Grow To Be More Like Christ
The Cost of Neglecting Biblical Discipleship: Why Many Are Falling Away
In many churches today, a significant number of believers are drifting away from their faith, and a primary reason is that they were never firmly grounded in solid biblical discipleship. Discipleship is the process of being rooted deeply in God's Word, prayer, accountability, and spiritual growth—an essential foundation for enduring faith. When this foundation is weak or absent, believers are vulnerable to various spiritual dangers.
1. Lack of Spiritual Roots
Without proper discipleship, many Christians lack a deep understanding of biblical truth, which makes their faith superficial. When trials, temptations, or persecutions come—inevitable in the Christian life—they often falter or turn away because they have no strong roots to sustain them (Matthew 13:20-21).
2. Vulnerability to False Teachings
Discipleship provides the doctrinal grounding necessary to discern truth from error. Without it, believers can be easily swayed by false teachings, worldly philosophies, or cultural pressures that dilute or distort biblical truth. Many who once claimed faith in Christ end up abandoning their faith because they were never equipped to stand firm.
3. Spiritual Imbalances and Compromise
Without consistent biblical training and accountability, Christians may drift into unbalanced living—compromising on biblical morals, neglecting personal holiness, or losing sight of Christ’s lordship. This gradual compromise often leads to outright apostasy.
4. Disillusionment and Burnout
Many believers become disillusioned when their faith doesn’t seem to produce the expected results or when they face unanswered prayers. Without solid discipleship that teaches perseverance, trust in God's sovereignty, and the importance of suffering for Christ, they become discouraged and may turn away from the faith altogether.
5. The Absence of Reproducing Discipleship
A vital part of biblical discipleship is reproducing others. When believers are not discipled well, they often lack the motivation and understanding to disciple others, missing the cycle that sustains faith across generations. This leads to spiritual complacency and vulnerability among new believers.
In Summary
Many people are falling away from the faith because they were not rooted in solid biblical discipleship. Without a strong, biblical foundation, believers are more susceptible to doubt, deception, and despair—ultimately leading to spiritual decline or outright rejection of Christ. True discipleship is essential not only for initial salvation but for perseverance, spiritual growth, and enduring faithfulness until the end.
“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” -- 2 Tim. 2:2
Disciples of all the nations
Why Doing a Course on Discipleship Is Important
- Biblical Obligation:
- Discipleship is commanded by Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 28:19-20). Learning about discipleship helps believers understand and fulfill their biblical mandate to make and multiply disciples.
- Deepens Your Relationship with Christ:
- Discipleship involves intentional growth in Christ-likeness—knowing Him more intimately, obeying His commands, and experiencing His grace more fully.
- Equips You to Lead Others:
- Understanding discipleship prepares you to mentor, disciple, and invest in others, fulfilling the Great Commission to reproduce spiritual fruit in others’ lives.
- Strengthens Your Faith and Spiritual Maturity:
- A focused study on discipleship encourages spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible reading, fasting, and evangelism, leading to greater spiritual depth and consistency.
- Creates a Gospel-Centered Lifestyle:
- Discipleship keeps Christ at the center of all aspects of life—personal, family, church, and community—aligning your priorities with God's kingdom purposes.
- Prepares You for Eternal Rewards:
- Jesus promises rewards for faithful discipleship (Matthew 25:21). Learning and applying biblical principles of discipleship helps you store up treasures in heaven.
- Addresses Modern Challenges:
- In a culture that often neglects biblical truth and discipleship, this course provides biblical guidance to stand firm, remain faithful, and be effective witnesses.
- Builds a Discipleship Culture in Your Church or Community:
- Equipped believers can disciple others, creating a ripple effect that extends the reach of the gospel and strengthens the body of Christ.
- Encourages a Missional Heart:
- Discipleship naturally leads to evangelism and missions—sharing the gospel with others locally and globally—fulfilling Christ’s heart for the nations.
- Personal Transformation and Holiness:
- A course on discipleship challenges you to grow in holiness, purity, love, humility, and obedience—transforming your life to reflect Christ more accurately.
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” -- Col. 2:6-7
Course curriculum
- The Gospel
- Repentance and Faith
- Assurance of Salvation
- Abiding in the Word - Pt. 1
- Abiding in the Word - Pt. 2
- Prayer
- The Attributes of God - Pt. 1
- The Attributes of God - Pt. 2
- Delighting In God
- Obeying Jesus
- Overcoming Temptation
- Walking By The Spirit
- Practicing The One-Anothers
- Committing To The Local Church
- The Use Of Time
- Money and Possessions
- Humility
- Forgiveness
- Fasting
- Spiritual Gifts
- Evangelism
- The Cost of Discipleship
- Disciples Making Disciples
- Catching A World Vision
- Reading and Assignment
-
1Course Outline