What do we mean by the Kingdom of God, and how does it relate to the Church?

What is our identity, our place, and our part in the Church?

We can understand what the Kingdom of God is and how it relates to the Church by exploring the following;

God designed the Church to make His manifold wisdom known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus loved the Church and gave Himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word. And, that He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, holy and without blemish (Ephesians 6:25-27). 

It is very important to recognize that there are two kingdoms at war with each other.

One is the Kingdom of God, where Jesus is the King.

The other is the kingdom of Satan, where Lucifer is the king with all the demons as his servants. God’s Kingdom is the Kingdom of light where God reigns in righteousness. Satans kingdom is the kingdom of darkness where the Devil rules with wickedness and sin.

We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and have entered into the kingdom of Satan (Ephesians 2:1-3), after which we became enemies of God (Romans 5:6-10).

Jesus came in human form to redeem us from our sin that separates us from the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 9:22). In this, the love of God was manifested toward us. God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him (1 John 4:9).

God has delivered each one of us “from the power of the darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14; Revelation 1:5-6).

The Church is built by our Lord Jesus who promised that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Many people are looking for the perfect church. There is no perfect church on this earth. However, God continues to call His Church into repentance so that we will represent His Kingdom in this world. That is why Jesus gave visions of the fallen condition of the Church to the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2:4, Revelation 2:9, Revelation 2:13-15, Revelation 2:20, Revelation 3:1-2, Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:15-17).

Someone once said, “If we are looking for a perfect church and find it out, the moment we joined, it would no longer be perfect, because we are not perfect.” So the Church is the place where we learn from one another and shape one another to represent the Kingdom of God.

In the world today, thousands of people from all tribes, languages, and people groups are hearing the Gospel and accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Jesus is building His Church to fully represent the Kingdom of God here on earth. There’s a call for holiness, unity, and peace in the Body of Christ.

As you understand your function in the Body, God will use you in a powerful way for His glory.

If each of the individual members of the Body of Christ is functioning to full capacity, then the body is healthy. If even one member is missing, however, both that member and the rest of the Body are damaged.

There are many ways to function in the Body of Christ, but one of the most important is through fellowship.

Many think that they can sufficiently provide for their own spiritual needs, but this is simply not the case. Being “in Christ” does not remove us from the responsibility we have to the other members of the Body of Christ. On the contrary, it allows us to meet the needs of others as we function in our proper roles.

If every member of the Body of Christ would obey John 13:34-35, it would not only transform the Church, but it would turn the world upside down as the early Church did with true love and fellowship.

May God use our ministry of serving His Body and our knowledge of Him to be the real representation of His Kingdom!

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

John 3:17

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13), Jesus tells about a person who sowed seed and the different types of soil that the seeds landed on.

Three of the four places did not allow the seed to grow well, while the good soil helped the seeds to grow well and remain strong. Since Jesus ascended into Heaven, we are now His hands and feet, sowing these seeds in other people’s hearts (1 Corinthians 12:27). This can seem like an overwhelming responsibility, but we can rest assured that it is not our responsibility to make the seed grow, only to sow and water it (1 Corinthians 3:6).

With the joy and freedom to only have to give the gospel to others and encourage their discipleship, we can look at some useful ideas on how to plant those seeds.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be servants. Listening to others is a big part of serving. When speaking to someone about Christ, we must listen to that person and not just speak. Attentively listening to someone makes them feel valued and appreciated. This helps them be more open to the Gospel.

When having a conversation about Christ, it is important to understand that everyone is unique. The way you approach the conversation with one person might not be the best way to approach another person. Let the Holy Spirit guide you as to how and when to start the conversation (John 16:13).

People, in general, are very sensitive to being judged by Christians. This comes from many times that Christians and churches have wrongfully taken a judgemental attitude towards nonbelievers. The best way to overcome this perception is to be gentle and considerate towards their feelings and opinions. Things have happened in their lives that have led them to believe what they do. Our role is not to beat down what they believe but to guide them towards the saving truth of the Gospel (1 John 4:18).

