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Defining Discipleship Training: Explaining Spiritual Growth
Thoughts on Making Disciples and on Christian Spiritual Growth
Paul J. Bucknell
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Discipleship and Spiritual Growth?
Discipleship describes the learning process by which a believer becomes more and more like Christ. More objctively looking at the dicileship process, we have befoe us the path of spiritual growth. In other words, the steps or process of discipleship is the path of spiritual growth.
Below is a graphic illustration of Colossians 1:10 and a description of how this helps us understand discipleship from one perspective.
"So that you may
walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please [Him]
in all respects,
bearing fruit
in every good work and
increasing in the
knowledge of God."
Colossians 1:10 (NASB)
From the words 'in all respects' we can gather that each area of our lives should be made pleasing to our Lord.
Discipleship describes this growing process in which we do this. A mature Christian disciple, then, is one who has been deeply influenced in each aspect of his life by the Lord Jesus Christ. The end result is that he will bear fruit and have good works.
Secularism has stolen our understanding that each and every aspect of our lives should be affected by God’s person, perspective and power. |
The truths from this verse are further described below.
1. When God is the center of our lives, we live to please Him.
Our life goal is to please Him in each aspect of our lives. If any area of our lives is not pleasing the Lord, then our whole lives become out of alignment. Idolatry is treating anything or person more respect than God.
2. When we please God, we want Him to influence each area of our lives. This is the process of discipleship.
Effective discipleship occurs when each area of our lives is affected by God's teaching and purpose. We need to regularly meditate on God's Word so that it might shine light into our hearts and shape our thoughts and ways.
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