The 21st century Christian church in America has it (chiefly) wrong. Fellowship is not discipleship.
Now, Fellowship, in and of itself is not the problem - in fact, it's NECESSARY within the family of GOD; but, without Discipleship, even the best Fellowship will cannot grow the Kingdom of GOD the way Scripture intends.
As a body of believers meeting corporately (read: in a gaggle called "church"), we know that...
...rightly divining Scripture, by itself, is BIBLE STUDY.
...building relationships, by itself, is FELLOWSHIP.
...Christian service, by itself, is MINISTRY.
...communicating our needs to the LORD, by itself, is PRAYER
I fervently long for these things; but, what I want even more so is DISCIPLESHIP - to build all of these individual things (above) in to those who, walking in the Spirit, subsequently being in one accord, could be embolden in our church family for Christ in such a way as to impact our area of the county like its never been done before.
By way of example, for those not familiar with the concept of DISCIPLESHIP, it...
...goes through Scripture and doesn't ask, "How does that make you feel?" but rather, "As Christians, how then should we live in light of this?"
...gets intimately involved in the lives of others where folks become accountable to (and for) each other - "warts and all", per se
...grows individuals, prepares them to use their spiritual gifts for ministry, and partners with them - ensuring no one "goes it alone"
...grabs a hold of GOD's promise and prays fervently for each other, knowing that confidence is there - trusting whole-hardheartedly in His Word
More examples of what this looks like...
In Fellowship, one says, "We need to reach the lost."
In Discipleship, one says, "I desire to pour myself into you, who was once lost, to build the kingdom."
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Jesus, Mat.28.19.esv)
In Fellowship, one says, "We love GOD and the family of GOD."
In Discipleship, one says, "I love GOD enough to pick up my brother's cross and walk with him."
"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Jesus, Luk.14.27.esv)
In Fellowship, one says, "We love to hear the Word of GOD, because He has set us free!"
In Discipleship, one says, "I love to do what the Word of GOD says, because it can set those who were walking "in the Way" with me, free!"
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (Jesus, Jhn.8.31-32.esv)
In Fellowship, one says, "We came together, having so much in common, to worship the LORD and to edify fellow believers."
In Discipleship, one says, "I set out, apart from the comfort of my group, and went to my brother (or sister) because they had a need for encouragement and were in want."
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common." (Luke, Act.2.44.esv)
"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." (Luke, Act.4.32.esv)
In Fellowship, one says, "We pray for each other, lifting our prayers up, together, to GOD."
In Discipleship, one says, "I got to know you well enough to pray for you the moment you voiced it, grieved with you in the darkest hour, and genuinely rejoiced when He delivered you from within these circumstances."
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James, half brother of Jesus; Jam.5.16.esv)
Fellowship requires the follow-on of Discipleship. Discipleship requires some basis of Fellowship to be effective. So, the questions beg...
Do you merely want Fellowship; or, are you needing Discipleship? And, are you at a place (or in a position) to disciple others? Ready to jump "ship" or to "board"? MMLIA
Now, Fellowship, in and of itself is not the problem - in fact, it's NECESSARY within the family of GOD; but, without Discipleship, even the best Fellowship will cannot grow the Kingdom of GOD the way Scripture intends.
As a body of believers meeting corporately (read: in a gaggle called "church"), we know that...
...rightly divining Scripture, by itself, is BIBLE STUDY.
...building relationships, by itself, is FELLOWSHIP.
...Christian service, by itself, is MINISTRY.
...communicating our needs to the LORD, by itself, is PRAYER
I fervently long for these things; but, what I want even more so is DISCIPLESHIP - to build all of these individual things (above) in to those who, walking in the Spirit, subsequently being in one accord, could be embolden in our church family for Christ in such a way as to impact our area of the county like its never been done before.
By way of example, for those not familiar with the concept of DISCIPLESHIP, it...
...goes through Scripture and doesn't ask, "How does that make you feel?" but rather, "As Christians, how then should we live in light of this?"
...gets intimately involved in the lives of others where folks become accountable to (and for) each other - "warts and all", per se
...grows individuals, prepares them to use their spiritual gifts for ministry, and partners with them - ensuring no one "goes it alone"
...grabs a hold of GOD's promise and prays fervently for each other, knowing that confidence is there - trusting whole-hardheartedly in His Word
More examples of what this looks like...
In Fellowship, one says, "We need to reach the lost."
In Discipleship, one says, "I desire to pour myself into you, who was once lost, to build the kingdom."
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Jesus, Mat.28.19.esv)
In Fellowship, one says, "We love GOD and the family of GOD."
In Discipleship, one says, "I love GOD enough to pick up my brother's cross and walk with him."
"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Jesus, Luk.14.27.esv)
In Fellowship, one says, "We love to hear the Word of GOD, because He has set us free!"
In Discipleship, one says, "I love to do what the Word of GOD says, because it can set those who were walking "in the Way" with me, free!"
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (Jesus, Jhn.8.31-32.esv)
In Fellowship, one says, "We came together, having so much in common, to worship the LORD and to edify fellow believers."
In Discipleship, one says, "I set out, apart from the comfort of my group, and went to my brother (or sister) because they had a need for encouragement and were in want."
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common." (Luke, Act.2.44.esv)
"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." (Luke, Act.4.32.esv)
In Fellowship, one says, "We pray for each other, lifting our prayers up, together, to GOD."
In Discipleship, one says, "I got to know you well enough to pray for you the moment you voiced it, grieved with you in the darkest hour, and genuinely rejoiced when He delivered you from within these circumstances."
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James, half brother of Jesus; Jam.5.16.esv)
Fellowship requires the follow-on of Discipleship. Discipleship requires some basis of Fellowship to be effective. So, the questions beg...
Do you merely want Fellowship; or, are you needing Discipleship? And, are you at a place (or in a position) to disciple others? Ready to jump "ship" or to "board"? MMLIA
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