“And we proclaim Him, admonishing EVERY man and teaching EVERY man with all wisdom, that we may present EVERY man complete in Christ.” Colossians 1: 28
EVERY MAN’S EVERYDAY PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING THEIR PERSONAL POTENTIAL IN CHRIST
The plan is to help each individual with a daily program to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (II Peter 3:18) The plan assumes that every disciple (Mathataes - Greek) is a learner or student. That Jesus commanded the Apostles to make disciples or students of all the nations, and that the Lord’s church is a school where each person is involved as a student day-in and day-out to the point where each also becomes a teacher himself. As Hebrews 5: 12- 14 says:
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for
someone to teach you the principles of the oracles of God, and have come to
need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not
accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for
the mature who, because of practice, have their senses trained to discern good
and evil”
This scripture shows that the Hebrew writer thought that each Christian should become a teacher. For that to happen, each “pupil” or disciple should be undergoing intensive training starting from the day they are immersed into Christ. This should be done through/by the church. For an example of some of the ways all become teachers, we should consider how mothers and fathers should teach their children. Look at Proverbs at several passages: Proverbs 1: 8 Solomon said, “Hear my son your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” Proverbs 5: 13 “And I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ears to my instructors.” In this case, it is mom and dad. Also look at Ephesians 6: 1-2 where parents are to train their children in the Lord.
We are told in Titus that the older women are to teach the younger women, “Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, not enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.”
We all know that elders must be apt to teach from I Timothy 3: 2 Other examples could be given that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that every Christian should be not only a student, but become, at some level, a teacher. There are also those that are called teachers of the entire church. These are especially the evangelist’s and the elders. These are mature, experienced men who have a thorough knowledge of the Word of God, which includes much memorization and practice in doing home studies and teaching many different people for many years. One of the important scriptures we need to look at is Ephesians 4: 11-13:
“Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of
Christ.”
Paul goes on to say in the next verses, (and read these carefully), that the whole body is to grow together in the knowledge and likeness of Christ. These and many other verses prove, as we’ve said, that every man needs an everyday training program to develop and maximize his full potential in Christ. We do not need to segregate and separate ourselves into those who know and those who do not know. We do not need a clergy/laity mentality. Every single person who has received the Holy Spirit has the ability to grow in the knowledge of Christ’s teachings. There are no exceptions unless a person is severely handicapped mentally, or very young in age, in which case he is not responsible for his actions. All others are responsible and must participate, or are guilty of deliberate sin. Peter also said in II Peter 1:2-3 “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” If one reads on to verse 5, we see the words “supplying all diligence,” or we could say “making every effort.” Whatever version you choose, the impact is the same. We must apply ourselves as serious students of God’s Word and Christ’s teachings. This cannot be only during what is popularly and commonly called the “Sunday School hour,” or even just the Wednesday night Bible Study. It includes the entire week.
“WON BY ONE”
ANCIENT PURPOSE OF ALL CHRISTIANS - THE WHOLE CHURCH
At this point, the reader should refer to the “Won by One” plan of evangelism available from Jeff Hostetter, Steve Icenogle, or the Sunyani Christian Church. The address is P.O. Box 278, Sunyani, GHANA. The cost will be C1000.00. If you do not have a copy, please make sure you obtain one for it is vital to “Every Man’s Everyday” plan. The purpose of the New Testament was and still is: To seek and save the lost wherever they may be found. No everyday program could bypass this ancient purpose of the Lord’s Church. It is not a sidelight or just a “part” of the program of the Church, but it is the main overall goal that Christ had for His Church on earth - to fulfill the Great Commission to go into all the world, making disciples by immersing them, and teaching them all things.
MEMORIZATION OF SCRIPTURE - THE CORE OF THE PROGRAM
“Haley’s Bible Handbook” should be examined for motivational information about the role of Bible reading in the Christian’s life, pages 805-818 (be careful though, because Haley is a Protestant, not a Christian.) There is no doubt that God gave us the Bible in order to direct our life and give us the mind of Christ. The Holy Spirit will not work apart from God’s Word to sanctify us. Memorization of scripture is paramount in importance. Therefore, the core or center of this program is in memorization of scripture. The student should make it his aim to memorize the entire New Testament within either a 7 or a 10 year plan. The 10 year plan is to do one verse per day, except on the Lord’s Day when review will be made of the past weeks memorization. Both it and the 7 year plan (3 verses a day) have one week of review after every six weeks of memorization; one month after every six months; one year after six years. The student is to try and look at the scripture 7 x 7 times during the day, that is 49 times altogether. Although an exact adherence to this is difficult, the general idea is to look at the scripture more than once during the day, so that by the end of the day, it can be quoted from memory. This is not easy, but it is possible and many are doing it.
At this point, I would like to strongly urge you to make a commitment to such a plan and do not be discouraged if it takes time to make it part of your life and become a habit. Nothing worth anything comes easy. As the Twi proverb says: "The beginning of everything is difficult." The student should not lose heart if on some days, because of sickness, work, or other intrusions or distractions, he is unable to complete his work. He should go on and try to get that material during the review day, week, month, or even year. It should be noted that during the lifetime of the average Christian pupil, or disciple, he will go over the New Testament several times. Therefore, if the first round is not entirely successful, he will do better on the second. Let me remind the reader that Jesus defeated the devil through Scripture that He had memorized in all His temptations in the wilderness. The Psalmist said: “They Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against God.” Proverbs 4: 20-22 says, “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ears to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them.” Many other such verses give motivation and encouragement to memorization of scripture.
