Koinonia @ Austin - Bible Study & Christian Fellowship at UT Austin » Discipleship

Devotion Time: July 26 – August 1, 2010

Henry — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 05:59:11 +0000

Monday 7/26 2 Thessalonians 2

Tuesday 7/27 1 Thessalonians 3

Wednesday 7/28 1 Timothy 1

Thursday 7/29 1 Timothy 2

Fri-Sun 7/31- 8/1 Isaiah 16-30

Click here to download the Inductive Bible Study Training Guide.

Click here to download the Inductive Bible Study Packet for July 26 – August 1, 2010.

Download John Devotional

Henry — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:39:03 +0000

Click here to download the entire John Devotional!

Romans 16 Devotional Questions and Commentary: Relationships in the Church

debbiefitz — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:01:52 +0000

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Jiseon Choi, Gracepoint Berkeley

List the characteristics of those people Apostle Paul greets here. What picture of Christian discipleship and relationship do these qualities paint? The characteristics that Apostle Paul describes include – working hard in the Lord, great help to many people, who worked very hard for you, outstanding among the apostles, etc. The picture of Christian discipleship that emerges from Paul’s apt description of these fellow Christians is that of much hard work and sacrifice to many people. Even Andronicus and Junias distinguished themselves by being outstanding among the apostles, most obviously by their hard work and sacrifice for others, that even exceeded the level of effort exerted by the other disciples Paul commended.

What were the conditions that created the depth of relationships pictured here?

In his reference to these fellow Christians, Apostle Paul refers to them in the language of familial bonds, as fellow sisters, brothers, and mothers to him and to one another. The conditions that created this were that of much danger and personal peril, as he talks of Priscilla and Aquila, his dear friends, who literally risked their lives for him, for those like Andronicus and Junias were suffering in prison with him, and Apelles tested and approved in Christ. They were brothers and sisters in more than name, as they endured through much difficulty together in their faith.

What should be the basis of relationships in the church? The basis of the depth of relationships they enjoyed is in the shared commitment that they had in living out the gospel message, as “fellow workers in Christ Jesus”.

What can be surmised about the life of the early Christian community from the fact that though Apostle Paul had never been to the church at Rome, he had so many people there whom he could greet with such personal references?

What can be surmised about the life of the early Christian community from the fact that Apostle Paul had so many personal references, though never been to Rome, was the intimate fellowship that they shared among one another, such that he knew of people by name. We can imagine that the brothers traveling from city to city would share stories among each other, accounts of how this brother or sister had risked their lives but were spared (PTL!) or have brought this unbeliever, now a new brother or sister to faith in the Way. It must’ve been an exciting time, probably akin to starting a new ministry, as in our Austin church, where each and every person attending Bible Study is eagerly anticipated and remembered by name, young and old alike. And although many of us in the other churches may not have ever met (albeit about a dozen recently during the Thanksgiving retreat), we refer to these young members of our Austin church with great fondness, learning of their stories with great excitement as having prayed for them fervently in faith during the early morning prayer bands.

Note the many names of women that appear in this list (e.g., Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Junias, Tryphena and Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus’ mother, Julia, Nereus’ sister.) What does the fact that Apostle Paul referred to so many women with deep personal appreciation, respect, and high commendation show about gender roles in the early church?

The fact that Apostle Paul referred to so many women with deep personal appreciation with whom he commended and honored shows that the women believers were just as hard working and invested in the gospel as their male counterparts. The gospel must have greatly transformed the cultural norms, elevating the view of women and allowing them to serve in these capacities, showing that Jesus had brought change that far exceeded the times and dignified and ennobled women who at the time were seen as property and a liability.

As Apostle Paul comes to the end of his dense and packed epistle, he lists people he loves—those who had been “a great help … to me,” a couple who “risked their lives for me,” three he calls “dear friend,” many who “worked hard,” those who “have been in prison with me,” and a woman who “has been a mother to me.” Think about how he must have felt as he recollected each of these brothers and sisters, and the shared experiences and stories of serving God together surrounding each of them. Reflect on the richness of Apostle Paul’s life. Do I recognize such a life as the best and highest life? Who might be the ones who remember me with this kind of fondness, and whom can I recollect with a similar fondness in Christ? If I have none, or only a few such people in my life, what is the reason, and how can this change?

