Growing to Maturity: A Messianic Jewish Discipleship Guide

Daniel C. Juster, Th.D.

Lederer Books

A division of

Messianic Jewish Publishers

Clarksville, MD, 21029

© 1982, © 2011 Daniel C. Juster, Th.D

Seventh Printing 2011

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Unless otherwise identified, Scripture taken from the New International Version of the Bible.

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Author’s Note

Preface: Growing to Maturity as a Discipleship Guide

Introduction: The Call to Discipleship

I. THE PLAN OF SALVATION—GENERAL OVERVIEW

Section A—Creation to Abraham

Section B—Israel: Law, Priesthood, and Sacrifice

Section C—God’s Provision Through the Messiah

II. GOD AND THE MESSIAH

Section A—The Existence and Nature of God

Section B—The Person of the Messiah

Section C—The Work of the Messiah

III. THE CALL TO HOLY LIVING

Section A—The World, the Flesh, and the Devil

Section B—The Spirit and the Word

Section C—The Word of God

IV. HOLINESS AND POWERFUL PRAYER

Section A—The Marks of Holiness

Section B—Prayer and Faith

Section C—Applying Faith and Prayer

V. THE CALL TO COMMUNITY—BODY LIFE

Section A—The Congregation as the Manifestation of God’s Spirit

Section B—Gifts and Ministries

Section C—The Marks of the Body

VI. AUTHORITY AND DISCIPLINE

Section A—The Word and Authority

Section B—The Body of Believers, a Theocracy

Section C—Coordinating Body Life: How Leaders Arise

VII. TO LIVE AS A JEW

Section A—Living as a Jew

Section B—Jewish Feasts and Practices

VIII. IMPORTANT ISSUES

Section A—Judaism and Christianity

Section B—Judaism and Christianity: Issues

Section C—The Future

DEDICATION

Since this is a book on discipleship, the author wished to acknowledge those who have had the greatest mark upon his discipling.

Foremost is the late Chaplin Evan D. Welsh, of Wheaton College, my spiritual father; Dr. David L. Wolfe of Gorden College; Dr. Stuart C. Hackett of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Dr. Kenneth S. Kantzer of Trinity as well. They were my mentors in integrating faith and learning.

Author’s Note

Because Growing to Maturity was first published in 1982, it has been the most widely used book that summarizes the basic biblical doctrine and practice for Messianic Jews and has been used for countless membership classes, basic Bible doctrine classes, chavurah groups, and one-on-one mentoring sessions. The book was translated into Russian, and thousands have been distributed for use in the Russian Jewish movement in Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and Germany. There is a Hebrew version in Israel, and this book will soon be available in Spanish. In addition, many Christians have used the book for doctrine and discipleship simply because they have trusted it as an accurate source of information to be used for basic instruction in our faith.

The new editions of Growing to Maturity did provide some corrections and updating, but these changes were minor. Many years have passed since 1982, and although sales are still good, a major revision was needed. World conditions have changed, contemporary illustrations are no longer relevant, and some new issues have to be addressed.

Scholarship has tended to confirm the theology of Growing to Maturity. Developments in scholarship and new discoveries in ancient Judaism have made some revision necessary. I trust that this new edition will be a continued source of enrichment to the movement.

Preface

Growing to Maturity as a Discipleship Guide

For Disciplers Using This Book

Discipling is one of the most important functions of a congregation. Yeshua says, Go and make disciples. A disciple is someone who has learned to be like the Master in essential spiritual and moral qualities. It is someone who lives according to the lifestyle exemplified and taught by Yeshua and his disciples. Discipling is therefore not merely imparting intellectual knowledge, but also helping a person live rightly.

The discipler is someone who gives his life in care of the disciple. This involves several important things:

Meeting regularly for Bible study.

Keeping regular contact to show care and personal interest.

Praying with and for the disciple so that he may come to maturity of faith.

Exhorting and lovingly correcting the disciple.

Spending time with the disciple in your home so he may observe the lifestyle of believers.

Seeing that the disciple gets to know a variety of mature believers in the congregation; establishing him in fellowship with and regular participation in the congregation.

The disciple is your special responsibility; your goal is that he becomes a committed part of the congregation and receives leadership from the elders. Even after he achieves this goal, you should maintain a special relationship with him. As the disciple grows in the Lord, you should help him to:

Be consistent in having a regular quiet time and developing a real love relationship with the Lord.

