The Science of Discipleship

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon." Psalm 92:12

It's been a long time since I was sitting behind a desk in a High School biology classroom.  I don't remember a lot of what good old Mr. Rand taught me about science - those amazing and intricate processes established by God upholding, under girding and propagating the delicate balance in His creation - but I do distinctly remember something...photosynthesis.

It could be that I remember the process of photosynthesis (at least in its most basic form) because it was the first real big and fancy word I ever learned as a kid.  So when Mr. Rand dropped this plant growing knowledge on me, I was all ears.

Basically, photosynthesis (for those of you who did not pay attention in biology class) is a process by which a plant grows at the cellular level.  The plant cells take in carbon dioxide and water and then use the energy given off by the sun to produce a chemical reaction whereby the cells divide and multiply while producing glucose and oxygen.  To put it in real basic terms - a plant will not grow unless it takes in carbon dioxide and water, and unless it receives the power to do so from the sun.  In addition, as the plant grows, it automatically produces glucose and oxygen - two important things that help other creations of God (um, people for instance) grow.  So, if a plant receives water but no sun it will not grow.  If a plant receives carbon dioxide and sun but no water, it will not grow.  All 3 things are necessary for plant growth.

So, if we are called to follow the example of the tree, and grow in discipleship while following Jesus - I suppose that means we ought to know the science of Christian growth.  Our process for growth is really quite similar to the process of photosynthesis - only the theologians call it sanctification (which is really just a fancy word that means growth in righteousness).  The Psalm above points out, flourishing growth will come to the righteous disciple.  As a tree needs carbon dioxide and water to grow, there are two things that the Christian needs as well to grow in righteousness, and those two things are the Word of God, and godly relationships.

The Word of God read, studied, learned, internalized, proclaimed, sung, and discussed to the point of being lived out in obedience, is one of the things that is necessary for growth as a disciple.  As Paul so eloquently instructed Timothy "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  2 Tim. 3:16-17

Godly relationships are also necessary for growth as a disciple of Christ.  Paul and Jesus both helped their disciples to grow by spending relational time with them.  This element for growth is based on the fact that God created us to be in relationship with Him and with other people in community.  Amazing growth happens in the lives of believers when they are invested in intimate, trusting and intentional relationships with other believers.

These two elements of godly relationships and the Word of God when combined together will provide the believer with all they need to ingest for this process of righteous growth to occur.  We can see evidences of these growth opportunities everywhere in the church: Bible studies, corporate times of worship, Mission trips, youth group, choir, mentoring relationships, etc.

Now here is the most important part of our discipleship growth process (sanctification) - just as the plant needs an outside energy source (the sun) for photosynthetic growth to take place, we too need an outside energy source for true spiritual growth to take place.

It is the Holy Spirit, God Himself, who empowers our ingestion of the Word of God, and godly relationships, to cause real growth in the life of the disciple.  Reading the Bible without the Holy Spirit's power will help you to perform super well in the Jeopardy Bible categories...but you will not grow.  Entering into relationships with other Christians without the Holy Spirit's power will make your calendar busier...but you will not grow.  Tapping into the Holy Spirit's power in discipleship means both invitation and intentionality - giving Him entrance into your Scripture intake and your relationships with the intention of expecting Him to cause you to grow.

The Word of God, and godly relationships empowered by the Holy Spirit produces righteous followers of Jesus...this is the science of discipleship.

I wonder how we might be able to grow and flourish together for the Glory of God!


Be God's, Pastor Scott