The Lost Discipline of Conversation by Joanne J. Jung

Author:Joanne J. Jung
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2018-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

SOUL-TO-SOUL PAUCITY

Conference with wise and experienced pastors can limit misconceptions and misconstructions of the Christian faith that have unfortunate results. Those who lack knowledge of God and His Word, yet claim to speak for Him, communicate inaccurate and distorted beliefs. An undiscerning audience, even of Christ followers, can inadvertently accept and adopt untruths or false teachings. Such ignorance, when translated into error-prone behavior and deeds, misrepresents the Trinity, God’s Word, His kingdom, and His disciples.

A growing understanding of God through His Word and His people, or at least a curiosity about these matters, needs to be met with wise counsel and biblical guidance. This can be addressed in conversations that welcome questions, doubts, and inquiries. These questions may range from the simple to the complex, but when opportunities present themselves, they must be addressed. When one cultivates the willingness to be available, opportunities will present themselves.

A lack of personal instruction and conference can lead to missed opportunities for evangelism, salvation, edification, and needed encouragement. Even and perhaps especially amid the culture of social media, people are discovering unmet needs in the challenges of life and longing for help from a healthy community. Additionally, if identity formation for human beings is designed to be cultivated in the context of a biblically sound, soul-enhancing community, many will find themselves questioning aspects of themselves without the knowledge of where to seek that guidance, direction, and support.

HISTORICAL SNAPSHOT

Francis Rous (1579–1659) was a lay Puritan, religious writer, and politician. Rous’s desire for reform of the English church, which influenced his contributions to Parliament, attested to his integration of theology and politics.

Francis Rous, an English politician and a prominent Puritan, pens, “And indeed when the soul is in the dark, and her own light shines not, she may do well to get a guide, and to take heed to borrowed light, until the day dawn, and the daystar arises in her own heart.”9 Though sermons serve as an initial entry point toward grace, at any given point, support from pastors and others who offer biblical counsel can minister needed grace.

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