For the last couple of months, we have been walking through a strategic plan which we hope to roll out soon. We talked about Kingdom-Focused Prayer in January and Glorifying God in Meaningful Worship last month. For March we are going to discuss what it means to Make Mature Disciples as it relates to Palm Views' direction over the next few years.
So, that leads to the question what is a “Mature Disciple?”
The concept of a mature disciple refers to a believer who has grown in their faith and is living a life that is consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
There are eight key characteristics we see in scripture:
1. Committed to Jesus Christ: A mature disciple is fully committed to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and seeks to live according to His teachings. They have a personal relationship with Jesus and are dedicated to following His example.
2. Deep knowledge of the Bible: A mature disciple has a deep understanding of the Bible and its teachings. They regularly study and apply its principles to their lives.
3. Prayerful: A mature disciple has a strong prayer life and regularly communicates with God.
4. Active in sharing the Gospel: A mature disciple is actively involved in sharing the Gospel with others and making disciples of all nations.
5. Fruitful: A mature disciple produces good fruit in their life, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
6. Humble and teachable: A mature disciple is humble and teachable, recognizing their need for continued growth and learning.
7. Faithful in service: A mature disciple is faithful in serving God and others. They use their gifts and talents to build up the church and make a difference in the world. This is not serving out of obligation rather that you love your church family and serve with a smile in your hearts. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
8. Filled with the Holy Spirit: A mature disciple is filled with the Holy Spirit and seeks to walk in obedience to His leading and guidance.
So, to sum it up, a mature disciple is deeply committed to Jesus Christ, has a deep understanding of the Bible, is prayerful, active in sharing the Gospel, fruitful, humble, teachable, faithful in service, and filled with the Holy Spirit.
With that definition in mind, how do we go about setting and accomplishing goals to make mature disciples?
It begins with the disciplined teaching of the Bible in Sunday School, Bible Study, and small groups. Sound exegetical teaching is critical as this is the foundation for our understanding of God’s Word.
Sound teaching also leads to loving and effective church and personal spiritual disciplines.
It also creates within us a love for one another and a love for the church that is centered on Christ. This empowers members to develop intentional relationships focused on sharing the gospel and the mentoring and maturing of new believers.
Doctrinally sound teaching leads to people connecting in powerful new ways within the life of the church, engaging in worship, and serving.
So how does this apply to you?
Well, the first thing you need to ask yourself is, are you actively participating in weekly Bible Study? Not just listening to Bible studies online but actively participating.
What I mean by that is you are going to get out of the study what you put into the study of God’s word. Luke 6:38 (ESV) “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Contextually this text is speaking of our relationships with others, and the process of becoming a mature disciple.
I love how James puts it in the opening lines of his letter, “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:2-5 (ESV)
Maturity comes from the testing of our faith; our faith is not tested in a vacuum. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Are you allowing yourself to be sharpened thus sharpening those around you?
Another thought along this same line is that when you fail to join in worship and Bible study you are not the only one who is hindered. Both the church and the individual suffer when an individual withdraws for an extended period of time. You have to have something to sharpen against!
Join with us this year as we seek to develop mature believers here at Palm View.
Believers who pour into the lives of others just as they themselves are poured into.
Stay tuned for next month as we talk about how we apply our growth as disciples through evangelism and serving our community.
