The Heart of Disciple-Making: Following Christ and Making Followers

What does it mean to follow Christ? As believers, we are called to make disciples, just as Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19. This is the heart of our calling as Christians - to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is not just a task or a duty, but a way of life that influences and impacts the lives of those around us.

Discipleship is not a new concept; we have been involved in disciple-making since birth, although not always in the context of following Jesus. We all follow someone or something, and we all have influence over someone else. The question is, who are we following, and how are we influencing those who are watching us?

Mark Dever, in his book on disciple-making, emphasizes that discipleship is teaching. It is not just about modeling faith and godliness but also imparting the reasons behind our beliefs and actions. We need to explain why we pray, why we share the gospel, why we join the church, and how our knowledge of God's sovereignty impacts our daily lives.

Discipleship involves teaching the "why" behind our faith. We need to go beyond showing others how to live as Christians and help them understand the reasons behind our beliefs. When we teach the "why," we equip others with the tools to exercise wisdom and generate their own ways of living out their faith.

Effective discipleship requires love. Without love, all our efforts and strategies are meaningless. Love is the driving force behind discipleship. It is not just about our love for others but, ultimately, our love for Christ and His love for us and for them. Our love for Christ and His love for us should be the source from which our discipling flows.

Dever outlines five characteristics of true love in the context of discipleship. First, love initiates a discipling relationship. Are we willing to invest intentional time with others? Are we bold enough to engage in spiritual conversations? Second, love perseveres in a discipling relationship. Are we willing to continue investing even when we don't see immediate results? Will we give up when someone falls back into old patterns of sin? Third, love humbly receives criticism. How do we respond when others push back on what we are teaching them? Are we open to healthy dialogue and feedback? Fourth, love humbly gives of itself. Are we willing to sacrifice our time and resources to disciple others? Do we feel bitter or prideful about the sacrifices we make? Finally, love allows us to end discipling relationships. Are we willing to recognize when someone needs a different disciple-maker? Are we willing to let go and trust that God can use someone else in their life?

In our disciple-making relationships, we need to remember that we are not the saviors. We are instruments in the hands of the Savior. We need to humble ourselves and recognize that what others need is not us, but God. We need to be willing to step aside and let others continue their journey with different disciple-makers when the time is right.

When it comes to disciple-making, we need to have a long-term perspective. We are not just looking at the immediate impact we can make in someone's life but also the legacy we leave behind. Our lives and examples have the power to inspire others to follow Jesus or to turn them away. We need to be intentional in everything we do to model joy in Jesus and teach others how to find that joy for themselves.

In the Bible, we find numerous references to disciple-making. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus calls His disciples, saying, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." This statement encapsulates the essence of disciple-making. Jesus calls us to follow Him, and as we follow Him, He transforms us into people who can lead others to Him.

In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul instructs Timothy, saying, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." This verse emphasizes the importance of passing on what we have learned to others who can then teach others as well. Disciple-making is a chain reaction that continues to spread as each person disciples others.

Hebrews 12:14 reminds us of the importance of holy living in disciple-making. It says, "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord." Our lives should reflect the truth and transformation of the gospel. When we live holy lives, we become living testimonies of the power of God's grace and love.

Acts 20:35 teaches us about the mindset we should have in disciple-making. It says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Disciple-making is not just about receiving knowledge and guidance; it is about giving ourselves to others. When we pour into the lives of others, we experience the joy and blessing that comes from selfless giving.

As we consider the impact we can make through disciple-making, we should ask ourselves, "What will be the legacy of our lives and examples?" Will we leave behind a fading image of ourselves, or will we leave a lasting image of Christ leading to eternal life? Our disciple-making efforts should be driven by a deep love for Christ and a desire to see others come to know Him and grow in their relationship with Him.

In conclusion, disciple-making is at the heart of our calling as Christians. It involves teaching others the reasons behind our beliefs and actions, as well as modeling faith and godliness. Love is the driving force behind disciple-making, and we need to exhibit characteristics of true love in our discipling relationships. We need to have a long-term perspective and consider the legacy we will leave behind. Our disciple-making efforts should be rooted in a deep love for Christ and a desire to see others follow Him. May we be faithful disciple-makers, pointing others to the love and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.