Are you a disciple maker? Now don’t misunderstand my question. I did not ask, are you an evangelist? The Lord Jesus in His last requests to His disciples gives a very simple command.
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 28:19-20.
What does it take to make a disciple?
Well it takes a team. It takes some to plant the seed, some to water and some to harvest. And that’s just to the point of conversion. Then the real hard work begins.
As new babies are nurtured, new believers need much care and nurturing. They need feeding, held and yes quite often their diapers changed.
Are you a part of the team?
So let me ask my original question in a slightly different way. Who are you discipling? Every one of us are to be a part of the team when it comes to discipling others. It’s not a job just for the elders or “older” believers. It’s something all of us should be doing all the time.
So if you are not currently discipling someone then pray about it. Ask the Lord to show you who you could take on and mentor. Maybe it’s a new christian. Maybe it’s a young mother. Maybe it’s a teenager who needs a little help to make it through the tough high school years.
Accountability
One of the fears that people have (and why they often don’t disciple) is that being a discipler will hold them accountable. It means they have to be an example. One myth about discipleship is that you have to be perfect. It’s just not true.
As you disciple you are constantly growing yourself. You will need to be vulnerable and open and real. That’s not easy for our natural pride to cope with. We like to always look good as if we have it all together.
A two-way relationship
I recently started meeting with a university student twice a month. He is over 20 years younger and yes I am sure there are many things I have learned in life (many the hard way) that I can teach him. What I am most excited about though is what he can teach me.
If we are willing to open ourselves up and see how we can learn from even those who are younger we may just find that in learning we may be finally fit to mentor.
My challenge (aimed at me first) is for us to be disciple makers. Let’s take up the torch to lead, train, teach and impact others. The church will be stronger for it. And so will you.
Taken from AssemblyHub.com