To plant a seed for the Gospel, it is important to be careful in the words we choose. A person can throw out a lot of words at once, and many of them might not come from a place of love or respect. Truth is always truth and it is often not what we are saying that is wrong but how we are saying it. Let us be people who speak the truth in love.

When it comes to planting seeds for the Gospel, it is important to be honest and open. If we have a preconceived idea of what the person believes, it can be difficult to have an open conversation. The more honest and open we are, the more our own weaknesses and struggles can help them see that they are not alone in their struggle with what is truth (John 8:32).

The gospel is good news, not bad news (Romans 1:16). It is imperative that we represent the gospel to others in a positive way. We need to show others that we trust in God and have hope in Christ. We should also use words that can help people understand that Jesus loves them and that there is a place for them in God’s kingdom. People are looking for joy and hope; the Gospel is the answer.

While there are many different suggestions for how to share the Gospel, it is even more important that any activity around the Gospel be done with the fruits of the Spirit in mind. It is not so much your actions as it is your attitude that matters. Love and gentleness are what will draw people to you. Nonbelievers often see something in us that they know they need but that they cannot identify. What they are seeing is the hope and joy of Christ in us.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

At Global Disicples Canada our Vision is to see every person have an opportunity to choose and follow Jesus. We describe this vision statement as every person having the right to know about Jesus.

Human rights are a major issue around the globe. A Google search on the word ‘right’ identified 884 million results! Socrates was one of the first Greek philosophers to focus our attention on the condition of humanity. His thoughts on the importance of self-awareness have led to centuries of study on the ‘rights’ of all human beings.

Global Disciples falls within a demographic group known as a faith community. The immediate question is: By what authority do we declare this as ‘something we believe belongs justifiably to every person?

We are all shaped by the stories we have been taught. Our stories provide us a means of understanding our world, navigating through the experiences of life, and determining the values by which we live.

The stories, or narratives of our life, are running constantly within our being. That is why it is so critical that we have the right ones.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ tells us that we are, and have been, loved from eternity by God the Father. For every human being, the love of a parent is one of our most forming stories. Parental love ‘belongs justifiably to every human being’. The love that God brings to us in Christ, goes far beyond what any parent could ever bring to their children.

Within all of the world’s great religions is a false story: that somehow we can fix ourselves; that somehow we earn the favor of God’s love. Jesus’ story is that God has found His way to us. God, in Christ, chose to enter our world because of His great love for every human being.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). But Jesus was not loved in return. “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:10-11). What was Jesus’ response? “No one has greater love than this than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

When the story of the self-sacrificing love of God in Christ (the Gospel) is revealed to us, our own stories begin to be re-formed. We cannot change our past, but we can change our response to our past, and the ways in which we are living now. The Bible calls this repentance.

A turning around by the power of God’s redeeming love in Jesus. Jesus does for us what we can never do for ourselves. He demonstrated the depths of God’s love for all creation. Therefore, all creation has the right to know this story, and the opportunity to respond to God’s love for us in Christ.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Dying to self and living under the Lordship of Christ is foundational for Christian discipleship. We can explore these foundational truths by exploring the following;

The word of God teaches us Jesus Christ is Lord (Luke 2:11).

The angels announced his Lordship at his birth. His Lordship is also connected with our salvation (Romans 10:9). “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

The early Church preached on the Lordship of Jesus; “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36) “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)

The Foundation of a Christian faith is the Lordship of Jesus Christ and our submission to Him.

His Lordship is the most important truth in the life of the disciples of Jesus.

Jesus is the Lord of the universe.

Because of his obedience to the will of His Father, God granted him the Lordship title over the entire universe. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Jesus is the Lord of both the living and the dead (Romans 14:9). 

There is a day coming when every knee bow down and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, but for us, as disciples of Jesus it is a moment by moment everyday confession. If we believe he is the Lord of our life, it has to be revealed in our total surrender and full submission.