Yes, I realize that a life of being remembered with this kind of fondness of shared history, of having gone through real ups and downs of faith, of persevering together through times of trial and testing, to experience the thrill of deliverance together is the most blessed life. It does not even compare with the temporary cheap thrills of this world. There are people whose faces conjure up so many memories that revisit me like a dear friend. I still recall sitting on an outside bench with Kelly Smn when she lifted up her hand to the sky and said to me when I was just 18 years old freshmen, and telling me that God had a grand vision for my life. I was baffled and thought, I just told her that I was bad in math, why would and how would God factor into the nitty-gritty of my life? So many older women who elevated my picture of Christian life and just life for me, who was just planning on settling down to a comfortable, private life, took pains with me so that I would desire a radical Christ honoring life. Perhaps some younger ones I ministered to in different years would remember the conversations we had when I too in turn were able to instill my conviction in them that God had a great vision for their lives. Yet the number is too few and the reason I hold back is the feeling of disqualification I feel as my number of sins increases only logically as I get older. The only way to continue is to remember the saints before me, like Apostle Paul, all the men and women of faith, who risked their lives, suffered in prison, and had been like a mother, even to the great Apostle Paul. Why? Because of their understanding that they were to labor in love for believers and nonbelievers as an act of obedience, not a result of qualification.

Devotional Questions:

Romans 16:1-16

List the characteristics of those people Apostle Paul greets here. What picture of Christian discipleship and relationship do these qualities paint?
What were the conditions that created the depth of relationships pictured here? What should be the basis of relationships in the church?
What can be surmised about the life of the early Christian community from the fact that though Apostle Paul had never been to the church at Rome, he had so many people there whom he could greet with such personal references?
Note the many names of women that appear in this list (e.g., Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Junias, Tryphena and Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus’ mother, Julia, Nereus’ sister.) What does the fact that Apostle Paul referred to so many women with deep personal appreciation, respect, and high commendation show about gender roles in the early church?
As Apostle Paul comes to the end of his dense and packed epistle, he lists people he loves—those who had been “a great help … to me,” a couple who “risked their lives for me,” three he calls “dear friend,” many who “worked hard,” those who “have been in prison with me,” and a woman who “has been a mother to me.” Think about how he must have felt as he recollected each of these brothers and sisters, and the shared experiences and stories of serving God together surrounding each of them. Reflect on the richness of Apostle Paul’s life. Do I recognize such a life as the best and highest life? Who might be the ones who remember me with this kind of fondness, and whom can I recollect with a similar fondness in Christ? If I have none, or only a few such people in my life, what is the reason, and how can this change?

Romans 16:17-20

How does Apostle Paul exhort the church to deal with those who cause divisions in the church?
What can I learn about the nature of divisiveness within the church from Apostle Paul’s directive?
Why is divisiveness within the church such a serious issue?

Commentary:

vv.1-16 “It’s interesting that Romans, a profound book of doctrine, ends with so many personal greetings. This illustrates the fact that true doctrine leads to loving fellowship among people. It also shows that no matter how admired and significant Paul was as an apostle, he saw himself as one of the believers – a fellow worker and friend of those in Christ.”[1]

“[W]hat is not typical about this section is the number of greetings. He asks the Romans to greet twenty-six individuals, two families, and three house churches. This number is all the more surprising when we remember that Paul had never visited Rome.” [2]

vv.1-2 “Letters of commendation were important in the ancient world. People who traveled in an age with few public facilities (such as hotels or restaurants) depended on the assistance of people they had sometimes never met for their needs. Phoebe is apparently going to be traveling to Rome, and so Paul commends to the church this ‘sister’ (adelphe, rare in the New Testament as a description of believer [1 Cor 7:15; 9:5; Philem 2; Jas 2:15]).

