A Call to Dynamic Kingdom Living

In a world where churches often settle into routines of maintenance rather than mission, God’s Word calls us to something far more vibrant: a community that grows, impacts the lost, and multiplies through intentional discipleship and bold leadership.

Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 (NIV) is not optional—”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This mandate underscores that churches are not meant to stagnate but to expand God’s Kingdom, fostering growth through teaching, fellowship, and outreach.

Leadership in this context involves seasoned elders guiding the flock while actively mentoring the younger generation, as seen in Paul’s relationship with Timothy.

Everyone has potential and giftings to contribute (1 Corinthians 12:4-7), and seizing opportunities to invest in others is essential for revival.

Drawing from the Book of Acts and 2 Timothy, this Bible study explores these truths, weaving in key themes from Deliberate Steps: A Journey of Faith, Leadership, and Revival by Barron Greenwalt—such as unwavering commitment, God-given vision, accountability, and koinonia (deep fellowship)—to inspire practical application.

These elements remind us that true leadership sinks deep into Kingdom foundations, producing fruit that redeems messy roots and ignites revival from one heart to many.

Biblical Foundations: Investing in Others and the Power of Mentorship

Acts 16:1-5: Recognizing and Releasing Potential

Paul’s encounter with Timothy in Acts 16:1-3 reveals a model of seizing discipleship opportunities.

In Lystra, Paul finds Timothy—a young man of mixed heritage, discipled by his Jewish mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5)—and immediately sees his potential.

Despite Timothy’s uncircumcised state, Paul circumcises him to remove cultural barriers, then brings him along on the journey. Verses 4-5 show the impact: “As they traveled from town to town, they strengthened the believers with the instructions the apostles and elders had made in Jerusalem… So, the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew daily in numbers” (NIV).

This narrative teaches that leadership involves:

• Spotting giftings in the unlikely: Timothy was young and “unproven,” yet Paul invested because “he was well spoken of by the brothers” (v. 2). Everyone has Kingdom contributions—don’t overlook the young or inexperienced.
• Personal investment: Paul mentored Timothy through shared ministry, modeling vulnerability and growth.
• Multi-generational impact: Churches grow when elders release younger leaders, leading to strengthened faith and numerical expansion.

Churches stagnate without this; they thrive when leaders like Paul prioritize training over control.

2 Timothy 1:3-6: Encouragement as the Fuel of Discipleship

Paul’s words to Timothy highlight the relational heart of mentorship: “I thank God… as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers… I am reminded of your sincere faith… For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (NIV). Paul prayed fervently, spoke life-affirming words, and urged Timothy to activate his gifting.

Key lessons:

• Prayerful remembrance: Effective leaders intercede regularly, viewing mentees as family.
• Words of life: Paul recalled Timothy’s heritage of faith, combating self-doubt. Discipleship isn’t criticism—it’s encouragement that ignites potential.
• Activation of gifts: The “fan into flame” imagery shows leaders must challenge others to step out, not just observe.

Timothy later pastored Ephesus and received Paul’s pastoral epistles, proving mentorship yields enduring leaders. As Deliberate Steps emphasizes in its dedication and preface, true leadership redeems chaos through grace-filled investment, turning blended families and trials into testimonies of revival.

Matthew 28:19: The Imperative of Making Disciples

Jesus’ command ties it all together: Discipleship is the Church’s core mission, not a spare-time suggestion. It demands going, teaching, and baptizing—actions that prevent stagnation and ensure impact. Without this, churches become inward-focused clubs; with it, they become engines of transformation.

Lessons from Acts: Principles for Impactful Leadership

The Book of Acts is a leadership manual, showcasing apostolic patterns that empowered explosive growth. These stories align with Greenwalt’s call in Deliberate Steps to “produce Kingdom Ministry” through deliberate steps of obedience, unity, and Spirit-led vision.

