Is Revival Overemphasized? – Discerning Dad
In the landscape of modern Christianity, the term “revival” often conjures images of large gatherings, powerful sermons, and a palpable move of God’s Spirit resulting in numerous salvations. While this is undoubtedly a beautiful and powerful experience, it begs the question: is revival overemphasized and even overrated? Could it be that our prayers and efforts should be more focused on discipleship within the church? In this blog post, we’ll dive into these questions, exploring the significance of revival, the current state of many churches, and why discipleship might be the more essential focus for long-term spiritual health and growth.
The Role of Revival
Firstly, it’s important to clarify that I am not against revival. Since 2020, God has placed a burden on my heart to desire revival and study it. I’ve since read many books on revival including Leonard Ravenhill’s famous, “Why Revival Tarries.” As I look at revival history, I am astounded by how different each revival looked. It’s clear there is no formula for revival, or we would see major revivals more often. Keep in mind the word “revival” is thrown out there frequently and often equates to a great worship service. That is not the revival I am talking about; a true move of God is not one you can schedule. I’ve heard it said, “you simply make sure your sail is up so you can move with the winds of revival.” We can prepare, pray, and make ourselves consecrated and ready for revival, but that would be a separate blog post if I go any further into that topic…
A move of God’s Spirit that sweeps through a community, awakening hearts to His presence and bringing many to salvation, is indeed a powerful and beautiful reality we should contend for. Revival often serves as a catalyst for spiritual awakening, drawing individuals and communities back to God with renewed fervor. Revival revives what has died and Awakening brings something dead to life that has never been alive. However, it’s essential to consider what happens when the revival (or awakening) ends. The emotional highs and transformative experiences of revival are exhilarating, but they are often temporary. What comes next is critical: discipleship.
Revival has historically played a pivotal role in the church, from Nehemiah and King Josiah in the Bible to Pentecost in Acts. The Great Awakenings in the 18th and 19th centuries, for example, brought about significant spiritual renewal and social change. These movements rekindled the faith of countless individuals, leading to the establishment of new churches and mission endeavors. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit during these times was undeniable and had a profound impact on the spiritual landscape of those it affected and their generations after.
Some revivals lasted years and changed cities and even countries. Most revivals that are in the history books today impacted churches and surrounding communities, but they all had a stopping point, often due to man-made problems or agendas.
Have you been a part of a historic revival? I have not. The talk today is about a revival on a large scale, like America. The stats show the opposite is happening. Some even believe that every country will be saved before Jesus comes back. Is there one country that we can point to today to show that is even possible? What do we do when we are not experiencing revival? Do we pray and wait for a local revival somewhere on earth that we can travel to (like the Asbury outpouring)?
Despite these remarkable, yet temporary, revivals of the past, the question remains: what sustains the church and its believers in the long term?
The State of Today’s Churches
What we currently observe in many churches is concerning. There’s a trend of “Sunday-only Christianity,” where believers check off their church attendance as a box to secure their place in Heaven as a weekly obligation rather than a desirable choice. This superficial engagement leaves churches weak and ill-prepared to nurture true spiritual growth and maturity. When revival occurs without a solid foundation of discipleship, the initial fervor can fade, leaving believers spiritually adrift, without the depth needed to sustain their faith and maintain the zeal they once had.
This happens on a smaller scale too, within the local church with emotional highs that can be felt at the altar, in the presence of God where spiritual gifts are active, or during an emotional worship song that hits all the right notes. Once you leave that place of encounter, you are faced with tough challenges of what to do now? You might be going back to a bad marriage, health issues, financial concerns, or a frustrating job that has not changed. Are you equipped for a spiritual battle when you aren’t wearing your spiritual armor? Of course not!
If you’ve been to a church retreat or summer camp you know the feeling. You experience a temporary “revival”, you make promises to God and seek Him with hunger, often for the first time. You worship unaffected by those around you. But what happens when you come back to “reality”?
Discipleship: The Lifeblood of the Church
If revival serves as the spark, discipleship is the fuel that keeps the flame burning. Discipleship is the process of teaching and nurturing believers in their faith, equipping them to live out the teachings of Jesus in their everyday lives. It involves a commitment to studying the Word of God, engaging in prayer, and developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Churches do a disservice to new believers when they focus on salvations and count the hands raised in order to boost their numbers and feel good about a service without ever equipping those new believers to now run the Christian race to win!
Unlike revival, which can be limited in scope and reach, discipleship is accessible to every believer, every day. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit are available right now, providing the guidance and strength needed to navigate the challenges of life. Discipleship cultivates a deep, enduring faith that is not dependent on emotional experiences but on a solid understanding of and relationship with God. Jesus makes it clear in the Great Commission, “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).
A part of discipleship is being in community. You cannot isolate yourself and be a spiritual island. The body of Christ needs your gifts, and you need a place to serve and use your gifts. You also need to surround yourself with mentors and spiritual wisdom beyond your years. Discipleship is not just about you and God in your secret place (although that is a part of it). You must GO and DO for those in your community, loving on the sinner, helping those in need, and showing others the love of Christ as you spread the Gospel.
Everyday Revival
If Jesus is truly the Lord of your life and not just when it’s convenient, if you are dead to sin, alive in Christ, and full of the Holy Spirit, then you are living in a state of personal revival. This daily commitment to following Jesus transforms your life from the inside out, allowing you to experience His presence continually. It’s this personal revival that needs to be shared with others, spreading the light of Christ in a way that is tangible and breaks down walls. The good news is not only the Gospel, but that you can experience a personal revival today!
Revival is not something that we have to long for and maybe never experience when our goal is to experience a city-changing revival. In war, generals want to WIN the war, but they must win one battle after another until the war is over. Churches want to see their city come to Christ, but often focus on the end result and not the battles that are required to get there.
Personal revival means living each day with an awareness of God’s presence, saying yes to His will, and saying no to sin. It’s about integrating faith into every aspect of life, not compartmentalizing it to a Sunday service. This approach to faith ensures that believers are consistently growing and maturing, regardless of external circumstances.
Sharing this personal revival involves more than just evangelism; it means demonstrating a Christ-centered life. When others see the peace, joy, and purpose that come from a genuine relationship with God, they are drawn to it. This authentic witness can inspire others to seek the same depth in their own faith. Many personal revivals, collectively, can lead to large-scale revivals that can change communities and even cities.
The Call to Action
So, where should our prayers and efforts be directed? While praying for revival is good, praying for a renewal of discipleship within our churches is crucial. We need to build strong, resilient believers who can sustain their faith beyond the emotional highs of revival meetings. This means investing in teaching, mentoring, and creating communities where believers can grow together in their faith.
To foster a culture of discipleship, churches must prioritize training, small groups, mentorship, service, and biblical teaching. They need to be led by the Holy Spirit who brings about all change in a believer’s heart. Do not shy away from the power of the Gospel. When you are led by the Spirit, all things are possible!
Revival has its place and can be a powerful tool for awakening hearts to God. However, it’s discipleship that ensures that awakening leads to lasting transformation. Discipleship isn’t always exciting and doesn’t make headlines, so it’s often neglected.
Let’s pray for a revival of discipleship in our churches, creating environments where believers are equipped to live out their faith every day, spreading the light of Christ in a world that desperately needs it. By shifting our focus from short-term revival to long-term discipleship, we can build a stronger, more resilient church capable of withstanding the challenges of our time and advancing God’s kingdom in profound ways.
Pray for revival, be a disciple, and go make disciples!
Tim Ferrara
Discerning Dad
discerning-dad.com
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