Monday, February 3, 2025
The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped but some doubted. Jesus came near and said to them, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always to the end of the age. Matthew 28: 16-20 (CSB)
Go and Make Disciples
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus and what does that discipleship demand of us?
Yesterday Pastor Jim spoke about our next core value, holistic discipleship:
Our Fourth Core Value is… Holistic Discipleship - We value disciple-making as the primary purpose of Jesus’ call on the church. Therefore, being and making disciples in all areas of life is the central focus of who we are as a local church.
(Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 1:15-17; Lk. 9:23; Jn. 8:31-32; Col. 1:28-29)
A disciple is one who has trusted Jesus by faith, is following and being transformed by Jesus, and is on mission for Jesus by leading others to do the same. To be a disciple of Jesus is a whole life transformation that takes place beginning in our hearts. As we are transformed in our relationship with him, we can begin to help others be transformed by discipleship.
Jesus modeled many things for us and one of those things is how to disciple people. The masses did follow Jesus at times, and He taught them, but He knew that true and lasting growth happens when we have a close relationship with one or two people we can really focus on and pour into. Teaching to the masses doesn’t build disciples. Disciples are made by a close, intimate investment in a few people.
Jesus spent a lot of time with his disciples, teaching them and doing life with them. He was getting them ready to continue to make disciples after he was gone to heaven. His last words to them (and us) before he ascended into heaven were giving us a very specific and important job to do – go and make disciples. Jesus made disciples by choosing a small group of men who would lay the foundation for His future kingdom. As that small group went out and discipled small groups, and they discipled small groups, the Gospel would be spread.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He was not concerned with the number of people that had followed Him, His confidence was in the disciples who would carry out His command to make disciples. They were eleven disciples who would minister under His authority, multiplying the spreading of His story by eleven. That was just the start. How many disciples did the eleven make that made disciples, that made disciples, etc… Amazing when you think about it!
This process of making disciples will happen naturally in our lives if we look for it. It happens naturally in that we find ourselves in relationships that could be an opportunity to disciple someone. Then we must be intentional about it. Make time. Plan for and pray about your time together. Life rubs up against life when you spend intentional time together, sharing, being vulnerable, holding each other accountable, and discussing life around the truth of God’s word. Then God begins to work – rebuilding lives from the inside out. This is discipleship.
Who is God laying on your heart? Who can you pour into and come alongside, encouraging, equipping, investing in them, and challenging them to grow in Christ? The goal is to make disciples that will then go and make disciples. Jesus’ command for the body of Christ was to make disciples, who will make disciples, who will make disciples. This is how His story has been passed on and how it will continue to be passed on.