Passage	Leadership Principle	Application to Discipleship and Growth
Acts 2:42-47	Incorporate teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.	Leaders foster intimate koinonia (fellowship). This devotion leads to daily additions
Acts 6:1-6	Delegate ministry to others.	Avoid burnout by empowering deacons; mentor emerging leaders to share the load, ensuring the Word spreads and growth multiplies.
Acts 12:5	Prioritize prayer centrally.	Like Paul’s chains, corporate prayer releases breakthrough. Leaders disciple through intercession, building resilient communities.
Acts 13:1-3	Submit to the Spirit in decisions.	Fasting and worship birthed missions; train youth to discern God’s voice, preventing top-down stagnation.
Acts 14:14-18	Stay humble, giving God praise.	Amid miracles, Paul redirected glory; mentors model humility to avoid pride, fostering safe spaces for young leaders to emerge.
Acts 16:1-5	Train young leaders personally.	As above—Paul’s investment in Timothy strengthened churches; elders must pour into the next generation for sustainable impact.
Acts 20:28-32	Shepherd the flock diligently.	Guard against wolves through attentive care; disciple by equipping with Scripture, ensuring growth amid threats.

These principles echo Deliberate Steps’ theme of “sinking to the foundation” (Chapter 1), where commitment to vision and accountability prevents superficiality. Greenwalt’s rejected “Covenant of Members” (Chapter 1) proposed pursuits like discipling believers and honoring servant-leaders—essentials for vibrant, non-stagnant congregations.

Integrating Themes from Deliberate Steps: Vision, Accountability, and Revival

Greenwalt’s journey—from home church unity amid pandemic closures (Preface) to embracing a God-given vision (Chapter 2)—reinforces that leadership thrives on deliberate steps toward revival. Key integrations:

Vision with Purpose and Accountability (Chapter 2): Greenwalt’s personal vision—”Honor God and expand my influence through being accountable, speaking the truth, and walking in love”—focuses on three relationships: vertical (to God), horizontal (to the church via koinonia), and to the lost (evangelism). This mirrors Acts’ growth model, urging leaders to mentor youth in these areas for Kingdom expansion.

Koinonia as Revival Catalyst: Deep fellowship combats isolation, as in Acts 2. Greenwalt stresses this “bond that cements believers to the Lord Jesus and each other,” enabling multi-generational mentoring and outreach.

Avoiding Stagnation Through Commitment: Chapters 1 and 15 warn against “shallow commitment” and pride, advocating maturity (Chapter 6) that redeems “messy roots” (Chapter 12) into fruitful revival (Chapter 13). Churches impact when elders and youth co-labor, as in family revival (Chapter 14).

These themes strengthen discipleship: Seize moments to pour into others, as Paul did Timothy, fostering growth that glorifies God.

Excerpt from Deliberate Steps

Chapter 2, subheading “A Vision Statement: Three Key Relationships and the Power of Koinonia”

It directly ties vision to discipling the lost, emphasizing church growth:

“3. Horizontal to the Lost: Jesus commissioned us to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19, NIV). Our relationship with the lost—those who do not yet know Christ—requires compassion, boldness, and a commitment to sharing the Gospel… As we experience the unity and intimacy of koinonia within the church, our collective witness becomes a powerful testimony to the world. Jesus prayed for this in John 17:21 (NIV): ‘That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me, and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.’ The koinonia we share as believers strengthens our ability to reach the lost, expanding our influence for Christ.”

connect to Acts 16: Timothy’s release into ministry expanded Paul’s reach.

Discussion Questions for Bible Study

1. How have you seen (or missed) opportunities to invest in a “Timothy” in your life? What giftings do you notice in younger believers around you?
2. From 2 Timothy 1:3-6, what “words of life” could you speak to encourage someone discouraged in their calling?
3. Acts shows churches growing through delegation and prayer—where might your church (or small group) need to empower others to avoid stagnation?
4. Greenwalt’s vision emphasizes accountability and koinonia—how can we build deeper fellowship to mentor across generations?
5. Reflect on Matthew 28:19: What one step will you take this week to “go and make disciples,” seizing an opportunity for impact?

Conclusion: Step into Revival

Discipleship and leadership are not burdens but privileges that propel churches from stagnation to supernatural growth. As Paul fanned Timothy’s flame, and as Greenwalt models deliberate vision, let us seize every moment to mentor, encourage, and release potential. In doing so, we fulfill Jesus’ command, guard our flocks (Acts 20:28), and spark revival—one deliberate step at a time. May your study ignite hearts for Kingdom impact, drawing many into God’s redeeming family.

Pray: “Lord, fan our gifts into flame; make us bold leaders who multiply disciples for Your glory.” Amen.

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