“But Phoebe is more than a sister; she is also a ‘servant [diakonos] of the church in Cenchrea.’ Diakonos can be applied to any Christian, called to ‘serve’ God and his people. This may be its sense here. But the addition ‘of the church in Cenchrea’ makes it more likely that Phoebe holds an official position in the church there. Phoebe is probably a ‘deacon,’ serving the church by ministering to the financial and material needs of the believers (see esp. 1 Tim 3:8–12; cf. also Phil 1:1).”[3]

v.3 “Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple who had become Paul’s close friends. They, along with all the other Jews, had been expelled from Rome by the emperor (Acts 18:2,3) and had moved to Corinth. There they met Paul and invited him to live with them. They were Christians before they met Paul, and probably told him much about the Roman church. Like Paul, Priscilla and Aquila were missionaries. They helped believers in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-28), in Rome when they were allowed to return, and again at Ephesus (2 Tim 4:19).”[4]

v.7 “The fact that Andronicus and Junias were ‘outstanding among the apostles’ could mean they had distinguished themselves as apostles. They may have been a husband and wife team. Paul’s references to them as relatives (see also 16:21) could mean that they were from the same tribe as Paul.”[5]

v.13 “It is not certain that this is the same Rufus as is mentioned in Mark 15:21, but it is possible that he is the son of Simon of Cyrene. Apparently Rufus’ mother ministered significantly to Paul.”[6]

v.22 “Tertius functioned as Paul’s scribe or secretary for the letter. It was common for those writing letters in the first century to dictate to a secretary, but the content of the letter is clearly Paul’s.”[7]

[1] Quest Study Bible, study notes (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994) 1570.

[2] Douglas J. Moo, Romans, Life Application Bible Commentary CD (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2000).

[3] Douglas J. Moo, Romans, Life Application Bible Commentary CD (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2000).

[4] Life Application Study Bible, study notes (co-published by Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1991) 2056.

[5] Life Application Study Bible, study notes (co-published by Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1991) 2057.

[6] English Standard Version Study Bible, study notes (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008) 2184.

[7] English Standard Version Study Bible, study notes (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008) 2185.

ROMANS Devotional – Available for Download!

debbiefitz — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:05:47 +0000

If you’d like the entire journal downloaded onto your computer, you can find that HERE! Enjoy!

ps. Big thanks to Pastor Ed Kang and Kelly Kang for working tirelessly on the devotional questions that challenge and bless us each day! And another big thanks to Pastor Will Kang and Andy Tung (Gracepoint Berkeley) and Pastor Timothy Rhee (Gracepoint Davis) for compiling all of the commentaries that guide us through the text!

Matthew 4 Devotional & Commentary: Follow Me!

debbiefitz — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:01:36 +0000

Download Matthew 4 commentary

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Jay Park

Nobody follows a random stranger at the invitation, “Come, follow me.” It seems that the disciples who left their nets “at once” to follow Jesus at least knew something about Jesus that they were willing to go with the invitation, leaving their puzzled parents behind. They must have heard His preaching about the light in the darkness, about the announcement of the kingdom of God and felt something resonating in their hearts. Perhaps, they had been disappointed in life and disillusioned. They were looking for something more. When the Rabbi came and asked to follow Him, by then they were ready to try the new adventure.

If Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods came to our city and extended an invitation: “Follow me. I’ll help you to be just like me,” I bet many people would jump on that opportunity. Why? So that we could be as good as they are and perhaps achieve the fame like them. Jesus’ invitation wasn’t so that they could become famous but that they would be fishers of men. The disciples probably didn’t know what being a “fisher of men” was like. However, it was probably based on Jesus’ character/integrity/authority/trustworthiness that they were willing to give it a try. What is admirable about these disciples is the reckless abandonment of the things they were used to and familiar with, such as their profession and family. This is what Jesus commended them for in Mark 10:29-30: ‘”I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.’ In my own opinion, this was the best decision they ever made as there is nothing as noble and worthy of a goal as bringing the lost souls into the kingdom of God.

