These two words are some of the last words of Jesus. There were other words also, but “making disciples” is the command and seems to be at the core of what he was saying in Matthew 28:18-20. It is possibly the main thing, and I have heard people say we should keep the main thing, the main thing. Making disciples is what I want to work on this year, especially since our theme, GO, is so closely related.
A disciple is simply a learner and follower of Jesus, and the first part of making disciples is finding and calling those who would become such people. This is no easy task in many parts of the world, even in our own country. It involves being led by the Spirit to where people are. It takes prayer, time and effort. It involves relationships, teaching and a call to commitment. In the end a person gives their life to Jesus as Lord and Savior, is baptized, and commits to follow and learn of him for the rest of his life.
But this is not the end. Discipling also involves teaching and modeling. Jesus did this with his disciples. He spent the majority of his time with a small group of men. To the twelve he taught and modeled life in the kingdom. They learned about God and were empowered to carry out his mission.
By proclaiming the good news and maturing believers the apostle Paul was also an amazing disciple maker. You can see the importance he attached to this from passages like Colossians 1:28-29. He used incredible energy to “present everyone fully mature in Christ.” He did this in many ways, but it can be seen clearly in close relationships with individuals like the young man, Timothy.
After looking at Jesus’ and Paul’s methods of discipling, Greg Ogden defines it as “an intentional relationship in which we walk alongside other disciples in order to encourage, equip and challenge one another in love to grow toward maturity in Christ…” I like this definition. It is discipling in relationships – one-on-one, groups of 3 or 4, or in groups a little larger. It is intentional and involves studying God’s word together in open and transparent relationships and being accountable to each other. It also involves serving/working together.
My hope is that 2013 at Singing Oaks Church of Christ will be about making disciples by: going and proclaiming the good news anywhere God leads, baptizing into Jesus, and walking with people to mature and equip them to be disciple makers themselves, fully devoted to Christ.