He cannot be the Lord of a part of our life– He must be given full authority over our entire life (1 Thessalonians 5:23). If Jesus is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all. We cannot serve two Lords (Matthew 6:24). The Bible teaches us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

Dying for self is a precondition to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

For Jesus to be the Lord of our life, we must surrender all to him – absolute and total surrender. When we surrender all to Jesus, we acknowledge that he is the Lord and owner over our life and everything we have. When we fully surrender our life to his Lordship, it becomes easier for us to obey all that he has commanded us – including willingness to go wherever he sends us at any cost. If we call him Lord, but do not obey him, he is really not the Lord of our Life (Luke 6:46). 

As the Lord of our life, he deserves reverence, honor, and obedience (Revelation 5:12).

However, the Lordship of Jesus Christ is often forgotten in the Church of Jesus Christ. We need to know his Lordship when we make a decision to become his disciples. A full revelation of the Lord Jesus is necessary for every disciple.

Jesus told Peter that it is through the revelation from the Father that He knew that Jesus Christ is the son of the living God; He is the beginning and the end; He is the image of the invisible God; He holds the keys of the past, present, and future; His Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and He is known as the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Colossians 1:15-23; Revelation 19:16).

We are called to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. This revelation will lead us to a complete surrender to his Lordship. As long as we live on this earth as disciples of Jesus, we are called to reflect his character, love, compassion, authority, and power in our lives and ministries. In the same way, in the future, we also will share in his full glory. Every disciple must admit that Jesus is the Lord of his/her life completely. Again, if Jesus is not 100% the Lord of our lives, He cannot be the Lord of our lives at all. 

In John 2:5, Mary told the servants in Cana of Galilee, “Do whatever he tells you.” This is the key to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

As disciples, we are called to live meaningful, purposeful, and fruitful lives. We need to obey the Lord Jesus Christ as he calls us to “come” to Him and “follow” Him and then to “go” as his ambassadors to the nations. Unquestioned obedience to our Lord and master Jesus Christ will give us joyful, peaceful, and thankful lives.

The purpose of the coming of Jesus was to give us life, life in abundance (John 10:10). Maybe one of the reasons why we feel empty or half-filled is because we disobey Him and work against His plans.  Exodus 19:5 says, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

Jesus’ teachings contain many references to the need for obedience (Matthew 7:21).

He said that obedience to His Word is the proof of our love for Him (John 14:21). He not only taught this, but He set an example for us by being obedient to His Father (John 15:10). The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to carry the sin of the world; His willingness to go to the cross displays how Christ’s love for His Father is closely tied to obedience to His will (Hebrews 10:9; John 5:30; Philippians 2:8).

Without obedience, there cannot be the spiritual power to enter into the knowledge of the Father’s Word and will. Obedience is the true test of our love for Christ, fellowship with God in His will, and the secret to discovering God’s will for our life. Without obedience, we will not able to see and experience the blessings God has for us, and it will be impossible to live as Christ-like disciples (John 14:15, John 14:21-24).

The apostles also taught the need for obedience (Acts 5:29).

Obedience is the very nature of the disciples of Christ (1 Peter 1:14-15, 1 Peter 1:22).

In Romans 1:5, Paul reveals how faith and obedience are inseparable. Therefore, those who claim to have faith ought to obey Christ (Romans 15:18). Paul teaches that we should fashion our obedience after Christ’s and that this is the only way we can truly bring glory to God (Philippians 2:5-8). According to James, our faith is dead without obedience (James 2:17, James 2:24, James 2:26). Many hear the truth, claim it, and proclaim it, but few act upon it (James 1:22, James 1:25). The apostle John also reminds us that those who disobey while claiming to be disciples are really hypocrites and liars (1 John 2:4).

Obedience is certain proof that Christ is in His disciples, and it allows His followers to never have to doubt that God loves them (1 John 3:18-22; 1 John 5:2-3). The more we obey Christ, the greater will be our joy at His presence. Obedience must be both the starting and finishing point of our Christian life. Without obedience faith is defective—true faith means to be fully surrendered to God’s will.

We live in a world where people obey everything their gods or goddesses demand out of fear. True obedience for Christ comes out of complete love for Him. Obedience for the disciples is not so much a duty as it is a delight. We obey because that is where we find our satisfaction, not because we are bound to do so. Our obedience to Christ must come out of a deep love for Him and a complete joy of pleasing Him.  Our love for Christ does not make submission to Him elective; it is still mandatory.  Christ is still our Master, and our relationship with Him carries a great weight of responsibility. But we ought to serve Him as loving, devoted bond servants (Luke 17:7-10; Titus 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1).

