Helping One Another To Prepare

by Steven Harper

Christ established, within the church, “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, 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 4:11-13). With these offices given for this purpose, it is then incumbent upon those who serve as either evangelists, pastors [elders], and teachers to equip the saints for that very reason. It should be the unified goal of each local church to help one another prepare for living a spiritually-focused life, and that is done by equipping one another for the task at hand – and for what is yet to come.

From even a casual reading of the passage just noted, the reader can reasonably conclude that Christ wanted His disciples to be properly equipped for the work He has required of them, and that certain individuals have a divinely-given responsibility to assume a major role in their equipping. While it is true that each individual disciple is responsible for his or her spiritual growth and the choices made that will either achieve that or hinder its achievement, it is also the responsibility of each disciple to help his or her brother or sister in Christ to achieve those goals, too. There is no disciple who lives for himself or herself only; we are all in this fight together, and soldiers who fight together also look out for one another and protect one another.

As an example, we may remember that Paul likened the church to a body, where the disciples were “members individually” (I Corinthians 12:27) and yet the members were to “have the same care for one another” (verse 25). We might also remember that the early Christians provided for the needs of those who lacked (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32, 34). This same concern for one another should also, then, extend to helping one another prepare for what lies ahead; it should never be the case that each member is looking out for only self and, in fact, the apostle Paul exhorted the brethren of Philippi to not just look out for one’s own interests, “but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).

In the context of helping one another prepare for living a full, productive, and exemplary spiritual life, there are some things each of us must do – for ourselves and for one another. These things, if done, will help each of us to be disciples well-pleasing to the Lord.

Know What I Need To Know. That may sound confusing or a little silly, but it is the basic foundation of being the disciples we need to be. It would make no sense – and it would not help me one bit – to learn all about quantum physics if I was trying to learn how to be a better disciple; it would not help me if I studied how to become an expert chef; if I am sincerely interested in being the best Christian I can be, then I need to know what that means, I need to know what I must learn [understand] and do, and I must know where to find this information that will give me the proper instruction.

Of course, as a Christian, I understand it is God’s word that will be the source of this information. As Paul wrote, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17). There is nothing outside of God’s written word that will tell me what I need to know, who I need to be, and what I need to do to be pleasing to the Lord. As we noted earlier, Christ has given elders, evangelists, and teachers in the church for the express purpose of equipping the saints, and this passage tells us how that the equipping is to be done: by teaching the word of God!

But the general statement “all I need to know is in the Bible” is not enough, either; I must be able to “rightly [divide] the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15) – properly interpret and apply it – if I am to even understand what parts apply to me and which ones don’t. I need to understand I live under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ and that it will be by those words of Jesus that I will be judged, in the end (John 12:47-48).

It is here I must look to more mature and more knowledgeable Christians to help me know what I need to know, and which parts are applicable to me and my spiritual life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Over time and with a lot of effort, I will mature in the faith and be able to be more discerning in my spiritual education (cf. Hebrews 5:12-14), and I will be better prepared when I do.

Here, too, is where elders, evangelists, and teachers should play a big role in helping me in this effort. Elders should be able, according to the listed prerequisites given to us (I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9), to tell the members of the flock what they should be learning, and ensure that is being done [as much as possible; you can lead a sheep to water …]; evangelists should always be giving the members what they need to hear, and not necessarily what they want to hear (II Timothy 4:2-5); and teachers [of course], should be teaching. A church with leadership like this will be strong in the Lord and in His word, and be a positive influence on the community in which they live.

Know What I Don’t Know. Simply put, this means I need to know where I am lacking. Good preparation [in any area] includes addressing shortcomings and weaknesses, whether it be studying for a test, the consideration of a major purchase, or running a marathon. Ignoring these weaknesses or shortcomings means I will be left unprepared when the time comes for me to take action! Making excuses will not help me prepare!

Here, again, is a good time for us to enlist the help of others. While we each have the responsibility of self-examination, we must all also admit that we may not be as honest with self as someone else would. If we are the ones making the examination of another, let us remember to start with self first (cf. Matthew 7:1-5). That said, even David realized he might not see himself as he truly was, and asked of God, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me” (Psalms 139:23-24). Here was a man who honestly wanted to know if there was some fault in him, and realized God would see in him what he might overlook or excuse as something not as bad as it really was. God’s word should, again, be the standard by which we judge ourselves and, if we find a shortcoming, it is then we must be willing to admit it without excuse, and make the necessary corrections.

If we are helping a brother or sister find those faults or shortcomings, it must not be for the simple fact of finding a fault, but for finding and eliminating. Yes, we must sometimes be rebuked, but rebuke without corrective instruction and action does us no good. It is when we are “speaking the truth in love” that we help one another to “grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ” (Ephesians 4:15-16).

Helping one another to prepare for the spiritual life we live and the spiritual battles we must fight is absolutely necessary. Will you help me prepare?