Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 317 – Ephesians 4:11-13 – To Prepare – Growing As Disciples
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
My Role
That has been a big question for me. What has been a big question for you? What is my role in the body of Christ? What is my role in your church? What work have you assigned to me? How do you want to prepare me to do the work you have given me to do for you? I noticed that you said this has been a big question for you. Is it less of a question for you now? Yes, I finally feel like I have found my place and my role in your body. That’s good. I would agree. You are doing the work that you have been prepared to do. That’s good to hear.
You do have some questions. You do have some concerns. You do have some frustrations. Yes, I do. Tell me about them. I’m not sure that leaders in the church have gotten the message. I’m not sure that leaders in the church understand their primary role. I’m not sure that the members in your body understand their primary role either. How so? Leaders like apostles and prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are supposed to prepare and build up the members of the body to do the work of ministry. That is correct. What do you see happening? I see leaders doing most, maybe nearly all the work of ministry. They become overworked and heavily burdened and burn out because there is too much work to be done. That’s not good. No, it’s not. That is only half the problem. What else do you see? I see large numbers, maybe most, of the members of the body becoming underutilized spectators. They are weak, untrained, inadequately prepared and insufficiently built up. Seldom do they discover and use the gifts you have given to them. Seldom do they find the role in ministry that you have prepared for them. That’s not good either. No, it’s not. That is not all the problem either. How so? Underutilized members of your body, that have become spectators, will not be able to bear much fruit for your kingdom. Nor will they be able to bring much glory to your name. They will not shine as brightly for you in the world as you intend. They will not grow up fully in their faith. They will not become fully like you in loving and serving others. No, they will not.
Do you have a prayer? Do you have a request? Yes Lord, help me to be prepared as I prepare others. Help me to be built up so I can build others up. Help me to do the work of ministry as I also help others do the work of ministry. Help me to find my role in your body as I help others find their role in your body. Let none of your body become spectators. Engage us all in your work. Help us all to become more and more like you as we love, follow and serve you. I will hear and answer this prayer of yours. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I want to find and fulfill my role in your body, the church. Help me to be prepared and built up to do the work of ministry you have assigned to me. Help me to become more like you as I remain rooted and growing and serving others in your body. Amen
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