And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. 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 18:22-23

What does it mean that Paul “strengthened all the disciples?” Last time we considered the obvious: Disciples are “strengthened” by the Word of God. How else are we strengthened? In our day, many think the pathway to spiritual vitality is via “special things.” These special things are often based on high octane music and big name “communicators”. Others may include the newest best selling book, or some other here-today-gone-tomorrow fad.

We can rest assured that Paul peddled none of that. In addition to preaching the Word, he strengthened the disciples with what we often call, “the ordinary means of grace.” These include prayer, the sacraments, fellowship, and evangelism.

The surest way toward spiritual growth is to shrug off the new, novel, and exciting, in favor of the “the ordinary means of grace.” Let us desire spiritual growth as we head into 2022, by devoting ourselves to these ordinary ways in which disciples grow and are strengthened.

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine [the Word] and fellowship, in the breaking of bread [the sacraments], and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved [evangelism]. Acts 2:41-47