Growing up in church, we are told we need to be disciples of Christ and we need to "make disciples". It's part of 'The Great Commission' Christ gave us in Matthew 28. Programs and ministries are given the label "Discipleship".
It's pretty easy to spot one (Galatians 5), but how do you make one?
For a long time, I didn't have a good answer. It felt as confusing as diagramming Greek or doing AP Calculus. I was aware of the key elements that help me in my sanctification process, but I had difficulty translating it into a one-on-one relationship or applying it to leading a small group.
Mark 3:7-19 provides the basics to discipleship, including the simple answer to that crucial 'how' question.
(Secrets revealed after the jump)
When Jesus officially called his disciples (Mark 3:13-19), he did so with two specific purposes (vs. 14-15):
- "so that they might be with him"
- "and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons"
We will succeed as disciple-makers if we encourage specific individuals to spend time with Jesus through God's Word and in prayer. That is the combination that the Spirit uses to bring about the supernatural transformation that needs to take place. And we should also encourge them to spend time with us, so we, like Jesus, can model in every day life to them.
And we will also succeed as disciple-makers as we encourage people towards service for Christ. The original 12 had the calling to preach the Kingdom of God and cast out demons, the latter being a proof of the divine authority of their message. Disciples today should be proclaiming hope of the Gospel and serving others for God's glory (1 Peter 2:9-12).
It's not easy to do of course, but it is simple and straightforward. It's checkers not chess. It's Geometry, not Calculus. It's Discipleship 101.
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