One of the many problems facing the body of Christ in America today is that we are no longer one, but rather a tragically severed body trying to live out our existence as individuals parts.
As Christ’s life blood ceases to flow between the severed members, we become disconnected, dysfunctional and powerless.
George Barna points out in a recent poll, “…few adults (18%) firmly embraced the idea that spiritual maturity requires involvement in a community of faith.”
It is the same societal defect which proposes that the family can be lived out just as effectively with one parent as with two.
What God has joined together let man not separate.
The same goes for the body of Christ.
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
(Romans 12:4-5)
Our answer to the problem is for the body to go back to the Biblical model of the early church whereby members were completely sold out to the Lord, both physically and spiritually, continuing daily with one accord.
They were living, eating, praying, studying, and worshipping together in one accord.
The early church was modeled on Jesus’ life for He chose His twelve and then for three years He lived out His life with them.
The purpose was a lifestyle of daily experiential preparation for the apostles that they might, upon the death of Christ, go forth into all the nations.
The future of the early church rested upon their shoulders.
Jesus purposed it that way.
The Discipleship Team is likewise purposed to raise up a generation to go forth in power to all the nations.
The future of today’s church rests upon those (you, me and anyone else) willing to answer the call, lay down our lives, and live in complete obedience to God.
Jesus did it; it is worth duplicating.
