Growth SpurtEgzanp

R.E.F.L.E.C.T.

The word R.E.F.L.E.C.T. in this Bible plan is an acronym to help us understand the disciple-making process. R-Relationship, E-Evangelism, F-Fruit of the Spirit, L-Listening, E-Edification, C-Christ-Likeness, and T-Transformation.

A disciple is a person who follows Jesus to become like Him. Discipleship is a relational process where believers love and invest in one another in order to reach maturity in Christ. It all reflects the love in the intimate relationship with our Savior Jesus. This growth spurt is to intentionally equip believers with the Word of God through accountable relationships, and along with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to reflect the image of Christ.

To reflect an image, one must mirror the behavior of the subject in the picture. Once you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that’s when the transformation process starts. It’s a continuous growth spurt until we see Him face to face. Until then, though, we have a divine assignment to mature and share our faith with others. It’s important that we grow as disciple-makers or otherwise, we will get off track to what we’re supposed to be doing.

Relationships are important to God because He is a relational Father. Let’s look at why. He didn’t trust the saving of your soul to an angel, or to a powerful creature. Instead, He sent Himself, in the form of Jesus, to come to earth to die for our sins. We each have specific assignments in our discipleship training as God has gifted each of us with a unique set of characteristics and skills. And we all have a mission field, those who still need to join God’s family. Your mission field, if you decide to accept it, is at the end of your nose.

Looking at Jesus as our model for the method of making disciples, we see that He was intentional in how He led them. He was always teaching them His Word. He taught them how to minister to others. He let them assist Him in doing the work of ministry until they were ready to be sent out to do ministry on their own. Discipleship changes the “come and see” mentality to a “go and tell” one. True discipleship teaches you to live out your faith. And as His followers, we can teach, learn and share with others. This is the gospel in action. It’s relational!