Matt. 28: 19-20 – “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
When a mother bears a child, she does not just abandon the child, she feeds and takes care of the child because the mother knows that there is need for the child to grow – this is what DISCIPLESHIP is about! Teaching, reading, learning about the principles of the Christian living, feeding our souls with the word of God, studying the Bible and meditating in the holy word of God – this is how a new-born Christian feeds, grows and develops; this is how a disciple is made!
A disciple is a student of Christ; he is one that yearns to be taught about the things of God each day; he attends Bible Study regularly; he is not just a bench warmer in church, rather he learns at the feet of Christ!
Discipleship is a process, it goes on and on; we learn and know more each day – daily studying of the word of God brings daily inspiration and helps build our Christian foundation! Discipleship is helping believers grow spiritually – it is learning more than that Christ came to die for us, it is aiming for spiritual maturity, it is being able to fast and pray and be able to pursue the devil!
II Pet. 3: 18 – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
Eph. 4: 13 – “… till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
These scriptures show us that as Christians we are expected to GROW; the end result of becoming a Christian is to become Christ-like, and the only way to attain this is when we let ourselves be “discipled.” Growing in Christ is knowing and walking in truth – and with the truth on your side, no one can lead you astray – knowledge is acquired in the process of discipleship.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE
- A disciple loves Jesus above all others. Luke 14: 26
- A disciple strives to be like Jesus. He is willing to learn until he becomes like Jesus. I John 2: 6
- A disciple loves his brethren. John 13: 35
- A disciple wants to be committed to Jesus. Luke 14: 27. He carries his cross and is committed to following Christ.
- A disciple abides in God’s word. He is a student of the Bible. John 8: 31-32
Discipleship is giving ourselves to prayers and the word of God – this is the only way to grow spiritually; a prayerless lifestyle will leave us empty and powerless. So also, we cannot achieve much if we do not study and walk in the word of God (John 15: 7). Discipleship makes you a balanced Christian, because it makes you an all-rounder, someone consistent in every phase and area of being a Christian – a true Christian and believer does not blow hot and then cold; God cannot strengthen you today and let go tomorrow, it must have been you that became inconsistent in your ways thereby reducing your spiritual growth level.
FACTS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GROWTH
- Spiritual growth is not automatic; it is intentional and requires commitment.
- It is not physical or magical; it is practical. We need to form the habits of praying and studying God’s word; it does not have a key
- It does not occur by instant transformation; it takes time.
- It is not proven by what you know. It is not measured by how much scriptures you have memorised and can quote by heart; it is by what you do, your actions tell more.
- It involves spiritual disciplines that goes hand in hand – praying, studying, learning, fasting, fellowshipping – one of those disciplines alone will not cut it!
Discipleship takes discipline; we must be willing to pay the price to grow, we must not be lazy, we must be deliberate about giving ourselves to becoming a disciple – this is our cause, it is another reason why we exist as a Christian!
Lord, I pray for your people today, help them to discipline themselves to grow into becoming true disciples for you. Bestow upon them today the grace to put studying Your word, taking time to pray and fellowshipping with others over comfort and worldly things that will only stunt and hinder their spiritual growth! In Jesus’ name! Amen.
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