Q&A with Steve Wright

While I was at the Connecting Church & Home Conference in Louisville, Ky. this past weekend, I was privileged to conduct a Q&A with Steve Wright. Steve is the Pastor of Family Discipleship at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. He is currently working on his PhD in philosophy of family ministry at Southern Seminary. Steve is the author of ReThink and ApParent Privilege.

He has overseen the development of Treasuring Christ Curriculum. We will begin using this resource this Sunday at Grace Church of Tallahassee during our Sunday-school hour.

Here are the highlights from or conversation (my comments are in bold);

Q. Could you define your role as the Pastor of Family Discipleship at your local church?

It is a role that began out of a conviction that parents are the primary disciplers of their children. During my role as Student Pastor, I often talked about this dynamic to the parents. We (Providence Baptist Church) began to realize that this was a message that needed to be emphasized to parents before their children were 13 years old. So my role seeks to come alongside the parents of children age birth - 18 within our congregation and equip them for their essential responsibility.

Q. Could you briefly explain what you mean when you speak of the role of parents as “primary disciplers”?

If you start in Genesis and begin to turn page by page, who in Scripture do we see God’s Word pointing to as the primary witness to the next generation? Rarely does anyone ever miss the answer: Parents. Think how the faith of Israel continued. It was clearly through the home. Throughout the New Testament and in the life of the early church, you see this obvious parental role.

Please share with us how the Treasuring Christ curriculum came about.

Looking back, there are several events that brought this project to life.

1) Four years ago I received an announcement from the publishing house,who at the time was our curriculum provider. The announcement communicated why they had chosen to remove the crucifixion from the Easter Sunday curriculum. This was a problem!

2) We also began to notice that within the curriculum we were using, the moral of the story often missed the point. The hero of the story was rarely Christ. For instance, regarding the feeding of the 5.000, rather than exalting in Christ’s Deity on display, the emphasis was on sharing.

3) The other moment happened on a mission trip to Ukraine. During my time there, I had a real burden to provide Gospel-Centered resources to the nations.

There are certainly curriculums that are out there that are biblically solid options. Our church decided to produce another gospel-centered, biblically-faithful curriculum that would encourage the parental involvement in the home, and be something that could be made available to the nations.

Q. How is this curriculum different?

Our strategy for Treasuring Christ is as follows;

In order to display God’s great glory; we will: (Isaiah 42.1-9)
• Produce a gospel-centered curriculum which allows every child, birth through high school, to study the same Scripture passage each week (Colossians 3:16; Romans 5:.6-11) We call this “unified”, we are all on the same page, same game plan.
• Produce a gospel-centered curriculum that will equip parents to thrive in their God-given roles as their child’s primary disciple, thereby, connecting the church and the home (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 78:1-7). We provide a weekly take home resource that encourages parents to help their children prepare for the upcoming week’s lesson.
• Produce a gospel-centered curriculum to share with the nations that will help churches reach and exhort the next generation and to make Christ’s name great around the globe (Romans 1:16; Psalm 108.1-5

Q. Outside of TC curriculum, could you share with us a few ways that your church intentionally seeks to cultivate a connection between the church and the family?

In everything we do at Providence, we hold to the R.T.I. principle with our parents.
- R – Resource – books, articles, sermons, etc.
- T – Train – Instruction related to family-discipleship
- I – Involve – Encourage Parental Involvement in all our youth activities

One or more of these three components exist at everything that takes place within our family ministries.

Q. What books would you recommend for Parents? Pastors? Youth?

There are lots of good resources, I would start with Gospel-Powered Parenting – William Farley. Others would be Give them Grace – Elyse Fitzpatrick and Age of Opportunity – Paul Tripp.

Proverbs: Day 30

Proverbs 30

[8] Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
[9] lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the LORD?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.
(Proverbs 30:8-9 ESV)

This is a very helpful verse on our view of money. Our trust is to be in God alone and not wealth. He prays that he would not be poor or wealthy in that both positions bring about a temptation to trust in something other than God.

Proverbs: Day 29

Proverbs 29

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
(Proverbs 29:27 ESV)

This is an interesting reality. Just as oil and water do not mix, so to righteousness and evil. Jesus taught on this truth. In Jn. 15 he says that those who are not of the world will be hated by the world. John the apostle said not to be surprised when the world hates you, 1 Jn 3.

The righteous are offended by the unrighteousness of the wicked, and the wicked are repulsed by the righteous. There are only two ways to live.