It is recommended that the student acquire a pocket New Testament. The New American Standard version is one of the most excellent versions for many reasons. This pocket New Testament can be carried along wherever the student goes: while on lunch break, while traveling, or sitting around the house. He can easily pull it out and review his verses. Another option is to write the verses down on a piece of paper and carry them with him wherever he goes. This is an ongoing discipline which is good for the character as well as the mind of the participant. Every attempt should be made before sleeping, to successfully quote the scripture from memory. Families should help family members, and friends should help friends in this process.
The student should also become familiar with the scripture, overall. He should memorize all the books of the Bible first and foremost. There are 66 books, each written for an important point that God had for the reader. None of them should be overlooked. The Bible student should endeavor to read through the entire New Testament twice yearly, and the entire Old Testament once yearly. “Haley’s Bible Handbook” on pages 812-813 has an excellent suggestion. Also, it is good to read one Proverb and one Psalm every morning for daily devotion. This will bring the wisdom, poetry, and thoughts of God into the mind of the disciple. It will teach him how to pray, praise, and petition God properly. It will give him the common sense he needs every day to deal with life, both at home and in the marketplace. Proverbs should be seen as the letters of Father God to we His sons. (Note the many times “my son” are used.) This Bible reading can occur during the entire day, and no particular time is better than the other, except as it meets the needs of the reader. Only make sure a regular plan is followed. Lord’s Day should be used to do much of the reading.
The student should attend all the assemblies of the local congregation. It is recommended that the local body have a one hour teaching time on the Lord’s Day and Wednesday weekly. A monthly seminar is a good idea. In addition, the individual should endeavor to study scripture, which includes his memorization time, for one hour. The serious student who aspires to preach or teach should double that. In addition, the disciple should devote himself to prayer daily. One hour is a good suggestion to begin with. This doesn’t have to be all at one time, but can take place throughout the day. If one will look at the total number of hours that this simple schedule will give in Bible study for every man, it is truly astonishing.
SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY EVERYDAY SAMPLE PROGRAM
|
TYPE OF TRAINING
|
DAILY |
WEEKLY |
MONTHLY |
YEARLY |
|
Private studies, memorization & Bible reading |
1 hour |
|
|
365 hours |
|
Home devotions (Household members)
|
|
3 hours (3 different nights) |
|
156 hours |
|
Weekly Assembly (Lord’s Day & Wednesday) |
|
2 hours |
|
104 hours |
|
Weekend Retreat (3 hours) on first Saturday of every month |
|
|
3 hours |
36 hours |
TOTAL HOURS = 661
Anybody (every man) can participate in this type of Spiritual Training Program (STP) for developing his personal potential in Jesus Christ. Jay Wilson’s books should be gone through in this order:
1. Proof That the Bible is the Word of God
2. God’s Plan of Salvation
3. The Holy Spirit
4. The New Creation
5. Christ’s Church
6. The Second Coming
7. Cleansing the Inside of the Cup
Each Christian student should seriously study these books, answering all the questions. Another disciple/teacher should lead him in going through these books and discussing and applying the proper understanding of them. One year should be enough time to go through studying all 7 of these books, by doing 5 studies per book. (One study a week + 5 weeks per book 6th week for review, then test. 7 books x 6 weeks each = 42 weeks total.)
Each new convert/disciple is the same as a newly enrolled student in an educational institution - the church. Every school has entrance requirements for all candidates for “enrollment.” So does the church. The church is truly “Christ’s International School” with the same entrance standards and curriculum no matter what culture or age it is established. All members adhere to the same training program in all the basic essentials. All “pupils” must be indoctrinated with the same basics. No exceptions allowed. If you are a student, you follow Christ’s curriculum. Coach/Teacher Jesus has the same teachings and expectations for all peoples on earth. (I Cor. 4:15; 11:1; Phil. 3:15-17 should be examined.) Imitating the leaders in all areas of life - social, mental, and spiritual areas is necessary. The newly enrolled disciple could be enrolled in a “Sunday-school” one hour Bible class using a book like 13 Lessons in Christian Doctrine by Denver Sizemore, during the first three months of his new Christian life. Or Bob Sheffler’s TEE(Theological Education by Extension) books, The Christian Life and The Christian Way. This new converts class could run every 3 months (4 times a year). If the class is already at lesson 7 when the recruit is immersed, he will start there, then go on studying through lesson 6.
Sample: February 15 he is immersed (enrolled) into Christ’s church (school) and on
his first Lord’s Day assembly as a Christian, the 13 lessons Bible class is already on
lesson 7. The new convert joins in at mid-session, since the 1st six lessons of this
13 Lessons in Christian Doctrine have been taught. He finishes through lesson 13
on this cycle, then starts the second cycle or session with lesson one and goes on
until he has completed lesson 6. He then joins the mainstream Bible class.
This 42 week plan can also be used in evangelism. It shouldn’t take that long, though. Nevertheless, Christians should follow a logical order in sharing the truth with non-Christians.
“And EVERY day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Acts 5: 24
If you have any questions, contact:
Evangelist Jeffrey S. Hostetter Stephen Icenogle
Church Growth Resource Centre CGRC
P.O. Box 685 UST P.O. Box 278
Kumasi, GHANA Sunyani, GHANA
tel # 051-26878 tel # 061-470