This post is most relevant to my Sunday School class at Immanuel Baptist Church. I finished up a section today on discipleship in our series “Exploring a Healthy Church.” Here are the questions I asked at the end:
Read 1Peter 2:1-3. What is Peter’s hope for these Christians? What does he mean by “grow up” in salvation?
Some people believe that “church growth” means only growth in numbers. Read Acts 2:41. Why do you think the number of converts was recorded? Now read the rest of chapter 2. Would the great numbers of converts have been glorifying to God if they had not also been growing in holiness? Why or why not?
Weeds can have bad effects on the plants around them. In what ways can undisciplined, sinful church members negatively affect the growth of Christians around them? How can good influences in a church be tools in God’s hand for growing His people? Can you think of some examples in your own church?
What are some ways that God is glorified by a maturing church? How many of these things do you see consistently in the life of your church?
