Our Response
(this is the conclusion of the topic 'On Shepherding and Discipleship'.)
In this series on shepherding and discipleship, we have covered the following:
- Introduction - the believer's following and feeding
- Disciples: Born, or Made?
- Pastor: Title, or Identity?
- Defining Growth Biblically
- God's Design
As we've unfolded the Scriptures together, I trust you've seen the strong connection between our identity (who God has made each of us to be) and activity (what God calls each of us to do). We cannot work ourselves into being something that we are not, but we can joyously submit to the work of God as He orchestrates it in all of us.
In other words, I believe the question to ask myself is not 'what can I do' but rather 'what is God doing' and align myself with Him and His purposes.
We've seen that:
- a true disciple is both born (initially) and made (continually), both a work of God, but using human agency.
- a true pastor is a gift of God to His church, an undershepherd of Christ, accountable to God to feed, protect, and guide His people.
- true growth is defined by our conformance to the image of Christ, both individually (Romans 8:29) and corporately (Ephesians 4:13)
- God's design begins and ends with Christ, where He works through the conduct of spiritual leaders who equip His people toward the character of Christ.
Well, let's conclude with the question we began with:
Is the problem poor discipleship? Certainly so, if
- We define discipleship wrongly (have an incorrect view of true followers)
- We define pastoring wrongly (have an incorrect view of true leaders)
A true church will have both feeding shepherds (Jeremiah 3:15) and hungry sheep (Nehemiah 8:1).
Fullness in Christ happens as each individual part does its work. It is my prayer that you
see God's design and work and trust in it,
do your part in building up the body of Christ, and
seek the leaders that He has provided to equip you to do it.
As I take break for the month of August, I look forward to exploring with you the following themes this Fall:
- Spiritual Tests: how we know what is authentic.
- Spiritual Fruit: what our lives are meant to produce.
- Spiritual Gifts: how our lives are designed to bless others.
'I will build my church…'
- Jesus, from Matthew 16:18
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NASB)
...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
(Ephesians 4:15-16 NASB)
...and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
(Colossians 2:19 NASB)
- Jesus, from Matthew 16:18
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NASB)
...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
(Ephesians 4:15-16 NASB)
...and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
(Colossians 2:19 NASB)
In this series on shepherding and discipleship, we have covered the following:
- Introduction - the believer's following and feeding
- Disciples: Born, or Made?
- Pastor: Title, or Identity?
- Defining Growth Biblically
- God's Design
As we've unfolded the Scriptures together, I trust you've seen the strong connection between our identity (who God has made each of us to be) and activity (what God calls each of us to do). We cannot work ourselves into being something that we are not, but we can joyously submit to the work of God as He orchestrates it in all of us.
In other words, I believe the question to ask myself is not 'what can I do' but rather 'what is God doing' and align myself with Him and His purposes.
We've seen that:
- a true disciple is both born (initially) and made (continually), both a work of God, but using human agency.
- a true pastor is a gift of God to His church, an undershepherd of Christ, accountable to God to feed, protect, and guide His people.
- true growth is defined by our conformance to the image of Christ, both individually (Romans 8:29) and corporately (Ephesians 4:13)
- God's design begins and ends with Christ, where He works through the conduct of spiritual leaders who equip His people toward the character of Christ.
Well, let's conclude with the question we began with:
Is the problem poor discipleship? Certainly so, if
- We define discipleship wrongly (have an incorrect view of true followers)
- We define pastoring wrongly (have an incorrect view of true leaders)
A true church will have both feeding shepherds (Jeremiah 3:15) and hungry sheep (Nehemiah 8:1).
Fullness in Christ happens as each individual part does its work. It is my prayer that you
see God's design and work and trust in it,
do your part in building up the body of Christ, and
seek the leaders that He has provided to equip you to do it.
Watch Him work! Marvel at His provision!
As I take break for the month of August, I look forward to exploring with you the following themes this Fall:
- Spiritual Tests: how we know what is authentic.
- Spiritual Fruit: what our lives are meant to produce.
- Spiritual Gifts: how our lives are designed to bless others.
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