TOPIC 31 OF 47
Discipleship In the Word
Hearing, learning, and living the life-giving Word of Christ.
THE MAIN TRUTH
As baptized disciples of Jesus, we need to hear and ponder, read and study, keep and obey his life-giving Word.
The teaching
From the book · pages 94–96
As baptized disciples of Jesus, we need to hear and ponder, read and study, keep and obey his life-giving Word. God gives us the new life of the Spirit in Jesus through his written and spoken Word. Through the Holy Scriptures, God speaks, and faith hears his voice. Teaching God’s Word, with its message of Law and Gospel, is the foremost task of the Church, beginning in public worship. Baptized believers are discipled with the Word through instruction, in relationships with one another, and by the example of daily life.
The unfolding narrative of the Bible is taught along with the doctrines of the faith. These teachings are summarized in Luther’s Small Catechism. Teaching the Bible and the doctrines of the faith is a responsibility parents share with the Church in nurturing their children in their baptismal faith.
God’s Word is our greatest treasure. The blessings God gives through Scripture move us to delight in meditating on and prayerfully digesting its riches, so that our faith, like a flourishing tree with deep roots, may bear abundant fruit.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
The passages connect hearing the Word with meditation, instruction, and a fruitful life. Discipleship involves the home and the congregation as the Spirit nourishes faith through Scripture.
13 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
Matthew 28:19-20 ↗
“Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.”
Book page 95
SCRIPTURE 02
Luke 11:28 ↗
“Even more blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”
Book page 95
SCRIPTURE 03
John 6:63 ↗
[Jesus:] “The Spirit is the one who gives life . . . The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”
Book page 95
SCRIPTURE 04
Jeremiah 15:16 ↗
“Your words came to me, and I devoured them. Your words became my joy, the delight of my heart, because I bear your name. . .”
Book page 95
SCRIPTURE 05
2 Timothy 3:15-17 ↗
“. . . the Holy Scriptures . . . are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work.”
Book page 95
SCRIPTURE 06
Luke 24:27,32 ↗
“Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself . . . They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was . . . explaining the Scriptures to us?’”
Book page 95
SCRIPTURE 07
2 Timothy 4:2 ↗
“Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching.”
Book page 96
SCRIPTURE 08
1 Thessalonians 2:8 ↗
“We yearned for you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”
Book page 96
SCRIPTURE 09
Philippians 3:17 ↗
“Brothers, join in imitating me and in paying attention to those who are walking according to the pattern we gave you.”
Book page 96
SCRIPTURE 10
Ephesians 6:4 ↗
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Book page 96
SCRIPTURE 11
Psalm 19:9-10 ↗
“The just decrees of the LORD are truth . . . They are more desirable than gold, even better than much pure gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the honeycomb.”
Book page 96
SCRIPTURE 12
Psalm 1:1-3 ↗
“How blessed is the man . . . his delight is in the teaching of the LORD, and on his teaching he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and its leaves do not whither. Everything he does prospers.”
Book page 96
SCRIPTURE 13
John 8:31-32 ↗
“If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples. You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Book page 96
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
How is hearing God’s Word different from merely gathering information?
What responsibilities do homes and congregations share in teaching the faith?
What practical change would give Scripture a steadier place in your daily life?
A prayer
Lord, give us delight in your Word. Root our faith deeply in its promises and help us teach and practice it in our homes and congregation. Amen.