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God is a relational being. Since we are created in His image, we are relational beings as well. Relationships are a part of the building blocks for healthy life and spiritual growth. God uses relationships to help move us further into our destiny and to help us grow in Christ. Below is an excerpt from the Rooted Discipleship Manual which highlights three types of Kingdom relationships we see throughout Scripture.
Three Types of Kingdom Relationships
Our destiny is intertwined with the relationships that God has placed in our lives. The apostle Paul is an example of the power of relationships in our walk with the Lord. His destiny was inseparably linked with Barnabas, who helped connect him to the church after his conversion and who served alongside of him in apostolic ministry (see Acts 9:26-28; Acts 11:22-26; Acts 13:1-3).
Paul also poured into the younger generation (see Acts 16:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:1-7; Titus 1:4). He connected with young leaders and invested in their lives to help them fulfill the calling of God on their lives.
Using the terminology of family, below are three types of relationships that can impact our spiritual growth and calling. While all believers are brothers and sisters in Christ, what I am referring to here are deeper relationships that are ordained by God. They cannot be forced to happen. While they often develop organically, they must be maintained intentionally.
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- Fathers/mothers: those who are further along on the journey and invest in our lives
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- These are mentors in our lives. We can learn and grow from our relationship with them, receiving encouragement, instruction, prayer, correction, etc.
- Consider the example of how Moses raised up Joshua or Elijah mentored Elisha.
- These are mentors in our lives. We can learn and grow from our relationship with them, receiving encouragement, instruction, prayer, correction, etc.
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- Brothers/sisters: those who are in a similar place and walk alongside of us
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- These are the ones we can walk with, have deep fellowship with, care for, and sharpen one another.
- Consider the twelve disciples and how they walked together and grew deep relationships.
- These are the ones we can walk with, have deep fellowship with, care for, and sharpen one another.
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- Sons/daughters: those in whom we are intentionally pouring into and investing in
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- These are ones that God calls us to disciple and mentor. As we take responsibility to pour into others, we grow in this process as well.
- As already mentioned, consider how younger leaders such as Timothy and Titus were sons in the Lord to the apostle Paul.
- These are ones that God calls us to disciple and mentor. As we take responsibility to pour into others, we grow in this process as well.
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The Rooted Discipleship Manual is all about spiritual growth. Being saved and set free should be seen as a beginning, not an end. We are born again into God’s Kingdom, and now we are called to know God intimately, mature in Christ, and produce the fruit that He desires. In order for this to happen, we must be rooted.
This discipleship manual will help equip you with foundational truths and spiritual disciplines necessary to grow in your relationship with God. Each lesson contains biblical teaching combined with sections for reflection and personal application. Rooted can be used for personal study and growth, small group teaching and discussion, or as a tool for discipling others.
