Disciples Before Activities
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..."
- Matthew 28:19
Opening Thought
The church was never commissioned to first produce busy people, but to produce formed people. When discipleship is shallow, activity increases. When the Word is neglected, programs multiply, not always out o f vision, but often out of fear of what people (mostly the youth) may become when left unformed with idle time. Jesus did not say occupy them, He said teach them.
1. Activities Are Not a Substitute for Discipleship
When the church does not intentionally build pure disciples of the Word, it often responds by creating more activities to manage behaviour rather than transform hearts. This happens when:
>We fear idleness more than ignorance of truth.
>We manage youth rather than mentor them.
>We confuse movement with maturity.
"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." - 2 Timothy 3:7
2. The Danger of Fear-Based Programming
Scripture tells us clearly that fear is not a divine motivator for building the church.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7
When ministries are built primarily to:
>Keep youth "out of trouble"
>Control outcomes
>Prevent decline in attendance
They become reactionary, not revelatory. The church then ends up responding to symptoms, instead of forming convictions.
3. Music Is a Gift, Not a Replacement for the Word
Music is biblical, powerful, and essential. Scripture affirms its role:
"Speak to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritualsongs..."- Ephesians 5:19
However, when music is:
>Taught as skill before praise and worship
>Practiced as performance before purpose
It loses its spiritual depth and becomes only a technical ability.
"These people draw near unto me with their mouth... but their heart is far from me." - Matthew 15:8
The issue is not music, the issue is music detached from understanding.
4. God Prioritises Depth before expression
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" - Colossians 3:16
Notice the order, the Word dwells richly then singing flows rightly. Expression without formation creates noise, not worship.
5. The Solution.
Restore the Order, Not Remove the Activity. The answer is not to remove music or activities, but to re-anchor them in discipleship.
> Teach the Word First
"All scripture is given by inspiration o f God... that the man ofGod may b e perfect."- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
> Build Identity Before Skill
"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine..."- 1 Timothy 4:16
>Form Hearts, Not Just Hands
"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."- 1 Samuel 16:7
> Let Activities Flow From Conviction
"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only."- James 1:22
Conclusion
When the church neglects discipleship, it compensates with activity. When it fears what people may become, it tries to keep them busy rather than build them deeply.
Music and programs are powerful tools, but only when they flow from a heart rooted in the Word of God. The solution is not fewer activities, but stronger foundations, disciples who understand why they sing, serve, and stand.
A church grounded in truth does not need to control people with programs, it releases them through conviction.
written By Mduduzi Mkhize