Edify
Part 3 of Personify Faith
Introduction
Edify may be one of those “old timey” words that we have a vague notion of, but we are not quick to use in a daily context. The Oxford Languages definition tells us it means “to instruct or improve someone morally or intellectually” and notes a sharp decline in the use of the word from the mid-1800s to 1900 and little usage today. We may have encountered it in biblical translations but probably not in a recent conversation. So why devote an entire week to it? I believe this word captures well a wide range of faith formation behaviors including encouragement, exhortation, correction, guidance, shepherding, and teaching--all ways we can personify faith to others.
To better understand the term, it helps to go back to the original Greek. Paul uses the Greek word οἰκοδομή often, and it is usually translated as “edify.” This word is composed of two parts—the first being the word for “home” and the second being the word for “to build.” The word is translated literally in several places in the New Testament to refer to the actual building of a dwelling place, such as in Luke 6:48 where Jesus is teaching about the man who laid down a firm foundation on rock before he built his house. This term is also used by the Jews when they tell Jesus it took forty-six years to build the temple and there was no way he could raise it in three days after it is destroyed (John 2:20). So, when Paul uses this term in instructing faith communities in how they should act, he is calling upon the image of building a home. Each Christian is a temple that needs to be built into a suitable dwelling place for God. Keep in mind that ancient buildings needed constant maintenance—in the same way the body of believers is in an eternal construction zone. Construction takes an eye for detail, commitment to a plan, respect for the unforeseen issues, a willingness to start over, and teamwork. Grab your hard hat and that never-ending line of orange cones, and let’s dig into constructing better homes for God.
“We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.” —Francis Chan
Day of Preparation
Opening Prayer
Dear God,
As the great architect of faith, you have given us the blueprints for building a life of faith in your holy word. We have seen a model of this faithful life in Jesus. Let us then carefully examine these plans, lay a firm foundation, and build according to these specifications each day until we make a sanctuary worthy of your holy presence. Amen.
Scriptural Teachings
One of the most sacred passages in Hebrew scripture is referred to as the Shema and is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hand and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” These verses are often placed in a small box called a mezuzah on door posts or even inscribed on small scrolls to be worn as a necklace or headpiece. Education about God was not only to be through formal schools at the synagogues or teachings at the Temple. Instruction about living a faithful life was supposed to be interwoven throughout the daily lives of the people. Do we do a good job of this? How did you learn about faith? Do we rely too much on bringing our children and youth to Sunday School, worship, and youth group to learn about God? How can we lead faith formation at home?
Proverbs 22:6 says to “train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Training suggests a certain intentionality and commitment to consistency. Ask any athlete training to meet a goal—it requires a clear plan, consistency, and hard work. Nathan Foster explains that in Paul’s day “the success of athletes was seen as more of a product of training than of natural ability.” Paul understood the need for “coaches” to inspire, encourage, and teach young Christians.
Paul was one of the great edifiers of the early church. Throughout his letters to different congregations, he encourages proper actions for the edification of the community of faith. In Paul’s first letter, 1 Thessalonians, Professor Jacobus Kok points out that “’οiκοδομεῖν’ is an apostolic activity and a spiritual task of the community of faith.” He also notes that Paul believes edification should be for both insiders and outsiders in a radical act of love. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul writes: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Paul edifies the church, but also is training them to edify one another when he cannot be there.
The Corinthians received most of Paul’s instruction on edification. He uses the word many times in each of his letters. Chapter 14 alone contains a variation of the word 6 times! Paul instructs the Corinthians in the value of all the many spiritual gifts in the edification of the church. Some gifts such as speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues must be done together by members of the community for them to achieve their intended purpose. He encourages them to build each other up in love rather than to tear each other down (2 Corinthians 10:8, 13:10) Does your church community use its gifts to edify the members? To bless those outside of the congregation? How do you contribute?
Wisdom from the Past
After the first generation of apostles died, new Christian leaders emerged to continue to build up the body of believers. New letters of instruction were written to codify the teachings of Jesus and the early apostles. One of the first known compilations of these teachings is called the Didache, which scholars believe to be written prior to 300 A.D. and possibly as early as the 2nd century. As Christianity spread throughout the Roman empire, it was difficult to standardize practices and teachings across so many places and cultures. One unnamed believer (or group) felt it was necessary for the edification of the faithful to collect teachings in one place and organize them into lessons by topic. This ancient document contains first a catechism of the central teachings of Christianity, followed by instruction on baptism procedure, words to use during the Eucharist, and includes our first glimpses into the early worship practices of the church—something that we must at times only infer from the biblical text.
