Make Disciples

The only verb in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) is matheteuo – “make disciples.” The rest of the verse modifies this verb—or tells us how to make disciples. It is that last thing Christ told us to do before he returned to the Father. So how are we doing at that?

On my 21^st birthday I went to a Billy Graham Crusade in San Diego. When the invitation came, I went forward, as I wanted to see what happened when you did. I was not ready to receive the gospel yet, but prevenient grace brought me to that place that night as a part of my journey to redemption. I was joined by a counselor who presented the gospel and took down my address. For the next two years I received discipleship material in the mail. I would read that literature when it came, and God continued to do His work, moving me ever closer to salvation. In my mind, Billy Graham is the greatest disciple-maker of my time – not because of the millions who responded to the message of the gospel, but rather, because he followed through to teach us what Christ commanded.

Towards the end of those two years, I met a couple at flight training who invited me to church. It was there that another man of faith Pastor Wayne Jarboe led me to make a commitment to follow Jesus. I was blessed to meet another young man at church who invited me to a young adult Sunday School class. I was introduced to a deacon and his family who adopted me into their home a guided me through those crucial first months of my Christian walk. When I moved to England, God put another couple in my life who invited me to an Officers Christian Fellowship group. For the two years we met each Friday night for dinner and to study the Gospel of John. Each time I moved, there was someone else waiting to help me on my journey. He even let me marry into the godliest family I’ve ever known.

As I look at the universal church today, it seems that we have lost our passion for matheteuo – making disciples. I read church reports year after year and am saddened when I see so many churches reporting zero baptisms and zero conversions. Has God lost his power to convert, or have His people lost their passion? I know it is the latter, as God hasn’t changed.

So how do we get back on track? Here are a few of my thoughts:

1. I know it begins in the home.

In Deuteronomy 6:6-9 God said “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

Discipling in Old Testament times was an integral part of everyday family life. In church this week, Pastor Wes described how cabinet making was passed on from father to son in biblical times. This was even more true for teaching the Torah. With the coming of the industrial age, the time between parents and children has gotten much shorter. There are so many things competing for our time. Sports, schoolwork, and other activities battle for our times. Today it takes much more intentionality as we strive to assume our God-given command to teach our children about Him.

As a marriage and family therapist, I can’t help but watch families and have noticed a trend that threatens family discipleship. What I see are parents and children captivated by screens. Children craving for attention from parents, but soon realizing they are at best in second place in vying for parents’ time.

I’m wondering what it might be like to monitor our screen time and devote at least as much time to disciplining our children in our faith. It is, after all, our primary responsibility. Grandparents also have the amazing opportunity to pour themselves into their grandchildren’s lives. What if we spent as much time helping our children memorize Scripture as we do mastering a sports skill? I believe it would change both children and adults alike.  I also believe it will bring revival to God’s church.

2. I am also convinced that discipleship must be a primary focus of the church. Every so often the pastor will have us bow our heads and raise our hands if we have prayed to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. I often wonder if and how we follow up. I was blessed to have been part of churches who did follow up well. Baptisms were weekly events and there was always someone ready to step in and help new believers on their new life journey. I’ve often thought that God is probably not eager to bring new spiritual births into churches ill equipped to nurture those lives. The church must be ready and engaged in providing spiritual milk for the journey and for helping brothers and sisters to move on to spiritual meat. We must have a pathway from infancy to disciple, to servant and teacher. Churches must have a spirit-led plan to get from first base to home plate.

We have an awesome new pastor, but he can’t do the heavy lifting alone. This morning Pastor Wes reminded us of two truths: we are great (greatly gifted), and we need each other. Each of us has a giftedness given for making disciples. Sometimes we just need to spread our wings and try new things. As a seminary student, I got the opportunity to intern in every aspect of the church. I walked around the nursery carrying babies as I told them about Jesus. I had the privilege of teaching children of various ages. For decades I have taught youth and adults. I’ve counseled, officiated marriages, and buried saints. I was better at some things than others, but it took a little trial and error for God to help me figure it out.

The church must be active in equipping the saints. Imagine if every new believer had a mentor (think Timothy and Paul here), a class to teach them the basics of the faith and the uniqueness of who we are as Nazarenes. Imagine a church where young believers could find opportunities to delve even deeper into the perfect truth of Scripture and to find a place of service.  I envision our church as a place where those called to teach, and lead are taught how to do so and to properly handle the precious Word of God. Imagine home groups where teaching was used to invite others into the faith, and one generation could learn from others. Think about the evangelistic effect of those same home groups adopting ministries outside the church. Imagine . . . (fill in the blank). In the power of the Holy Spirit, all of this is possible. It would mean reevaluating and changing priorities. It might mean dealing with resistance from those we love. Sports and other activities might have to take a backseat to the spiritual development of our children and grandchildren. For what it’s worth, I’d rather have one descendant who follows wholeheartedly after Christ as a disciple-maker than a thousand who can play football like Tom Brady.

I referenced Deut 6:6-9. I think it is important to remember what comes right before that – the Shema – a verse recited over and over again by faithful followers of YHWH. It reads: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deut 6:4-5) (NIV). Surely, if we claim to be in obedience to this verse, we will be eager to obey that which follows, and to embrace the commission Jesus placed on all our lives.

Blessings,

Pastor Doug