Is Jesus the Lord of our whole being?

How is He the Lord of our body, of our soul and of our spirit?

Is He the Lord of our emotions, our thoughts, our possessions, and our relationships?

What does it require for Jesus to be the Lord of our entire life?  

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Want to know how to encourage others to be disciples? Find out with these helpful and practical and Biblical tips.

How do we encourage others to grow in their faith when we are still learning ourselves?

The good news is that the Holy Spirit is the one who grows faith (1 Corinthians 3:6). Which means we are free to simply encourage others to pursue a life of discipleship.

Since God is the One who grows faith, any type of discipleship needs to be soaked in prayer.

The more time we spend listening to the direction of the Holy Spirit, the more accurately we can do His will. He knows the people we are ministering to better than anybody else. The most exciting thing about prayer is that there are no rules for when and where we pray. We can pray anytime and anywhere. Prayer can become a part of our daily lives. With His guidance, we can connect with people in a meaningful way. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5); with Him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). 

One of the biggest challenges for a new believer (or even someone who is seeking answers about God) is where to meet Christians. Such a person does not always find it easy to meet new people at church. Having you invite them to join you at church can provide a safe place for them. You can introduce them to others at church and help get the conversations started. This can really help relationships with other believers grow.

Sometimes, though, even the idea of going to a church with someone they know is too intimidating. Many people have had bad experiences with churches when they were younger or general bad opinions of churches. To help them see the joy that can come from being actively involved in a church, a great starting point is inviting them to your Bible study. Small groups that meet in a home during the week offer an even safer environment for a new believer to settle with other believers.

Discipleship is meant to be done life on life. There is nothing more fulfilling than including a new believer in your daily life. Someone once said that “more is caught than taught” meaning that sometimes the best learning is done when people get the opportunity to observe your life.

As the new believer grows and matures in their faith, you can encourage them to start reaching out to others to ‘pay it forward.’

The Gospel was never meant to be kept for a few individuals, but should always be made available for everyone. Jesus died once for all (Romans 6:10). Sadly, we often tend to forget to reach out to others. We form such strong friendships with others at church that we forget the challenge of God to reach out to people we don’t know yet, so they can also learn about the gospel. It should be at the front of our minds to train others to train others

It is not easy to make disciples. There are a lot of challenges. However, nothing is impossible if you start by reading your Bible, praying for God’s guidance, and talking to people who are also disciples.

“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” – James 2:26

The rewards are greater than you can imagine. You will have the joy of helping people find their purpose in life and have the joy of seeing them become disciples themselves. When you make disciples, your life will no longer be about you but about others. You will have the joy of seeing your eternal life purpose fulfilled. 

“Freely you have received, freely give.” – Matthew 10:8

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Discipleship is a life-long journey and commitment. When we hear Jesus’ Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), we may believe he is simply referring to evangelism. However, Jesus does not stop there; he says, “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).

Discipleship is a life-long journey and commitment. Discover the essential characteristics that mark a mature disciple of Jesus Christ!

This is the first and greatest commandment (Mark 12:30). It means that you value being in the presence of God more than anything else in your life. It doesn’t mean that you are perfect (we’re far from that) but that you are pursuing God with all of your heart, your soul, and your mind.

What does it mean to listen to God? It means that you recognize that God is speaking to you personally through the things around you, the people you are with, the TV or radio, and the Bible.  You recognize that God speaks to us and listen carefully. It means that you are not just doing things independently but spending time with God and listening to what He wants to tell you.

There’s no room for compromise here either. Obeying God means you are doing what He says, not just some of the things He says. It means that you are willing to do what He says even when you don’t understand it, even when it hurts, even when it may cost you something.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to continue living the life God wants us to live. He enables us to live with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He allows us to love God with all of our being, love and serve others, and live in the power of God, not our power. Growing up is to get you to the point where you’re living in the power of the Spirit and not of your strength.

