Making Disciples

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).”

The ministry of Jesus was not just about preaching and healing; it was also focused on teaching. He took time to teach people principles that would lead to transformed lives.

This was especially true in regards to His twelve disciples. These men were with Him daily for the better part of three and a half years. He followed up on the original decision they made to accept Him by reinforcing their faith and teaching them the ways of the Kingdom of God. He let them see the way He lived and was an excellent example for them.

From the life of Jesus, we see two primary modes of follow up that are necessary for us to give new believers: modeling and teaching. Neither modeling or teaching is sufficient without the other. If we model but do not teach, people will be inspired by our example but will lack the tools to follow it; if we teach but do not model, people will be filled with information on the Christian life but will lack the inspiration to do it.

Modeling refers to the good example we give with our lives. The disciples got to see the perfect example of Christ up close, and we likewise should live in a godly manner that new converts can see. The Apostle Paul was able to encourage people to “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).” It is necessary to model good behavior for others to follow.

Teaching is explaining God’s Word and ways to others. Jesus did this throughout His time with the disciples. After teaching the parables of the Kingdom, He privately explained their meaning to the 12 (Matthew 13:36-50). On another occasion, He gave perhaps the greatest teaching in the history of man in the Upper Room, just hours before His arrest and crucifixion (John 13-17).

Jesus invested much of His life and teaching in followup during His time on earth. He reached people not only to the point of decision but to the point of growth. As His followers, we must do the same.