Overcome problems through biblical solutions.

Discover his primary spiritual gifts and secondary gifts.

This leads to helping him find his area(s) of service in the body according to a prayerful response to God’s Spirit.

Adopt a lifestyle of obedience to God.

A big problem for many people in their service to the Lord is time management. They simply do not organize their priorities according to the values of God’s kingdom. Instead of praying about how to spend time, most people are creatures of impulsive responses and end up producing little of value for the Lord. This is a central area in which the discipler can help and care for the disciple. The discipline of devotions/quiet time is a first key in this regard.

Using This Book in Discipleship

The discipler should meet with his disciple weekly or even more often until the discipleship course is complete. Meeting at the same time every week is a big help in developing consistency and discipline.

The discipleship course is divided into eight chapters with three sections in each. At times these sections are divided into subsections. Italicized material denotes things that the disciple should particularly remember. After each of the twenty-four sections, you will find Study Questions and Verses for Memorization. This is to help both you and the disciple. It helps provide an outline for the weekly discussion. The Study Questions can also be discussed and a test of the memorized verses given. A typical session might include:

Finding out how the disciple is doing. Has he established a daily quiet time? This is important. Also discuss any concerns the disciple might have.

Praying together before the lesson.

Going over the material for the week by:

a. Reviewing the main points section

b. Discussing the Study Questions

Testing the memorization of verses.

Having a period of prayer together. Teaching by example that the disciple should learn to really seek God in prayer.

For the disciple, reinforcement in learning is provided by:

Reading the sections.

Answering the Study Questions.

Memorizing the verses connected to the section.

Discussing with the discipler:

a. The material in general

b. Any questions

c. Any further explanations

d. The Study Questions and memorization verses

For the discipler, the outline and main points provide an order of presentation while also ensuring that the disciple has accomplished the goals within the book (e.g., confession, forgiveness, quiet time, body life, etc.). Step by step, the disciple will be adding to his life the basic building blocks of a fully biblical lifestyle.

If the disciple has answered the questions, seems to understand the basics, and is in accord with the basic flow of a biblical lifestyle, he is ready to be formally received by the congregation (if this is the community’s tradition). If not, he can be seen as ready to take his full place as a committed member. Memorizing the verses is a real key. The disciple should be encouraged to make memory cards. This is a lifelong task. The discipleship course is only a beginning of the discipline of Scripture memorization.

The key to true discipleship always comes down to love—love expressed in caring for, praying for, praying with, and spending time with the disciple. May God give you lasting fruit in discipling.

The Growing to Maturity Primer

The Growing to Maturity Primer is a supplement to Growing to Maturity. It is an extensive compilation of questions and answers following the chapters and sections of the book. The primer is helpful as a supplement for anyone who desires a deeper course in memorization for establishing basic biblical teaching. The answers to the questions are mostly by Scripture quotation. This is an ancient method of teaching. The primer is also helpful to bar mitzvah preparation.

Introduction

The Call to Discipleship

For the Disciple: The Nature of Discipleship

Yeshua says, Go and make disciples. A disciple is someone who is like the Master himself. Yeshua’s command is the first reason for discipleship. Our concern is that Jewish followers of the Messiah be under his Lordship, be grounded in the Word, and know the truth and live by the truth as it is revealed in Scripture.

Discipleship is a lifestyle of walking in his steps. It is a life of godly service, prayer, and fellowship in the household of faith. Therefore, this series of lessons is only a first step in discipleship. Let us press on in knowing the Lord and living in the constant presence of the Spirit.

Yeshua says, Why do you call me Lord, and not do what I say? (Luke 6:46). In Matthew 7, he makes it clear that accepting his salvation means yielding our lives without reservation. We might not know the total will of the Lord, but not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father. Salvation is by God’s grace; a person who truly accepts God’s grace is willing and able to do God’s will.

This discipleship doctrine book presents these first steps of understanding and spiritual practice tailored to the Jewish believer. It hopefully will be an aid in living according to Yeshua’s will as a disciple, someone who has learned by his teacher’s example.

The Method of This Book

The discipleship book you are using in this course is structured according to recent advances in individualized educational instruction. Discipleship is serious business, and this material is geared for serious study and reflection.

