God established the home as the primary nurturing ground early on in the Bible. Parents were to make sure God’s commands were first in their own hearts and then impress them on their children (Deut. 6:4-9). Yet, God also wants His Church, believers of all ages, to be teaching one another (Col. 3:16). And, He gifted people to make sure it happens in the Church as “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph. 4:11-12). As we read on in Ephesians 4, we learn the results of making Christian nurture a priority.
3 Results of Making Christian Nurture a Priority in the Church According to Ephesians 4:11-15
1) It leads to spiritual maturity.
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:13)
2) It helps us acquire discernment.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (Eph. 4:14)
3) It culminates in church growth.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Eph. 4:15)
The Church Purpose Ministry Manual considers Christian nurture as one of the ways we fulfill our primary purpose to love God with all of who we are. It lists the three results in this post along with two more important results of making nurture a priority.
Learn More: Resources for Bible Teaching Ministry