Jesus extends the same invitation to me to follow Him on this adventure, not just once but everyday, because I don’t always follow Him but often follow other things in life. I can easily follow my own desires to achieve something great before the eyes of others, like being considered the best in ________. It could be in the areas of sports, music, servanthood, character, worship leading, small group leading, etc. It’s a constant battle to correct the path that I’m on—i.e. who/what I am following. Another reason to refuse Jesus’ invitation is due to desire for physical/emotional comfort. Following Jesus means to engage in suffering love, which is not easy and totally takes me out of the comfort zone. However, it’s only through the sacrifice of people that many lost souls are brought to salvation. It’s ultimately how I handle the competing desires in my life that make it or break it when Jesus’ invitation is laid before me. While I’m thankful for the invitation to be a fisher of men and my decision to follow Him, I need to still daily struggle to deny myself of desires that make me look good before others but instead have a long term view of rescuing others from death through the path of sacrificial love.

Devotional Questions:

Matthew 4:15-17

How has Jesus’ coming fulfilled the prophecy, “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned”?
How have I experienced this in my life?
What is the significance of the fact that Jesus’ first message was a call to repent?
How central is repentance in my life?

Matthew 4:18-22

Think about who it was that issued this invitation: “Come, follow me.”
How did the disciples respond to Jesus’ invitation?
Have I responded to this invitation? In what ways am I still holding back from responding like these men?

Additional Questions:

Matthew 4:1-11

What can I learn from the fact that Jesus was “tempted by the devil” after his baptism and the heavenly affirmation?
Reflect on the three temptations and the underlying desires involved in each. Which one am I most susceptible to?
What can I learn from Jesus’ response to each of these temptations?
When I face adversity or personal struggles, what/who do I turn to for answers?
In what areas of my life do I need to experience victory through the word of God?

Matthew 4:23-25

Note the 3 words used to describe Jesus’ ministry in vs. 23. In what ways has my life been characterized by these 3 activities?
What is the commonality among those who came to Jesus? What does it take to come to Jesus? What does this say regarding true blessing (cf. Matt 5:3)?

Join a Life Group (aka Small Group)

Henry — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:44:21 +0000

Looking for a cozier group to connect with? At our LIFE groups, we:

L – Listen in order to better love one another (listen to each other’s struggles as well as listen to others as they bring God’s word into our life)
I – Intercede on behalf of each other as well as other common concerns
F – Fellowship with one another
E – Engage God (help each other bring God into the center of our lives) and Engage God’s word together

We meet weekly in the middle of the week and usually start with a home-cooked meal followed by a meaningful discussion, and always some fun time of hanging out. Sign up below.

Luke 14:28-34 Devotional: Count the Cost

debbiefitz — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 07:01:59 +0000

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Jeannie Lee, Gracepoint Berkeley

What’s tragic about not being able to finish the tower?

What is tragic about not being able to finish the tower is that this man has put in much effort and time into starting to build this tower. He’s laid the foundation, he’s spent a lot of time and money, he’s started an endeavor that he is unable to finish b/c he didn’t plan well enough, he didn’t anticipate what it would take to fully finish that project, and now he’s left with nothing. Failed plans, no money, lost energy and effort, and a crushed spirit.

Every Christian is by definition a disciple of Christ (cf. Acts 11:26). Three times, Jesus says, “You cannot be my disciple.” What does this reveal about the nature of being a disciple of Jesus?

It reveals that the terms of being a disciple are tough. It’s a narrow road. Jesus says, anyone who does not “give up everything” cannot be my disciple. That means there are those who think they are disciples but who might not be one. Being a disciple doesn’t mean showing up to everything and being a good trooper and trying harder to fit in more and more for God. Being a disciple is an issue of a surrendered life, to “give up everything,” including my time, talents, treasure, totality. And I need to evaluate whether or not I am denying myself, taking up my cross daily and giving up everything to follow Jesus or not.

