Men's ministry: Knowledge

Character Trait: Knowledge.

In the Greek: Gnosis - Translated: knowing, knowledge, understanding way. In this context it signifies general intelligence, understanding of Christianity. It implies a pursuit of a deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge of Christianity, such as belongs to the more advanced; especially of things concerning Christian conduct.
It is the knowledge that imparts moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living.

The word ‘knowledge’ in 2 Peter 1, though interpreted by the Greek word gnosis, is never the less presented through a Hebrew mindset. We must appreciate the significance of this as it considerably impacts both our methodology for learning and the consequences of that learning. The knowledge Peter is referring to is not just common ‘head knowledge’ rather it is more experiential in nature and intent. Here is a quote out of The Vision Forum.

"We must have a system of education which is intensely personal, familistic and relationship driven "so that virtue is added to faith, and knowledge to virtue, as required by Scripture" (2 Peter 1:5); a system that trains the believer to “think God’s thoughts after Him” through a presuppositionally biblical approach to truth; a system which rejects the idea that either our methods or our philosophy of education are neutral; and a system which emphasizes that the supreme goal of education is not simply to fill the mind with facts, or to get a credential, but to see the child “transformed after the image of the God who made him.” - Greek vs. Hebrew Educational Methodology, by Paul Schutte.

Greek Learning = “The Greek notion of education, that the Prussians (Germans) later developed and spread throughout western society, emphasizes knowledge. The goal is for students to LEARN what their teachers KNOW. It is based on cognitive input. In the Hebrew (scriptural) model of education (whether child-training or adult apprenticeship/mentoring) the goal is for the disciple to BECOME what his teacher IS. Knowledge is acquired as a by-product, but the goal is to shape the character and inclinations of the disciple.” - Greek vs. Hebrew Educational Methodology, by Paul Schutte.

Hebrew Learning = “The biblical approach to education is "Hebrew" in nature. This means it is relationship driven. Truth is communicated in the context of relationships; primarily, parent and child. The Hebrew method keeps the child within the family unit, which strengthens family bonds, where he is daily with the parents and learning how to be a warrior for the faith and how to pass it on to the subsequent generations. The child's loyalties remain with the family and he learns to make choices for its benefit and for the glory of God. There is no example or implication in Scripture that "education" can or should take place apart from 'relationship'.” - Greek vs. Hebrew Educational Methodology, by Paul Schutte.

Here is a link to an interesting article written on the different focuses and approaches between the two styles of learning. Some content was taken from this.
http://www.homeschoolbuilding.org/Item.php3?id=2291

Question: What does scripture say about knowledge?
· Desire for it leads to Christlikeness (1 Kings 3:9; Psalms 119:66; Proverbs 2;;12:1;15:14;18:15)
· Those who reject are destroyed (Hosea 4:6)
· It is the desire of God more than burnt offering (Hosea 6:6)
· It was Jesus’ mission; knowledge of salvation (Luke 1:77)
· Paul valued the knowledge of Christ above all else (Philippians 3:8)
· Fools hate (Proverbs 1:22,29)
· The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of (Proverbs 1:7)
· Is power (Proverbs 3:20;24:5)

Question: What is the goal of this knowledge?
We are missing the mark as a disciple when we want to learn more about the Bible for some reason other than to know God better and to do what He wants us to do. The apostle Peter said that we should increase our understanding for one primary purpose—to bring our faith to maturity. Our goal in pursuing knowledge should be self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, which are marks of a wise Christian. This progression toward maturity results in a full experiential knowledge of Christ (v. 8). “…For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Question: “Unless it leads to wisdom, knowledge can be dangerous.” How can this be so?

Responsibility to God:
Responsibility is a big word with lots of associations. We have work responsibilities, family responsibilities, physical & spiritual responsibilities. We thrive on them, loath them at times, both avoid them and seek them out.
Question: How does God see responsibility as it relates to knowledge? What is our responsibility here? The responsibility at hand refers to understanding the Lord relationally.
Quote: “God doesn't ask us to increase knowledge for the sake of knowledge. He asks us to grow in our understanding so that we can become God-centered, loving, productive people.” - M. R. De Haan.

Let’s re-look at 2 Peter 1; “To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge…”
Question: What does this scripture tell us about knowledge?

The knowledge this scripture refers to is attained through a desire to understand God and Jesus for the purpose of pleasing the Lord. As we experience Him in our living, we progress in our personal relationship with Him and consequently our knowledge of Him.

Learning is like building a house:
In order to be successful, a builder must know the fundamentals of house building, what materials to use and very importantly how to interpret blueprints so that in the end one will build the house he has been contracted to build. Not any old house will do.
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 3:9-11; “You are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.“
- Here we discover that our chief blueprint to study and conform or build to is Jesus Himself.
· Matthew 7:23-25; "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
- This speaks of what kind of foundation we must lay. This is the only foundation that will endure.
· Luke 6:46; "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?”
- We discover here that the acceptable knowledge that God has called us to as disciples is recognizable through our practice of those truths. It may be a time to reevaluate our building style by comparing the blueprint Jesus with what is being erected in our lives.
· Luke 6:48; “he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

Responsibility to Family:
· Proverbs 22:6 - “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
There are 7 important truths we find in this passage: (Taken from “Train Your Child God’s Way” By Pastor Norman S. Lao. Fro more detail go to
http://jlrcm.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/train-your-child-gods-way/
1. The responsibility of training the child belongs primarily to the child’s parents.
2. Parents are expected to know HOW to train their children.
3. Parents should know the way their children should go.
4. It is expected that parents are walking on the same way.
5. When parents fail to train their children in the way they should go, their children will go in a way they are not supposed to go.
6. Parents are expected to train their child when he is still a child.
7. If parents will do their part, then, when the child grows old he will not depart from it.

Responsibility to the Lost:
· 1 Peter 3:15; “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” – ESV.

Responsibility to Lead & Mentor
Mentorship is biblical. Proverbs 9:9 (ESV)
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”
Examples: Moses and Joshua, Samuel and King David, Jesus and the 12.
· Titus 2:6-8 (New International Version)
“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Quote: John F Macarthur; “A healthy life for the church comes only from the proper spiritual attitudes of its members.”

Our Mission:
What then is our primary mission according to scripture?
Aspire to be conformed to the image of Jesus through diligent pursuance of godly
knowledge that demonstrates godly love.