Part 4 in the series of Spiritual Parenting

1. Life-to-Life Groups
Personal Discipleship 4

2. 1 Corinthians 14:24-
25
The measure of true spirituality in a
congregation.
But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers
or people who don't understand these things
come into your meeting, they will be convicted of
sin and judged by what you say. As they listen,
their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they
will fall to their knees and worship God,
declaring, "God is truly here among you." NLT

3. A Spiritually Healthy
Congregation
Spiritual Reproduction observable and measurable
Spiritual parenting/tutoring the norm, rather than
the exception

4. Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23; Luke 8:4-8, 12-15
Luke 8:4, ... Jesus told this parable:
Luke 8:11, “This is the meaning of the parable:
The seed is the word of God.”

5. Along the path...
Luke 8:5, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he
was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it
was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.”
Luke 8:12, “Those along the path are the ones who
hear, and then the devil come and takes away the
word from their hearts, so that they many not believe
and be saved.
These rejected the message of salvation.

6. On rocky places...
Mt. 13:5-6, “Some fell on rocky places, where it
did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly,
because the soil was shallow. But when the sun
came up, the plants were scorched, and they
withered because they had no root (Lk 8:6... or no
moisture)

7. Mt. 13:20-21, “The one who received the seed that fell
on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at
once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he
lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution
comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
These accept the message of salvation intellectually,
but then reject the idea of a relationship with God,
because it is not what they had originally anticipated.

8. Among thorns...
Lk 8:7, “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew
up with it and choked the plants.”
Lk 8:14, “The seed that fell among thorns stands
for those who hear, but as they go on their way
they are choked by life’s worries, riches and
pleasures, and they do not mature (Mt 13:22,
making it unfruitful).”

9. These receive Christ as Savior, but either through
lack of understanding or willingly, some do not
acknowledge His Lordship over their lives, while
others simply allow the distractions of this world to
choke off the Holy Spirit’s fruit, thereby forfeiting
the associated blessings and rewards that God
has intended for them.

10. On good soil...
Mt 13:8, “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it
produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times
what was sown.”
Mt 13:23, “But the one who received the see that
fell on good soil is the man who hears the word of
understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a
hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

11. They are saved and acknowledge His Lordship
over their lives. And to varying degrees allow the
Holy Spirit to produce His fruit through their lives,
resulting in blessings here on earth and rewards at
the Judgment Seat of Christ.

12. Classifications of
Christians
SPIRITUAL - These appear to have wholeheartedly
acknowledged His Lordship in their lives and walk in
fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Spiritual fruit is
manifested in their lives.
ACCEPTABLE - These do not exhibit excessive
negative outward behavior. They regularly attend
church, tithe, and are involved in Christian activities.
They quickly acknowledge God’s presence in their
lives, but lack passion or understanding of
wholehearted surrender to His Lordship.

13. SELF-DEPENDENT, CARNAL - These tend to
exhibit questionable negative outward behavior,
such as on-going marriage, relational, or financial
problems, addictions, etc.
May or may not attend church services regularly;
or tithe consistently. They may be involved in
some Christian activities. They are quick to
acknowledge God’s presence. They may need
counseling often. Their salvation may be in doubt.

14. Evangelism
Pre-New Birth
Pre-New Birth
YOUR ROLE - The Holy Spirit will use you, His
word, and the unbeliever’s circumstances to draw
him to Himself.
Jn 12:32, “If I am lifted up from the earth, I will
draw all men to Myself.” LIFT HIM UP!
Jn 16:8, “The Holy Spirit, when He comes, will
convict the world concerning sin and
righteousness and judgment.”

15. The Cross
This event is the most important and significant
event in a human’s life.
At the cross, human beings pass from death
(separated from God) to life (when God indwells or
moves in).
Jn 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My
word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal
life, and does not come into judgment, but has
passed out of death into life.”

16. The Path at New
Birth
DISCIPLED BELIEVER - Continuous increasing
dependence on God (Master-Servant Disposition).
Continuous increasing God-reliance (a walk of
faith).
Places the focus on inward transformation
(producing Godly behavior) vs focus on outward
conformity to expected behaviors. RELIGION

17. UNDISCIPLINED BELIEVER - God as a junior
partner (only partial control is surrendered).
God as a co-pilot (God is only on stand-by; called
upon in a crisis).
Focus is on behavior modification rather than
building a relationship and inward change.
Self-dependent. Me first! What makes me happy.

18. Some older
Christians...
Some may honestly yearn for a closer relationship
with God, but have never heard that relationship
clearly explained.
Some conclude that God just wants them to do
their best. They may adopt a distorted
“partnership” mentality with God, or they may tend
to display an attitude of indifference,
unsubmissiveness and independence.

19. Judgment Seat of
Christ
This should be perceived by the disciplined
believer as our Rewards Ceremony, not as a threat
where we will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
This event should motivate us to maximize our
efforts to deepen our relationship with Him so that
we will hear, “You are a good and faithful servant.
Enter in.”

20. If the Judgment Seat of Christ triggers fear, then it
is a signal that a heart change is needed. Let’s
take care of that tonight.
Holy Spirit wants to help you manage the spiritual
construction of your walk of faith. He will produce
the fruit if you will submit your heart and life to
Him. His creations last for eternity.