Are you a disciplined Christian?
I was recently tasked with a research assignment tied to a seminary professors' dissertation work regarding the spiritual growth and assimilation of new converts in the church. The findings from the research were interesting as several new converts, individuals who had come to Christ within the past 1-3 years, shared their personal experiences and insights from being new believers in their local congregations of membership.
What was most alarming probably than all of the data recorded was that several new converts could not articulate a biblical answer for the question, "If you were to stand before God and He asked you why should I let you into My heaven, what would you say?" Many gave works-based answers to this question. Coupled with these findings, new converts interviewed also shared that they could not identify an intentional discipleship training process or program in their churches. Basically, once they became members, they were left to find what was next for them in many cases.
This is troubling but telling as to why so many church members' eventually fizzle in attendance and participation. The church must be intentional not only in getting the membership to participate but also in the training of the basic spiritual disciplines of the Christian life. What do I mean by spiritual disciplines? The basic spiritual disciplines, regular practices for the Christian, are the following (taken from the Baptist Missionary Association DiscipleWay Curriculum):
1) Bible Study
2) Prayer
3) Worship
4) Giving
5) Evangelism
6) Serving
7) Leading
Bible Study is paramount. Without an active, regular practice of Bible Study in the Christian's life, growth to spiritual maturity will be vastly hindered. Working in tandem with Bible study is training and regular practice in Prayer. The Bible and Prayer are the only direct communication tools we have with the Lord - if they aren't being used, Christians are rendered weak and helpless. Following these disciplines is Worship. Worship doesn't just pertain to music, as many believe, but Worship occurs also in Bible Study and Prayer. Each discipline builds off of one another (and yes music is a part of the discipline of Worship). These 3 disciplines then build to the desire and practice of Giving. This is not simply monetary (giving to your local church in tithes and offerings) but giving of your time, effort, and spiritual gifts to the ministry of the church. Growing closer to our Lord and giving of ourselves leads us to Evangelism. Simply put, we need to be learning, teaching, and then practicing telling others about Jesus! All of these combine to compel us to the discipline of Christian Service - serving others and the community with our gifts and resources. And finally, when all of the training and practice has reached the pinnacle, the disciple should be able to take on a Leadership role and train someone else in these same disciplines. This is discipleship. This is what the Church has been commissioned to do since day 1 of its inception.
I ask two questions:
1) How is your local church doing with making disciples (training them in these spiritual disciplines?
2) How are you doing practicing these disciplines personally?
What was most alarming probably than all of the data recorded was that several new converts could not articulate a biblical answer for the question, "If you were to stand before God and He asked you why should I let you into My heaven, what would you say?" Many gave works-based answers to this question. Coupled with these findings, new converts interviewed also shared that they could not identify an intentional discipleship training process or program in their churches. Basically, once they became members, they were left to find what was next for them in many cases.
This is troubling but telling as to why so many church members' eventually fizzle in attendance and participation. The church must be intentional not only in getting the membership to participate but also in the training of the basic spiritual disciplines of the Christian life. What do I mean by spiritual disciplines? The basic spiritual disciplines, regular practices for the Christian, are the following (taken from the Baptist Missionary Association DiscipleWay Curriculum):
1) Bible Study
2) Prayer
3) Worship
4) Giving
5) Evangelism
6) Serving
7) Leading
Bible Study is paramount. Without an active, regular practice of Bible Study in the Christian's life, growth to spiritual maturity will be vastly hindered. Working in tandem with Bible study is training and regular practice in Prayer. The Bible and Prayer are the only direct communication tools we have with the Lord - if they aren't being used, Christians are rendered weak and helpless. Following these disciplines is Worship. Worship doesn't just pertain to music, as many believe, but Worship occurs also in Bible Study and Prayer. Each discipline builds off of one another (and yes music is a part of the discipline of Worship). These 3 disciplines then build to the desire and practice of Giving. This is not simply monetary (giving to your local church in tithes and offerings) but giving of your time, effort, and spiritual gifts to the ministry of the church. Growing closer to our Lord and giving of ourselves leads us to Evangelism. Simply put, we need to be learning, teaching, and then practicing telling others about Jesus! All of these combine to compel us to the discipline of Christian Service - serving others and the community with our gifts and resources. And finally, when all of the training and practice has reached the pinnacle, the disciple should be able to take on a Leadership role and train someone else in these same disciplines. This is discipleship. This is what the Church has been commissioned to do since day 1 of its inception.
I ask two questions:
1) How is your local church doing with making disciples (training them in these spiritual disciplines?
2) How are you doing practicing these disciplines personally?
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