The early church spent a great deal time catechizing or teaching new converts to Christianity (an area where our churches are sometimes weak with regards especially to adult converts). The author of the Didache saw the need for a standard document of instruction that pulled the main teachings of Jesus into a document ordered by the significance of principles. The first chapter of the Didache is given below so that you can get a sense of how it was used in edification of the early church. As you read, think about how were you “catechized.”
Chapter 1—The Two Ways; The First Commandment.
1. There are two ways, one of life and one of death; but a great difference between the two ways.
2. The way of life, then, is this: First, thou shalt love God who made thee; second, thy neighbour as thyself; and all things whatsoever thou wouldst should not occur to thee, thou also to another do not do.
3. And of these sayings the teaching is this: Bless them that curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for them that persecute you. For what thank is there, if ye love them that love you? Do not also the Gentiles do the same? But do ye love them that hate you; and ye shall not have an enemy.
4. Abstain thou from fleshly and worldly lusts. If one give thee a blow upon thy right cheek, turn to him the other also; and thou shalt be perfect. If one impress thee for one mile, go with him two. If one take away thy cloak, give him also thy coat. If one take from thee thine own, ask it not back, for indeed thou art not able.
5. Give to everyone that asketh thee, and ask it not back; for the Father willeth that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he that giveth according to the commandment; for he is guiltless. Woe to him that receiveth; for if one having need receiveth, he is guiltless; but he that receiveth not having need, shall pay the penalty, why he received and for what, and coming into straits (confinement), he shall be examined concerning the things which he hath done, and he shall not escape thence until he pay back the last farthing.
6. But also now concerning this, it hath been said, Let thine alms sweat in thy hands, until thou know to whom thou shouldst give.
Part of our Christian legacy is a result of generations of master builders that taught new believers in the life of faith. For some this has been by a parent or other family member. Stories throughout history have shown the influence of parents of leaders such as St. Augustine and Constantine. Teachers, in both secular and sacred settings, also have a large impact on our lives. Who “built you up” in this way? How did they do so? What can you learn from them? Have you been able to thank them?
Parker Palmer writes that “good teachers share one trait: a strong sense of personal identity infuses their work.” Have you found this to be true in your life? He explains that one way a favorite professor did this was by being vulnerable to his students in talking through his own thought processes: “What mattered was that he generously opened the life of his mind to me, giving full voice to the gift of thought.” Who might need to hear how you process faith? How can you work faith into casual conversations with co-workers or teachable moments with your kids, grandkids, or any within your sphere of influence?
Closing Blessing
Wise are congregations
that invite and challenge believers
of all ages and abilities
to “grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
Blessed are congregations
that nurture the faithful interplay
of Scripture, doctrines, practices, and the fruit of the Spirit.
Wise are congregations that deepen worship
through reflection on and teaching about
the meaning of worship practices.
Day of Action
Opening Prayer
Dear God,
Reveal to us today part of your blueprint for the church. Show us a place where we can strengthen it, support it, or stabilize it. Place the person or people on our hearts that could best be served by the talents and gifts in our tool belt. Amen.
Scriptural Reflection
Begin today by examining the following scripture verses that use a form of the word οἰκοδομή. Jot down a central thought of each passage.
Acts 9:31
Romans 14:19
Ephesians 4:12-16 (*Two uses)
Ephesians 4:29
Paul identifies several ways to edify the body of believers in his writings such as: praying, using spiritual gifts, showing love, sharing the Gospel, offering words of encouragement, teaching right practices, and living as an example to others. Has someone used one of these areas in the past to edify you?
Call to Action
I remember the first time someone edified me through prayer. I was with my youth group doing work for a church in Toronto, Canada. Even though the church had little means, they showered us with hospitality and prayer. They physically surrounded us and prayed aloud over us in a way that moved my personal faith to a new level. I had never felt the power of being the subject of someone’s intercessory prayer in real time. To be held in prayer in that way helped me understand how and why we should do the same for others. There is power in stopping and immediately praying with and for someone.
Is there one of the areas Paul mentions that you feel you can best edify others? How might you utilize that this week? Which of these areas hard for you? Why? How might you improve on those areas in the future?