This means that you know the Bible well and apply it to your everyday life. You know what it means to have the Word in your heart and use it in your life. It means that you not only know what the Word says but that you know what it means.

This means that you are making disciples. Remember, you are making an impact in the world for God’s Kingdom. However, results won’t always reveal themselves immediately. This doesn’t happen overnight, but you will leave a lasting impact on others over time.

It’s one thing to love those that are easy to love, but it’s another thing to love those difficult to love. It’s another thing to love those we love, but it’s still another thing to love those we don’t. A mature disciple will love people in the church and those not in the church. A mature disciple will love their family, even when their family doesn’t love them. They will love the lost, the poor, the lonely, the disadvantaged, the rejected, and the unlovely.

In the face of adversity and persecution, mature disciples will stand firm. They won’t just give up when things get complicated. Mature disciples will persevere and stand firm in the face of persecution, sickness, suffering, and financial difficulties.

If you want to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection, you will grow up. You need to mature if you’re going to live a pleasing life to God. If you’re going to shine like Jesus, it is time to grow in His Word.

Moving from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity is a lifelong journey. You can’t just flip a switch and become a mature disciple overnight. It takes time, and it takes effort. It takes grace, mercy, and the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish. If you are serious about growing up, it is possible.

A mature disciple will show these characteristics in all areas of their life, including job, family, the world, and the church. You don’t have to be perfect to be mature. But you can take small steps every day to grow up to be like Jesus. You have to have heart, desire, and intentionality, but it’s possible.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. 

We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Discover the power of finding joy in discipleship. Find out how helping others grow in their faith can help you grow in yours!

Many of us can tend to focus on themselves as individuals. We often don’t realizing how wonderful it can be to reach out to others and encourage their growth in Christ. Sadly, many Christians only ask “What can this church give me?”

An healthy option could be “How can I contribute to this community?”

The truth is, there is a deep and meaningful joy to be found in discipleship.

When it comes to a believer’s development and spiritual growth, one of the cornerstones is discipleship. The moment a person finds themselves in Jesus Christ’s embrace with the knowledge that can lead to saving, discipleship is the next logical step. However, that varies considerably from person to person.

How drastically the world has changed!

Many people find themselves more comfortable communicating in the digital world than in the real world, constantly communicating to faceless people online rather than talking to their own family or friends. However, we can be encouraged by remembering that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore (Hebrews 13:8)! Hallelujah! This means that discipleship is still possible in the asocial society of today.

Digital technology can actually help bring discipleship online.

It helps broaden the access to biblical commentaries, bible study guides, and perspectives from various bible teachers around the world. Even during the pandemic, stories were told of many people, who were not comfortable sitting in a church building but accepted Christ after attending one of the hundreds of online church services that churches now made available. God has His reasons (Isaiah 55:8-9)! With that said, we need to keep in mind that digital involvement will never replace the crucial need for face-to-face interaction in strengthening discipleship.

However, the very core of discipleship is neither personal nor digital connections: it’s relationships, point blank period.

Here are some of the best ways to encourage discipleship on the strength of relationships:

This seems obvious, but it should be kept in mind at all times. For leaders who experience growth by way of discipleship rooted in relationships, it’s easy to have a passion to lead other Christ-followers down the same path.

When it comes to leading, it’s more about the experience, not the ideology.

A small group does not need to be made up entirely of similar people for the group to be rich with fellowship. Some of the closest bonded groups can be found in groups that include people with many different characteristics, such as those who are of different racial, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. Various age ranges should be involved as well.

It’s worth noting that the Lord will always find opportunities to help us grow by taking us out of our comfort zones. When new believers are paired with seasoned, mature believers, wonderful things can happen. Boh believers then have a whole new opportunity to grow.

Bring believers to Bible studies where connection is promoted. When small group studies meet consistently during a certain timeline, relationships are strengthened naturally. Best of all, accountability is provided for everyone involved as well. Training small group leaders in such a way that they shepherd members is an investment that is well worth it.

Having the groups offered for a certain length of time will give members the freedom to be invested with group commitment accountability alongside the freedom to see an endpoint. Another highly beneficial aspect for believers is mentoring relationships who are usually intimidated by big groups. Some people may even find a small group too big; on the other hand, a one-on-one relationship can change lives.

