Category Archives: Discipleship for Spiritual Growth

Jesus commissioned His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19-20). We tend to point to those words as a prime command in support of outreach. While that’s true, Jesus obviously intends for us to do more than help people come to know Him as their Savior. He also wants to be their Lord as seen in what comes next in the instructions to baptize them and teach them “to obey everything” He commanded. We find the grounds for such obedience in verse 18, right before He said to go and make disciples.

Jesus’ Authority Provides Grounds for Expecting Obedience to Him

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). That leaves nothing over which He wouldn’t have authority. He has full rights, not just in heaven, but also on earth. Jesus isn’t just the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) but “He is the head over every power and authority.” (Col. 2:10). He’s the ultimate, the One with whom everyone should align.

He could claim such authority “for in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). As such, He knows everything and has the power to do anything. But, since the fullness of God dwells in Him, He also has the wisdom, grace, mercy, and love needed to use that knowledge and might for our good. Hence, it only makes sense that we yield to Him as Lord of our lives, obeying Him in all things. Any commands He gives us look out for our welfare, protecting us and providing benefit to our lives. So, in our discipleship efforts, it has to be about more than trying to get people to conform out of fear of one day giving an account to God (Rom. 14:12). Yielding to Him is for our good as well as His glory.

Implications of Jesus’ Authority for Our Discipleship Efforts

Since Jesus has all authority, we need to make sure we communicate in a way that points people to Him as the ultimate authority. We must be careful we don’t inadvertently set ourselves up as the one to whom they owe their allegiance. We must make it about Him, not us. We must promote His purposes, design, and mission for the Church, not our personal agendas.

As a light in the world, we reflect His light (Matt. 5:14-16; Jn. 8:12). As the salt of the earth, we season what we say with His grace and truth (Matt. 5:13; Col. 4:6). As His ambassadors, we represent Him (2 Cor. 5:20-21).

Also Read: Authority in Communication

God wants us to grow both as individual believers and as a Church. (If you haven’t already done so, read the series of posts beginning at: Spiritual Growth: Overview) While He uses a number of means, fellow believers have a big role in the growth process. God intends for us to help each other grow.

Our Role in Helping Each Other Grow

We each have a part in one another’s growth.

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:16)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up . . . warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1 Thess. 5:11-14)

We merely facilitate growth. God actually brings the growth.

… the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (Col. 2:19)

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Cor. 3:6-7)

If we remember God’s strategic role in the process, we will be less likely to get proud or self-righteous when growth comes. We will be more prone to be like the Apostle Paul who said, “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” Glory goes to God.

Reflect on What You’re Doing to Help Facilitate Other’s Spiritual Growth

Here are some questions to assist your reflection:

• What is your part in helping others grow?
• How faithful are you in doing your part?
• How open are you to learning from others?
• How quick are you to give God the credit when growth occurs?

When we love God, we want to grow more and more in that relationship. That love spills over into love for others which leads to wanting them to know Him better too. God’s Word provides us with help about the process of providing Christian nurture.

3 Points to Remember about Providing Christian Nurture

Whether for ourselves, or to provide Christian nurture for others in the Church, the following three points should guide the process.

1) Christian nurture is a life-long process. We never stop learning.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Phil. 3:12)

2) The growth process is developmental. Not everyone will be at the same place.

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity … (Heb. 6:1)

3) Nurturing our walk with God should happen in different settings. Each setting adds a different layer to the growth process.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. (1 Tim. 4:13)

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Col. 3:16)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)

You’ll find these points listed in the Church Purpose Ministry Manual which looks at Christian nurture, taking time to get to know Him better, as one of the ways to express our love to God.

For resources about some venues for Christian nurture, go to:

• Discipleship and Small Groups
• Preaching & Other Speaking Ministries
• Teaching Ministry

Shepherding ministry in the church is about tending to the welfare of Christ-followers by watching over, nurturing, and guiding them. The needs of the flock are great and consequently shepherding is a big investment of time and effort into the lives of people. It will take a network of shepherds to best facilitate shepherding so people don’t fall through the cracks.

Shepherding by Pastors and Elders

Obviously people in the position of pastor would be included. But, the pastoral staff cannot possibly provide personal and consistent care for each member of the Body. And, God never intended for a single pastor, or two, to adequately care for everyone, which is why we find this command given to elders:

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Pet. 5:2-3)

The congregation could be divided among the elders, or other designated persons, to help ensure that everyone in the Body has a shepherd. However, unless the span of care for each shepherd is small enough and the shepherd is willing, and able, to consistently be available, contacts will tend to be infrequent and therefore care will still be less than adequate in many cases on an ongoing basis.

Further Expanding the Network of Shepherds in the Church

God gave elders the role of shepherds but that doesn’t mean they must do it all themselves. They do, however, need to make sure it gets done. So, they, along with pastors, need to encourage and equip others in the Body to do their part in shepherding those in their spheres of influence.

Sometimes churches will relegate this responsibility to the small group ministry of the church. While that would help, those who aren’t members of a small group will probably get overlooked.

The best approach may be to expand the network even further. In addition to pastors, elders, and small group leaders, think about how Sunday School teachers, facilitators of support groups, ministry team leaders, equippers, mentors, and disciplers can help shepherd people in their sphere of influence. And, let’s not forget the role of parents in shepherding their own children.

In addition to content similar to what you find in this post, the Shepherding Ministry Manual includes a list of five benefits churches can experience when shepherding comes from a variety of sources as opposed to one shepherd over all.