The Vine Project’s Four E’s of Spiritual Growth

Throughout my short time in ministry, I have heard lots of ideas on what kinds of things we should be doing. Many ideas come from the right desire: to serve the body of Christ. Ideas range from emphasizing service in our community to building relationships through activities to teaching more Bible to prioritizing more application. Each focus communicates a similar idea: that we need to do more to connect with and disciple students in our ministry. 

Many questions have flooded my mind over the years as I have thought through this topic. Questions like: Is there a place for fun in ministry? When interests change, should the essence of our ministry also change? Does the Bible outline for us what a ministry should prioritize? Will our attempts to connect with students overshadow the deeper priorities we are trying to establish? The more questions I have wrestled with, the less clarity I have seemed to find.

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The Vine Project on Acts 18

However, a book called The Vine Project outlines how our ministries should mirror the Christian walk in 4 main ideas: Engage, Evangelize, Establish, Equip. To understand this, let us examine how Paul embodied this approach through his ministry with Priscilla and Aquilla in Acts 18.

Paul engaged Priscilla and Aquilla in Tentmaking (v. 3)

Paul utilized his profession to spend time with Priscilla and Aquilla, who was also in his line of work. Paul used his work as a launching pad to build trust and friendship with those who were not believers. Even though he didn't keep conversations to just professional interests, it provided an opportunity to engage them consistently. 

Paul evangelized every sabbath (v. 4)

Paul advanced their friendship by going into their place of worship and seeking to persuade Priscilla, Aquilla, and all the other people that gathered there. Building relationships is critical to a faithful witness. A commitment to evangelism does not mean our friends become evangelism projects, but it does mean we are faithfully praying for them to receive the good news of Jesus Christ. Our ultimate hope is that we want them to know about the one who is worthy to be their "aim in life" (2 Tim. 2:10). Priscilla and Aquilla cared about their profession, but Paul made a point to introduce them to the one who deserved their life’s dedication.

Paul established them in the Word of God (v. 11) 

Paul then sought to establish them in the truth of Scripture. This was not over one week, but an entire year! Paul didn’t just seek “decisions,” but mature disciples. He took the time to water the seed of the gospel for the purpose of producing fruit. This work was all done primarily by teaching the Word of God to them; in other words, he proclaimed Christ to bring about maturity in Christ (Col. 1:28). He didn't merely prioritize engagement, focusing only on evangelistic efforts; he recognized the importance of teaching them God's word for the purpose of spiritual growth.

Paul equipped them in the work of ministry (v.26)

Once new disciples’ faith had been established, they were able to help others grow in the knowledge of God's Word. Priscilla and Aquilla became spiritual investors, imitating Paul's example in their own lives. As they matured, they were able to distinguish between truth and counterfeits, training younger believers in the faith to do the same. This even compelled them to approach Apollos with confidence to explain to him “the way of God more accurately.”

Do you see a common thread of what faithful ministry looks like? Ministry begins, continues, and ends with teaching God's Word. Paul's evangelism is with God's Word, Priscilla and Aquilla are established by God’s Word, and Apollos is corrected through God’s Word. The goal of our ministries should be about teaching others to know Christ, to grow in Christ, and to go with Christ – and it all comes back to the importance of the Word of God.

What Does This Mean for Everyday Ministry?

First, The Vine Project provides a helpful grid for examining our ministries 

In what areas do you spend your time and resources? Are you primarily focusing on the establishment phase when maybe you need to prioritize evangelism, or vice versa? It might be helpful to write out where your current focus is and assess whether this should be the direction of your church's ministry.

Second, examine where your people are to discern where to focus 

I had a leader who was proficient in the “4 E's” do this with me. Taking each "E" into account with those that you are actively discipling and charting them on a graph could help you think through where each person is at and how you might better minister to them. If a lot of students are in the establishing category, then maybe prioritize your efforts in moving them towards equipping. It’s likely most of your students will be in the earlier stages, so don’t be hard on yourself if only a few are farther along in their spiritual maturity.

Third, train your leaders to prioritize Christian growth 

If people in your church are used to doing events simply for engaging people and enjoyment, then maybe in examining your ministry together, you can raise up some Priscillas and Aquillas in your group,  who will help you faithfully equip students.

Fourth, aim to have one program in each “E” category 

This way, you have a more holistic approach to ministry. Each student may be in a different stage of their spiritual growth, so it could be wise to have each category represented in some way, though some may need to be covered more consistently than others.

Ministry can be hard, especially when there are competing ideas of where the group ought to be going. Don’t ignore criticism or others’ input. Seek a unified vision on helping students grow through the teaching of God’s Word. Tools like the “4 E's” and the story of Priscilla and Aquilla will help provide a framework for how your ministry can thrive in seeing students learn to know God and make him known. Other strategies and ideas can be helpful, but without the Word, they are incomplete. 

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