Here are some suggested activities to get you thinking:
Order a new devotional to begin with your children or grandchildren each day
Become a mentor to someone at work or church
Join a Bible study or small discussion group
Send encouraging texts to a friend or family member
Write letters of testimony and encouragement
Volunteer to teach a class or small group
Share the giftedness a fellow believer on your social media platforms
Pray specifically for someone and let them know they are being covered in prayer
Send “thank you” messages to your ministers or lay leaders
Play music for your children with messages of faith
Closing Blessing
Wise is the community
that nourishes faith
by encouraging daily worship for all believers,
with emphasis on reading and meditating on God’s Word,
seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
offering prayers of praise and petition,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,
listening for God in “sheer silence” (1 Kings 19:12),
and living every moment before the face of God.
Day of Reflection
Opening Prayer
Dear God,
Help us today to reflect on the positive outcomes of our actions this week. Identify in us areas where we still need to grow. Let us be aware of those around us that need strengthening and encouragement. Amen.
Reflection
Begin today by writing about your action experience this week. How do you feel this activity helped you edify the body of Christ?
Modern Perspectives
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, “Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.” We do not, however, accept Christ as our savior, and then immediately know all the things that we should do. Training is an important part of our preparation for becoming a “little Christ.” Although edification can be done on an individual basis, at its core is a spirit of Christian community. Faith formation leader Craig Dykstra explains that “the beliefs, values, attitudes, stories, rituals, and moral practices of a faith community are the human forces most powerful in shaping a person’s spiritual journey.” It takes all of us working together to build. Like a spider creating her web, we must continue to do this work day-in and day-out. The process of edifying, of “home building,” is never finished.
I have always loved the old images of barn-raisings. It is such an amazing picture of a community working together for the benefit of one in need, knowing that the need may one day be their own or that they have received help in the past. A task that no individual could accomplish alone is completed only by the larger community. That is the life of faith. We need each other to strengthen and support each other when we cannot stand on our own. I also think it is interesting that barn raisings in the U.K. are sometimes called “rearings.” I cannot help but think about “rearing” our own children and how important a community of faith is in that process. Goodness knows I need the help of many in the community to raise my children in the life of faith! Craig Dykstra describes how important learning the “language of faith” is at a young age. Just like with learning a foreign language, “young people cannot make religious language their own unless the religious community as a whole uses religious language as its own, and unless particular adults who love and care for particular young people engage in conversation with them.” I am thankful for my fellow “barn raisers” and hope that I either helped them in the past or will help them in the future.
Prayer is one effective tool of edification that can be used by all people of faith. Nathan Foster explains: “Waiting in line or sitting in a meeting, rather than staring at the clock, I begin to pray for people, secretly bombing those in the room with the love of the Father. I watch as smiles emerge or softness covers faces. It feels like magic, and it’s fun.” Intercessory prayer is one effective tool that we can use in all times and places. I remember doing this practice once while proctoring the end of grade exams at my son’s school. The proctors had to watch the room and not do anything else for hours at a time. A wise friend had suggested to me praying over each student individually in my head. What a softness in my heart developed for each of those 4th graders in that room! Not only does prayer impact the person that is prayed for, it can form the faith of the person praying as well. Dietrich Bonhoeffer believed that “Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me.” Can you imagine what our country might look like if prominent members of the two major political parties spent time in faithful prayer for each other?
I think Henri Nouwen hit on the most important point: “In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, cares, reaches out and wants to heal.” Once we know the life-giving love of God we are compelled to take that outward to others. We are not to hoard it to ourselves. As Shannan Martin puts it in her memoir, The Ministry of Ordinary Places: “In the span of God’s wide and rowdy family, we all belong to one another and there is no such thing as other people’s children. Take a look around. Find someone to nurture. This is how we’ll rise.” When we help to build up others, we provide many places for God to dwell on this earth. As we close this week, I am reminded of the popular contemporary Christian song “Sanctuary” that speaks to what we are trying to accomplish—building together within each individual a sacred place for the Lord to dwell and a living sanctuary of believers that support and edify each other to the glory of God.
Closing Blessing
Sanctuary
by John Thompson and Randy Scruggs
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You
It is you, Lord
Who came to save
The heart and soul
Of every man
It is you Lord
Who knows my weakness
Who gives me strength,
With thine own hand.
Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and Holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you
Lead Me on Lord
From temptation
Purify me
From within
Fill my heart with
Your holy spirit
Take away all my sin
Lord prepare me to be sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You
Sources
Closing blessings from The Worship Sourcebook
The Making of an Ordinary Saint by Nathan Foster
Documents of the Christian Church edited by Henry Bettenson and Chris Maunder
The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen
Growing in the Life of Faith by Craig Dykstra
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer
Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin
https://hymnary.org/text/lord_prepare_me_to_be_a_sanctuary
http://apostles-creed.org/confessions-creeds-christian-theology/the-teaching-of-the-twelve-apostles/