Yesterday we started a series on discipleship. We discussed who a disciple is, and what it means to be a disciple, and one thing that was emphasized is the importance of discipleship and how beneficial it is to the believer.

The next most important thing after salvation is growth in revelation knowledge; where a believer comes to understand who he is in Christ and what the death of Christ has afforded Him.

To come to this knowledge, you must be discipled rightly but more importantly, you must learn how to be a good disciple.

God’s structure for the growth of every believer is the Church. The Christian journey was never meant to be done in isolation, you have been called to be part of a body where you are taught all that you need for your growth. Therefore, you can’t talk about discipleship and exclude the church.

Christianity is a taught faith. However, most people assume that once you get saved, you automatically know how to be a believer. There’s the assumption that you should know how to pray, study the Bible, or even have a consistent devotion, but this could not be farther from the truth.

The Bible is replete with examples of teachings on how to do things now that you’ve been saved. So when it comes to discipleship, there are things you must be taught.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭12‬

New King James V‬‬ersion

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

These men, ministry gifts, were given by God to teach, instruct, and equip us. Their job is to edify the body of Christ by their teaching of the Word and training in the things of God. So, your growth is in the hands of men sent by God.

Ephesians 4: 14-16

New King James Version

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of the body of Christ

This is the outcome of right discipleship, that we would no longer be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. That we would all come to the unity of faith. For this to be achieved, you must be a diligent student of the Word. You must give yourself wholly to the training.

2 Timothy 2:15

New King James Version

15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Discipleship is often characterized by the proper indoctrination of the Word which through consistent training, will lead to progress and maturity in Christ. A disciple must diligently and consistently give himself to the Word of God until he attains depth in God.

As a disciple, you must learn to stay grounded in the Word and in the place where God has planted you to grow. You cannot afford to have itching ears, running after any and every sermon that sounds “interesting”, regardless of the source.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭

New King James Version

25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,

26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Paul conveyed a curriculum approach to discipleship. That his continuing with them in the church at Philippi would cause them to experience progress. Just like how your teachers in school would “continue“ with you for several months for you to experience advancement in knowledge of the course.

There are things you ought to know after having been under continuous teaching. This is why you must remain where the Lord has planted you, You can’t jump from place to place.

‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ 

New King James Version

9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

It’s the job of your ministry gift to discern what is lacking in your faith and perfect it. God has put everything necessary for your growth in your set man. Hence, when there are structures set in the church for you to adhere to, best believe they are tailored for you. You will miss out on this experience if you don’t stay put.

Acts 13:2

New King James Version

2 As they ministered unto the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate unto Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them

Acts 2:46

New King James Version

46 So continuing daily in one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart

Hebrews 10:24-25

New King James Version

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The above scriptures show us how the early Church met consistently to pray together, to foster love and community and to also edify themselves.

The church is where growth takes place. This is God’s design to sustain us. Nowhere in scripture do we see instances where men abandoned the gathering of believers to grow on their own.

If a man is going to grow in God, He is going to do it within the local assembly. This means that your walk with God is not completely personal. You have a family in God. God does not give useless gifts so if He has provided a family of believers for you to thrive in, why run away?

We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, following His teachings and example in every aspect of our lives and one of the greatest gifts God has given us to aid our growth is the church.

The church is not a building or a place, but a family of God. In the church, you find people who share your beliefs and are ready to uphold you lest you fall. Take advantage of it.

The church provides the opportunity to be accountable to and for others (Proverbs 27:17). It also allows us to serve God’s people (1 Peter 4: 10). Being a good disciple involves embracing the church as a God-given resource at our disposal. You must be an active and committed member, following diligently to the end that you grow.

Prayer Point:

I recognize that I have a family in God, and I reckon it as beneficial for my growth. As I have learnt the how of being a disciple, I give myself wholly to it.