Fridays with the Heidelberg

The general outline of the Heidelberg Catechism is broken down into three sections; the Apostles’ Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer. We begin that second section with today’s reading;

Lord’s Day 34

92. Q. WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY IN HIS LAW?
A. [The Catechism quotes from Exodus 20:1-17, reciting the giving of the Ten Commandments]

93. Q. HOW ARE THESE COMMANDMENTS DIVIDED?
A. Into two tables. The first has four commandments, teaching us what our relation to God should be. The second has six commandments, teaching us what we owe our neighbor.

94. Q. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE IN THE FIRST COMMANDMENT?
A. That I, not wanting to endanger my very salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry, magic, superstitious rites, and prayer to saints or to other creatures. That I sincerely acknowledge the only true God, trust Him, alone, look to Him for every good thing humbly and patiently, love him, fear Him, and honor Him with all my heart. In short, that I give up anything rather than go against His will in any way.

95. Q. WHAT IS IDOLATRY?
A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed Himself in His Word.

I find the definition of idolatry very helpful. It points to the reality that we cannot serve two masters. “Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed Himself in His Word.” We might not be able to identify with the carved images or the Asherim that the Israelites struggled with, but “trusting in something in place of or alongside of the only true God” is part of our human nature. Calvin described our hearts as “idol factories.”

May today’s reading remind us of what the Lord requires and motivate us to acknowledge, trust, worship, fear, love, and honor Him alone.

Proverbs: Day 26

Proverbs 26

[18] Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
[19] is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
(Proverbs 26:18-19 ESV)

These two verses came up this summer during our Sunday School lesson on friendships. I find it to be a great reminder of the authority, truth and relevance of the Word of God. It is descriptive of the very comments that are made on a daily basis in our surroundings. It is as if the writer sneaked a peek at my facebook status.

We are deceived into thinking that we can carelessly say deceptive, hurtful, condescending, unnecessary comments to others and then finish the sentence with "just kidding." Deceived into thinking that such concluding remarks will defuse the destructiveness and evil of our ungodly speech. Not So, says the Proverbs!

Proverbs: Day 25

Proverbs 25

In chapter 16, we were told that someone who is under control is like a mighty warrior (32). Today, we read of the antithesis.

[28] A man without self-control
is like a city broken into and left without walls.
(Proverbs 25:28 ESV)

Just as walls provided security and protection for these ancient cities, so too are we protected from harm when we control our tongue, guard our heart and discipline our lives.

Interestingly, James 3:8 states; [8] but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. This directs our attention for our need for Christ. We cannot do this on our own. A man who is not under self-control is like a city without protection. Apart from Christ, no man can control his tongue. We need Christ. We need Wisdom Incarnate.

Proverbs: Day 24

Proverbs 24

[30] I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
[31] and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
[32] Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
[33] A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
[34] and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
(Proverbs 24:30-34 ESV)

We do well to learn from the folly of others. This is a mark of wisdom. Upon observation of the sluggard, the wise man considers the folly of the lazy and receives instruction (v. 32).
Well, I gotta go, I need to go mow my yard!

Proverbs: Day 23

Proverbs 23

13] Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
[14] If you strike him with the rod,
you will save his soul from Sheol.
(Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV)

There are a lot of different opinions in regards to the discipline of children. Disagreements between secular and christian views can get quite heated, but even within the christian sphere, the opinions are diverse. The Scriptures, and particularly Proverbs, are quite clear in regards to the necessity of discipline, and I would submit are equally clear in terms of the method: Spanking.

These two verses help us to understand the correct way to handle such discipline. Our discipline is to be controlled and motivated by love. It is not to be done out of anger, but carried out with a desire for the good of our child. There are plenty of examples of parents who abuse this method. Such actions are not biblical. Verse 13 implies that our discipline is not to inflict physical harm upon our children.

Proverbs: Day 22

Proverbs 22

[6] Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs 22:6 ESV)

Verse six finds itself crocheted on the walls of many homes. As with many of the more familiar passages of Scripture, there are some misunderstandings concerning the meaning of the passage. Is this to be understood as a promise? In the Introduction to the book of Proverbs, the ESV Study Bible provides the following helpful comment regarding the interpretation of Proverbs;

Proverbs of necessity focus on consequences, and this raises the question of whether they are “promises.” Proverbs by nature deal with general truths, and are not meant to cover every conceivable situation. Consider the English proverb, “Short cuts make long delays”; the very form of the proverb forbids adding qualifiers, whether of frequency (often, usually, four times out of five) or of conditions (except in cases where …); these would lessen the memorability of the sentence. The competent reader knows that the force of the proverb is not statistical, but behavioral—in the case of the English proverb cited, to urge due caution. In biblical proverbs, the consequences generally make God's basic attitude clear, and thus commend or discourage behavior.

