“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe 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 28:19–20 ESV)
The Great Commission is about making disciples. Somewhere along the line, Evangelicals began thinking that all we had to do is get people to pray the sinner’s prayer. The real need for today’s church is to rediscover discipleship. That assumes that we know how to disciple someone. Here are seven aspects of discipleship that could make a major difference if each of us did this with one person.
1. See a person become a Christian. Discipleship does not work until a person becomes a Christian. Introduce the person to Jesus, explain the Gospel to them and pray with them.
2. Teach the person to read the Bible. The Bible can be confusing even for people with graduate degrees. It was written centuries ago in a foreign culture. Teach them the basics of genre, interpretation and the big story of what is happening.
3. Teach the person to pray. Many new Christians are intimidated by prayer. How does one address the King of the Universe? It is not about addressing God in King James English, nor is about being “buddy, buddy.” Help them to find that balance. Teach them that prayer is more than asking for stuff. Teach them the pattern of ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication.)
4. Teach them basic theology. A person does not need to know everything to become a Christian. But it is important to eventually know the basic doctrines, things like the Trinity, incarnation and so on.
5. Equip them apologetically. They do not have to become an apologist. But teach them how to ask questions and show them where to find answers. You do not want them to fall away the first time a skeptic asks a hard question.
6. Emphasize the importance of the church. It is not enough to be an individual Christian. Participation in a Christian congregation is vital. Fellowship, corporate worship, mutual prayer and opportunities for service are all very important. Spiritual growth is both faster and deeper when it is done together.
7. Teach evangelism and discipleship. After being discipled (not that discipleship really ever ends), it is important for the person to start sharing their faith. The should start slow, just sowing seeds of the Christian faith. This will grow over time until they see people come to faith and begin to disciple others.
I am convinced that this is the key to revival in the Christian church. Imagine a church where every Christian was doing this. Imagine every weak Christian being turned into a strong Christian and in turn producing other strong Christians. I hope you see this and that you have caught a vision for discipleship.
- Bible
- Church
- Great Commission
- How to Become a Strong Christian
- Prayer
- Worship
