Ephesians 4:7 indicates that God gives every believer a gift for service, and that believers themselves are a gift to the body of Christ, for purposes of equipping the church.

We are used by Him as instruments, even as we ourselves are being equipped by Him.   

“Equipping” the church means fixing something that is broken, or supplying something that is lacking, in individuals or the local church body itself. 

We are equipped by first making sure that we are progressively exhibiting more and more Godly character as humble, gentle, and kind servants, and by ensuring that we have a solid and continually growing grasp of God’s word and biblical wisdom. 

To be in a position to equip the church and its people, we must seek community in the body, by intentionally meeting with people, and modeling Godly transparency by being humble and broken with others. We need to let our guard down, rather than being aloof and prideful and making it seem like we have it “all together.” This will encourage others to do the same and be in a position to be equipped.  

We then work through the community to lead and equip others to:

• Magnify the Lord, helping them to see the glory of God by putting Him on display in our lives (Eph 1:15-18).
• Seek and savor God’s glory (2 Cor 3:18), and motivate them to action and sanctification
• Become disciples, by witnessing for Christ and forming intentional relationships with nonbelievers in a way to lead them to salvation (2 Cor 5:14-15, 21). Then shepherd those disciples and hold their hand until Christ comes again. 
• Lead people to treasure Christ above all things, so that they will not be led away from the simplicity of the gospel (2 Cor 11:3).