1. 9 Marks of a Healthy Church

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

3. Babies!

4. 9 Marks of a Healthy Church
A Biblical concern for discipleship and growth!

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 7. The avenues of Growth join a CGL and open an opportunity for growth
join 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

17. 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?

18. 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.