Do you grow? Acts 13-14

Acts 14:21-23 (NASBStr)

After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “ Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

One of the most powerful aspects of the Christian faith is the individual growth of each believer.   God wants to save us from the penalty of hell.  But, God really wants to conform us to the image of His Son.   The conforming is done through the teaching and encouragement of the church.   In the above passage we see Barnabas and Paul returning to the place they had first preached the gospel.  Their purpose of returning was to encourage the saints in their walk with Christ and each other: give them a reference point for the suffering they were going through and would go through; and, established the more mature in the group to be leaders who would continue the process of growth.   We ought be concerned about converts.  But, we also ought be concerned about growth.  Growth is expected in the Christian walk.   But, it also must be the intent of the leadership.   We ought not simple expect growth to happen.   On this first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas made it their purpose to return to assure the disciples had ever opportunity to grow.   The reason for the second missionary trip was to check on that growth.  Note the following.   We ought always to be checking if people are growing and how they are doing:

Acts 15:36 (NASBStr)

Second Missionary Journey

 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”