Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals:
Tuesday January 27 2026
God’s Blueprint For Church Growth
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Ephesians 4:15-16-but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Would you like to see your local church grow?
Probably everyone would answer, “Yes!”
Good!
Now, here is another question:
What are YOU willing to do to help your local church grow?
Please stop and think about that for a few seconds before you continue on.
The Bible contains the perfect blueprint for sharing the Gospel with others and building up the local church. In fact, there is an entire Book of the Bible devoted to the topic!
“Here is a principle to ponder: that which makes the Church a distinctive company in the world is the Word of God–or, putting it more concisely, the Word of God is the constitutive reality at the heart of the Church. It is what makes the Church what it is, and it has always been so….What we call ‘the Acts of the Apostles’ is a case in point. In its twenty-eight chapters there are about thirty-seven references to the growth of the Church…Of the thirty-seven or so references, six associate growth with the quality of church life and of Christian character, seven link growth with the evidence of ‘signs and wonders’, and twenty-four link growth with the preaching of the Word of God–indeed in 12: 24 the growth of the Church is actually called the growth of the Word, as if they were so closely related that they could be identified one with the other.” (Alec Motyer, Preaching? Simple Teaching On Simple Preaching, 175-193 (Kindle Edition, emphasis added); Scotland, U.K.; Christian Focus Publications)
At least twenty-four references in Acts link church growth with the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. In fact, in all of the other references to church growth linked with other factors (quality of church life and Christian character, signs and wonders, and prayers of God’s people), the preaching and teaching of God’s Word are strongly implied.
So, we could say that the growth of the Lord’s church is primarily centered around the preaching, teaching, and living of God’s Word.
Of course, this should not surprise any of us, when we consider some of the things which Jesus said in His ministry.
Matthew 11:28-30-Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Luke 8:11-15-Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
John 6:44-45-No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT BY GOD.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.
John 6:63-It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
The soul-converting and church-growing power is the Word of God.
What are some ways to apply these things personally to our lives?
First, recognize that the growth of the church is dependent on learning, living, and preaching and teaching the Word of God. The Book of Acts shows us powerfully that this is the responsibility of every Christian (Acts 1:8; 8:4; 11:19; 19:9-10). Growing in the knowledge of God’s Word was a very important part of the local church!
Acts 5:42-And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Acts 14:21-22-And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 15:41-And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 18:23-After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
Acts 20:20-how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
Acts 20:27-For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
These verses shows that church growth includes teaching people and baptizing them, but it goes much further beyond that. True church growth is about reaching the lost, and edifying the believes. Church growth is about helping the lost to be saved, and then keeping the saved…saved!
And it all goes back to the Word of God.
How much time and effort are you willing to put in to better learning the Scriptures?
Do you try to be present when the Word of God is being taught and preached?
Most churches have a Bible school program on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Do you try to be present?
How much time do you spend daily in the Word of God?
Second, the disciples did not compromise the Word of God for social, religious, or political causes. The Lord and the early church confronted religiously, politically, and socially charged issues constantly. They were willing to focus on moral issues that intersected with these matters.
How about you?
Are you willing to share the Word of God in love with your atheist neighbors (Romans 1:18-20)?
With your denominational neighbors (Acts 18:24-28)?
With your pagan neighbors (John 14:6)?
With your gay, lesbian, and transgender neighbors (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)?
Are you willing to speak “truth to power” if it steps on political toes and sensibilities?
John 12:42-43-Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Do Republican and Democrat politics mean more to you then speaking and practicing God’s Word?
Do we bow before the Lamb, or before the donkey and the elephant?
Third, be doers of the Word! Be kind and inviting to the newcomer and the stranger. Do you go up to the visitor at church and welcome them? Are you willing to encourage a brother or sister who has responded to the invitation for prayers and spiritual help?
I am fortunate to be part of a local church family that is very kind and hospitable, especially to people that they have just been introduced to and who may be going through a difficult time.
What’s more, I have seen this kindness extended toward so many from our local church family through various outreaches and programs. Two in particular that stand out to me are through our church ladies ministry and our church support group for addicts, family and friends of addicts, survivors of domestic violence, and others. These are wonderful examples not only of learning and speaking the Word of God, but of living it.
And we can learn so much from the examples of such disciples!
Are you willing to be an active part of your church?
What are some ways that you can and are willing to contribute to the growth of the church?
Psalm 110:3-Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.
So I ask again: what are you willing to do to help your local church grow?
Lord, help us to be better proclaimers of Your Word. Help us to be volunteers in Your kingdom. Guide us to walk in Your footsteps. Amen