Are you on the Journey of Grace?
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Sam Barber, Global NDI Director
Yes, you are and here is how I know.
Like a fish in water, you have been born into a world, though broken by sin, that is awash in the grace of God. You are on the journey of grace because God is, through grace, drawing you. When you turn your life over to God, God saves you by grace. As you grow in your relationship with Jesus, God sanctifies you by grace. Each of us is somewhere in this grace-filled journey.
I’m grateful to be a part of a church that places this journey of grace at the heart of its mission. The journey of grace is what enables our mission to “Make Christlike disciples in the nations.” Discipleship is the heart of the Church of the Nazarene and the heart of the gospel.
Let me ask you a second question.
What does it look like to be on the journey of grace?
In recent weeks, I have been writing that question in my journal each morning as a part of my devotional practice. Then, as I read the scriptures, I invite the Holy Spirit to teach me as Jesus promised the Spirit would (John 16:13). I’m beginning to learn afresh what it looks like to be on the journey of grace through this simple practice.
My premise is that an often overlooked aspect of prayer is the listening part. We learn to pray by learning what to say. I contend that an essential function of prayer is learning how to listen. I also believe that the inspired scriptures are God’s everyday voice for us who follow Jesus. In other words, I can listen to God as I read God’s Word.
My journal is bursting with answers to my journey of grace question as if God were saying, “I’m so glad you asked. Here is what it looks like to be on the journey of grace.” Most often, my written responses to the question look something like, “People who are on the journey of grace gather together for intercession.” Or, “People who are on the journey of grace are not afraid to minister in the margins.” The list goes on in a surprising variety of practical applications.
God answers this essential question through the scriptures, and I discover a daily focus for my journey with Jesus. In the practice of prayer, listening through the Word and responding in conversation with God, I am growing in the likeness of Jesus and finding ways to be Jesus’ hands and feet in my circle of influence.
As we follow Jesus together by the grace of God, let’s invite God’s Spirit to teach us what it looks like in our everyday lives to be on the journey of grace.
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NDI USA/Canada Leadership Conference LC2024 Coming Soon!
On November 5-7, 2024, passionate disciple makers and leaders will gather in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to attend the Nazarene Discipleship International Leadership Conference, where we will learn, get inspired, and get equipped together.
Among the speakers are Dr. David Busic, general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene; Dr. Samuel Barber, the newly elected Global NDI director; Rev. Christiane (Cricket) Albertson, the executive director of Titus Women, a ministry of the Francis Asbury Society; and Dr. Stan Reeder, USA/Canada regional director.
Over 30 workshops will be offered on various discipleship topics presented by leading ministers and scholars. Also, collaborate with old and new friends as you check out our exhibits.
Join us at the event and get the essential resources for your discipleship ministry by registering here nazarene.org/lc2024
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This edition of NDI Journey features several articles by our ministry partners Nazarene Educators Worldwide (NEW)
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Our Calling to Share the Gospel in All Educational Settings
Marilyn J. Dominick
Chairperson, Nazarene Educators Worldwide
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Watch what God will do when we surrender ourselves to be his ambassadors. Sometimes, we may be the only ones to share the love of Jesus, in hopes of giving the students and adults a unique perspective on how they live their lives.
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| Open Doors at a Public State University
Dr. Juanita Copely
College/University Representative
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There were so many other doors… some that were closed initially and others that I totally ignored until too late. I will continue to pray that God will allow me to see the open doors of opportunity in my life.
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| Impacting the Lives of College Students
Dr. Mark Taylor, NEW College Representative
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I shared this story because of the influence that we can have through our Nazarene educators in both Nazarene and secular colleges.
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Discipling the Next Generation: A Case for Microschools
Nancy Shonamon, Principal of Shawnee Nazarene Academy and NEW Christian School Representative
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Many families experience the dilemma of making difficult educational decisions for their children. Parents across the United States have withdrawn an unprecedented number of students from public school systems, and homeschool is one of the fastest growing forms of education in America.
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Little Ones Can Know, Love, and Serve Jesus
Rev. Jan Wilton, NEW Preschool Representative
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We often hear that children under the age of 6 do not have the spiritual capability to really know and have a “real” understanding of God’s love. I witnessed firsthand preschool children growing up with a desire to know, love, and serve the Lord. Not only did they personally come to love Jesus but they were instrumental in inspiring other children and adults to choose Jesus.
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Discipleship at Home
Lindsay Parson, NEW Homeschool Representative
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I recall an Easter season in our home about 17 years ago. Our boys were about 10 and 12 years old and involved in many activities. I had the privilege of transporting the boys to practices, games, church, and other activities daily, so they spent many hours riding with us in the car. I was actively participating in our church’s Easter cantata, and the practice music was playing in the car as we traveled. Frequently, I peeked into the backseat to see my boys singing along or making fun of the music, depending upon their moods, and they knew the songs better than I did.
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| Second Quarter Lay Ministry Certificates
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DiscipleshipPlace.org would like to congratulate the following individuals for being approved by their pastor and local church board to receive the certificate of lay ministry. Upon approval, they will complete the Lay Ministry Courses.
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Discipleship a Journey of Discovery and Adventure!
Rev. Susan Booth, NDI representative to the General Board
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A journey of grace is on everybody's lips. These words have made me think about my own journey of discipleship. Firstly, my thoughts took me to the journey that the Emmaus disciples had with Jesus in Luke 24. The words that stood out for me are in Luke 24:32 (MSG): “Back and forth they talked. ‘Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?’”
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A Year of Great Strides in Nazarene Disability Ministry Resourcing
Rev. Ryan Nelson, Disability Ministry Coordinator, Church of the Nazarene
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We officially launched the Adapted Discipleship Library website in August. If you have not seen or heard about this resource, I will share information in this article about these resources. I will also share the link to the website so you can access the materials directly. There are four sources of tools for equipping the local church for disability ministry found on the Adapted Discipleship Library (training videos, social narratives, classroom tools, and adapted Bible story videos).
Check the link to the Adapted Discipleship Library: https://library.wonderfulworksministry.org/
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