Disciple Making
Devotional
READ: Matthew 28:19-20
One of my honors and privileges as an early childhood educator in a Christian school is helping young children memorize the word of God. In the last few weeks of the school year, we learn Mark 16:15, a verse similar to today's. It's hard to describe what it's like to hear more than a hundred young children shout out in unison: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." But trust me, it's fantastic!
My goal in teaching scripture to the children is not only to help them hide God's word in their hearts so they might not sin against Him but also to help them understand at a young age that God has a plan for them and that sharing His story and love with others is a vital part of that plan.
So, like I would do with the children, let's ask and answer some questions about today's verse. Who was giving these instructions? Jesus was. Who was he talking to? His disciples were his students who had given up everything to follow him. Did the disciples follow these instructions? Yes, they did. That's why you and I are disciples today.
A missionary recently explained to me how a current disciple-making movement in the Middle East is growing. He explained that one person came to know Christ and experienced such a life transformation that someone close to her noticed and asked about it. This new believer introduced that person to Christ, and they, in turn, did the same with someone close to them. There are generations of Christ followers in that area, and the number is growing. That's disciple-making, a life-changing transformation that affects us to the point that it influences others.
A disciple, by definition, is a pupil or student of a teacher. As Christian disciples, we are students of Christ. Jesus instructed his disciples to go and make disciples, teaching them to follow all that he had commanded because spreading the gospel's good news was always God's plan. It's still the plan today. However, making a disciple is not the end of the task; it is just the beginning.
The art of making disciples—lifelong students of Christ—is what we call discipleship. When we add the suffix "-ship" to a word, it denotes an ongoing connection. So, the words friendship, relationship, and discipleship imply more than just a one-time event but a continuing, one-on-one connection with another person. Discipleship can't happen when we are alone; it can only happen when we are in a relationship with others.
Chad Melton, Faith Bible's Lead Discipleship Pastor, told me he believes becoming like Jesus must be done in community. He said, "If we want to walk a path of discipleship and become like Jesus, we must put ourselves among other believers who will walk alongside of us."
Ongoing connection to other disciples--I believe that's the essence of discipleship and God's plan for His body, the Church.
One of my honors and privileges as an early childhood educator in a Christian school is helping young children memorize the word of God. In the last few weeks of the school year, we learn Mark 16:15, a verse similar to today's. It's hard to describe what it's like to hear more than a hundred young children shout out in unison: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." But trust me, it's fantastic!
My goal in teaching scripture to the children is not only to help them hide God's word in their hearts so they might not sin against Him but also to help them understand at a young age that God has a plan for them and that sharing His story and love with others is a vital part of that plan.
So, like I would do with the children, let's ask and answer some questions about today's verse. Who was giving these instructions? Jesus was. Who was he talking to? His disciples were his students who had given up everything to follow him. Did the disciples follow these instructions? Yes, they did. That's why you and I are disciples today.
A missionary recently explained to me how a current disciple-making movement in the Middle East is growing. He explained that one person came to know Christ and experienced such a life transformation that someone close to her noticed and asked about it. This new believer introduced that person to Christ, and they, in turn, did the same with someone close to them. There are generations of Christ followers in that area, and the number is growing. That's disciple-making, a life-changing transformation that affects us to the point that it influences others.
A disciple, by definition, is a pupil or student of a teacher. As Christian disciples, we are students of Christ. Jesus instructed his disciples to go and make disciples, teaching them to follow all that he had commanded because spreading the gospel's good news was always God's plan. It's still the plan today. However, making a disciple is not the end of the task; it is just the beginning.
The art of making disciples—lifelong students of Christ—is what we call discipleship. When we add the suffix "-ship" to a word, it denotes an ongoing connection. So, the words friendship, relationship, and discipleship imply more than just a one-time event but a continuing, one-on-one connection with another person. Discipleship can't happen when we are alone; it can only happen when we are in a relationship with others.
Chad Melton, Faith Bible's Lead Discipleship Pastor, told me he believes becoming like Jesus must be done in community. He said, "If we want to walk a path of discipleship and become like Jesus, we must put ourselves among other believers who will walk alongside of us."
Ongoing connection to other disciples--I believe that's the essence of discipleship and God's plan for His body, the Church.
Personal Reflection
How does the thought of making disciples make you feel? Excited? Intimidated? How does experiencing discipleship, an ongoing connection with another disciple, make you feel?
Posted in UR Devotionals
1 Comment
The thought of making disciples provides me with many thoughts- from humility (as I am not worthy) to disappointment (as I fail more often than I succeed) to excitement (as I love Jesus and love to be a small part in helping others come to know him) to thankfulness (as He never gives up on me)!