Now the eleven
disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed
them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the
age.” Matthew 28:16-20
Let’s look at v. 19
again, but this time at the command to “go and make disciples.” Notice how Jesus doesn’t tell us to make
“converts” but “disciples.” There’s a
big difference between the two. You certainly have to start with a convert;
it’s one of those things that is necessary but not sufficient. It’s amazing when the concept really takes
hold of a person’s heart.
Kiren was so
excited, she could barely contain herself.
She was so happy that we taught her how to share the Gospel and disciple
new Believers. You see, Kiren never
attended school more than a year or two, so she was totally illiterate. We taught her just the same as we teach other
people, to share her story and God’s story.
For early discipleship, we showed how to do seven simple lessons using
Bible stories and group discussion. When
I talked with Kiren and her husband two months later, I nearly fell on the
floor. She’d been visiting all of her
friends throughout the village, and over hot cups of tea, she would tell the
Good News of how Jesus had shown mercy toward her and how they could follow Him
too.
She led 50 women to
Christ over those 2 months!
She started the
early discipleship lessons with these ladies who couldn’t read or write
either. It was so joyous to see what God
was doing in and through her life. When
we follow Jesus’ commands in His power, and through His authority, He does
amazing things through us.