Discipleship is a cornerstone of the spiritual growth and development of believers. In the digital age, it’s more convenient, but doing it in person has more depth. After all, discipleship is best when it’s rooted in strong relationships. Encouraging this can be done in a number of ways, including opening doors for face-to-face connections.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to least reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Dying to self and living under the Lordship of Christ is foundational for Christian discipleship. We can explore these foundational truths by exploring the following;

Jesus is calling us to be His disciples so that our lives will bring eternal Glory to God.

However, there is often strong resistance in us. When God created us in His own image and likeness, He also created us with free will. We have the freedom to choose life or death. To walk under obedience to either our own desires or the desires of Jesus. 

Have you ever thought of a physically dead person? What are some of the differences between a dead and living person?

Dead people do not respond as living people do because their bodies are dead and decaying. Our old “selves” are like these dead bodies.

Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary defines it as an attitude of seeking one’s own advantage or pleasure rather than that of others.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary defines it as one who is dominated by self-interest and inconsiderate of others, arrogantly asserting his or her own will

Dying to self means denying an attitude of self-seeking and egoism. It is putting God as a hero in our lives by making ourselves a zero. We are to count ourselves dead to sin and all fleshly passion and live for Jesus. “Count yourself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11).

In the simplest form, dying has to do with submitting daily to the will of God.

This is initiated by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and only possible when we make the choice to obey the Holy Spirit in this process. Dying to self in order to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ is a key point to living as a true disciple. Every decision made and every word spoken should be approached with a constant awareness that we are to live worthy of the calling (Ephesians 4:1-2).

Dying to self will keep us humble, and reaching out to others will drive our desire to live in community. When we look at the complete book of Acts, we can be in such awe and wonder at the faithfulness of the disciples that we may think it is impossible to live in such a way. In reality, in order to live under the Lordship of Christ, we must learn to die to ourselves daily, and we must live with a compassion that reaches out to people in our cities, communities, regions, and nations.

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to carry our crosses on a daily basis so as to follow Him.  The Lord Jesus told His disciples in Luke 9:23-24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” In our generation where there are many self-centered ways of living such as self-sufficiency, self-effort, self-dependence, and self-defense, a lesson on dying to self seems awkward.  

God has not called us to live “our lives” but His life. And in order to live His life, we must first die to ourselves. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-12, the Apostle Paul confirms the above scripture—that he is dying daily and taking up his cross as a disciple of Christ. He emphasizes the need for death in us so that “the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” Jesus cannot use a disciple who has not died to self.

Let’s pause and reflect on what it will cost us to teach our generation dying to self.

Our Lord Jesus said “no” to His own will and “yes” to His Father’s will (Luke 22:42). In Hebrews 12:2, He, the author and perfecter of our faith, endured the cross, thinking nothing of its shame because of His confidence in the joy beyond death. He fully surrendered His life to His Father by praying, “Not my will, Father, but your will be done.” Another scripture that is fulfilled in the life of Jesus is John 12:23-25: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” He died to bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God. 

As the Lord and master of our lives, Jesus is not calling us to do anything that He cannot do or is not willing to do. It is not a physical death that is required of us but rather to die to self so that the life of Christ can consume and control our whole life. Dying to self brings us to glory and a place of honor by God. If we are to be true and worthy servants of Christ, we must willingly submit to the dealings of the Holy Spirit so that He can lead us to take our cross daily. There cannot be two Lords on the throne of our life—Jesus hasto take over all. Self must die and decrease so that Christ can increase (John 3:30).

The practice of dying to self is a process.

It takes discipline every day from our side as disciples of Jesus. We are in a constant battle against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Every time we face a temptation, we have the choice to overcome it. It is by the constant battle that we are able to fill our lives with the life of Jesus Christ.

An examination of the following bible verses in the Bible helps us see the various things that are in our lives that need to come out so that we can live the abundant life Jesus has granted us (Colossians 3:5-11; 1 Peter 2:1-3; Galatians 5:19-21; Mark 7:20-23). A careful study of God’s word will tell us that there are hundreds of ways our old sinful nature shows up in times of temptation.