Without misunderstanding this verse as a concrete promise from God, take comfort in the fact that this is how God generally deals with His people. Take confidence in your God-given responsibility as primary-disciplers in the lives of your children.

Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord's Day 33

88. Q. WHAT IS INVOLVED IN GENUINE REPENTANCE OR CONVERSION?
A. Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the coming-to-life of the new.
89. Q. WHAT IS THE DYING-AWAY OF THE OLD SELF?
A. It is to be genuinely sorry for sin, to hate it more and more, and to run away from it.
90. Q. WHAT IS THE COMING-TO-LIFE OF THE NEW SELF?
A. It is wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a delight to do every kind of good as God wants us to.
91. Q. WHAT DO WE DO THAT IS GOOD?
A. Only that which arises out fo true faith, conforms to God's law, and is done for His glory; and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.

Throughout the Scriptures we see the following dynamic; Put Off/Put On.
Put off the old, and put on the new.
The reformers referred to this as mortification and vivification.

At conversion, we are given new life. It has already been accomplished through Christ (Justification). We are told in God's Word;

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Cor. 5:17

Scripture also speaks of this same dynamic in regards to the unfinished ond ongoing process (sanctification).
Col. 3:5 -  Put to death therefore what is earthly in you

As new creations, we are given the Holy Spirit who gives us new desires. Desires for the glory of God.

Proverbs: Day 19

Proverbs 19

The ESV Study Bible points out 7 "essential features of a good life" beginning with v. 16;

listen to instruction vv. 16, 20
be kind to the poor v. 17
be involved in your children's lives and discipline them v. 18
avoid friendships with those who lack self-control v. 19
acknowledge the rule of God v. 21
understand that love and integrity are what bring real happiness v. 22
fear the Lord v. 23

Proverbs: Day 18

Proverbs 18

22 -He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.

As I read this verse this morning it was easy to identify with this truth. While Carrie and I have been married for a relatively short time (6 years), I can quickly identify many ways that my wife has been a blessing to me. There is no one I would rather spend my time with, and there is no one who has been more helpful in my growth in godliness. These are "good things".

Let's briefly put this into the context of Proverbs. In this book of wisdom, we read of our dependency on others, the danger of pursuing autonomy, the wisdom in receiving counsel, the poem about the excellent wife in ch. 31, the blessing of intimate relationships, etc.

He who finds a wife finds this list above to be a reality.

Husband, take some time this evening to share your gratefulness and love for your wife.

A Veiled Exhortation to Christian Fathers and Young Adult Christian Men Everywhere

I read an article today by Byron Yawn, a pastor in Nashville, TN. He addressed his daughter about the importance of seeking out a godly husband, urging her to guard against settling.

In one of the more powerful paragraphs I have read in a while, he writes;

I am so sorry about the condition of the average young male. I regret that they confuse lust with love. I am saddened that they are more proficient at gaming than at balancing a checkbook. I cringe that they know more of sports trivia than doctrine. I apologize that they know better how to handle a gun (which is completely respectable in one sense) than how to treat a lady. I know godliness in a man is hard to find. But, find it. Otherwise, you will spend your life raising the man you thought you married. The church and this culture are filled with boys masquerading as men. Let them pass.

You can read the whole article here

Proverbs: Day 17

I hope your time in Proverbs has been enlightening. Throughout the remainder of our study, I thought I would link to a few resources on Proverbs to deepen your study.

Charles Bridges: A Commentary on Proverbs

I prefer reading the hardcopy, but as on online resource, you can't beat the price (free).

Proverbs 17

vv. 27-28

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

The world often communicates that we should say what we feel. That we ought not worry about what others think. Meanwhile, Biblical wisdom mandates thinking as prerequisite to speaking. These two verses point to the wisdom of guarding your speech.

Proverbs: Day 16

Proverbs 16

God is Sovereign. Bruce Ware defines this divine attribute as follows;

God exhaustively plans and meticulously carries out his perfect will as he alone knows best, regarding all that is in heaven and on earth, and he does so without failure or defeat, accomplishing his purposes in all of creation from the smallest details to the grand purposes of his plan for the whole of the created order. (For the Fame of God's Name, 128)

Throughout Prov. 16, we read of God's sovereign control over all things; 1-4, 9, 33.

