II Timothy 2:1-2 "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
It takes time to do things and to see results come from what we take the time to do. It takes time to train up our children. It takes time to plant a garden. It takes time to accomplish most anything we do. This also includes helping new-born babes in Christ to grow and mature.
It takes a lot of time...patience...and effort to teach a new convert those things they need to know to live for Christ. Many people get saved and never mature in the Lord as they should. It takes someone taking the time with them to teach them what God expects from us once we are saved.
There are some who will get saved and grow quickly and then there will be those who will grow gradually. My husband and I grew rather quickly after we got saved. We had a couple in our home church that took us under their wing so-to-speak and not only showed us and taught us by example...but also took the Bible and taught us what God says in His Word of how we are to live our lives and what He expects or commands us to do. We were so eager and hungry to learn. Not everyone is like that.
I do believe a new convert will have an excitement and a desire to learn what God expects...but not everyone is willing to take the time to teach them.
This is a very important thing to do in our churches. We want to see people saved and join the church...but are we willing to take the time needed to teach them. The pastor will do his part from the pulpit...and the Sunday School teacher will do their part in the SS class...but it takes more than that. We as members of the church and part of the family of God have an obligation to teach them as well. A church that disciples others brings glory to God.
How much time have you taken the time to help and teach a new convert? Time needs to be spent fellowshipping with them and sharing the Word of God with them. In training them you will be preparing them so they can turn around and win someone to Christ and then they can train that person. We have got to reproduce new Christians so our churches won't die. A church whose people are not winning people to Jesus and training them so they can win others and train them will shrivel up and die.
So let me ask you....are you taking the time?
10 comments:
Amen Sister Julie!
Because I was saved a very long way from home, and then rec'd a bit of discipleship but not long after returned home to no church, I really missed out on that early discipleship, training, and fellowship. It took me a very long time to mature as a believer. We do need to seek out new believers and help them!
Sis. Pamela....yes we do!! If we don't...then nobody may step up to help them. Someone took the time with me so it is just as important that we take time with them.
very well said Julie,
I think it is easy to walk down and hug a new person as they join the church.. and promise to pray for them and encourage...
then a couple of weeks pass and we speak to them (at church) but do we call them invite them to an extra bible study class... or just talk and answer their questions....
I needed that reminder... thank you Julie for reminding me..I am not following up with new Christians as I should!!!
sis. mimi....I believe this is a very important aspect of our Christian lives. We didn't get where we are in our walk with Christ by ourselves...or at least I know I didn't.
Mrs Julie what a wonderful post. I believe you hit the nail right on the head. You are right we see them saved, and get them baptized, but so many times these people fall through the cracks because we don't disciple them. You are also right if we don't reproduce ourselves then we will die as churches. We will be praying for your service please pray for us also. We are preaching on A Generation that Know not God. Have a good Sunday.
Bro Tim
bro. tim...Amen!! Do y'all tape your services? I'd like a copy of that tape if there is any way possible. I've already prayed for you this morning and through the night since I couldn't fall asleep till 4am this morning. I also prayed for you at SS time and I am praying for you as our service begins this morning. I never fail to ask God to bless you and your church when I pray for ours. We love y'all!!
A post we all need to hear. When I was first saved I did not get a lot of discipleship. I am so thankful the Holy Spirit was there to guide me. Thank the Lord He sent someone along my path,later on. Thank you for posting this Julie.
Cristina
Sis. Cristina....Amen!! I'm glad this post blessed you. I'm thankful for those He put in my life to help me grow in Christ.
That is good! I hate to see people get saved and then after a while, they leave and we never see them again. That will really make you think, "Wonder if I could have done more to help them grow, or encourage them in their new walk!" You are right, we need to take the time!!
~Jessica
Oh, by the way... Thanks for praying with me yesterday. It seems like God is working, but things aren't happening. (If you know what I am talking about). But I know that it is all in His time. Sometimes it just gets hard on the flesh when you pray and pray, but you can't "see" anything happening. But last night's message was for me! I really needed that. I also thank the Lord for the conviction that was in the service yesterday morning!! I thank Him that He still wants to save sinners.
Love you!!
jessica....I was glad to pray with you yesterday. I know your burden...and I know that we share that same burden. Just keep praying!! God is still on His throne. We'll just have to trust God for this thing we're praying for. Thank you for your prayers for me as well. You are a blessing to me!!
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