Intentional Discipleship
There are times in our spiritual journey where it is essential to find one or two other believers who can provide accountability and guidance along the way. The Bible commands that within the local church, older men disciple younger men and older women disciple younger women (Titus 2:2-6). It is often within these organic relationships that we are best able to speak the truth in love for the purpose of maturity (Eph 4:15-16). These relationships provide a point of accountability for the spiritual disciplines of Bible reading, prayer, and meditation.
While there will be opportunities to develop these relationships within existing ministries, much of this happens organically as mature believers invite a new or growing Christian to join them on their journey with Christ, much like Paul did with Timothy. They might meet for coffee or do service projects together. But the point of these relationships is spiritual maturity.
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children. – Titus 2:3-4 (ESV)
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
While there will be opportunities to develop these relationships within existing ministries, much of this happens organically as mature believers invite a new or growing Christian to join them on their journey with Christ, much like Paul did with Timothy. They might meet for coffee or do service projects together. But the point of these relationships is spiritual maturity.
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children. – Titus 2:3-4 (ESV)
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