What cost have I paid since following Christ?

I don’t think I can say I have paid much since following Christ. Maybe a bit of disapproval from non-Christian friends and family, but the gain of eternal life far surpasses what little cost is has been.

What is the cost of not following Christ?

Eternal regret, gnashing of teeth, a constant nagging feeling of what if I had given all…

What have I gained in Christ?

In addition to eternal life, I have gained the freedom from the things I was enslaved to, forgiveness of sin and a washing away of the dirt in my heart and mind. And in addition to these things, meaningful work, purpose, hundreds of fellow like-minded brothers and sisters to walk this narrow road with.

Devotion Questions:

What’s tragic about not being able to finish the tower?
Jesus does not hide the cost of discipleship. Why does he tell the crowd to count the cost of following Him before they follow?
Compare the salt that loses its saltiness and the fellow who began to build but was not able to finish in v.30. What warning does this provide for those who claim to be a disciple of Christ but have not counted the cost? What would such a person’s life result in?
Every Christian is by definition a disciple of Christ (cf. Acts 11:26). Three times, Jesus says, “You cannot be my disciple.” What does this reveal about the nature of being a disciple of Jesus?
Have I counted the cost of following Christ?
What cost have I paid since following Christ?
Is following Christ worth the cost?
What is the cost of not following Christ?
What have I gained in Christ?

Commentary:

v.33 The Essenes devoted all their property to the community; some radical Greek philosophers espoused the same kind of teaching. But the rest of early Judaism and, even more, Greco-Roman society at large rejected such fanaticism; Judaism stressed giving to charity but not divestiture of possessions. Jesus’ disciples did not become propertyless but shared all that they had (Acts 2:44–45; cf. comment on 12:12). Nevertheless, Jesus would sound like one of the radical teachers, because he claims that anyone who values possessions more than people—and so holds onto them rather than meeting known needs—is not being his disciple.^[1]

vv.34-35 Jesus uses salt as a symbol of the Christian life. What, then, are its essential qualities? In Palestine it had three characteristic uses.

(i) Salt was used as a preservative. It is the earliest of all preservatives. The Greeks used to say that salt could put a new soul into dead things. Without salt a thing putrefied and went bad; with it its freshness was preserved. That means that true Christianity must act as a preservative against the corruption of the world. The individual Christian must be the conscience of his fellows; and the church the conscience of the nation. The Christian must be such that in his presence no doubtful language will be used, no questionable stories told, no dishonourable action suggested. He must be like a cleansing antiseptic in the circle in which he moves. The church must fearlessly speak against all evils and support all good causes. She must never hold her peace through fear or favour of men.

(ii) Salt was used as a flavouring. Food, without salt, can be revoltingly insipid. The Christian, then, must be the man who brings flavour into life. The Christianity which acts like a shadow of gloom and a wet blanket is no true Christianity. The Christian is the man who, by his courage, his hope, his cheerfulness and his kindness brings a new flavour into life.

(iii) Salt was used on the land. It was used to make it easier for all good things to grow. The Christian must be such that he makes it easier for people to be good and harder to be bad. We all know people in whose company there are certain things we would not and could not do; and equally we all know people in whose company we might well stoop to things which by ourselves we would not do. There are fine souls in whose company it is easier to be brave and cheerful and good. The Christian must carry with him a breath of heaven in which the fine things flourish and the evil things shrivel up.

That is the function of the Christian; if he fails in his function there is no good reason why he should exist at all; and we have already seen that in the economy of God uselessness invites disaster. He who has an ear to hear, let him hear.^[2]

^[1]Keener, C. S., & InterVarsity Press. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament (Lk 14:33). Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

^[2]The Gospel of Luke. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow., Ed.). The Daily Study Bible series, Rev. ed. (Lk 15:1). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.

Luke 14:25-27 Devotional & Commentary: The Cost of Discipleship

debbiefitz — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:01:01 +0000

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Wilson Fong, Gracepoint Berkeley

What does it mean to “hate” his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – even his own life?

