Spiritual Parenting

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers.

For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

1 Corinthians 4:15

 

The apostle Paul wrote Spirit-inspired letters to churches and ministry partners, but yet he never used the word “disciple” in these. It is not that Paul failed in the Great Commission to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20), but rather, he spoke of discipleship in terms of family. Paul made many disciples, but for him, he saw them as his beloved children. For Paul, discipleship was spiritual parenting.

This fall we will explore this in a five-week season together in 1 Corinthians 4:14-21. We will look also to Paul’s other letters and across the Scriptures, all the while considering how spiritual parenting applies to our life of faith – being disciples and making disciples of Jesus.

  • September 25: Relationship – A spiritual parent forms a bond (1 Cor. 4:15).
  • October 2: Life – A spiritual parent sets an example (1 Cor. 4:16).
  • October 9: Care – A spiritual parent loves and admonishes (1 Cor. 4:14, 21).
  • October 16: We will pause from series for a special outdoor worship service and fall party.
  • October 23: Doctrine – A spiritual parent teaches truth (1 Cor. 4:17b).
  • October 30: Mission – A spiritual parent trains and sends (1 Cor. 4:17a).

 

If you are curious about the Christian faith, or if you are without a church home, we invite you to visit Citylight.

Sunday worship10:00 a.m. at the Kirk Family YMCA

520 Church Ave. SW, 24016 (park and enter at lower entrance on Luck Ave.)

 

But we were gentle among you,

like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

So, being affectionately desirous of you,

we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God

but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us…

For you know how, like a father with his children,

we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you

and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God,

who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8,11-12