We have come to the end of our understudy of Jesus and His disciples. We have looked over Jesus' shoulders and have eavesdropped on His instructions to and training of His diverse group of followers. We have seen His attitudes. We have listened to His words. We have felt the warmth of His personality. We have been touched by the charm of His smile and the radiance of His personality. We have walked the dusty roads of Galilee with Jesus. We have sailed across the lake with Him. We have sat on the mountainside and in homes with Him. We have been with Him in both the temple and synagogues. So what comes next? Where do we go from here?
Essentially, my question concerns our individual discipleship as contemporary followers of the Master. What have we learned during this quarter and what will we do with it? How has this study influenced your life, impacted your personality, and renewed your reaction to the study? Write out what you have learned and the decisions on which you have arrived. Perhaps, it would also be good to record what you plan to accomplish as a modern disciple for the Master, realizing that there is a mission to be fulfilled and His words, "Go ye into all the world..." include you.
Finally, as you await the kingdom, may God bless and prosper your discipleship! Walk good my friend and I will see you in the kingdom! All the very best.
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Brief Summary
As an experienced, religious visionary and theologian, I have spent almost 50% of my life in theological education and 75% in youth work. I have taught ministers and teachers of diverse cultural backgrounds on five continents and several islands in such places as Africa, Australia, Bahamas, Canada, the Caribbean, Fiji, Great Britain, Korea, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. I received my Bachelor of Theology Degree from West Indies College (renamed Northern Caribbean University), a Master’s Degree and a Doctorate Degree in New Testament from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Born on the island of Jamaica, I began my services to the Church as a ministerial intern in the West Jamaica Conference then as Pastor/Evangelist, Youth and Education Director; Assoc. Professor and Chair of the Theology Department at West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University); as well as Professor and Chair of the Religion Department and the Division of Religion and Social Sciences at Columbia Union College. I hold ministerial credentials with the Potomac Conference of SDA and currently serve as the Interim Pastor of the Rockville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rockville, Maryland.
Beginning my services at Howard University in Washington D.C. as an Adjunct professor in 1990, I served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Biblical Language and Literature in the School of Divinity. I am now serving as Professor of Biblical Language and Literature. I have authored three books—Slow to Understand: the Disciples in Synoptic Perspective; Alpha through Omega: A User Friendly Guide to New Testament Greek, and Called to Discipleship;—chapters in other books, and articles in journals, magazines and newspapers. A fourth book, The Busy People Bible Study Plan: A new Plan for a New Century, is due off the press in early 2008.
My hobbies include writing poetry (some published), reading, photography, computers, cycling, cooking, racquetball, and travel. I am married to the lovely Mrs. Cavel Melbourne and we have three grown children—Yolande, Maurice, and Launice. I like people; love my family and adore my God. I want to be remembered for helping people to know Jesus better.
Born on the island of Jamaica, I began my services to the Church as a ministerial intern in the West Jamaica Conference then as Pastor/Evangelist, Youth and Education Director; Assoc. Professor and Chair of the Theology Department at West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University); as well as Professor and Chair of the Religion Department and the Division of Religion and Social Sciences at Columbia Union College. I hold ministerial credentials with the Potomac Conference of SDA and currently serve as the Interim Pastor of the Rockville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rockville, Maryland.
Beginning my services at Howard University in Washington D.C. as an Adjunct professor in 1990, I served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Biblical Language and Literature in the School of Divinity. I am now serving as Professor of Biblical Language and Literature. I have authored three books—Slow to Understand: the Disciples in Synoptic Perspective; Alpha through Omega: A User Friendly Guide to New Testament Greek, and Called to Discipleship;—chapters in other books, and articles in journals, magazines and newspapers. A fourth book, The Busy People Bible Study Plan: A new Plan for a New Century, is due off the press in early 2008.
My hobbies include writing poetry (some published), reading, photography, computers, cycling, cooking, racquetball, and travel. I am married to the lovely Mrs. Cavel Melbourne and we have three grown children—Yolande, Maurice, and Launice. I like people; love my family and adore my God. I want to be remembered for helping people to know Jesus better.
2 comments:
These lessons have helped me to focus more on Christ as the perfect example and to question what type of follower it is that I claim to be. I was intrigued and captivated by the relationship that Christ had with all the disciples. He never condemned anyone, not even Judas who was one of the chosen ones. Despite the fact that Judas betrayed Him there was still hope for him, but he took matters in his own hand and hung himself. Peter on the hand found a loving Saviour who welcomed him back in spite of his failings. Finally, if I am committed to Jesus then I must make the effort to be like Him, take Him at His word and spread the good news of His saving grace and love. Thanks Dr. Melbourne for the timely reminder that membership is not akin to discipleship. May the God of heaven continue to bless your ministry for Him in your writings, teaching and preaching; and that He will continue to inspire you daily as you touch the lives of believers everywhere.
Thank you so very musch for your kind comments. To the extent that God is able to use these lessons to move us from our comfort zones to where He wants us to be, to that extent they can be considered successful. As Ellen White says, "If thou couldst in vision see the man [person] Christ meant you to be, you would no more be the man [person] you are content." My greatest desire, and I wish this for all disciples too, is to live at the center of God's will. May God keep us there!
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