Refocusing our Equipping Model
There are five elements of gardening that are incorporated within healthy discipleship models : Sowing , Watering , Weeding / Cultivating , Harvesting , Replanting
1 . Sow
Healthy communities receive regular , liberal servings of the perfect Word of God . Paul likened himself to a sower , spreading good seeds of biblical doctrine . Yeshua explained to His disciples , “ Now the parable is this : the seed is the word of God .” ( Luke 8:11 TLV ) And he continued , “ But the seed in the good soil are those with a praiseworthy and good heart , who have heard the word and hold it fast and bear fruit with patient endurance .” ( Luke 8:15 TLV ).
These early groups of believers were marked by pattern of …“ devoting themselves to the teaching of the emissaries and to fellowship , to breaking bread and to prayers .” ( Acts 2:42 TLV ) These emissaries did not make up their own doctrine , but taught from the Torah and the Prophets , revealing the mystery of Messiah in Yeshua and God ’ s plan for reconciliation and redemption .
2 . Water
Water is essential for the growth of most living things . Water brings nutrients from the soil to the plant .
In our model , the Holy Spirit carries the doctrine of the Word of God to our heart . We seek to foster continued encounters with the Holy Spirit , so that God can move in power in our midst . The Holy Spirit is the catalyst for rapid growth .
Paul recognized that without the power of the Holy Spirit , people do not grow to maturity in their faith . Thus , he emphasizes ,
“ My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom , but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power — so that your faith would not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God .” ( 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 TLV )
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