Each chapter is divided into short sections followed by Study Questions. These questions are to be answered in the book. Memory verses are assigned after the Study Questions. These should be written on index cards and memorized. They are key aids to building faith and maturity. After answering the sectional Study Questions, you should check your answers by studying the italicized portions of the text.

Following Yeshua is a new world; there is a new language and new ways of thinking to be learned. Learning is crucial to real discipleship.

Chapter 1

The Plan of Salvation: General Overview

The goal of this chapter is to give a basic understanding of God’s plan of salvation for the individual and for humanity. First of all, you will learn the definitions of basic biblical terms, and secondly, you will memorize a basic set of Scripture passages to enable you to be grounded in these truths.

Section A—Creation to Abraham

The Scriptures tell us, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). The biblical description of God is a description of an infinite being of unlimited intelligence and moral perfection. Only Scripture gives the revelation of a personal, infinite God. To say God is personal means he has real attributes of self-consciousness, intelligence, will, and the ability to act, love, judge, and relate to other people in special ways.

Let’s look at some Scripture passages that reveal what God is like:

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. (Exod. 34:6, 7)

Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.’ (Lev. 19:2)

The first passage is known in traditional Judaism as the thirteen attributes of God. In it we see that although God is full of love and mercy, he must punish sin because he is just. The sin of one generation has clear effects on the next, as is all too clear today.

Leviticus 19:2 says God is holy. That is, he is totally separated from evil, uncleanliness, and immoral ways. He is full of love and compassion. Leviticus 19:1 describes the human dilemma and need for salvation. The Bible teaches God is perfect and requires perfect righteousness in those with whom he fellowships. Yet every human being finds his life is full of sin. To sin (chat’a in Hebrew), means to miss the mark, the mark of God’s perfect standard. There is the awful sense of distance from God, separation from our Creator. How did we get in this state, and how do we get out of it? For the answer we have to go back to the beginning.

In Genesis 2, we see God created man in his own image. To be created in God’s image means to be a reflection of God in function and attributes. Man was created to function, as God, as a ruler over this earth (Gen. 1:26, 27). To perform this function, he was given dominion. He was also given attributes like God: abilities such as love, intelligence, freedom, and intuition. God created man for loving fellowship with himself.

If man was to be a morally significant companion for God, he had to have a real choice. He was placed in a garden of abundance and told to enjoy the fruit of the garden with one exception. The exception was that he was not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which would give him the experiential knowledge of evil.

But under the influence of the devil, first the woman and then the man did eat. They were tempted by vanity and pride. They wanted to become like God. They asserted their independence from God with disastrous results. God had warned Adam and Eve that eating from this tree, an act of rebellion, would bring both spiritual and physical death. This was indeed the consequence because after disobeying God, the human parents of our race knew lust, greed, anger, and other manifestations of selfishness. (Selfishness is when self and its desires are enthroned as lord of our lives instead of God.)

The human race is of one fabric; the life of children is tied to the life of their parents. A natural bent toward sin and selfishness was thus passed on to all of us. In Genesis 4, Cain killed his brother Abel. By Genesis 6 the whole human race was so given over to evil that it was almost completely destroyed by a flood. The Bible is realistic about the central human disease—sin. It recognizes the root of the problem as self-centeredness and rebellion against God, but God allowed the human race to continue. Why? Was it possible that man could be redeemed, purchased back from his state of spiritual death (separation from God), and eventual physical death? Wonderfully, the answer is yes.

God’s plan of salvation centered first on a chosen nation. This plan began with Abraham. Abraham submitted himself to serve the living God; he obeyed God’s call and moved to a new land to begin a new nation. God called Abraham his friend (Isa. 41:8). He gave Abraham great promises. He told Abraham:

He would make of Abraham a mighty nation (Gen. 12:2, 3),

He would make Abraham’s seed a source of blessing to all nations,

He would give Abraham’s descendants (through Jacob) the Land of Israel, and

He would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel.

God supernaturally produced a child named Isaac through Abraham and his wife, Sarah, when they were well beyond childbearing age. Later, Abraham’s descendants were rescued from Egypt and brought into the Promised Land. God decided to win the human race back to himself through a nation. This nation was to be submitted to God’s will as an example of righteousness and a witness to God’s ways. Israel was to be an instrument of God’s justice and the image of a redeemed community, also called the kingdom of God. They would call the other nations back to God.

