How can we "strengthen the disciples" in our own church community today? A Snapshot From Acts 14:21 “After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch”. Paul and Barnabas did not stop at conversion. They circled back, intent on fortifying the believers they had just won. Verse 22 shows what that looked like—“strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith…”—but verse 21 is the hinge: the decision to return. That deliberate return sets the pattern for strengthening disciples in every generation. Core New-Testament Priorities For Strengthening Disciples • Proclaim the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). • Root believers in sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). • Encourage perseverance amid tribulation (Acts 14:22). • Model Christlike life and character (1 Corinthians 11:1). • Equip each member for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16). • Guard the flock from false teaching (Acts 20:28-31). Practical Ways To Strengthen Disciples In Our Church Today • Teach Scripture Systematically – Move verse by verse through books of the Bible, letting God set the agenda. – Use small-group studies to dig deeper (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Anchor Every Ministry In The Gospel – Keep Christ’s death and resurrection central (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). – Tie every application back to what God has done, not what we do. • Cultivate Relational Follow-Up – Pair new believers with mature believers for regular meals, calls, or visits (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8). – Check in on spiritual progress, not just attendance. • Prepare Hearts For Hardship – Remind everyone that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). – Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness in trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). • Foster A Culture Of Mutual Encouragement – Encourage members to speak Scripture to one another (Colossians 3:16). – Celebrate evidences of grace publicly, reinforcing godly growth. • Prioritize Corporate Gathering – Make Sunday worship nonnegotiable; gather mid-week whenever possible (Hebrews 10:24-25). – Guard the Lord’s Table as a regular, reverent reminder of the gospel. • Train And Multiply Leaders – Identify faithful men and women and “entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). – Provide reading plans, workshops, and shadowing opportunities to sharpen gifts. • Serve Side By Side – Give every believer a place to contribute (1 Peter 4:10-11). – Organize teams for mercy ministry, outreach, and practical helps so doctrine translates into action. • Practice Loving Correction – Gently confront sin, aiming for restoration (Galatians 6:1). – Keep church discipline anchored in love, holiness, and the hope of repentance (Matthew 18:15-17). • Maintain Persistent, Congregational Prayer – Come together regularly to pray for one another’s growth and perseverance (Acts 2:42). – Publish prayer lists that go beyond physical needs to include spiritual formation (Ephesians 6:18-20). The Ongoing Commitment Strengthening disciples is not a one-off program; it is a lifestyle of deliberate return—circling back, building up, and sending out—just as Paul and Barnabas did. When a church continually teaches truth, models holiness, and walks through trials together, disciples grow sturdy and the gospel shines brighter in the community. |
    |