Proverbs: Day 15

Proverbs 15


15:3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.


Within Christian theology, there is a latin phrase that helps explain the christian life; Coram Deo.

Coram Deo - living in the presence of, or before the face of, God.

R.C. Sproul writes that, "To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God. To live in the presence of God is to understand that whatever we are doing and wherever we are doing it, we are acting under the gaze of God. God is omnipresent. There is no place so remote that we can escape His penetrating gaze."

Proverbs 15:3 speaks to this reality. May we live in light of this truth!

Proverbs: Day 14

Proverbs 14

Within Proverbs, there are three different hebrew words used to describe the fool. They are translated as;

- the simple
- the fool
- the scoffer

All three are used in chapter 14. In his commentary on Proverbs, Derek Kidner describes these three terms. Here is a breakdown of his insight, which I found very helpful;

The "simple" is not as much hardened in heart to the pursuit of wisdom as much as he is naive'. Through rejection of wisdom though, the "simple" graduates to the "fool."

The "fool" does not refer as much to "mental capacity" as much as it does to "a man's chosen outlook" on life. "The fool, by whatever name he goes, is by definition one whose mind is closed, for the present at least, to God."

The scoffer has his Ph.D in folly. Unlike the naive' "simple" man, the scoffer is intentional in his rejection of wisdom and rejection of God. He is a "deliberate troublemaker."

Look for these distinctions as you continue to read through this book of wisdom.

Proverbs: Day 13

Proverbs 13

All throughout my schooling I desired to achieve good grades. While the desire for intelligence was there, the same commitment to diligence in study was not always present. I also looked forward to becoming a professional athlete when I grew up. On top of natural talent, which I did not possess, I was not up for the rigorous training that is required in order to progress as an athlete.

Proverbs 13:4 says;

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

It is not enough to desire to acquire. Even the lazy man has productive aspirations. This is one of many distinctions between wisdom and folly. The fool has a list of wants (cravings), but is not willing to commit to the work necessary to acquire his list. The diligent (think=wise) soul knows that effort is involved.

Think how this is on display in our christian lives. We all desire to be godly, to think biblically, to lead as husbands, etc. Growth in godliness is a work of God in our lives that requires discipline and effort on our behalf (1 Tim. 4:7). The puritans referred to this as "holy sweat."

Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord's Day 32

86. Q. WE HAVE BEEN DELIVERED FROM OUR MISERY BY GOD'S GRACE ALONE THROUGH CHRIST AND NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE EARNED IT: WHY THEN MUST WE STILL DO GOOD?

A. To be sure, Christ has redeemed us by His blood. But we do good because Christ by His Spirit is also renewing us to be like Himself, so that in all our living we may show that we are thankful to God for all He has done for us, and so that He may be praised through us. And we do good so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and so that by our godly living out neighbors may be won over to Christ.

87. Q. CAN THOSE BE SAVED WHO DO NOT TURN TO GOD FROM THEIR UNGRATEFUL AND IMPENITENT WAYS?
A. By no means. Scripture tells us that no unchaste person, no idolater, adulterer, thief, no covetous person, no drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like is going to inherit the kingdom of God.


Working backwards this week, question 87 asks if salvation is possible without repentance. "By no means."

Q. 86 asks, if we are saved by grace alone, if we cannot do anything in ourselves to earn favor with God, why be good? Five reasons;

1) Indwelling of the Spirit - Every genuine believer is indwellt with the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who opened our eyes to salvation (regeneration) is "renewing us to be like Himself" (sanctification).

2) Gratitude - Those who have been reconciled to God will show by their lifestyles "that we are thankful to God for all that He has done for us."

3) For God's glory - Eph. 2:10 tells us as christians that we are created for good works. Our good works bring glory to God.

4) Assurance of salvation - Our good works, "fruit", give testimony to the work of salvation that has taken place in our lives.

5) For the world - As christians, our lifestyles out to point others to Christ. 1 Pet. 2:12 says, "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Proverbs: Day 12

Proverbs 12

Matt. 12:34b
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Proverbs has much to say about words. Our speech matters to God. The verse in Matthew listed above points out that the tongue is a accurate indicator of what is going on in our heart.

