|
Encourage
Disciples are not born mature; in
reality, many disciples never grow beyond the
infancy stage of their relationship with Christ.
Inherent to the journey of discipleship is the
ongoing call to mature in faith. Growth in faith
happens as we are mentored and as we mentor and
encourage others. Christian education is the
more formal way children of God are discipled in
their faith. Mentoring relationships are a less
“institutional” way the building of faith
happens as more mature disciples become
“stewards of the mysteries of faith” with
seekers. Encouragement happens between more
seasoned disciples and those growing, between
friends at similar points in their journey
encouraging each other to growth, between key
teachers such as pastors and congregational
leaders and students of the faith. In this
process of exchange it is not only the learner
who grows, but the one who mentors and teaches.
The maturing disciple knows she is never
finished; that the path of maturity continues to
the day we exchange this life for the next. A
biblical model for this process can be Philip
and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8).
Part of the disciples’
job description is to pass on the faith.
At St. John's encourages others
through the following groups:
|
