Key Scriptures

Ephesians 2:19-22; Colossians 2:6–7; 1 Peter 2:4–5

Scripture Foundation

The apostle Paul reminds believers in Ephesians 2:19–22 that we are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him, the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Christ, we are also being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Similarly, Colossians 2:6–7 exhorts believers that just as we received Christ Jesus the Lord, we are to continue to walk in Him—rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as we were taught, and abounding in thanksgiving.

Peter reinforces this truth in 1 Peter 2:4–5, where he describes Christ as the living stone and believers as living stones who are being built up together as a spiritual house.

Key Thought

To be effective disciplers, we must continually be built up. This means being deeply rooted in Christ, remaining attentive to what shapes and influences us, and being intentional about how we are built—who we are becoming—and how we build others in the faith.

Introduction: Marked by Being with Jesus

The early disciples were distinguished by their association with Christ. Acts 4:13 (ESV) records that when people observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and common men, they were astonished and recognized that they had been with Jesus.

These uneducated, common men stood out as being different from the rest. However, this distinction is not limited to the uneducated. It applies to every context and status of life. Whether we are uneducated or educated, honourable or ordinary, wealthy or middle class, talented or untalented, bosses or labourers—whatever our position—we are made distinct by being built up in Christ.

The Process of Being Built Up

The process of being built up in Christ involves several key movements. God builds us in Christ. We respond in obedience. Disciplers invest in us. Then, we pass that building on to others, and the ‘chain reaction’ continues. God’s power and presence by His Spirit is core to the entire chain.

This process of being built up in Christ makes us distinct. We are built into an unmistakable spiritual structure. Therefore, we must aim for evident growth—clear progression in the development of our spiritual structure.

What Does Being Built Up Look Like?

Being built up in Christ can be evident in many ways. Four key areas reveal this growth clearly.

1. Consistent growth in our character
   • Evidenced through the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience ... Gal 5:22
   • Words that are full of grace
   • A Christlike way of relating to God and to others
2. Growth that is evident in our works
   • Doing good
   • Serving God and serving others
   • Winning souls
   • Discipling believers
   • Walking in obedience to the Word
3. Growth that shapes our attitude
   • How we view people
   • How we respond to and interpret situations
4. Growth that influences our motivation
   • What moves us
   • What drives our decisions
   • Whom we ultimately seek to please

In truth, everything about our lives—our speech, our demeanour, our habits, our responses, and our relationships defines how we are built up. Our life either gives credibility to or discredits our message – the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How Do We Get Built Up?

To be built up in Christ, we must

• genuinely seek transformation. Like a building, we must begin with the right design and foundation, which is Jesus Christ.
• gather the right materials through prayer, studying the Word, and being taught.
• follow the instructions found in the Word of God—the standard. This requires not being hearers only, but doers of the Word.
• continually submit to the supervision of the Holy Spirit, whose key task is to teach us.
• be disciplers ourselves, using the same principles by which we are being built.

Key Practices in the Building Process

Several key practices support the process of being built up in Christ. These include

• consistent prayer and regular study of the Word. We are to desire and seek after God, as expressed in Psalm 27:4, and to pray with humility, “Search my heart,” as found in Psalm 139:23–24.
• renewing of the mind, described in Romans 12:1–2, is essential, as is working out our salvation with fear and trembling according to Philippians 2:12–13.
• allowing God’s power to be at work in us, as promised in Ephesians 3:20–21,
• walking in step with the Spirit, as instructed in Galatians 5:25.
• recognizing the spiritual battle we are in and weapons of our warfare as explained in 2 Corinthians 10:3–5.
• putting on the whole armour of God, as outlined in Ephesians 6:10–18. We should neither be casual nor careless. If we think we are standing be careful lest we fall. 1 Cor 10:12
• remaining built up in Christ the Rock as taught in John 15:1–11. Jesus Himself emphasizes this truth in Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV). Those who hear His words and do them are like wise builders who build on the rock. Those who hear and do not obey are like foolish builders who build on sand, and when the storm comes, the fall is great.
• Consistent self-examination and discipline - MEAL: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning — following the example of the apostle Paul.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27. 24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Conclusion

Being built up in Christ is not optional, but a must. It is ongoing work done along God Himself and essential for our effective Going & Making Disciples and for the subsequent reward in heaven. The foundation matters. The materials matter. The way we build matters. Yielding in obedience to the Spirit matters and ultimately defines who we become. May we be wise, obedient, consistent builders, living and progressive buildings — being built up as we build others while rooted in Christ, shaped by His Word, and guided by His Spirit.

Closing Prayer (Hymn: “Follow Him, Follow Him”)

Let us use words of this hymn, ‘Follow Him, follow Him’

 

• I want to walk with Jesus Christ,

All the days I live of this life on earth;

To give to Him complete control,

Of body and of soul.

Chorus

Follow Him, follow Him, Yield your life to Him;

He has conquered death, He is King of kings.

Accept the joy which He gives to those

Who yield their lives to Him.

 

• I want to learn to speak to Him,

To pray to Him, confess my sin,

To open my life and let Him in,

For joy will then be mine.

 

• I want to learn to speak of Him,

My life must show that He lives in me;

My deeds, my thoughts, my words must speak

All of His love for me.

 

• I want to learn to read His Word,

For this is how I know the way

To live my life as pleases Him,

In holiness and joy.

 

• Holy Spirit of the Lord,

Enter now into this heart of mine;

Take full control of my selfish will

And make it wholly Thine.