Roughly 1/3 of Proverbs 12 deals with our speech. Encourage your family to read through this chapter and seek out all of the verses dealing with this subject.

Proverbs: Day 11

Proverbs 11

11:14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

There is no getting around the biblical reality that we are in need of others. While others strive for autonomy and admire self-dependence, the Scriptures point to our need for others. Titus 2 teaches us of the older mentoring younger dynamic of life on life discipleship. In following after Christ, we need to be following others who are following Christ.

A mark of wisdom is the ability to receive instruction. This is clearly the fruit of humility.

Verse 14 reminds us that we need to be grateful for those who speak truth into our lives. Those who do not have this type of instruction suffer, while those who have "an abundance of counselors" find safety.

May we both humbly receive this godly instruction from "an abundance of counselors," as well as seek to be this type of voice in the lives of others.

Proverbs: Day 10

Proverbs 10

Up to this point, the first nine chapters have expounded on the value of wisdom. The contrast between wisdom and folly has been the overal outline. Beginning in chapter ten, we now are presented with unconnected sentences that demonstrate how we are to live skillfully.

Let's look at verse 19;

When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

"Considering, therefore, the sin connected with the multitude of words, it is surely our wisdom to refrain our lips, not indeed in silence, but in caution; to weigh our words before uttering them; never speaking, except when we have something to say; speaking only just enough; considering the time, circumstances, and person; what is solid, suitable, and profitable."
- Charles Bridges

Perhaps one of the rules at our Good News Club at Kate Sullivan would be appropriate here;
God gave you two ears and one mouth, so listen twice as much as you speak.

Proverbs: Day 9

Proverbs 9

One of the many characteristics of the wise is the ability to receive instruction. While the fool rejects it, the wise willingly receive it.

vv. 8-9 tell us;
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

The contrast here is wisdom vs. folly, pride vs. humility, godliness vs. worldliness.

By God's grace, may we continue to grow in wisdom as we humbly receive correction. May we train up our children to recognize their dependency on this source of wisdom.

Proverbs: Day 8

1 Cor. 1:30
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Eph. 1:17
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

Col. 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Proverbs 8

This chapter expounds on many of the blessings of wisdom. The concluding verses (35-36) read;

For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord,
but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death.

Clearly there are gospel implications all over the place in this chapter. We recognize that the wisdom we seek, the wisdom that brings life, is the very wisdom of Christ.

Those who are in Christ have life.

Proverbs: Day 7

Proverbs 7

In this chapter, we encounter a young man who is in need of the wisdom of others. After reading this dramatic account concerning the adulteress we come across a very helpful summary of the chapter in vv. 24-27. Regarding these closing thoughts, the O.T. commentator Derek Kidner writes;

After watching the young man, we are made to see ourselves as conceivably filling the same role. The defense is threefold. first, guard your heart (25); you are in danger as soon as your thoughts wander in this fatal direction. Second, keep away, literally as well as in mind (25b). Third, look past her, to the causalities and the chambers of death (26, 27). (Proverbs, TOTC, p. 74)

Proverbs: Day 6

Proverbs 6

A lot could be said about todays chapter;
- the role of the parents as primary disciplers (v. 20)
- the seven abominations in vv. 16 - 19
- the warnings against adultery (vv. 20ff)

But since it is the weekend, let's just watch a short video in obedience to Solomon's instruction in v. 6.

Go to the Ant (Click Here, and ignore the comment about mother nature!)

Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord’s Day 31

83. Q. WHAT ARE THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM?
A. The preaching of the holy gospel and Christian discipline toward repentance. Both preaching and discipline open the kingdom of heaven to believers and close it to unbelievers.

84. Q. HOW DOES PREACHING THE GOSPEL OPEN AND CLOSE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
A. According to the command of Christ: The kingdom of heaven is opened by proclaiming and publicly declaring to all believers, each and every one, that, as often as they accept the gospel promise in true faith, God, because of what Christ has done, truly forgives all their sins. The kingdom of heaven is closed, however, by proclaiming and publicly declaring to unbelievers and hypocrites that, as long as they do not repent, the anger of God and eternal condemnation rest on them. God’s judgment, both in this life and in the life to come, is based on this gospel testimony.