Apostle Paul tells us about the lives we need to live as disciples of Christ. He was aware of the spiritual battle in which we are fighting. We were crucified with Jesus (Galatians 2:20) but for us, the process of resurrection is not yet complete. We are dwelling in a world where death and life are battling but our ultimate end is the resurrection (Philippians 3:10-14). In baptism, we give a witness that we have buried our old selves so that we are raised from the dead with Jesus to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6: 5-14).

The people of Israel are an example for us in many ways. They came out of Egypt, but many of them were not able to enter the Promised Land because they were not willing to die to themselves and live according to the plan of God (1 Corinthians 10:1-11.)

We are in a wilderness journey right now; we came out of the darkness of Egypt into the marvelous light by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. How we live our life on earth will determine our permanent stay in the Promised Land. Our ultimate call is complete sanctification (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Discover the true purpose and power of prayer and how connection with God with strengthen your soul and spirit.

When we pray to God, it is easy to feel like it is not being heard.

The quiet whispers of our hearts can feel like they are not reaching God’s ears. However, looking at prayer and how God has answered, can encourage us in our prayer lives today.

Prayer serves more than one purpose.

The most typically-known function of prayer is to ask God for what we want and need. We do not need to feel the slightest bit ashamed of asking God for things. In fact, God instructs us in His Word to ask Him for what we want in John 14. Though, this is certainly not the only function of prayer.

Another well-known purpose of prayer is to give thanks. When God has done something for us or changed a circumstance for our good, we show our thanks to Him in prayer. This is very important. Jesus warns us through a parable to remember to be thankful to God (Luke 17:11-19).

However, prayer serves even more purposes than these two well-known functions.

Prayer is a way for us to remain focused on God and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. And this helps us to endure hardships and challenges that we face in day-to-day life. Prayer is a constant reminder that Christ is stronger than any difficulty we may face.

Since simple prayer can be a frequent reminder of God’s constant presence with us.

The wonderful thing about prayer for a Christian is that it is not a one-way process. Through prayer, we do not just talk to God. The fantastic news is that God also talks to us. In fact, Ecclesiastes 5 teaches us to not start our prayers with talking, but rather approach God to listen first.

The Bible is full of stories of prayer and instructions around prayer. Prayer is an integral part of Christian life. The Bible makes it clear that God hears our prayers. He wants us to pray to Him and that He indeed answers them. He may not always answer them in the way we want Him to. But we can be confident in is that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Right in the beginning, Adam and Eve walked with God and talked with Him. This is what the heart of prayer is – talking and being with God. When they tried to hide from Him because they were ashamed, He, in His love, found them. Even when they had to leave the garden because of their disobedience, He, in His grace, made clothes for them.

Noah was told through prayer to build a large boat and obeyed, even when it meant he would be mocked by his neighbours.

Hannah prayed for a child when it seemed impossible and God blessed her with six.

David, in prayer, expressed every emotion known in the Psalms.

Jonah cried out to God from inside the large fish and He rescued him.

In the New Testament, several people pray in their hearts, or directly to Jesus, and He answers them. Paul fills his letters with comments about prayer as a means of encouragement, connecting with God and lifting others up.

Even since biblical times, right up to now, there are countless stories of people praying to God and Him answering them. Some of these stories are on national and international levels, others show prayers being answered for entire villages, and some prayers involve God simply responding to the prayer of an individual. Whether on a macro or micro level, each and every prayer to God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, reaches Him and is valued by Him.

We serve an awesome God, Who is so mighty that He created every galaxy in the Universe, and is also so mighty that He hears and cares about every silent prayer that we whisper to Him from the depths of our hearts. Prayer is not about just asking God for what we need, and also not just about thanking Him for giving us what we asked for. It goes so very much deeper than that. It is about connecting with Him, sharing our hearts with Him, staying focused on Him and, probably most important, listening to Him. The history of the world shows the power and beauty of a life lived in prayer to God.

