Colossians 1:27-29 – We often minimize Christianity to a momentary decision, but if we are following Jesus, we should still be moving. A disciple of Jesus continues to pursue thorough spiritual maturity.
Decisions
- Churches have reduced making disciples of Christ to counting decisions for Christ.
- The Great Commission calls us to make disciples — not converts.
- If there is a true profession of faith, there should be a true progression of faith.
Scripture: Colossians 1:27-29
- Our spiritual hope is not that we can live for Christ but that Christ lives in us (1:27).
- Discipleship is the post-conversion, life-long journey of increasing spiritual maturity (1:28).
- Our intentional discipleship efforts succeed because God powerfully works through them (1:29).
Distinctive Discipleship: An Individualized Growth Process
- Delight (the hope of glory): What rival delight competes with your allegiance to Jesus, and what must you do about it?
- Disobedience (warning everyone): What sinful area do you need to address now?
- Doctrine (teaching will all wisdom): What one doctrine needs strengthening to understand or defend?
- Development (mature in Christ): What key area in your callings or surroundings needs to be developed?
- Discipline (labor for this): What pivotal spiritual discipline do you want to initiate or improve?
- Dependence (striving with His strength): What are you praying about that only God can accomplish?
Disciples
- None of us are spiritually in the same spot, so we can’t have the same next steps.
- If you don’t intentionally plan to grow this year, you may remain in the same stagnant spiritual state.
- Having a discipleship plan is good for an individual, better by a partner, but best with a mentor.
- No one is going to complain if you end up more like Jesus.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
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