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;

The Kingdom of God refers to the realm, domain, or sphere in which God reigns.

The Kingdom of God is central to the Gospel of Jesus and very important to His ministry.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of the Kingdom of God—the “King of kings and the Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 5:9-10).

Jesus began His earthly ministry by preaching that the Kingdom of God was at hand (Mark 1:14-15).

He preached the Kingdom that is near us and within us (Luke 10:9; Luke 17:21). He taught His disciples to do the same (Luke 9:2) and, following His instruction, they also preached the Good News about the Kingdom of God (Matthew 10:7; Luke 9:2). 

The message of the early Church was also focused on the Kingdom and its King (Acts 8:12; Acts 14:22; Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:30-31).

Let’s look further at what the Bible says about God’s Kingdom.

“Yours, O Lord, is the Kingdom” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

“Justice will be the scepter of your Kingdom” (Psalm 45:6).

“His Kingdom is an eternal kingdom” (Daniel 4:3).

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10)

The Kingdom of God is also called the Kingdom of Heaven. God is ruling the entire universe from His throne in heaven. In His Matthew 13 parables, Jesus compared the Kingdom of God with six different things to show the transforming power and value of the Kingdom of God. Jesus compared the Kingdom of God with:

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in His name shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us a new commandment to love one another as He loved us, to fully represent His Kingdom in this world (John 13:34-35). He wants us to be known by our love for one another.

The distinguishing mark of true Kingdom-minded disciples is the love that they have for one another. Our Lord also said that loving only Christians is not true agape love (Matthew 5:43-48). In His parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shared His expectations for Kingdom-minded ministers to show genuine kindness and love towards their neighbors, Christian and non-Christian alike (Luke 10:29-37). In the Kingdom of God, our Christian love must extend beyond our brethren in our own church group and even beyond the church community.

Are we reflecting what the Kingdom of God looks like in our relationships with one another and with our neighbors?  

Jesus made it clear that no one can enter into the Kingdom of God without being born again (John 3:3-5). How can one be born again to enter the Kingdom of God? This is the question that Nicodemus asked Jesus. New birth is granted to all who repent of their sin and who both believe and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Matthew 3:2; John 1:12). It is the will of God for everyone to repent and believe in Jesus Christ so that He will grant them new life (2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 7:21; 2 Corinthians 5:17). To receive this free gift of God, we need to be like children (Mark 10:14). 

When Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was, Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus responded, saying:

Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-19).

When we enter into the Kingdom of God, we are given authority with Him. The benefits of citizenship belong only to those who have put themselves under the authority of the sovereign King Jesus. Speaking of Christ, Revelation 17:14 says, “He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.” Therefore, our first allegiance is to our heavenly citizenship rather than our earthly citizenship.

As citizens of the Kingdom, it is great to know our place and identity in Christ (Ephesians 2:5-7; Colossians 3:3-4). “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

The Kingdom of God is to be sought first. First things come first. Many times we are so concerned about what are we going to do to meet our expenses. What will we eat? Where will we stay? How are we going to pay all of the school fees, electricity bills, medical bills? Jesus says in Matthew 6:31-33, “So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and ALL these things shall be given to you as well.”

As disciples of Jesus, we have dual citizenship—the earthly and the heavenly. The citizen of heaven is an ambassador first and foremost here on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are not of this world but are merely aliens on this earth and ambassadors for Christ (John 17:14-19). Before we were born again, we were aliens to God and citizens of this world. But after salvation, we became resident aliens, sojourners in the kingdom of this world. Jesus set the standard of devotion for Kingdom citizens when He quoted the Old Testament passage from Deuteronomy 6:5, declaring this to be the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Therefore, there is no room for anything else in our life except for the Kingdom of God.

In Philippians 3:17-19, Paul contrasts two groups, and the difference between the two lies in the way each lives. He implies that those who are citizens of heaven are characterized by setting their hearts, not on the things of the world, but on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1). The other group consists of “the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18). They will end in destruction because they have “set their mind on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19). Therefore, we are not of this world but are the citizens of heaven, residing on earth.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of Gods household, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Righteousness means right standing with God. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). All of our righteous works are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). When we believe in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins, and God’s righteousness is credited to us (1 John 1:7, 1 John 1:9). We become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). God’s peace rules and reigns in our hearts. This does not mean that problems won’t come in our lives, but it does mean that God will give us perfect peace in our hearts that passes all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).

