PART THREE OF CHURCH GROWTH

From part two the scriptures mentioned earlier,{ Ephesians 4:12-15, 2 Peter 3:18,Colossians 2:6,&1 Peter 2:5} echo the need for growth.Many converts remain dwarfed yet mature Christians are either busy with other aspects of Ministry,are wondering what to do, are busy feeding themselves, have left the work to pastors/ fulltime Christian Ministers, [but who are these fulltimers? Did Christ call some to work half or quarter the time?] among others which I hope excludes apathy.If we are growing we should produce a yeild that is both worthy our LORD Jesus Christ and what has been invested in us.Christ in John 15:1-16, says he called the disciples to bear fruit that abides/ will last and much fruit at that.

Therefore, growth is qualitative and quantitative.
Among the factors that affect growth is nutrients found in food taken in.WHAT YOU FEED ON AND HOW YOU FEED DETERMINES HOW YOU GROW! 2 Peter 2:2 urges as to be like babies that crave for milk.You and I must resolve as follows,I MUST GROW AS WE ALL GROW.

There are three dimensions of growth that all together result in a fruitful and effective Christian life.

• HIGH DIMENSION- This has to do with ones personal intimacy with God.It is developed as we discipline ourselves to meet God regularly, talk with Him (commune) in prayer and listen ti Him through His WORD.This is called devotion quiet time.Jesus was keen on this.He choose a quiet place early in the morning.Mark 1:35, read.

It may be helpful to have journal/dairy of what to pray for or have prayed for.When you tick against an item answered having prayed,your faith will be boosted.   

• DEEP DIMENSION- This is growth in character.2 Corinthians 5:17.How are we in our Christian character? The bible has a lot to say about on the need for us to grow in our character - in Christ likeness.We need to put off the old self, - Colossians 3:5, put off ungodliness - Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10, 1Thessalonians 5:8. We also need to bear the fruit of the Spirit instead of promoting the works flesh - Galatians 5:19-26.

You will be thrilled as you review your notes on the changes/transformation within as you grow. However,where you have not seen and or recorded progress/change,pray,have faith and possibly seek for assistance from a maturing Christian.

• WIDE DIMENSION - This has to do with our relationship with other people.Nobody can claim to grow in isolation.We need the influence of other godly people in order to grow.We get to stir one another to love and good deeds through fellowship. - Hebrews 10:24-25.

Within fellowship, find at least one of such people [VRP;VIP;VTP] as you aim at being sharpened even as you sharpen others.- Proverbs 27:17

1. V.R.P. - Stands for a Very Resourceful Person. Such a person ignites your passion for God and for Christian service.You meet them regularly or access their books or recorded messages.Biblical examples include Moses - Joshua.John E.Haggai is the founder of Haggai Institute.This institute has trained over 60,000 Christian leaders from various developing countries in evangelism skills, since 1969.These leaders are committed to train 100 other Christian leaders.This is called The Expo Factor.
2. V.I.P. - Means Very Important Persons.These are mostly your contemporaries who share your passion.As you talk and agree in the Spirit and you delight working together.They can be your prayer partners/team and you easily correct one another without much ado.For the married your spouse is part of such a team.Hence these are your co-workers in Christ.The apostle Paul had a team of brethren including Silas, Luke,Priscilla and Aquila.
3. V.T.P. - These are Very Trainable Persons.They are those that you would like to pass on to them your passion and vision.You multiply your life in them as Christ did to the 12 disciples, and Paul to Timothy.You need to keep ahead of them so that you provide them with training and motivation.You eventually pass on the button to them so that they take others to the next level.They ought to be reliable and faithful people.-2 Timothy 2:2.

Prayerfully identify these persons and be involved with them.They will definitely form a structure necessary for accountability even if it is not a rigid / formal structure.

PART TWO OF CHURCH GROWTH

GROWTH - This is the process of increase in size,amount or degrees.

CERTAIN OBJECTIVES TO CONSIDER

1. To evangelize the unbelieving and produce real converts.-JOHN 8:31,32; 1 THESS.1:4-10.
2. To establish the converts and produce growing disciples.-EPH. 3:16-19; COL.2:6,7.
3. To equip the growing disciples and produce a mature and faithful laborer.- EPH. 4:11-14.

Fruitfulness/ production is a sign of growth.A farmer that has no young ones in his flock for a long time MUST  get worried since the future of his flock is bleak.As the church priority must be given to growth if our impact will last until the coming of Christ even in line with the great commission.MATTH 28:19; MARK 16:15-18.

Our expenditure in relation to resources including cash,time,human etc needs to be channeled towards growth.This is a clarion call, hence not left to a few each needs to play significant roles.See how the human body grows.


