9 Marks of a Healthy Church

Recap! Expositional Preaching Biblical Theology The Gospel Conversion Membership Church discipline Church leadership

Babies!

9 Marks of a Healthy Church A Biblical concern for discipleship and growth!

Setting the stage? Matthew 28:16-20 The command is to make disciples Jesus’ disciples Luke 14:26-27 To put Jesus first before their family or even their own life They were supposed to come after Him or follow Him Those who would not want to carry the burden of discipleship could not be his disciples

1. What is discipleship? Discipleship is not a program Programs are there to help people in their individual discipleship or following The word disciple means a follower of someone A learner learning at the feet of another The twelve were disciples of Jesus Paul was a disciple of Gamaliel before he became a disciple of Jesus

1. What is discipleship? So when we speak of discipleship we are speaking of follow-ship or follower-ship if there is any such term We are talking about what a disciple or follower does as he or she is learning at the feet of his/her master They are called to follower-ship As C.S. Lewis said, ‘All who are called to salvation are called to discipleship, no exception, no excuse

2. What is growth? Growth is a sign of life. Being alive means growing and growing means increasing and advancing, at least until death occurs. Is numerical growth all there is to church growth? No, but it could be part of growth. The growth we are talking about here is growing members not just numbers

3. The link between discipleship and growth? What the disciple/follower learns causes them to grow Growth is the outworking of follower-ship or discipleship In other words You follow, you grow A healthy church is one with a concern for follower-ship and growth A church which is concerned of following Jesus and growing in Him

4. The biblical basis for growth Then in the epistles we see the apostles praying for growing members We see them pleading with members to grow in their faith Eph. 4:11-16 But how does such growth happen? Ultimately it happens by God’s work God causes growth

4. The biblical basis for growth Colossians 2:19 1 Corinth. 3:6-7 Mark 4:26-27 2 Thess. 1:3 1 Thess. 3:11-13 This does not mean that believers just believe and do nothing for their spiritual growth Believers grow when they feed on the word of God God uses the Word to grow His people

4. The biblical basis for growth 2 Peter 3:18 It is command, ‘Grow!’ he says. We should want to grow spiritually 1 Peter 2:2-5 The pure milk referred to in this passage is the Word of God So how does growth happen? Answer! You follow and God grows you

5. The importance of growth 1 Peter 2:12 It is how we give testimony to God It glorifies God

6. The evidence of spiritual growth True growth in Christian discipleship is not mere excitement It is not an increase in the use of religious language even a growing knowledge of scripture because hypocrites know scripture but live it not While these may be evidences of real Christian growth, the only certain observable sign of such growth is a life of increasing holiness rooted in Christian self-denial

7. The avenues of Growth If we want to grow as individual believers and together grow a healthy Northside we must sit under the instruction of God’s Word We must pray for the Holy Spirit to weed the gardens of our hearts Where can I sit under God’s Word? Read the Bible on your own Find a study partner or partners to do Bible Study

7. The avenues of Growth join a CGL and open an opportunity for growth join Sundays @11 if you want to grow join Icthys and you will grow in discipleship or send your children there so they may grow as well join the Young Adults ministry if you fit into this age group and you can grow. join Ruwadzano and you will grow Baptismal classes for baptismal candidates are a tool for grow

7. The avenues of Growth The membership class is a tool for discipleship Men’s ministry is another tool for growing godly men at Northside These are tools for growth intended for members to join for their benefit and to the glory of God What are you doing for your own growth? How do you live that reflects holiness? What word based ministry are you involved in at Northside for your own personal growth?

7. The avenues of Growth Remember that things which are truly alive, grow! Are you growing in holiness? If not, why are you not growing? Do you blame God for not growing you? Do you blame yourself for not taking growth seriously? Feed on His word as much as you can, be present where his word is opened. Pray that he grows you. He will use His word through his spirit to grow you.