Some questions may arise at this point. Was Abraham sinless? Wasn’t he a part of fallen humanity? Why could he be accepted into fellowship with God? How could his descendants, and eventually other members of the human race, be accepted by God? The complete answer to these questions was not given until the New Covenant Scriptures (New Testament), but a partial answer was given.

First, we see that Abraham believed the Lord, and he reckoned (credited) it to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). Somehow faith, trust in God, is capable of making us acceptable to God. Abraham was not perfect; he still fell from God’s high standard. At one point and out of fear, he asked Sarah to pretend that she was not his wife (Gen. 12:11). He also sought to produce a child by his own efforts through Sarah’s handmaid Hagar to assure himself of descendants. Yet his basic faith in God remained and led to great responses of obedience (Rom. 4).

The greatest test of Abraham’s faith was when God called him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac (Gen. 22). Just before he raised the knife to slay Isaac, the Angel of God stopped him. To have gone through with God’s instructions to this extent was as good a demonstration of Abraham’s heart as carrying them out completely. Truly, he gave all to God. But why did God command Abraham to slay his only son, born miraculously? Why did he seek an image of sacrifice in the son in whom was the promise of blessing? Jewish tradition, in the Talmud and siddur (prayer book), gives added meaning to the sacrifice of Isaac. Because we are of Isaac, tied to him as descendants, the prayer is offered that God might remember this sacrifice and forgive our sins. Somehow our forgiveness is tied to his sacrifice, where someone having merit paid a great penalty for us.

Faith and sacrifice are part of God’s means of restoring us to himself. How this works is part of the next section.

Study Questions

Define what it means to say God is personal or a person.

Define the meaning of holy.

What does it mean to be created in God’s image?

Define selfishness biblically.

To purchase back is scripturally called:

What were four of God’s promises to Abraham?

What are two key elements for restoration to fellowship with God, according to the accounts of Abraham’s life?

Verses for Memorization

Learn both the verse and the reference. (Repeat the reference before and after quoting the verse, e.g., John 1:12, ‘Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God’ John 1:12.)

Genesis 15:6

Exodus 34:6, 7

Section B—Israel Law, Priesthood, and Sacrifice

The descendants of Abraham through Jacob were called the Israelites due God changing Jacob’s name. Israel is one who prevails with God, or one who strives with God as a prince. The meaning of both prince and strive in the word root is a play on words. This is pointed out in most commentaries. How the word is vowel pointed can give the different interpretation. There is no pointing in the original Hebrew. At the time of God’s visitation through Moses, Israel was in a sorry state. She had sunk into the meanest bondage under cruel Egyptian overseers. But God brought Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand and outstretched arm. God rescued a nation of slaves to indicate his love for all who are poor and dispossessed and whose situation is hopeless.

In the plagues he visited upon Egypt, God defeated not only the will of the nation, but their trust in their own gods and religious figures, which were supposed to protect them. If Egypt was the most powerful nation of its day, the defeat of the nation by a multitude of unarmed slaves certainly proved the supremacy of the slaves’ God because almost every plague was a defeat of a particular Egyptian god. The defeat of the highest god, the sun god, was shown in the plague of darkness and in the death of Pharaoh’s firstborn son, who was thought to be a direct descendant of the sun god. God demonstrated his universal Lordship over all nations in his defeat of Egypt.

Many are familiar with the story of Passover itself (Exod. 12). On that evening the angel of death passed over the houses of Israel, which displayed the blood of a lamb on the doorposts and lintel. But in the Egyptians’ homes he killed all the firstborn sons. Once again sacrifice, a blood offering, was shown as necessary in averting judgment.

Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and possession of the land of Canaan is the foundational image of salvation. First of all, it should be noted that Israel was absolutely helpless in saving herself. There was nothing she could do to defeat the armies of Pharaoh or get to the other side of the sea when she was totally hemmed in. Her defeat of the Canaanites and entrance into the Promised Land was by God’s mighty power. Israel did not triumph because of her ability with the sword although God allowed her to use the sword. She triumphed by faith! Similar principles are evident in Israel’s conquering Jericho. She walked around the walls of Jericho, and the walls came tumbling down. Note these elements in Israel’s salvation:

She could not save herself; no work of her own was adequate.