The G.R.A.C.E. Approach: Soul-Building, Part 1

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ is formed in you… —Galatians 4:19

God has called us to be more than soul-winners; He has also called us to be soul-builders.

Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. —Matthew 28:20

A. Once a person has been brought to faith in Christ we must help him go the rest of the way into discipleship.

1. A disciple is a
   Reveal Answer
   of Christ.

2. A disciple is one who is

   Reveal Answer
   in Christ and showing the image of Christ in his life.

   And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. —Acts 14:21, 22
   Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. —Colossians 1:28
   Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ… —Ephesians 4:13
   For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. —Romans 8:29

3. A disciple is a person who is living in

   Reveal Answer
   to Scripture.

4. A disciple is
   Reveal Answer
   in the faith and living in fellowship with Christ.
5. A disciple is a person living under the
   Reveal Answer
   of Christ.

B. Soul-building requires the personal touch of a mature believer.

1. Christ called His disciples to “be

   Reveal Answer
   Him.”

   And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach… —Mark 3:13, 14
   That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life… —1 John 1:1

2. Paul

   Reveal Answer
   discipled believers in his ministry.

   And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. —Acts 20:4

3. A

   Reveal Answer
   reason Paul wanted to live was to disciple.

   And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. —Philippians 1:23, 24

C. There are two sources for beginning the discipleship process.

1. Your

   Reveal Answer
   spiritual children

   For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. —1 Corinthians 4:15
   My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,… —Galatians 4:19
   As you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. —1 Thessalonians 2:11, 12
   To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. —1 Timothy 1:2
   To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. —Titus 1:4

2. Reveal Answer
   spiritual children (those won by others)

Soul-builders understand commitment is necessary to bring a person to spiritual maturity.
A. Frequent contact

1. Jesus spent
   Reveal Answer
   years training His disciples.
2. Paul spent a
   Reveal Answer
   year in Antioch strengthening new believers.
   

   Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. —Acts 11:19-26

B. Intercessory prayer

1. Jesus prayed

   Reveal Answer
   night before choosing the twelve.

   Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles… —Luke 6:12, 13

2. Jesus prayed an intercessory prayer for

   Reveal Answer
   disciples (cf. John 17).

3. Paul prayed
   Reveal Answer
   for new converts and mature believers.
   

   And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment…—Philippians 1:9
   For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;…—Colossians 1:9
   Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.—1 Thessalonians 5:23
   Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power… —2 Thessalonians 1:11

C. Enlisted helpers
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. —Philippians 2:19-22

D. Written correspondence

1. Paul
   Reveal Answer
   to individual Christians and churches.

2. Peter wanted his readers to “remember” the things he had

   Reveal Answer
   them.

   For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease. —2 Peter 1:12-15

3. Luke wrote

   Reveal Answer
   whole books to encourage the faith of one man.

   Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. —Luke 1:2-4

E. Personal example

Therefore I urge you, imitate me.—1 Corinthians 4:16
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.—1 Corinthians 11:1
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.—Philippians 3:17
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.—Philippians 4:9

Soul-builders work at meeting the basic needs of new converts.
They need:
A. Love from a mature believer

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.—John 15:12-13
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.—1 Corinthians 8:1
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.—1 John 4:7

B. Nourishment from the Word of God

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby…—1 Peter 2:2
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. —Hebrews 5:12, 13

C. Protection from the attacks of the enemy

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour…—1 Peter 5:8
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. —1 John 2:16

D. Encouragement in their walk with God

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.—1 Thessalonians 5:11
But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.—Hebrews 3:13

E. Training for service to God

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…—Ephesians 4:11-12

F. Discipline to correct sinful patterns

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.—Galatians 6:1
Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.—Romans 15:14
For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.—Hebrews 12:6

G. Fellowship with God’s people

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. —1 John 1:7