Discipleship Requires More Than Basics

I find that it is so easy to see a believer that is serving and assume they are a mature disciple. But a sign of service isn’t a sign of a mature disciple. In fact, many that are serving with you in your ministry may grasp only the basics of their faith.

Heb 6:1 says “let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…” How are you encouraging those you lead to grow into maturity as disciples of Christ?

I recently spoke to a good friend and pastor of a church plant about this. He mentioned that while he was a youth pastor at his previous church, he saw so many youth praising and worshipping God. When he spent some time one-on-one with them, they couldn’t even explain their faith or provide one shred of evidence as to why the Bible is God’s Word. He wasn’t speaking of the intense apologetics that many spend years studying to defend the faith. He was speaking of a simple foundation for which their own faith depends. These were youth that in a few years would be entering college and their faith tested outside of their current support system.

Do you consider it normal for disciples to grow and mature? If so, it is time that you start to encourage them to develop beyond their “elementary doctrine of Christ” to maturity.

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