• July 2021

    • Dear CPC family,

      In my last pastoral letter, I mentioned that we are keen to promote the practice of one-to-one Bible study and prayer in the church. I would like, in this month’s letter, to say a little bit more about why we think such discipleship is important.

      Before the risen Lord Jesus ascended back to heaven, he commissioned his apostles to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This they duly did by the power of the Holy Spirit (see the book of Acts). The foundation of the new covenant church was thereby laid. As members of this church, we now have the privilege and responsibility of building on this apostolic foundation. Jesus commissions us to “make disciples,” promising that, as we do so, he will be with us always, to the end of the age.

      The primary way disciples are made and matured is through the preaching of God’s word on a Sunday. The Bible attaches a unique significance to Lord’s Day worship services. It is when his covenant people are assembled for worship that God promises to be present with us in a special way. This is why we emphasize the centrality of our Sunday services in the life of CPC: we will not grow as Christians unless we are worshipping with God’s people week by week and receiving the means of grace.

      Still, for all of our correct and necessary emphasis on Lord’s Day worship, there is also an important place for one-to-one or small group Bible study and prayer when it comes to making disciples. Jesus did this with the Twelve. Paul did it with his travelling companions (think Timothy) and with the churches he planted (think about what he says in Acts 20:20 to the Ephesian elders). Priscilla and Aquila did it with Apollos (Acts 18:26). Other examples could be cited. The practice may vary depending on the context, but the principle is clear: Christians ought to be meeting with each other during the week and building each other up in the word outside the appointed times for Sunday worship.

      And the benefits of so doing are incalculable. If I may speak from personal experience, I very much doubt that I would now be in pastoral ministry were it not for the time and effort a couple of wise, mature and godly Christian men put in with me when I was a student. I was at that time a very ignorant believer, but eager to learn. These men patiently taught me the Scriptures. They grounded me in good theology. They answered my many questions. They showed me how to think biblically. They modelled to me the character of a disciple-maker.

      And now, as a slightly more mature and knowledgeable believer, there are few things I find more rewarding than meeting up with other Christian men to study the Bible, talk theology and pray. It sharpens the mind, warms the heart and strengthens the will. It encourages us in our faith. It is a way by which God often develops gifts of teaching. It is also very enjoyable!

      I am sure some of you already know this to be the case. But if you don’t, and if you would like to be involved in such one-to-one discipleship, then please feel free to let me know and I’ll try to organise something for you. I know this will not be possible for all of you and I’m certainly not going to be checking up on you! But if you do have time, then I would simply encourage you to give it a go. You won’t regret it.

      With love in Christ, Doug