Jesus clearly did not intend for his disciples to have hatred and disdain – or even indifference – towards the people closest to them. In no way was Jesus contradicting the fifth commandment, “Honor your father and mother.” Rather, he was underscoring the oft-forgotten first of the Ten Commandments establishing the preeminence of God. Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor” encompasses the call to familial responsibility and to be a faithful son/daughter, husband/wife, father/mother, brother/sister. To hate one’s father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters means to love Christ so much that all other human relationships pale in comparison. It is an issue of a properly ordered set of priorities, placing God as first above everything (and everyone) else – so that when situations arise where there needs to be a choice between doing what God wants and doing what my family wants, there is no question that I will obey and honor God. It might look like I am hating my family, but I would rather do that than appear like I am hating the God who has created me and has saved me.

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by James Chao, Gracepoint Berkeley

What lessons can I learn from the Parable of the Great Banquet about why Jesus asks for such radical commitment?

One shocking thing about the parable of Great Banquet is that seemingly very ordinary and reasonable things turn out to hinder the invited guests from joining the banquet. And when we consider that the banquet here is a metaphor for heaven, we see the shocking implications of what Jesus is saying. It is not the glaring sins and temptations, but these things that hinder people from experiencing God’s great banquet in their lives. For me, one lesson to learn here is that there needs to be that space and availability for me to respond to God. For the people in the parable, perhaps it would’ve been better not to have bought the five yoke of oxen or that new field, if making it to the banquet was such an important thing. It is sad and tragic that these things caused them to turn down the banquet invitation. Not that the field or oxen are bad things, but if our thoughts and desires will likely end up wrapping around these things to the point that we are less responsive to God, then perhaps it’s better for us not to get involved in the first place. As a soldier of Christ, I’m called not to entangle myself in things that will hinder me from responding to God, even they are not inherently sinful things. Just like in the parable, God’s desire is for me to come to the banquet and enjoy the full and abundant life that he desires for me, and I need to be available and ready to respond to and obey him.

Devotion Questions:

Reflect on the fact that affection for one’s nearest and dearest must never be allowed to compete with the disciple’s love and commitment to Jesus. What are some circumstances of following Jesus in which I must deny the claims of all earthly ties?
What does it mean to “hate” his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – even his own life?
What lessons can I learn from the Parable of the Great Banquet about why Jesus asks for such radical commitment?

Commentary:

v.26 Following Jesus involves ‘hating’ one’s family and even one’s life (14:26). Over the centuries this verse has caused great despair and confusion. Clearly Jesus, who summarized all God’s commandments as loving God and one’s neighbor (10:27–28), could not here have been demanding blind, raging hatred of one’s family. […] Being Jesus’ disciple entails primary allegiance to Jesus. No one and no thing can usurp his supreme position. Even as God is to be loved supremely, with no other god or thing taking priority over him, so too Jesus takes priority even over family. The absolute nature of this demand should not be overlooked.^[1]

^[1]Stein, R. H. (2001, c1992). Vol. 24: Luke (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (396). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Boundless: Dating, Marriage, and Role of Community

Henry — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:57:12 +0000

Hi everyone, just wanted to share this article with you. Boundless is a webzine that is targeted towards young, Christian singles, and this Q&A article focuses on how Christians ought to view dating, marriage, and the role of the Christian community. It shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes to read — it’s well worth it!

Here’s an excerpt:

…I’m 24 years old, currently in my third year of medical school. I’ve been a Christian for most of my life, but really started to walk with God the last few years. I have a decent network of Christian friends, though I’m not currently attached to a church or bible study, due to the fact that I travel a lot for my clinical rotations. I try to go to church when I can, but I haven’t been able to plug into one church since I am on the road so much.

Anyway, during my first year of medical school I met and started dating a wonderful guy and we’re starting to think about serious commitment (i.e. engagement). He is very sweet, kind, smart, funny, all those great things … and he’s a medical student like me. In short, we’re basically perfect for each other. The problem is, …