Why Discipleship Matters: Benefits for Spiritual Growth, Community, and Multiplication

Why Discipleship Matters in 2023 and Beyond

Discipleship is a vital aspect of the Christian faith. It is the process of growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ and becoming more like Him. Discipleship involves mentoring, teaching, and guiding others in the faith. In this article, we will explore three benefits of discipleship and why it matters in 2023 and beyond.

Benefit #1: Spiritual Growth

Discipleship creates an environment for spiritual growth. When we are discipled, we have someone to hold us accountable, encourage us, and challenge us to grow in our faith. In Hebrews 10:24-25, the Bible says:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

In this passage, we are encouraged to come together and encourage one another in our faith. Discipleship is one of the ways we can do that. When we are discipled, we have someone to help us navigate the challenges of life and grow in our relationship with Christ.

Furthermore, discipleship helps us to gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When we are discipled, we can learn from someone who has more experience in studying and applying the Bible. We can ask questions, seek guidance, and gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word. This, in turn, helps us to grow in our faith and become more like Christ.

Benefit #2: Community

Discipleship also creates a sense of community. When we are discipled, we have someone who cares for us and is invested in our spiritual growth. We are not alone in our faith journey but are part of a larger community of believers. In Romans 12:4-5, the Bible says:

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

As believers, we are part of one body. When we are discipled, we have someone who is part of that body and can help us build relationships with other believers. This, in turn, helps us to grow in our faith as we learn from others and build community.

Furthermore, discipleship helps us to develop the skills and character needed to serve in the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:11-13, the Bible says:

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

When we are discipled, we can learn from someone who has experience serving in the body of Christ. We can develop the skills and character needed to serve others and build up the body of Christ.

Benefit #3: Multiplication

Discipleship also leads to multiplication. When we are discipled, we are equipped to disciple others. In Matthew 28:19-20, the Bible says:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

As believers, we are called to make disciples. When we are discipled, we are equipped to disciple others. This leads to multiplication as we invest in others who in turn invest in others. This is how the gospel spreads and how the body of Christ grows.

Furthermore, discipleship helps us to develop a heart for evangelism. When we disciple others, we are investing in their spiritual growth and helping them to become more like Christ. This, in turn, leads to a desire to share the gospel with others and see them come to faith in Christ.

Conclusion

Discipleship is a vital aspect of the Christian faith. It creates an environment for spiritual growth, community, and multiplication. By investing in others and being discipled ourselves, we can grow in our relationship with Christ, build relationships with other believers, and spread the gospel to those around us. As we look to the future, let us continue to prioritize discipleship in our lives and in the life of the church.