“Therefore, go and make disciples of all
nations.” The command of Jesus is known by all Christians, yet it is not
understood or followed.
In my pastoral experience, I have been
involved in numerous discipleship groups.
Most assume that Small Groups is one and only solution and model of
discipleship. Yet, different groups
modeled discipleship in a different way. Perhaps there is not a cookie-cutter methodology
to discipleship in Scripture. Yet there are principles throughout Scripture
that we must be careful to adhere to.
Apostle Paul writes In Colossians 1:28-29 “Him
we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we
may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His
energy that He powerfully works within me.”
Consider these principles:
1. The Heart of Discipleship:
Proclaiming Jesus.
First and foremost, discipleship is about
proclaiming Jesus and making much of His name. We proclaim Jesus to men and
women who will go on to proclaim Jesus to the world. Even if outwardly we
are “proclaiming Jesus” in how we do discipleship, we must make sure that
inwardly, our motive is to make much of Him, rather than to make much
of ourselves.
2. The Means of Discipleship: Teaching and
Warning With Wisdom.
Teaching, or instruction is the basic component
of discipleship. We must teach those we lead in the Word of God and show them
how to live lives that glorify Him. Yet we must go beyond teaching, we must
also to warn them when they are going the wrong way. Out of love for those we
disciple, we must not be silent when they are living in opposition to
the Scriptures. Depending on your
personality, you might be someone who tends to dodge conflict. For you, the
temptation will be to avoid having hard conversations with those you lead out
of a desire to please them. However, if you tend to like power and control, you
might be more prone to be too harsh in your correction. Don’t forget that
Scripture also says that this must be done in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians
6:1) and out of love.
3. The Goal of Discipleship: To Present
Everyone Mature in Christ.
Through Christ’s redeeming work, believers
grow in maturity. We are not only to make converts that make converts, but for
all believers to become increasingly like Jesus. True discipleship is about
Christian maturity. Don’t allow those you disciple to be too dependent on
you. Don’t be Jesus to them, point them to
Jesus.
4. The Cost of Discipleship: Toil
and Struggle.
Discipleship is rewarding, and, like most
valuable things, discipleship also requires energy, time, and hard work. It
is costly. The Greek word which is
translated as “toil” in this passage means “to grow weary, tired, exhausted”,
or “to labor with wearisome effort”. Paul fought and labored to the point of
exhaustion to present believers mature in Christ. Our culture loves comfort and
ease of life. It teaches us to believe that if we are uncomfortable and
strained, then something is wrong. If we function under this lie, it will lead
to half-hearted discipleship.
5. The Power of Discipleship:
His Energy.
“I
toil, struggling with
all His energy that He powerfully works within me.” it is
crucial that you are constantly coming to the Lord to ask for His energy and
power. While we do exert our energy, it is not ultimately our energy that will
do the work of transforming hearts and lives, but the power of God. We are
simply instruments in His hands. It is not our knowledge or skill that
will develop disciples, but the power of God working within us.
Reflect on these principles as you consider
your duty to be a disciple and discipler.
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