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I'd like to share five things that can only happen by being relational in the body of Christ.

• Discipleship.

As I see it, discipleship takes place in three categories in the body of Christ. These are clearly illustrated in the life of Jesus. The first category is the large group. Jesus discipled people first by teaching them in large groups—"the multitudes." To me, this corresponds to the worship service.


We will grow in the Lord as we meet together corporately to worship and sit under the teaching of the Word of God. The large group meeting is part of our discipleship. It has a place in the Christian life.

The second category is the small group. Jesus called 12 disciples, and the Bible specifically says He called them "that they might be with him" (Mark 3:14). That's one of the main reasons He called them. He spent a lot of time just with those 12 men developing a special relationship with them. The small group is where we become relational. It's where we get to know each other more personally and build relationships.

Small groups include various church ministries such as life groups and home fellowship, men's and women's Bible studies, children's ministry, youth group, prison outreach, and a host of others. For many years, I took part in our prison ministry once a month. Over time, those team members got to see my imperfections, and I saw theirs. We even joked with each other about our differences.

But one thing happened. We got to know one another personally through that ministry time together. Even now, I continue to make it a priority to stay involved in some form of small group fellowship on a monthly basis.

The third category of discipleship is the smaller group. Among the 12 apostles, Jesus often took with Him Peter, James, and John to places that the other nine didn't get to go. And even among those three, there was one, John, who became known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23). John had a unique, singular relationship with Jesus that was unlike that of the other 11. The smaller group is where we experience three-on-one, two-on-one, or one-on-­one discipleship.

I believe each category—the large group, small group, and smaller group—constitutes a vital part of our discipleship, and that no part should be excluded. Yet, it's in the small groups that we become connected with each other. In those relationships, not only will we grow, but through our lives, others will grow too. In turn, our investments in one another's lives will contribute to the growth of the body. Small groups, home fellowships, and relational ministries are a necessary part of our Christian walk. As we become relational in the church of Jesus Christ, we will mature as Christians.

• The Grace of God.

The grace of God is manifest through the body of Christ as we exercise our spiritual gifts within the body of Christ. 1 Peter 4:8-11a says:

• "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ..." (NIV)

Peter gives two broad categories of gifts: speaking gifts and serving gifts. You may have a speaking gift and not even know it yet. That speaking gift doesn't necessarily have to be worked out on a stage on Sunday mornings. You may teach in a Sunday School class, lead a life group, or facilitate a three-on-one or one-on-one discipleship. Perhaps you have a gift to serve. There are multitudes of ways to serve the body that will not only bless others, but you as well. So, as we get involved or "plugged in" to ministry, the grace of God will be revealed through the gifts He has so graciously given us.