85. Q. HOW IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CLOSED AND OPENED BY CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE?
A. According to the command of Christ: Those who, though called Christians, profess unchristian teachings or live unchristian lives, and after repeated and loving counsel refuse to abandon their errors and wickedness, and after being reported to the church, that is, to its officers, fail to respond to their admonition- such persons the officers exclude from the Christian fellowship by withholding the sacraments from them, and God Himself excludes them from the kingdom of Christ. Such persons, when promising and demonstrating genuine reform, are received again as members of Christ and of His church.



How is the church different from a bible study or Christian retreat?

Just this past week I discussed this question with another believer. It’s a good question. In our conversation, one of the distinctions we discussed was the issue of authority. Today’s Lord’s Day reading deals with the responsibility and authority that the church has to uphold the preaching of the word of God and church discipline. Among others, these are two “marks” of a biblical, healthy church. Sadly, we know that both of these marks are absent in many of the churches that fill our cities.

The Heidelberg points to how these two marks serve as keys. The preaching of the word of God and discipline both serve to open the door as well as close the door to the kingdom. We need more gospel-centered preaching that points the listener to their need for Christ. We also need to keep the church pure and holy, and discipline serves in that regard. Stuart Scott writes, “The Lord has a twofold purpose in church discipline: one is to put godly pressure on the erring brother to repent for his own good and God’s glory, and the other is to keep his church pure.” (The Faithful Parent, 120)

May our church continue, by God’s grace, to pursue faithfulness in these two areas of preaching and discipline for our good and for His glory.

Proverbs: Day 5

Proverbs 5

"Sometimes you have to learn it the hard way." This previous statement represents a perspective on wisdom that refers to learning through experience. We often learn from our mistakes. This can prove to be a very costly education though. In fact, in Proverbs 5 we see a father that is more concerned that his son gain wisdom from his instruction rather than from foolish mistakes.

v. 7 - listen to me,
and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

v. 8 - Keep your way far from her,
and do not go near the door of her house,

v. 25 - The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.

23 He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray.

Do we learn from our mistakes? Sure. Is it the the best way to learn? No. A real mark of wisdom is receiving instruction from others. Instruction and discipline that guard us from error. Error that leads to destruction.

Proverbs: Day 4

Proverbs 4

Prov. 4:7 - The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.

"Come and get it." This is a familiar line we have often heard regarding suppertime. Apparently it is an appropriate phrase for wisdom as well. You want it? Come and get it."

God is the ultimate source of wisdom (Prov. 2). Here are a few ways that He imparts wisdom in our lives;

- The word of God (Ps. 19:7
- Parents (Prov. 23:22-26
- Wise friends (Prov. 13:20)
- Counsel (Prov. 12:15)
- Instruction (19:20)

Proverbs: Day 3

Proverbs 3

Self-dependence. From the worlds perspective, this is an admirable trait. However, looking through biblical lenses, we recognize that we are dependent beings. We know that sin has corrupted every part of us. We cannot even trust our own hearts desires (Jer. 17:9). Wisdom is demonstrated in recognizing this by trusting in God alone. The fool neglects this reality by pursuing self-dependence.

Prov. 3:5-6 says;
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs: Day 2

Ch. 2

"Receive"..."Treasure up"..."make your ear attentive"..."incline your heart"..."call out"..."raise your voice"..."seek"..."search"

These actions communicate our need to pursue wisdom. Chapter 1 tells us that Wisdom is available to us, it is crying out in the streets, and we are to pursue it. Verse 6 of chapter 2 tells us that God is the source. We need wisdom desperately and it comes from God alone.

As parents, God has given you the responsibility to lead your family in this pursuit of wisdom. Model and teach the value and blessings of wisdom. Use this chapter to point your family to the gospel. We need Christ, wisdom incarnate, in order to be reconciled to God.

Proverbs: Day 1

What a great way to start out the month of August, with the beginning of wisdom; The fear of the Lord.

In ch. 1 we find both an invitation to folly and an open invitation to Wisdom. Let's focus on vv. 24 - 31. This is a very somber section where we observe that while God is indeed long suffering, those who continue to reject God's wisdom will be rejected by God. Their hearts will be hardened towards the truth.

This is an important reality to point out to the younger generation. Many ignore the things of God in their youth assuming that they will take it more seriously later in life. This Proverb warns of the folly of such a mentality.

Prov. 1:24-31

Because I have called and you refused to listen,

have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

25 because you have ignored all my counsel

and have none of my reproof,

26 I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when terror strikes you,

27 when terror strikes you like a storm

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you.

28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

29 Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

30 would have none of my counsel

and despised all my reproof,

31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,

and have their fill of their own devices.