We Must Grow in Discipleship
Read the Text: Acts 14
Memorize the Text: After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:21-22)
Consider the Text: Acts 14
Spiritual growth is a necessity for the follower of Christ. The apostle Paul and Barnabas knew the importance of spiritual development, and as a result, they returned to the previous cities of engagement to fortify believers. These two early church leaders demonstrated the importance of training Christians in their faith. The model set forth remains important today. We need to spend time growing in our faith personally while also participating in the intentional discipleship process with others.
Paul and Barnabas understood the necessity of INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP. Discipleship does not occur by chance. This process takes an intentional approach and a desire to become closer in one's relationship with the Lord. Paul and Barnabas took time to return to previous places of ministry to engage in the discipleship process with the believers in each city. This act took time and effort and only occurred because of their intentional action.
Believers today need to be intentional in taking the steps required to be in a disciple-making process. This action takes place individually through the practice of various spiritual disciplines and collectively in the confines of the local church. We must be intentional because, left to ourselves; we will not grow because the activities and pressures of this world will draw our attention away from growing in the Lord. Thus, we must make an intentional effort to participate in avenues of spiritual growth.
Paul and Barnabas understood the need for STRENGTHENING and ENCOURAGING new believers through discipleship. The early church faced many forms of persecution. These moments of trauma preyed upon the Christians' emotional, physical, and spiritual life. As a result, the believers needed avenues to gain encouragement and strength for the journey. The presence of encouragement allowed the believer to receive words of motivation to aid in the continued following of the Lord during the difficulty of trials. The presence of strength gave the followers of Christ the ability to endure when hardship came against them. Paul and Barnabas knew that spiritual growth through discipleship provided both of these.
Today, believers still need encouragement and strength to journey through life. Forms of persecution and moments of struggle still plague each Christian. When we gather with other believers for the purpose of spiritual growth, we are entering into a time of allowing encouragement and strength to be poured into us to prepare us for living in faithfulness.
Believers ought to participate in forms of discipleship. The moment of salvation enters one into the relationship with the Lord, while discipleship draws one closer to the Lord. Those who participate in discipleship receive the needed encouragement and gain the needed strength to fortify their faith during times of difficulty. As we see the importance of discipleship in the ministry of Paul and Barnabas, let us ask ourselves how we are involved in discipleship and how we are engaging others in discipleship?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
