Making Disciples

Even people who don’t believe in Jesus have heard of the 12 disciples.

For those of us that do believe in Jesus we are probably familiar with the story found in the 4 gospels of the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) which describe the disciples various interactions with Jesus during His time on earth.

After the resurrection of Jesus, He gave the disciples some very specific instructions in Matthew 28:18-20 (AMP):

Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.

Jesus is letting the disciples know that He now has all authority (dominion over Heaven and Earth) so that the disciples, who have walked with Jesus, can baptize others in the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to perform God’s work on earth.

But is making disciples the same thing as making Christians?

Often we confuse telling people about the Gospel rather than teaching how to be disciples of the Gospel.

Moreover, Pastor Tony Evans describes a Kingdom Disciple as the following:

A believer in Christ who takes part in the spiritual-development process progressively learning how to live all of their lives under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

But what does living your life under the lordship of Jesus Christ look like?

Jesus gives us a picture in Luke 14:27 (AMP):

Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple.

Revelation 12:11 (NLT) describes the mindset needed in carrying your cross:

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

We have to be willing to live our lives in such a way that it is evident to all who observe us that Jesus Christ is first in all things (marriage, children, work, etc) and if need be, willing to sacrifice everything for it.

But not in a way that seems preachy or unattainable, but in full submission and humility so that your relationship with others actually becomes the process of creating disciples.

Jesus never told the disciples to memorize certain verses or hold church services on specific days, but He did give them the authority to reestablish the rule of Heaven on Earth (Kingdom of God) through transforming the lives of everyone they meet because of their ability to demonstrates God’s word not only in their speech but most importantly in their actions.

So how do we make disciples?

Step one, make sure you are submitted to Christ in all of your ways. To be most effective you must do as you say.

Next reexamine your relationships with friends, family, coworkers, etc.

Are these relationships authentic, transparent?

If they aren’t go back to step one.

Once you’re submitted to Christ in all of your ways everything else will begin to transform around you.