Believers become dull from repeatedly hearing. They will remain babes if they do not exercise and begin teaching others themselves. Maturity is not about knowing a lot, but whether the believer is actually participating in the ministry.

In order for the assembly (ekklesia) to be built up, every believer needs to rise up and be actively seeking the Lord and functioning according to the gifts that the Spirit has given each one.

The assembly (ekklesia) is the family -- the household -- of God. The Lord Jesus is the only one with absolute authority, and He is the chief feeder of all the saints. Therefore, as brothers and sisters in the same family, everyone is equal in status, but some may be relatively ahead of others in life experiences and knowledge

The typical clergy/laity system practiced among most churches is detrimental to believers. In this system only a professional class of people teaches and preaches, while the majority of the believers listen.

When each and every believer rises up to serve others and function according to their capacity, the body can be built up...Today's system of clergy and laity, where a few believers do all the teaching and preaching but the majority stays passive year after years has not (and does not) equip believers to do what the clergies are doing.

Every believer is called to teach. Otherwise, they will remain a babe and never mature. Sharing what the believer has learned should begin as soon as a person comes to know the Lord.