20/08/2026
19/08/2026
MID-WEEK SERVICE
SPEAKER: Deacon Ndolo
TITLE: Growing in Christ, from Conversion to Maturity (Discipleship)
It is the desire of every creature when they have offspring to see them grown. When growth is stunted, that is a cause for concern. In the same manner, God desires to see us grow.
Matthew 28:19-20
According to the scripture above, we are not just making disciples, but also teaching them. It's important for us to note that conversion is not the end of the Christian journey, but it is just the beginning.
Time and again there is the temptation for us to think giving our lives to Jesus is the end, meanwhile it is only the beginning.
2 Corinthians 5:17
There should be something you can at least remember that is new about you or what you were saved from when you are in Christ.
Christianity is not an event, it is a process that goes on and on. So, because we are new creatures, we have to be grounded in the new things as we journey. We owe it to Jesus and to ourselves to demonstrate that by how we live our lives for His sake and for the sake of those who are not saved. God desires that we walk in newness.
DISCIPLESHIP: is a process of helping a believer follow Jesus, learn his teachings and become capable of helping others follow Christ. It is learning to be Christ-like and helping others do the same. A disciple is more than someone who attends church. Attending church doesn't qualify one to be like Christ unless they give their lives to Jesus.
HOW DO WE MAKE DISCIPLES?
1. Speaking or preaching to them in person or in a corporate setting.
2. Through demonstration by the way we live our lives.
A Disciple Should Be Able To Do The Following:
•They must believe in Jesus
•They must be a follower of Jesus
•They must learn from Jesus
•They must obey Jesus
Everything Christ did, we must also do. It can be as simple as you practicing or exercising your faith at home, for instance praying for family when they are ill. Start slow and small, eventually your faith begins to grow and you can help do the same in the community.
Matthew 28:18-20
A disciple helps others follow Christ and helps open their eyes to the reality that a life in or with Christ is worth their time and effort.
Our Christianity should be an experience and not a routine like how we wake up for work or school every morning, ever committed to making it there in spite of any hurdles like rain, because we know the consequences of not showing up.
Luke 9:23
We all have a cross to carry daily, though the weight may vary per person, but it is never too heavy for us to bear.
Conversion gives us a new life but discipleship teaches us how to live that new life. Living a new life is not an easy undertaking, so it's important to affirm to this new life, "I am a new creature, a citizen of heaven, I am spirit filled."
It's also important to establish/affirm that a new convert knows the source of their salvation because other religions/denominations believe that salvation comes through good works. Remind them that salvation is only through Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12
Jesus is the ONLY way to be saved. Salvation is by God's grace through faith. Imagine if we had to pay for salvation, we'd probably have only a few people who are saved, but, because of grace, salvation is freely given regardless of status (Ephesians 2:8-9).
These are things we have to emphasize to new believers, that they don't have to pay for this salvation and it is not earned through good works. Faith in Christ must come first and the works are secondary. The conversion process is so simple that it takes time for one to actually believe it and live it out at times.
Therefore, encourage them that they have a new identity in Christ. They should also know that they are:
1. A Child of God
2. Redeemed
3. A New creature
4. A member of God's family
