WOLBI's Heartbeat - Personal Discipleship

Have you ever felt the need to just talk to someone? Talk to someone and be able to them about the things that are really bothering you, REALLY bothering you? Have you ever felt afraid to say anything because it might make you seem weird or someone might find out?

Discipleship is really what sets us apart at the Owen Sound campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute.

“I really enjoy the personal discipleship here. The disciplers are really interested in you and want to see you grow closer to God in your spiritual walk.” Student Class of 2012

“It has been an amazing year to grow closer to God and learn. In two months I believe I have learned more at WOLBI than in my year at another Bible college last year.”Student Class of 2012

Some would consider discipleship as meeting with people and simply asking, “So, how are you?” “How’s work?” etc. but is that really what Jesus had in mind when He put forth the command to “Go and make disciples”? Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing ungodly about just ‘getting together’ as a form of informal discipleship. We seek to provide just that through the many social activities such as banquets, crazy game nights, and other merely fun and social activities that dot our calendars allowing students and staff to connect. However, if this is our only definition of discipleship, I believe we are being blatantly disobedient to God’s desire. Let’s look at Jesus’ words:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”
Matt. 28:18-20a

You see discipleship is more than just what we call “fellowship.” It is teaching people to obey everything that Jesus commanded – the whole counsel of God! This grand a task cannot effectively be done shooting the breeze over coffee with idle chatter. It is transparent, purposeful, and diligent inter-personal ministry.

“A big blessing for me has been discipleship. There have been times when I feel like I am the only one struggling with the issue that I have. Through discipleship, I have learned that my struggle is actually very common and the Bible has the exact answer for it. The more I get into God's Word the more I learn about the mighty God we serve.” Student Class of 2011

“A staff member was used by the Lord to change my life and I daily remember the things he has taught me… He changed the way I used to think and taught me life-values from the Bible. He taught me how to make biblical principles for my life. He taught me how to act proper in the way I treat my parents. He taught me how to deal with many bad situations.” Student Class of 2011

So what makes us so different?  Our daily Quiet Time (personal devotions), evening Dorm Devos, chapels, dorm life, and the voluntary, personal one-on-one discipleship program with discipleship-equipped staff members, all focus on the intersection between God’s Word and our lives and is a powerful recipe for life-change!

“Deans’ chapels have really been applicable and practical in helping me dealing with sin in my life!” Student Class of 2012

There’s no better place to not only learn the Word, but to learn to live the Word.
Why not consider joining us as we corporately and personally ‘provoke each other to love and good works’ and teach each other to ‘observe all the things that Jesus has commanded us.’

 Jonathan Ward, Assoc.Dean of Students



For more on the Ministry of Jonathan and Melissa Ward follow the link and become a fan of their Facebook Page.

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WOLBI News!

Why not take a minute or two and read up on the Discipleship that takes place here on campus. The Bible Institute's website has posted an article written by Jonathan Ward, the Associate Dean of Students and Professor of Bible Survey. The article discusses not only what discipleship looks like here at the BI, but also the lasting impact it has on the lives of the students. It includes some testimonies of just a few of the students whose lives have been changed by this incredible ministry.

Check out the article here!


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Jon & Melissa Ward also have a Facebook Ministry Page for more up-to-date news.

Learning the Word: Biblical Counseling

From WOLBRANOS

Mr Joe Schenke was born in Chicago from a Polish Catholic background. He trusted Christ as a teenager. Mr Schenke attended Word of Life Bible Institute and later received a BS from Trinity College and an MA in Biblical Counselling from The Masters College. Mr Schenke served as Campus Pastor and Dean of Students at Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY, for over 20 years and as a pastor of Counselling and Family Ministry at Fellowship Bible Church in Sewell, New Jersey, and is once again the Dean of Students at the NY campus. Like the other guest lecturers, Mr. Schenke is very willing to sit down with us over lunch and he makes himself available during the day if we need to talk. Throughout the week there have even been optional night classes on various issues that people may be struggling with like depression and anger. What a blessing to have him on campus again!

Once again we share the impact this course has had on its professor!

 "As someone who has been involved in Biblical counseling for over 20 years I have been reminded again of the critical role of that the Gospel plays in counseling. In fact the Gospel is not just something that we share with the unsaved but according to Paul was evidently something needed to be heard even after conversion (Romans 1:15).  Too often even biblical counselors can fall into the trap of a works-orientated counsel which focuses on the imperatives of scripture without mentioning the declarations of the glorious Gospel. This inadvertently results in despairing or self-righteous counselees who wonder why it’s so hard to change.  The Gospel proclaims that in Christ while we are weak and sinful , we are loved and welcomed.  It is clear that He loves sinners because He loves us. The Gospel changes everything about us, more specifically the Gospel will free us to lay our lives down and not keep a tally of sins committed against us, but rather will make us kind and tender-hearted teaching us how to forgive (Ephesians 4:32). The Gospel teaches us how to truly love even the most difficult people (1 John 4:9-11)."

Students Speak about Discipleship

DISCLAIMER: No students were interrogated, forced, bribed or otherwise coerced in the obtaining of these quotes. The Bible Institute is very blessed by the students God has brought this year!

Word of Life Bible Institute is not just about knowing the Bible but growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ. One of the ways we grow together here at WOLBI is personal discipleship. Whether you call it personal ministry, biblical counseling, mentoring or whatever, each student has the opportunity to volunteer to meet weekly with a staff member to talk, pray, and encourage each other in their faith. We currently have 31 of our 41 students involved in some form of weekly discipleship and accountability with staff members.

"Something that has been a big blessing for me so far in the year has been discipleship. There have been times where I feel like I am the only one struggling with the issue that I have. Through discipleship I have learned that this struggle is actually very common and the Bible has the exact answer for it. The more I get into God's Word the more I learn about the mighty God we serve."

Speaking of discipleship with a particular staff member, one student said, "He changed the way I used to think and taught me life-values from the Bible. He taught me how to make biblical principles for my life. He taught me how to act proper in the way I treat and act with my parents. He taught me how to deal with many bad situations."

"I have greatly enjoyed getting to know my discipler better and the opportunity to meet with her once a week. She is a big encouragement to me and I learn a lot from just watching how she handles life situations and how she interacts with her kids."