I’ve been reading a book lately that is advocating getting people out in the gospel and discipling others quickly. I’m all for that – but felt like one of their reasons for doing so was a little … different.
The book states that there is an order to the events in Eph 4
Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
NOT “believe – mature – serve” BUT RATHER “believe – serve – mature”
Maybe it’s because I’ve never heard this before but this has made me think. It’s coming at the process from a different perspective certainly.
The book doesn’t seem to be saying that it has to be this way, just that we can (and should) grow through serving – that it is more healthy for the church to do so.
I’m still thinking it through…
What do you think?
