Discipleship is not just a part of the church’s mission; it is the heart of its life and the mechanism for its continued existence. Reflecting on the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), we’re reminded that our central mission is to make disciples through evangelism (Go), establishment (baptizing), and education (teaching).
At His time, Jesus’ method for winning the world was not mass conversions but deeply investing in twelve men. He staked His ministry on these disciples, demonstrating that disciples are handcrafted, one life at a time, and not mass-produced. These disciples were then tasked with making disciples of others. This process of intentional, one-on-one investment is the essence of discipleship.
Discipleship, as modeled by Jesus, involves three key stages:
1. Come and See (Discover): Inviting seekers to explore Jesus’ teachings (John 1:38-39).
2. Come and Follow Me (Develop): Training and equipping disciples in faith (Matthew 4:19).
3. Come and Be with Me (Deploy): Sending disciples to practice and share what they’ve learned (Mark 3:13-14, Luke 10:1-2).
The early church (Acts 2:42-47) exemplified this through their steadfastness in teaching, fellowship, and prayer, growing through daily worship and mutual support.
Paul’s mentorship of Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 2:2) highlights the importance of intentional, multi-generational discipleship. Paul trained Timothy, who then taught others, ensuring the perpetuation of Christ’s teachings.
Our responsibility today is clear: to make disciples who believe what Jesus believed, live as Jesus lived, minister as Jesus ministered, and make disciples of others. Let’s commit to this mission and see our communities transformed!
The Believer’s Authority
August 14, 2024