Exhortation on growth

EPH. 4:12-15 "...to prepare God's 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 knowledge in the Son of God and become mature attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.Then we will no longer be infants tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.Instead speaking the truth in love,we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ."

2 PET.3:18 "... but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

COL. 2:6 " So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord,continue to live,rooted,built up in him,stregthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness."

1 PET.2:5 "... You also, like livingstones,are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

CHURCH - This is a particular group of christians.
                - They are the ministers of the christian faith.A christian is the person who believes in the teachings of  Jesus Christ and practices His teachings.
Leslie Woodson, (1973) in Evangelism for today's Church, says that, " the Christian has a Christ to share with men and women who embrace a non-Christian religion as well as those who acknowledge no religion at all."

When Christ is shared to the unbelieving as was done by the Apostles even with the backing of God among the results recorded included conversions of many and at times riots form those who felt they did not want their values, worldview, attitudes, destiny, character among others to changes.2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 reminds as that  "...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone,the new has come!" Those that rioted at Thessalonica cried out that the people who had turned the world upside down [who had caused trouble everywhere] had gone to their city. ACTS 17:6

notes on church growth

Daily Quiet Time

DAILY QUIET TIME: MOMENTS WITH GOD.



Adore God – Appreciate God for who He is and praise him.

Confess sin _Turn away from sin /evil /iniquity and turn to God in repentance.

Thank God _For what he has done and what he is about or will do to you as God



PAUSE!

Take time to read God’s word reflect /meditate and write what God speaks to you about.

Write your response briefly under the action plan. Commit to God such intentions (actions) in prayer (Proverbs 16:3, 9)



Supplication _Pray for the needs of others then, your own needs as you thank God. 1Timothy 2: 1-4, Philipians 4:6-7.





DAY /DATE ……………………………. SCRIPTURE ………………………………………

What is God saying to me in this passage?



SIN -Something that I do that does not please God. (Disobedience to his word).

• I must confess and turn away from this sin .(1John 1:9)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………



PROMISE -That which God says He will do to me, to them that believe, to them that obey him, to his people.

• I need to proclaim this promise believing God to fulfill his word in my life, given by my situation or by his mercies.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………



EXAMPLE –An act obedience to God, something God approves a practice that glorifies God either done by or said of a bible character.

• I need to start doing the same by the help of God or I need to be more consistent in doing such (daily).

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………



COMMAND –Something that God requires of me. Being a command there is no excuse or reason for not doing it.

• I will obey this command from God’s word so that my life is hired in line

With God’s word.(John 14:21)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………



KNOWLEDGE OF GOD –A revelation of God attribute/character that I gain/understand. It could also be an insight from God’s word that is new to me or is relevant to what I am going through.

• I do thank God and will share with others this clear and amazing fact that I now understand.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………



T.F. P.O.BOX 86,BONDO,KENYA +254 735 138082 & +254 721 333205 psadhayao@yahoo.com http://ministerdisciple.blogspot.com





























ACTION PLAN



Having heard from God, what do I want to do about it? When? Whom do I involve? (James 1:22-25)



I will start …………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................



I will stop ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………



REFFERENCE S

Use the scripture readings listed below as your avenue to hearing from God. As you prayerfully meditate on them record your thoughts on the format provided:





DAY PASSAGE (CHAPTER: VERSE ) DAY PASSAGE (CHAPTER :VERSE )





1 EPHESSIANS 4:1-6

2 4:7-10

3 4;11-13

4 4;14-16

5 4;17-19

6 4;20-24

7 4:25-28

8 4;29-32

9 EPHESSIANS 5 :1-7

10 5:8-14

11 5:15-20

12 5 :21-24

13 5:25-33

14 EPHESSIANS 6:1-4

15 COLOSSIANS 3;1-4

16 COLOSSIANS 3:5-11

17 3;12-14

18 3:15-17

19 1TIMOTHY 4:1-5

20 4;6-8

21 4:9- 14

22 4 :15-16

23 1TIMOTHY 5 : 1-5

24 5: 6-10

25 5:11-16

26 5: 17- 21

27 2TIMOTHY 1:1-7

28 1: 8-12

29 1:13-16

30 2TIMOTHY 2: 1-7





NOTE:

After you are through with the whole of 2 Timothy, read St John’s Gospel to the end. Be free to select other New Testament books and read consistently. Proceed to the Old Testament and read through.



BE BLESSED





T.F. P.O.BOX 86, BONDO, KENYA +254 735 138082 & +254 721 333205 psadhayao@yahoo.com http://ministerdisciple.blogspot.com