If you are interested in joining an organization with compassionate discipleship at the very center of all we do, check us out at Global Disciples Canada. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Dying to self and living under the Lordship of Christ is foundational for Christian discipleship. We can explore these foundational truths by exploring the following;

During His public ministry, people came to Jesus with many different motives—physical healing, deliverance, food.

Large crowds followed Jesus wherever He went, and many of them left Jesus as soon as their needs were met.

Every person who came to Jesus was not His disciple. 

But during His ministry, Jesus gave an open call and invitation to the crowd.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24.

Jesus made it very clear that to be a disciple, one has to make a deliberate decision to deny everything. There was no choice of returning to one’s old life. Even today, we have many believers in our churches but only very few disciples.

His final commission to His disciples was for His followers to go and make disciples.

If making disciples was the final Great Commission Jesus gave, He had to model the way.  Indeed, Jesus was in the process of making disciples in the three and a half years of His ministry.

As a result, He commissioned the disciples to go and make disciples as He did.

The whole life and ministry of Jesus was a model for us to become disciples of Jesus as we disciple others.

We live in a modern world where everything has a price tag. Customers look at the price and decide if they want to buy it or not. Jesus did not want to reduce the high price it cost to become His disciple. Healing, miracles, deliverances from the evil spirit, and feeding of the multitudes all were free miracles; and yet, He made it very clear that to be a disciple would be an expensive decision. He even asked His followers to count the cost before they even began the journey (Luke 14:25-33). 

The following is a small list of requirements needed to become a disciple of Jesus taken from Luke 9:23 and Luke 14:25-33.

No one can become a disciple of Jesus by accident. That is why we are advised to sit down and estimate the total cost (Luke 14:28) and consider the ability (Luke 14:31) before we even make a decision to start.

Let us look at three individuals who failed the basic test of following Jesus (Luke 9:57-62).  Each of us will face numerous opportunities to turn back from our call to be a disciple. The three anonymous men in this story permitted something else to come into their lives that kept them from following Jesus (Matthew 8:21-22; 1 Kings 19:20; 2 Timothy 4:10).

said, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  But Christ’s proposal to follow Him was too difficult for this man because, if one follows Christ, that one may not have a comfortable life and may have to sacrifice a home and shelter in this world. The love of money and the comforts of this present world can be a hindrance to discipleship.

..even though he had a half-mind to follow Christ, gave first priority to his own circumstances and needs. He answered Christ, “Lord let me first go and bury my father” But the Bible says “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The phrase, “me first,” reflects the negative response toward the conditions of discipleship. How can we become disciples of Jesus if our first preference is something other than Christ?

..was like the first man who volunteered to follow Christ, but he resembled the second man in that he used those contradictory words “Lord… my family first….” He wanted to be a disciple of Jesus, but the family was the most important thing in this man’s decision-making. Though his question seems reasonable, Christ looked into his heart and saw that he was not willing to lose his worldly relationships for the sake of discipleship.

These three men failed the basic test of discipleship. There were three various matters that withheld them from following Christ. The love of earthly comfort was the hindrance of the first man, worry about livelihood was the hindrance of the second man, and the priority of family relationship was the hindrance for the third man.

If Jesus Himself did the recruitment today, how many of us would be eligible to meet His requirements and become His disciples?

There are costs as well as rewards in this ministry. Jesus warned us in a series of short parables to count the cost first, determine if we were willing, and then go ahead with the ministry of obedience if we were prepared (Luke 14:26-33). The committed disciples do not question the cost and its anticipated rewards (Philippians 3:13-14). True disciples have already settled the issue of the cost of discipleship and are willing to do whatever the Lord wants them to do; this makes it much easier to press forward toward the goal of pleasing Christ as the Apostle Paul did.

But disciple-making is not very easy. It will cost everything—our whole lives (Luke 9:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:8).  The last and final reward of making disciples is Christ’s approval, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21-23) There can be no greater reward than hearing the Almighty God, the Sovereign of the universe, saying to you, “Well done!”

Let’s take time to calculate how much it costs us to be disciples of Jesus and make a commitment to be committed disciples of Jesus who will go make disciples until everyone gets an opportunity to choose and follow Jesus Christ.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!