The Importance of Discipleship

Today’s Passage Colossians 1 – 4

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6 & 7)

Perhaps the biggest problem in our churches today is the lack of grounded Christians in them. We have many people who will receive the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, but precious few who will get plugged in all the way, enough to where they mature in the faith. That is why so many today are being beguiled with enticing words (v 4); and spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit (v 7). We need to somehow get our converts to be “stablished in the faith”.

Discipleship is the key. Of course, I believe the best discipleship program is Sunday School, Sunday Morning, Sunday Night, Wednesday Night, and Soulwinning. If a young Christian was to participate in all of these services and activities, they would certainly grow in the Lord. However, I also believe that a good discipleship curriculum is also helpful. We have used a variety of discipleship material through the years, but now we use a program called “Daily in the Word” which is produced by Missionary John Honeycutt, and is published by Striving Together Publications. It is very thorough, and is designed to be done “one on one”; although, at times, we have done it in small group settings. However, I must confess that we have had a difficult time keeping people in the program. We have had many start it through the years, but few have finished it. It really depends upon the dedication to the Lord by the disciple; as well as the love and commitment of the discipler. The discipler must care a great deal about the disciple, and must be willing to sacrifice much in order to help the disciple “finish his course”.

I know that there are many people in our church that read this blog regularly, who have never completed the discipleship program. I want to make a promise to you: if you will make it a resolution in this year to make every effort on your part to learn and grow in the Lord; then I will make every effort to see to it that you get a discipleship coach that will love you, and set aside time every week to teach you the foundational principles of Christianity, and will help you in your walk with Christ. I promise you this also: if you will do it and complete the course, your life will never be the same. God will take you and your family to new heights.

Let me know if you’re interested. If  you attend another church, and you are interested in discipleship, talk to your pastor. I am sure that your church would be glad to provide you with the tools that you need in order to grow in the Lord.