Now the Spirit expressly says that in the later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and the teaching of demons… - 1 Timothy 4:1
This fall we have the joy once again of offering our “Fellows” discipleship track small groups. We have been offering these types of small group learning opportunities now for nine years (with a year off due to Covid), and have seen close to 200 people complete the studies.
What is “Fellows?” Fellows is a broad term describing our deeper discipleship study track here at LifePoint that now includes the following classes: Fellows – a September - April study incorporating readings and small group discussion in the areas of church history, systematic theology, biblical hermeneutics, and biblical worldview. Apologetics – a four-month study that looks at arguments for the truth of Christianity, both positively and negatively. Positively, this course helps to develop a compelling case for Christianity, and negatively, it addresses common inquiries from skeptics who question the validity of the faith. Readings and discussions in this course center directly on the rationality of Christianity. Biblical Hermeneutics – This course is designed to help participants understand and practice more faithfully the principles and methods of interpreting the text of the Bible. How do we best determine what the Bible is actually teaching and what the original authors were saying? Historical Theology – this is a new addition to our Discipleship Track and is being offered this fall for the very first time. As its name implies, historical theology is a study of the development and formation of essential Christian doctrine throughout the history of the New Testament era. It can be defined as the study of how Christians, during progressive historical periods, have understood different theological subjects such as the nature of God, the nature of Jesus Christ, the nature and work of the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of salvation, etc. This study will focus on how these doctrines were formed through the Councils, Creeds, and Confessions of the church.
Starting in September, I will be facilitating the Fellows study, Pastor Nate Meece will facilitate the Historical Theology study, and David Denny, one of our LifePoint elders, will oversee the Apologetics study. We will not be offering the Hermeneutics course this fall, but hope to offer it again in the winter/spring of 2022. Sign-ups have already started, and we will have a ministry booth available this coming Sunday for additional information and sign-ups if you are interested.
I cannot recommend these opportunities to you more highly. These study groups are not just exercises in Christian academics. They are robust studies (which do include reading) that are fleshed out in weekly small group discussions. The goal is not to puff ourselves up with more information, but to put into practice what Proverbs 18 tells us is true when it says, “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out,” and to do what Paul tells us the church was established to do in his letter to the Ephesians: “…to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Engaging in discipleship opportunities like this is not possible for everyone. But for those who are able and willing to put aside a few hours each week for reading, and an hour and a half each week for small group discussion, I am convinced that you will find it well worth your effort. I have facilitated the Fellows course now nine times and co-facilitated the apologetics course once. I am blessed every time I do it, and learn more each time. I’m looking forward to participating again, and hope that you will consider participating as well. We still have room this fall, but if for any reason that will not work for you, consider joining us at some point in the future.
One final thought on a separate note. It was wonderful to have Pastor Tom Madon and his wife Linda with us over the past few weeks. Tom was a faithful servant leader in this church when he served as the lead pastor for the first twenty-four years of our existence, with Linda there by his side serving the entire time. I hope you found the opportunity to greet them and reconnect, or to meet them for the very first time. Paul exhorts us to honor such people for their commitment to the Lord. Tom and Linda are easy to both honor and love, and we are always thankful when they are able to spend some time with us back in Indy.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jym