Disciples Making Disciples

The Simple:

Love God. Love people. Be a true disciple.

Now, the not so simple:

Ask yourself, Who was the last person I led someone to Christ?

This question was posed to me in a discipleship study I recently started.

The study, Real-Life Discipleship, was given to me by my mother and her pastor after they led a small group through the study. My mother had been discussing with him my heart and passion for discipleship, especially discipleship with youth. She told him that I’d likely be interested in going through the study if he ever decided to lead another group through it. With that, he gave her an extra “Training Manual” study book to give to me. He didn’t want me to have to wait, and I appreciate that.

Then this gut punch hit me.

You see, I’m the current youth director at my church and I work full-time for a Christian association. I have a heart for the Lord and a passion for His people. I enjoy studying His Word and discussing all facets of the Christian faith. Matthew 4:19, “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” has been my “life verse” since I was a child. I hear, and get motivated, nearly every week at church being reminded that our goal is to be a church of ‘disciples making disciples’. I mean I check all the boxes.

Or so I thought.

I know a disciple is to “go and tell”.  Matthew 28:19-20 gives more details in this command. I build relationships (when I desire to). I talk about things of the Lord. I meditate on these things. I teach. But, confession/reflection time, I’ve realized I haven’t been truly discipling others. I haven’t been consistently walking with them. I haven’t been holding them accountable and encouraging them to pursue a closer walk with God. Heck, I’ve been inconsistent in my own pursuit. A disciple leads people to Christ, baptizes them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaches them to obey all the things commanded by Him, and doesn’t stop until that new disciple is ready to do the same. Then, the cycle continues. 

Needless to say, I couldn’t even tell you the last person I led to Christ. If any one at all.

Disclaimer: I’m not looking for pity. I know that it’s the Spirit’s job to convince and convict, not mine, but I/we are called to lead and disciple; and the only pity is that, in all this time, I haven’t fully or consistently done my part.

That God he takes the initiative that I don’t always do. It’s He who first sought us out (Luke 19:10). It is He who made a way of redemption and salvation for us out of our sinful nature through His Son, Christ Jesus (Romans 5:8, John 3:16, John 14:6). And He is the One who sustains it all (Philippians 1:6). That “good work” mentioned in Philippians 1:6 is the work of salvation bestowed upon us for putting our faith in Christ Jesus. He is our Sustainer and Redeemer.

Our good work is the calling that He’s given us, as He did the disciples, in Matthew 28:18-20: 

'And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”'

I may not be perfect. Not even close. But the One who sent me, and is with me, is. Plus, He’s sent a Helper for the walk (John 14:16, 26; 15:26).

Let’s hold each other accountable and encourage each other as we follow the path Christ has set before us.

God bless, and much love!

(and I’ll only say this once… yes, I probably over capitalize, italicize, and punctuate, but I like the emphasis it puts on the significance of it all; and I’m a simple man. I write, or type, how I think and talk. Call the grammar police if you wish).