Discipleship In Action: Growing Together In Christ

Discipleship in action grows out of the Great Commission’s call to make disciples, not merely through going out, but through growing together in Christ along the way. The journey of following Jesus has ups and downs, and God does not intend for people to walk it alone. Paul’s third missionary journey shows that he was not simply planting churches and leaving them behind. Paul was strengthening disciples, encouraging churches, and returning to people he loved.

Apollos shows how someone can know Scripture, speak boldly, and still have a gap that needs to be filled. John’s baptism called people to repentance and prepared them for the Messiah, but repentance alone is not the whole story. Faith turns from sin and then places real trust in Jesus Christ. Priscilla and Aquila recognized both Apollos’ gap and his heart, and they did not try to embarrass him or protect a personal platform. Gracious correction invited him into their home, explained the way of God more accurately, and helped launch him into even greater usefulness for the kingdom.

The contrast between a personal platform and kingdom building matters. The big C Church belongs to Jesus, and the goal is never simply getting people into one local church. Grace makes room for truth, and truth given with grace can change the direction of a life. Apollos then went on to point people clearly to Jesus as the Christ, watering seeds that Paul had planted while God brought the increase.

Paul’s encounter with the twelve men in Ephesus shows another side of discipleship. Good questions helped reveal that these men knew John’s baptism but had not yet heard the fullness of the gospel and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s presence brings real change, though that change does not always look like tongues, prophecy, or some dramatic miracle. The fruit of the Spirit, changed responses, repentance that becomes commitment, and a life moving toward Jesus all give evidence that God is at work.

Discipleship requires people who can speak truth, ask good questions, offer encouragement, and care enough to notice gaps. A Paul mentors someone further along the journey. A Timothy receives investment and grows. A Barnabas brings needed encouragement in a world that can feel pretty downcast. Discipleship in action begins when people admit they need help, ask God for one name, and take an obedient next step.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Grace makes correction spiritually fruitful. Priscilla and Aquila did not make Apollos into a public example. Their private invitation showed that truth and love belong together. Gracious correction cares about the person, not merely winning the point. [15:41]
• 2. Repentance must become trusting faith. Repentance recognizes the problem and turns away from a former way of life. Belief places the weight of life on Jesus, not merely on agreement with facts about Him. Conviction must become commitment as a life surrenders to Christ. [33:43]
• 3. The Spirit produces visible life change. Miraculous signs may happen, but they are not the only evidence of the Spirit’s work. Love, patience, self-control, and a changed response in everyday triggers can show supernatural transformation. The fruit of a life gives a clearer picture than a claim alone. [26:33]
• 4. Every believer needs faithful relationships. A person can talk himself into or out of nearly anything when left alone. Faithful friends bring wisdom, loving correction, and permission to speak into hard places. Iron sharpens iron when both people truly have the other’s best interest at heart. [29:46]
• 5. Seek a Paul, Timothy, Barnabas. A Paul offers mentoring from farther down the road. A Timothy receives investment from someone willing to walk alongside. A Barnabas brings encouragement that helps a weary believer keep going.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [03:04] - Discipleship and Growing Together
• [06:12] - Paul Strengthens the Disciples
• [08:18] - Apollos and John’s Baptism
• [12:33] - Priscilla and Aquila Correct with Grace
• [15:05] - Growing Through Gracious Correction
• [19:55] - Paul Meets Disciples in Ephesus
• [21:46] - Asking Good Questions
• [26:33] - Evidence of the Holy Spirit
• [29:46] - The Need for Faithful Friends
• [33:19] - Repentance, Faith, and Miracles
• [39:43] - The Fruit of the Spirit
• [41:47] - Paul, Timothy, and Barnabas

Bible Reading

Acts 18:24-28
“Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.” [08:18]

Acts 19:1-7
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' They answered, 'No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.' So Paul asked, 'Then what baptism did you receive?' 'John’s baptism,' they replied. Paul said, 'John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.' On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” [19:55]

Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [02:41]

Observation questions

1. What strengths and what gap are both described in Apollos’ ministry when he arrives in Ephesus? [10:51]
2. How do Priscilla and Aquila respond when they recognize that Apollos needs a fuller understanding of the gospel, and what happens after they invest in him? [12:33]
3. What questions does Paul ask the disciples in Ephesus, and what do their answers reveal about their understanding? [20:17]
4. What visible responses are recorded after the twelve men hear about Jesus, are baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit? [24:42]

Interpretation questions

1. Why might Priscilla and Aquila’s private, gracious approach have helped Apollos receive correction rather than become defensive? What does this show about the relationship between truth and love? [15:41]
2. Apollos and the men in Ephesus knew about John’s baptism and repentance. Why is repentance incomplete without personal trust in Jesus Christ? [33:43]
3. Paul’s questions uncover an important gap without beginning with an accusation. What makes a question helpful in spiritual conversations, and what kinds of questions can unintentionally shut a person down? [23:38]
4. Acts 19 includes tongues and prophecy, but not every account of spiritual growth includes dramatic signs. Why is ongoing fruit in a person’s character a meaningful evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work? [39:22]

Application questions

1. Is there an area of faith, Scripture, or obedience where there may be a gap in understanding or practice? What would it look like to invite a trusted believer to help bring clarity in that area?
2. When correction is needed in a relationship, is the usual instinct to avoid it, confront too sharply, or approach it with grace? What is one way to make a hard conversation more private, humble, and caring? [16:03]
3. Repentance turns from sin, while faith places the weight of life on Jesus. Where might conviction need to become a clearer commitment to trust and follow Christ? [34:41]
4. Think about an everyday trigger—stress, conflict at home, traffic, criticism, disappointment, or something else. What changed response would show the Spirit producing love, patience, gentleness, or self-control? [27:46]
5. Who is one faithful person who has permission to speak honestly into difficult areas of life? If no one comes to mind, what is a wise next step toward building that kind of relationship? [29:46]
6. Consider the Paul, Timothy, and Barnabas relationships: someone farther along who can mentor, someone who could be encouraged or discipled, and someone who brings encouragement. Which relationship is most needed right now, and what one obedient step could be taken this week? [41:47]