To Grow As A Disciple
‘And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.’ – Luke 2:52
There is an often-forgotten truth of Christ, one which is worth taking some time to reflect on regularly and intentionally. In Christ’s life of 30 years, which culminated in His three years of eternally impactful ministry, He took the time to grow. The incarnate of God took the time to learn, to mature and to be built up for His purpose. Jesus took time to prepare.
Perhaps there is something to reflect on in this verse. As CPC grows and renews, there will be new needs and opportunities as well as challenges and risks. Whether we are able to step up in obedience to this new season will be determined not by how many people we can sign up to ministry, but the quality of the disciple we grow as a community. No matter how many years of experience we have, we ought to mimic Christ and be willing to mature and grow, to be ready for the things of God to come. Let us be encouraged to personally grow in:
1. Equipping
Are you equipped to serve God in your circle of life? Do you need training? Theological education or even just setting your life rhythms to have space to learn new skills to serve God and others? Or even pick up a new book and learn again. Growing in our equipping is an important discipleship rhythm.
2. Wisdom
Wisdom is about how we integrate theology and values into life. Just knowledge and belief is powerless without the work put into a disciple’s life to integrate it into action and attitude. To know God wants us to be gracious and patient is different from doing the work to LIVE graciously and patiently. Perhaps you would want to find someone you trust to help you grow in the area of wisdom.
3. Character
‘Don’t let your ministry grow beyond your character’ was a common saying I heard from my mentors and lecturers in my first steps of ministry and I’ve seen this warning affirmed time and time again in ministry or secular life. Maturing in character gives a disciple stability and consistency. What is something in your character you’d want to work on with the Holy Spirit’s guidance? Perhaps share that with a friend you trust and go on that journey together.
Growing as a disciple is necessary, not just for ministry, but as obedience and as a way of following in the footsteps of Christ. Brothers and Sisters, let us be committed to continuing to grow and be sanctified.
成長為門徒
「耶穌的智慧和身量，並上帝和人喜愛他的心，都一齊增長。」路加福音2:52
有一個經常被遺忘的基督真理，是值得去我們擺上時間來定期和銳意反思的。在基督的生命中，他用了三十年時間去成長，才到達祂帶來永恆影響力那三年在地上的事工。道成肉身的基督在地上花上時間去學習，成長、並為上帝的旨意而不斷被建立。耶穌確實擺上了時間去準備。
這節經文或許有值得反思的地方。隨著雪梨華人長老會的成長和更新，既有新的需要和機會，也有新的挑戰和風險。我們是否能夠順服地往前迎接這新時代，將不決定於我們能搜集多少人參與事工的服侍，乃是在於我們作為一個群體能培育什麼素質的門徒。無論我們有多少年的經驗，我們都需效法基督，並願意漸趨成熟追求成長，為神的事工來做好準備。讓我們接受鼓勵，在以下各方面追求個人成長:
1. 裝備
你是否裝備好在你的生活圈子中事奉上帝? 你需要培訓嗎? 接受神學教育抑或甚至只是在你的生活節奏中騰出空間去學習新技能以服侍上帝和他人? 或者甚至只拿起一本新書重新學習。在我們的裝備上成長是一個重要的門徒訓練的節奏模階。
2. 智慧
智慧是關乎於我們如何將神學和價值觀融入生活中。如果門徒不下工夫將其納入生活中和態度上，知識和信念本身是無能力的。知道上帝希望我們有忍耐和恩慈是不同於下工夫活出有恩慈和忍耐的生命。或許你會需找一位你信任的人幫助你在智慧這領域上成長。
3. 品格
“不要讓你的事工超出你的品格所能承擔的”是一句常聽見的話，也是我參與事工起步時從我的導師和講師們那裡常聽到的一句話。我在事工上和社會生活中一次又一次地看到這忠告的真實。在品格上成熟能給予門徒生命的穩健性和一致性。你的品格有那些方面是你想在聖靈的引導下培育的? 也許與你所信任的朋友分享，並一起在這培育旅程中同行。
作為門徒成長是必要的，不一定只是為了事工，而是作為順服和跟隨基督腳步的途俓。弟兄姊妹們，讓我們委身致力不斷成長並追求達至成聖。
