Reflection of Theology

The Art of Personal Evangelism: Sharing Jesus in a changing culture By Will McRaney, Jr. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Academic, 2003, 268 pp., $19.99 paper.

Making disciples is the overarching purpose of the church. However, many churches struggle with understanding and fulfilling the true meaning of Christian discipleship in individuals’ lives. This writing assignment will attempt to expound on several significant aspects of discipleship. The importance of the centrality of Jesus Christ to Christian discipleship will be detailed. Also, obedience to the directives of Christ and submission of particular areas of one’s life will be outlined. Finally, the three stages of discipleship according to Dave Earley and Rod Dempsy will be delineated and expanded upon.

In the Christian community, every single person plays an important role in making the community as safe and caring as possible. One of the most vital beliefs of a Christian is that we are all equal, so we when we are called to serve and help each other, we should obey. This call, although we may hear it at different times and see it in different ways, the call comes to everyone. We may have different understanding of the call, or we may even conflicting ideas of how to answer this call, but in the end, every single idea is important.

The true meaning of Christian in CCU is defined by this Evangelical orientation, which transcends denominational boundaries. These beliefs in action are defined by four distinct concepts. The first being conversionism, which is the belief that lives need to be changed. Next activism, the expression of the gospel in effort. Biblicism, a particular regard for the bible and finally crucicentrism, a stress on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. (Session 1 Biblical perspective, n.d.)

The way that you treat, think about, and speak to others should be in a way that is consistent with biblical teachings. In both Matthew and Luke, we are taught that we are to “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31). If we wish to be treated fairly, we should treat others fairly. In 1 Corinthians, Paul tells us that we should look to him as an example because he looks to Christ as his example. If we try to be as much like Christ in our thoughts and actions, we will treat others kindly, lovingly, and welcoming.

To know Jesus Christ is the best thing that can happen in a person life. It transforms your mind, body and sprint. I have picked the following three topics to share my experiences of knowing Jesus Christ. First, what can your local church do to better communicate God’s love to your community? Second, why are personal testimonies important in sharing the gospel? Third, Did Jesus claim to be God? These are the three topics that always spark my interest when talking about our Lord savoir Jesus Christ.

Lord willing, these students then become Checking-Things-Out students, desiring and attentive to spiritual conversations and experiences. In these relationships, it is imperative to dig deeper, to answer questions, and to expose students to the gospel through lifestyle or stories of real faith. This open and attentive nature leads to the gospel message falling on good soil and, prayerfully, results in belief and commitment to Jesus Christ.

“I have carefully and thoroughly read the entire book as assigned.” Throughout David Platt’s book, “Radical : Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream”, he encourages the reader to take a look at their life and see whether or not Christ is all they need to impact their life for Jesus in a radical way. He asks the reader to carefully examine their life, and see if there are areas that perhaps the Lord would desire for change to take place. Platt challenges the Church to step up and see the urgency in missions realizing that this is the way God designed the lost and dying world to hear the Good News of the Risen and Glorified Savior Jesus Christ.

Theology 104 has changed my personal view of theology. Right away after week one when I open my Bible and start to read there was more clarification in the way I understood the scripture that was being read. There was a more comfortable and confident feeling in the way I regard God and redemption. In turn, I feel more knowledge of what I have learned and able to share the word of God more effectively. Finding factual proof to substantiate my theory of Christianity and the existence of God has become less challenging from the knowledge I have obtained from this division. Passing on my view of Christianity and God has been less challenging for me.

In a world that does not know the Gospel anymore, we must indulge in it, and love our fellow community though they may not share similar values, but find balancing in still remaining in our own values. Though many of times we find ourselves in opposition of the majority of the world, we must exude Christ love onto others as He does to us unconditionally. The author addresses ways in which we are able to live out our faith and still find a place within our community though they may not share similar values.

The lessons I’ve received from transitioning through the church as a child, youth, and adult member have taught me a number of lessons; patience, reverence, and empathy are all traits I’ve strengthened, and they have undoubtably helped me through my high school career. Taught how to ask thoughtful questions, I’m unashamed of my curiosity. Our faith is not always one of direct answers— even our most devoted

Fay and Shepherd are to be commended for creating this thought provoking book. The authors persuasively implored Christians to encompass witnessing into their lives, then supported their points with specific biblical guidance. For example, when confronted with an individual who declines to accept Jesus because they believe they will be unable to live a Christian life the authors provided Phil. 4:13 as the scriptural response. They were successful in conveying their deep concern for unchurched and lost souls.

Of those who benefited from the cultural toolbox theory, the NSYR noticed four particular theological accents devoted teens exhibited: identifying with a creed of what to believe, belonging to a community which acts out God’s story, feeling called to live out a larger purpose defining why they are here, and possessing a personal hope to hold onto how they should live. I can’t help but critique this assessment. Although such qualities are commendable, such a normative move could be recommended for any age of any religious or non-religious affiliation. Dean uses a more Christian application of theology as she encourages the concept of a missional imagination. Dean emphasizes the missional imagination of the gospel which rules out Moralistic Therapeutic Deism with “human traditions of divine love; people whose words and actions do not grasp God as much as they reveal a God who grasps for us” (64). Drawing from the language of dean on page 100, this missional imagination should be used not only for the transmission of the gospel across countries, but also across generations. The first concept of the missional imagination is found in the indigenizing translation of the concept that Christ makes his home among us, participating in human culture and accepting us as we are while still sinners. The “pilgrim principle” of testimony transforms us into who Christ wants us to be by ejecting us from our comfort zones. Finally, the liminal principle of detachment takes place in the blurry ambiguity between two worlds when a space is created for both the human and the divine encounter. If adolescents don’t exhibit the fruits of using a cultural toolbox theory as well as a missional imagination, their faith life (or lack of faith) can resemble a farm with a fence. Instead of identifying the farm of Christian faith by whether the adolescent is inside or outside of the fence, the church

supply to the family, and his parents moved to this country looking to accomplish the American dream for their children. Another other possibility is, because Jose’s health condition his parent cannot get enough money and medical support in Mexico that help him o stay mentally stable. Jose’ and his family were very fortunate to find this hospital which, when condition allows, admits any patient without any restriction.

This course has had a great impact on my walk with Christ as well as my witness for Christ. I pastor a church and teach two classes and for me I thought that I was doing plenty. However this course has helped rekindle my passion for sharing Jesus Christ with people through personal evangelism. This paper will demonstrate what I have learned throughout this course.