Role of Discipleship in Church Growth and Development
Discipleship, derived from the Greek word mathetes meaning "learner" or "scholar," refers to a follower who is instructed in the teachings of a master [1, 11]. In the context of the church, disciples are those who learn from Christ, the chief Master, and from his apostles, who serve as subordinate teachers [11]. This learning involves not only understanding who Jesus is but also obeying his teachings, which leads to freedom from sin and falsehood [13].
The New Testament frequently uses the metaphor of the church as a body to illustrate its structure and function, emphasizing the role of individual members in its growth and development [2, 8]. This concept is particularly prominent in Paul's letters, such as 1 Corinthians and Ephesians. The church, as the body of Christ, is composed of many different parts, each with its own God-given function [2, 4]. While these parts are diverse in make, shape, and service, they are all united to form one complete body [4]. Each local church is seen as a miniature representation of the entire aggregate of churches, with individual members occupying assigned places [3].
The unity of the body of Christ transcends differences such as ethnicity or social status, as all believers come to Christ and receive God's promises in the same way [6]. This unity fosters harmonious relationships and mutual care among members [5, 7]. When all believers effectively minister, the entire body becomes healthy, grows, and is filled with love, which is considered the most crucial factor in Christian growth [10].
The goal of ministry, and thus discipleship, is for the Christian community to deepen its understanding and experience of the Christian faith, gaining a profound knowledge of God’s Son [12]. This process leads believers toward maturity, with Christ himself serving as the standard of that maturity [12]. The Holy Spirit's work transforms individuals to become fully like Christ [12]. As members are joined together in Christ, they collectively form a holy temple for the Lord, signifying God's presence among his people [9]. Each part of this body plays a vital role, contributing to the growth and development of the others, with Christ as the ultimate source of this growth [10].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Disciple — [APOSTLES]”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:16: 4:16 Each part of the body plays an important role and helps the other parts grow. Christ, the head of the body, works through the individual parts, makes them fit together, and is the ultimate source of growth (see Col 2:19). • When all believers are ministering effectively, the whole body will be healthy and growing and full of love (cp. 1 Cor 8:1). Love is the most important factor in Christian growth (1 Cor 13:1-13).”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 14:22: Confirming the souls of the disciples - The word disciple signifies literally a scholar. The Church of Christ was a school, in which Christ himself was chief Master; and his apostles subordinate teachers. All the converts were disciples or scholars, who came to this school to be instructed in the knowledge of themselves and of their God: of their duty to Him, to the Church, to society, and to themselves. After having been initiated in the principles of the heavenly doctrine, they needed line upon line, and precept upon precept, in order that they might be confirmed a”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 8:31: 8:31-32 Discipleship is more than knowing who Jesus is. It is also about obeying his teachings (3:36; 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10). • Because Jesus is the truth (14:6), knowing him brings discernment of what is true and what is false. • set you free: The truth brings freedom from darkness, falsehood, and sin.”