How to make disciples: new era, old methods

Imagine being a disciple in Jesus’ day.

Just before Jesus returns to heaven, He commands you to tell all nations the story of the gospel.

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

In your travels, you encounter new people and cultures and share all that God has done through His Son, Jesus. People’s lives are changed because of God’s salvation and His working through you.

In 2022 God asks us still to continue to make disciples in His name because His is the only name that can offer salvation.

How do we go about disciple making? Disciple making starts with loving others as God has loved us.

The Apostle Paul tells us, “But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.” Romans 5:8

It involves thoughtful teaching and instruction that points people toward a loving relationship with God.

Christians often quote John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” But John 3:17 is just as important or more important. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

God sent Jesus to save the world and as Jesus’ followers we too are not to preach condemnation, but God’s love. I grew up with preachers telling me that I was going to go to hell if I didn’t repent. And repent in the way that I thought that I should repent. Theirs was a strict and legalistic view of repentance. God was a God who had a set of scales to balance good against evil. There was not much love presented, sadly, in their preaching of the Gospel of love.

I’m glad that encountered a different type of gospel in my college years. It was a gospel that presented God’s love and not always judgement. Over time I learned how to share that same gospel message.

In 2022 we can show and teach others about God’s love that we have experienced and share it. We can teach others about discipleship as we go about our daily lives. Here are two ways to get started. We can begin by modeling or showing people the gospel coming alive through us.

“But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching.” Titus 2:1

If we want to help people know God, it is important to have hearts that demonstrate Jesus’ teachings. Jesus cared for the poor and the oppressed. He cared more about inward heart attitudes than outward demonstrations. He sacrificed Himself for the good of others. When we model Jesus Christ’s sacrificial love and compassion in our relationships, we are illustrating that we have been transformed by God’s love.

The way we live will invite others to experience the same sort of love that transformed us. We can also be a witness of the gospels transforming power by being a mentor to others who are new to the faith.

A mentor is defined as an experienced and trusted adviser. King Solomon tells us, “Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous and they will gain in learning.” Proverbs 9:9 As each of us grows in closeness with God, we can offer wisdom to people we know. Taking time to listen to people’s stories and encouraging them to walk with God through their experiences can lead to a powerful mentoring relationship.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His disciples the command to make more disciples. He declared that all disciples should be made in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This is a comforting reminder that when we make disciples, we aren’t doing it by our power. God’s grace goes before us, and the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to transform us. This is all possible because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

So take a moment to think about someone you would like to see draw closer to God. How can you show up in their life today?

Rev. Frank Chlastak is senior minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Poplar Bluff.