The Effect
The Army of God
Discipleship by design, builds a TEAM – an army
Its purpose = Spiritual Warfare:
1) Be highly trained in spiritual warfare
2) Wage spiritual war against the schemes of the enemy.
3) Overthrow the forces of darkness.
4) Destroy the works of the devil (Isa 13:3-4; Joel 2:1-11; Mal 4:3; Lk 10:19; 2Cor 10:3-5; Eph 6:10-18; Jude 1:14; Rev 17:14; 19:13-19).
5) And enforce the victory at Calvary!
The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war. Isa 13:4
Hungry for spiritual maturity – it is ready and able to fight the devil.
Every Christian has been drafted into God’s army (Num 32:6).
Each church is an army boot camp – a warrior training center where disciples “sit at Jesus feet”, become immersed in the Word, and become mature, highly trained soldiers.
An army of professional warriors, highly trained in spiritual warfare, equipped with the armor of God, aware of the devil’s schemes, trained in unity to fight the devil, and not each other.
The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Joel 2:11
Note: The purpose of the Army of God is spiritual warfare – not physical!
God’s army does not fight against people or governments. It wages spiritual war in the spiritual realm and enforces the victory already obtained by Jesus.
Discipleship involves training Christians what this really means and how to fight.
Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:3-5
The Great Commission – “going into all the world” is not just geographical, but is going into every field of knowledge and influence in the world (family, job, community, world).
As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. Jn 17:18
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matt 24:14
It is much more than just the gospel of salvation! It is the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Leaders make leaders
Moses discipled Joshua
Elijah discipled Elisha
Naomi discipled Ruth
David discipled 37 mighty men
Paul discipled Titus and Timothy
Jesus discipled 12+
Note:
A student and a disciple are not the same thing.
A student is one who wants to know what the teacher knows. That is a good thing.
A disciple is one who wants to BE what the teacher is. That is a better thing.
Iron sharpens iron (Prov 27:17) means we help each other build our faith, develop Christlike character, learn spiritual warfare, and challenge one another in the Word and faith.
Encourage one another and build each other up. 1Thes 5:11
“Make 12”
Table of Contents
| The Current (Traditional) Church | The End-Time (Transformed) Church |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | Characteristics |
| The Result | The Result |
| The Reason | The Reason |
| The Effect | The Effect (this page) |
| The Future | Read Next: The Future |
| Curriculum Content (Introduction and Sample) |