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discipleship / counseling conference notes 2

general thoughts

In our second session, we reviewed the vigorous and vigilant effort it takes to train and discipline our bodies and minds for the glory of God.  Training to think and act rightly takes continuous work and effort!  Thankfully, God has given us a spirit of self-control (2 Timothy 1:7) and it is one of the fruits of the Spirit working within us. 

It’s interesting how many times Paul refers to running a race and the image of an athlete as he describes our growth in Christ.  Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to “throw off what entangles us” and “persevere and run the race.”  It is our passion for Christ that fuels this determination.  We are not meander aimlessly with no direction or purpose – we are to be moving forward and getting farther along every day.  We press on (Philippians 3:13-14), not slide or drift!

A disciple must be disciplined, through the work of God, the church, and himself.  We are to be killing sin and buffet our bodies daily.  Your body and mind will do what you tell them to – practice self-control!

Praise God for His correction and rebuke and guidance that come from His Spirit and Word and church.

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discipleship / counseling conference notes 1

general thoughts

I was so blessed to attend the discipleship / counseling conference in Pittsburgh at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary this weekend.  Their Biblical Counseling Institute hosted the speakers, the director Dr. George Scipione and pastor Dr. Richard Gantz gave the addresses.

The first session, Personal Transformational Discipleship, was given by Dr. Ganz.  He focused on Romans 12:1-2

  • the mercy of God
  • presenting ourselves
  • a living sacrifice
  • a logical and reasonable response
  • we are not to conform to the world
  • we renew our minds in order to prove the will of God

He emphasized the self control we have been given by the Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7) over our minds, and to develop positive and right Biblical thinking.  We are to exercise power in killing the old man through right thinking.

He also developed the relationship between counseling, discipleship, and sanctification, all to the worship of God.

It was a great lead-off session and good to be reminded of these truths.

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