Disciple-Maker's Message - Essay Example These are tradition, observation, participation, and inspiration (Servants of Grace, The Disciple-Maker’s Message). To further discuss these points that the author made, tradition was used to pertain to the teaching and doctrines God relayed to his disciples when he was still alive. This source is a basis of credibility that needs to be established by any evangelist to ensure that the message truly came from God and is not any person’s own understanding or interpretation of God’s word which is subject to error. Also, in being able to cite certain scriptures from the Bible that directly came from God’s word would mean the avoidance of false teachings or prophecies. Observation, the second source to which a disciple-maker should shape his or her message from is also very significant in such a way that one is able to know how to approach one’s audience. People who still do not have any knowledge of God’s word would take a spiritual message diffe rently because of what they were taught, where they came from, what they are currently going through and etc. With this said, being able to shape an effective message that would open their hearts to God would entail knowing which among God’s promises in Bible to highlight. ... This will not only give them hope but also make them realize that no matter what kind of past they have, it is never too late to get to know our loving God. The final source is inspiration, which for me, means praying and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you. This for me is also a very important reminder that what you are doing is for God’s glory and not your own. When it comes to the forms of a disciple-maker’s message, Mitchell suggests tackling forms such as the subject matter, environment, life experiences, and one’s own life as a model (Servants of Grace, The Disciple-Maker’s Message). The subject matter is the main message that the disciple wants to convey. Being able to choose a specific topic is key in being able to convey a simple and yet clear message your audience can easily understand and absorb. Environment pertains to one’s choice of audience, where knowing their behavior and experiences can be very helpful in shaping an effec tive message. The third & fourth form, which is life experience & the communicators’ life/message are basically a sharing of testimonials to help the audience know how to apply God’s word into real life which is at most tricky for all of us and yet is a very good source of inspiration that despite the impossibility of living a Christian life, our loving and forgiving God gives us the grace to do so. 2 With all these said, I could see so many teachings in the Bible that corresponds to the points Mitchell made in shaping an effective evangelical message. According to 1 Corinthians 2:6, â€Å"We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing† (Bible Gateway, 1