DISCIPLESHIP 101 - 1

In my discipleship process, the place that I would have to start, and end and come back to would be the gospel:

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Paul clearly states here that the gospel is of first importance. Jesus ministry of preaching the gospel and his command that it must be preached to all nations (Mark 13:10) is also evidence. Paul's claim that he is set apart for the gospel (Romans 1:1) is not the final evidence, but just another bit of overwhelming evidence that the gospel is the center of god's redeeming plan.

1 Corinthians 15 gives a simple but all encompassing formula. We receive the gospel to become part of God's family. But the gospel is more than 'fire insurance', having done it's job. After receiving we are to stand on the gospel.

Way too much room needed than here, but look at the richness of the phrase, "by which you are being saved". Current, constant and consistent.

The gospel is good news!!