Nurturing Spirituality: part 3

When investing our lives in others (remember there are only 2 eternals in this world: God’s Word & people) it is important to have a Biblical Philosophy of Discipleship.  A couple thoughts along these lines may be helpful

We Must Be Disciples to Make Disciples

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

Discipleship is a Dependent Process

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6

Concentration is Crucial to Multiplication

 “Better to give a year or so to one or two people who learn what it means to conquer for Christ than to spend a lifetime with a congregation just keeping the program going.” Robert E. Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism

People are Not Our Disciples

I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.  I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.  I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:12-14

Reproduction Is a Mark of Discipleship

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2

There is No Maturity without Ministry

We Cannot Measure Our Ministries

Discipleship is More than a Program

He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach Mark 3:14
 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, Galatians 4:19

Discipleship Requires a Servant Attitude

 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" Luke 17:10

Spiritual Friendship is a Component of Discipleship

but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.  You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.  For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,  encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:5-9

and lastly effective Discipleship Requires More than One Method