MEAT FOR MATURITY – DISCIPLESHIP

So far in this series we have looked at several ways for developing close spiritual friends. This week we look at accountability and healing. Many of us have a love/hate relationship with accountability. We know it is good for us, but we rarely, if ever, seek it out. And if someone tries to hold us accountable without our asking, our usual impulse is to resist it. Moreover, the idea of us holding others accountable makes us cringe because we don’t feel qualified or, we fear the disturbance in our relationship. But if we want deep spiritual friends, then we will welcome accountability. In the New Testament accountability is mentioned in the form of warning each other. Colossians 3:16 instructs us to be “admonishing one another”. The Greek word for admonish means gently warn or caution. I prefer the word warn because “admonish” is vague to many of us. Warning each Continue Reading →

So far in this series we have looked at four ways for developing close spiritual friends: bearing burdens, using spiritual gifts, building one another up, and encouragement. Today, we look at two more: comfort and intentionality. 2 Corinthians 11:4 teaches us: “[God] comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (ESV)  It is interesting that the Greek word for comfort is the same word used to describe the Holy Spirit as a comforter, paraklētos. Thus, believers have a role similar to the work of the Holy Spirit for each other. All comfort comes from God, and we are to be the channels. Paraklētos can also mean exhort or urge, and this is how it is used in other passages. Thus, we are to comfort, exhort, and urge one another as spiritual friends. Consider Continue Reading →

Last week we looked at two principles for developing close spiritual friends: bearing each other’s burdens and using spiritual gifts. This post looks at two more. Remember, these principles apply one-on-one or in a group. The next principle is intentionally building one another up to be more like Christ. I Cor. 14:26 states: “Let all things be done to build each other up.” Eph. 4:12-13 explains that God gave different types of people to the church “for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain . . .  to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Think about how helpful it would be to have spiritual friends who consistently encouraged you to become more like Christ. How much strength would it give you to have someone speak words to help you be more like Christ in specific situations in your life? Those who Continue Reading →