Deuteronomy 1:6-8 reads like this:“The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negeb and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.’”
Last week, we declared it to be a territory-taking season. This is a season of expansion, where God is calling us to move forward and occupy new territory. So a valid question is this; Practically, what does this look like? Personally, I’m convinced it requires each of us to commit to:
- Creating a beautiful family environment: A space where everyone is invited to the table, where we support and lift one another up in love.
- Creating spaces of discipleship: Growing in our spiritual maturity and therefore spiritual potency.
- Creating a movement towards mission: Taking ownership of our homes, workplaces, schools, campuses, and city to live out the Great Commission—making disciples of all nations.
While last week, we focused on family, today we delved into discipleship and spiritual maturity. Our question today: How are territory-taking disciples formed?
As we reflect on the biblical disciples, we see a spectrum—from Paul, a transformed murderer to Nicodemus, a wary follower. Discipleship involves a journey of spiritual growth, so the question is are you growing? Mother Teresa once emphasized that ‘Professional church people’—those who feel they have no need to grow—pose a significant risk to the church.
You may ask, in what areas should you grow? Whether it’s managing anger, battling anxiety, or overcoming personal struggles, growth is about the journey, not achieving immediate perfection. God does not and never did expect us to have it all figured out instantly, whether we’ve been believers for days or decades.
I love this definition of a disciple: someone who believes in Jesus, learns from Him, and desires to live more like Him. This journey is not about behavior modification but heart transformation.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 reminds us that without love, we gain nothing. Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of a heart transformation: “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
So how does He transform our hearts? Through abiding in Christ. John 15:4-5 (ESV) states, “Abide in me, and I in you… Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Abiding in Christ is an active verb, meaning to intentionally spend time with Him, creating space to allow for heart transformation.
What does abiding look like? Here are five disciple-making essentials that differentiate territory takers from those who watch from a distance:
- The people of God: Disciples are planted in a church community where relationships help in disciple-making. Jesus’ relational lifestyle—walking, talking, living with His disciples—teaches us the importance of communal relationships. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to encourage one another and not neglect meeting together. Our goal is to be a church knit together, woven into each others’ lives.
- The word of God: Scripture is vital in transforming our minds and teaching us how to obey God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 underscores the usefulness of all Scripture in equipping us for every good work. As we delve into the Word of God daily, it feeds our souls and reveals God’s nature, impacting our hearts and lives profoundly.
- The direct Line to God: Prayer connects us to the throne room of heaven. It changes circumstances and aligns us with God’s will. Instead of being familiar and taking it for granted, we must embrace prayer as a tool that’s both transformational in us and in the world around us.
- The spirit of God: The Holy Spirit is the ultimate agent of transformation. He convicts, transforms, empowers, and guides us. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 highlights the freedom and transformation that the Spirit brings, making us more like Jesus. Without the spirit at work, our efforts fall short.
- The mission of Jesus: The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 calls us to make disciples of all nations. This mission gives purpose to our discipleship. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 reflects Paul’s joy in guiding disciples. God partners with us in this mission, seeking to redeem the world He loves more than we ever will.
Ultimately, discipleship is about making time.
It’s about slowing down our busyness to increase our potency as God’s disciples. It’s about creating space for God in our hearts and schedules. So many things can take up room in your heart—careers, kids and entertainment, but also things like pride, ego and unforgiveness.
But Jesus wants our attention. By committing to these disciple-making essentials and creating space for God, we can become active, territory-taking disciples, growing in influence and bringing His kingdom to earth. It’s a matter of time.