Making Disciples
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 28:19
This command, often called the Great Commission, is the marching order for the church. The central verb is "make disciples," which is an active, ongoing process. It's more than just getting someone to say a prayer; it's about investing in them until they, too, look and live like Jesus. The other verbs—"going," "baptizing," and "teaching" (from the next verse)—are participles that describe how we make disciples. It involves moving out of our comfort zones, identifying people publicly with Christ through baptism, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded. This isn't just about transferring information but about life-on-life mentorship. "All nations" (panta ta ethne) refers not just to countries but to every people group, tribe, and culture, emphasizing the inclusive, global scope of Christ's kingdom.
Carlos was a gifted evangelist. He could get anyone excited about Jesus and invite them to church. But he noticed a pattern: many of the people he invited would attend for a few weeks and then drift away. He felt frustrated until he realized he was focused on making converts, not disciples. He changed his strategy. He identified three young men in his neighborhood who were curious about faith and invited them to meet for coffee every Saturday morning. They didn't just have a Bible study; they talked about life, work, and family. They studied the teachings of Jesus and then went out together to apply them, serving at a local food bank. Carlos understood that making disciples meant walking with people through the messiness of life, teaching them how to follow Jesus in their daily decisions.
Making disciples is the core mission of the church. It isn't about getting people to join an institution or subscribe to a belief system; it's about helping people become apprentices of Jesus who live out His teachings in the real world. This process is inherently holistic. A true disciple learns to pray and to protest injustice. They learn to worship on Sunday and to love their enemies on Monday. We are called to teach the whole counsel of God, which includes caring for the poor, working for reconciliation, and loving our neighbors sacrificially, just as Jesus did.
Shift your focus from "inviting" to "investing." Identify one or two people in your sphere of influence who are spiritually younger than you or have expressed interest in faith. Instead of just inviting them to an event, invite them into your life. Commit to meeting with them regularly over the next month, with the specific goal of helping them take their next step in following Jesus. This could be as simple as reading a Gospel together or serving alongside them in the community.
When you make a disciple, you are not just adding to a church roster; you are multiplying the impact of Christ's resurrection by launching another person to live in His power and love.
Jesus, You commanded us to make disciples of all nations. Forgive us for settling for shallow conversions. Give us the patience and love to walk alongside others as they learn to follow You. Grant us the wisdom to teach both faith and justice as inseparable parts of what it means to be Your disciple. Amen.
This command, often called the Great Commission, is the marching order for the church. The central verb is "make disciples," which is an active, ongoing process. It's more than just getting someone to say a prayer; it's about investing in them until they, too, look and live like Jesus. The other verbs—"going," "baptizing," and "teaching" (from the next verse)—are participles that describe how we make disciples. It involves moving out of our comfort zones, identifying people publicly with Christ through baptism, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded. This isn't just about transferring information but about life-on-life mentorship. "All nations" (panta ta ethne) refers not just to countries but to every people group, tribe, and culture, emphasizing the inclusive, global scope of Christ's kingdom.
Carlos was a gifted evangelist. He could get anyone excited about Jesus and invite them to church. But he noticed a pattern: many of the people he invited would attend for a few weeks and then drift away. He felt frustrated until he realized he was focused on making converts, not disciples. He changed his strategy. He identified three young men in his neighborhood who were curious about faith and invited them to meet for coffee every Saturday morning. They didn't just have a Bible study; they talked about life, work, and family. They studied the teachings of Jesus and then went out together to apply them, serving at a local food bank. Carlos understood that making disciples meant walking with people through the messiness of life, teaching them how to follow Jesus in their daily decisions.
Making disciples is the core mission of the church. It isn't about getting people to join an institution or subscribe to a belief system; it's about helping people become apprentices of Jesus who live out His teachings in the real world. This process is inherently holistic. A true disciple learns to pray and to protest injustice. They learn to worship on Sunday and to love their enemies on Monday. We are called to teach the whole counsel of God, which includes caring for the poor, working for reconciliation, and loving our neighbors sacrificially, just as Jesus did.
Shift your focus from "inviting" to "investing." Identify one or two people in your sphere of influence who are spiritually younger than you or have expressed interest in faith. Instead of just inviting them to an event, invite them into your life. Commit to meeting with them regularly over the next month, with the specific goal of helping them take their next step in following Jesus. This could be as simple as reading a Gospel together or serving alongside them in the community.
When you make a disciple, you are not just adding to a church roster; you are multiplying the impact of Christ's resurrection by launching another person to live in His power and love.
Jesus, You commanded us to make disciples of all nations. Forgive us for settling for shallow conversions. Give us the patience and love to walk alongside others as they learn to follow You. Grant us the wisdom to teach both faith and justice as inseparable parts of what it means to be Your disciple. Amen.
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