In His presence there is fullness of JOY (Psalm16:11). We will experience this always, even when we go through the valley experiences, because the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, has been given us to be with us always, and He will never leave us alone.

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!

We all need good friends! Discover how to help a friend grow in faith during tough times with this practical blog from Global Disciples.

We can find great joy in encouraging others to also grow in theirs (Philemon 1:7).

We don’t need to reach a certain level in our spiritual maturity to encourage others in their growth (Romans 3.

Read on to discover how to help a friend grow in faith during tough times.

When we pray with others, it deepens our personal journeys with God, as well as our bonds with fellow believers.

We get to encourage each other by sharing stories of how God has answered our prayers.

Spend as much time as possible praying with each other. Prayers can be silent, said out loud, and intertwined with discussions about Scripture and personal testimony. Welcome the Holy Spirit to guide your discussions and prayers (Romans 8:27).

Worship is an important part of drawing closer to God. And worshipping along with others is instructed in the Bible (1 Corinthians 14:26).

We also draw closer to Him as one body. And this often results in a shared experience of being touched by the Holy Spirit.

Few things can bond believers together as strongly as a shared blessing from the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth. If you or your friend have trouble with the concept of a creator God, this may offer you insight into the private place you should seek for inspiration.

Spending time in nature brings people closer to God or makes them more aware of God’s presence. Visits to beloved parks, greenways, and other natural areas with a friend are fantastic ways to spend time together and others to discover the beauty of life at a difficult time of the year.

For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. – Colossians 1:16

When we write a note to someone (whether in the form of a card, a letter or even just a simple piece of paper stuck to a mirror), we don’t realize the major impact that that simple act can have on someone.

If we ask the Holy Spirit to guide our writing, we may say something in the note that that person needs to hear at that moment to encourage and bless them.

What makes written notes different from spoken ones is that they last longer, meaning that a person can keep a note and read it again many times. A spoken encouragement can be remembered, but there is something special about having the words in writing. Rereading it is like having the person say it to you over and over again. Of course, the most significant example of this is the Bible! God left us this long note, for us to enjoy and reread throughout our lives.

Sometimes it can be difficult to read the Bible by yourself. Distractions, laziness, and even doubts can interfere with our personal Bible study time.

God knows we all have weaknesses, so He gave us each other to help us. This includes helping us read the Bible together.

Reading the Bible together can help you focus, feel like you are learning with others, and provide an opportunity for you to discuss the passage together. Discussing what you are reading with fellow believers helps you to see different perspectives on the writing, and your understanding of the Bible can deepen as you share ideas with each other. An important note, however, is that you must be careful to always encourage each other, and not let disagreements in opinion lead to resentment or damage to your friendship (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Some of the ways that we can bless others can seem trivial, but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the smallest gesture can impact a person for life.

A simple gift, quick phone call, or little note left on their door can break down years of doubt that a person has had about whether God is real or whether anyone really cares. That one gift could be the answer to a prayer unspoken and a confirmation that their prayer was heard and answered in an undeniable way.

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 just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

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!

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!

Discover the power of intimacy and build a strong foundation for your walk with Christ through prayer, worship, and obedience.

“I have been searching for meaning all my life,” related Chesy, a director in training from Cameroon. “I went to seminary searching; I have been pastoring for years, still searching. God spoke to me during my time with Him after the teaching of intimacy with God.”

We often hear comments like these from the men and women in training as directors for discipleship-mission programs.

They have spent their lives following Christ, often in leadership positions in the church, but they have yet to experience true intimacy with God.

Teaching this core value has been the key to transforming many leaders who work alongside Global Disciples. Our trainers frequently hear that “we were looking for more teaching and knowledge to succeed in our ministry, but after we learned about intimacy with God, we found our life is like a house built on air without a foundation.”

They’re not alone. Many of us miss this foundational truth in our walk with God. We were created for a relationship with Christ by the Holy Spirit. We bring glory to God through worship, prayer, obedience, service, and fellowship.

Jesus practiced this regularly as he sought the Father in time alone in prayer, fasting, and meditation. During the director’s training, students see Jesus’ model and learn the hindrances to intimacy and the ways to overcome them.

With a new intimate connection to God, Chesy is now back home in Cameroon teaching the discipleship-mission training with students at the Apostolic Center of Missions and Discipleship.

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!