Featured Artist: Brittany John | Etsy shop: a little lantern
Click on the link to Brittany’s Etsy shop to purchase the piece pictured above!
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. | Colossians 1:9-10
Paul begins his letter to the Colossian church in thanksgiving and prayer. He shows gratitude toward God for bringing the Colossians into his life and for allowing him to be a part of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them. The Gospel has been “bearing fruit and increasing” in the lives of the Colossian people, through the work of Epaphras (Colossians 4:12), a Colossian who is now with Paul.
Paul’s prayer teach us much about discipleship. In 2 Timothy 2:2 we see this pattern for discipleship:
Paul → Timothy → faithful men → others also.
We see that Paul’s investment in Epaphras has led to the spiritual growth of the Colossian church as a whole, and together, they continue to pray for them to develop Christ-likeness. They desire for the Colossian church to understand God’s will and grow in spiritual wisdom. This vision for walking “in a manner worthy of the Lord” is
C O N T A G I O U S .
In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Jesus commands His disciples (and by extension, His church) to go and make disciples (Greek: mathetes, or learner) of Christ and His teaching. The passing on of the spiritual growth that the Holy Spirit has worked in us to other people is Christ’s goal for His church. By observing Paul’s heart in today’s verse for those he has invested in, we can develop a model for our own prayers and interactions with those we mentor.
Joel, excellent post! Reminds me of our time at Galilee 2015! I have always enjoyed reading Paul’s prayers for the churches in the letters he writes to them. Telling people how you’re praying for them is a great way to encourage others and to ultimately, allow for many to share in praising God together for answered prayers.
The pattern of discipleship is also important for us to study and put into action – it’s something that we, as the younger generation of the Church, need to take the initiative in (1 Timothy 4:12)! Praying that WE would prayerfully and confidently walk into that, instead of waiting around for others to do so. Thanks for sharing!