How about making disciples?

Jesus didn’t say ‘Go and make friends’, but ‘Go and make disciples’. Both are not mutually exclusive, and both should be part of the lives of those who follow Jesus. Yet it is making disciples that is the more pressing commission given to us by Jesus Christ. As you make disciples, you cannot help but make friends too. Many years ago, I was a volunteer staff member at a Baptist Church in the north-east of England. The church went through a painful leadership transition, but what became evident was how the young people maintained their faith and momentum far better than the remainder of the church. This was primarily because the Youth Worker had invested time, not simply in providing activities and teaching for the young people, but in purposefully meeting the older teens in twos and threes alongside other youth leaders to ‘make disciples’. This gave many of them an admirably strong and stable foundation of continuing faith, which was not rocked or dismantled by a church storm. It impressed me and was a testimony to the value of intentional disciple-making within a local church context.

There are several post-resurrection commissioning statements recorded in the gospels, but only in Matthew 28:18-20 does Jesus define the product - a disciple. Much more than a convert (though we thank God for such), a disciple is ‘a work in progress’ who faithfully continues to follow and obey Christ. This person can then in turn be an example and mentor to others who need help to become more like Jesus. In a similar way, the apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to pass on gospel truths to reliable and exemplary believers who could then tutor others (2 Timothy 2:2). Jesus made disciples and so did Paul, who taught that through faith in Christ we are all presented as holy before God. Paul continued to work hard, through appropriate teaching and correction, to present believers as mature followers of Jesus. (Colossians 1:21-29)

What is disciple making?

The most helpful definition I have seen is from Allen Hadidian (“Successful Discipling”, Moody Press):

"Discipling others is the process by which a Christian with a life worth emulating commits himself for an extended period of time to a few individuals who have been won to Christ, the purpose being to aid and guide their growth to maturity and equip them to reproduce themselves in a third spiritual generation."

Such disciple-making suggests a definite pouring of guidance and support from one vessel into others - this is not a casual matter: it is an intentional activity, not to be sidelined or ignored. Many of us thank God for ‘platform ministries’, especially teaching gifts, that have built us up in our faith. When these have been supplemented by personal prayer and Bible study we have, by God’s grace, experienced spiritual growth. However, for myself and maybe you too, I have known growth spurts, when a more mature believer has invested energy and time for a season, to pour some wisdom and truth into my life. Bible studies or a Christian book to read together and then discuss have provided a backbone to these meetings, but the primary focus of my mentor was on patiently shaping my life priorities, attitudes and actions, rather than completing any particular programme. This has resulted in lifelong friendships that were relaxed and purposeful. I am so grateful to several men friends who have served Christ and me in such a way - some of them now have entered their eternal reward.

Can any Christian make disciples?

Significant ministry roles such as apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastor-teachers have been given to the church by the ascended Christ to equip, prepare and build up believers to maturity and unity (Ephesians 4:11-13). But we should not leave disciple-making to a relatively few prominent, prophetic or pastoral ministries, however gifted they may be.

AW Tozer said that “Only a disciple can make a disciple” which is true, but let’s not too quickly disqualify ourselves from our Great Commission responsibility to invest time and energy into obeying Christ by serving others this way. These days, the biggest challenge is finding time to intentionally make disciples rather than considering “Am I good enough?” If you are a faithful follower of Christ who humbly recognises your need to become more like Him, then making disciples can be a means by which you, and not just those you help, can grow in spiritual maturity. Can you chat easily to others? Are you a good listener? Do you have a reasonable knowledge and grasp of Christian truths? Are you patient and gracious? If so, you will hopefully find joy and blessing as you obey Christ’s commission. It can also help you develop interpersonal and pastoral skills and be a provocative challenge for you to be a good example to those you are discipling.  

Making disciples provides a way by which many, who may not be seen “upfront”, build the church and advance Christ’s kingdom. Clearly, making disciples implies a context and season when a more mature believer helps and encourages less mature believers, but it has nothing to do with control, intimidation or manipulation. It is more about when those with a life worth emulating serve fellow believers in a loving, patient and voluntary context, where all can feel safe and accountable. That is why it is good for pastors and elders of local churches to also have some oversight of (and input into) these settings. It is also good to agree on a time frame, rather than make it open-ended - maybe meet up about ten times for an hour or so at a time, and in a variety of venues? Consider studying a gospel or an appropriate book that covers the foundational matters of discipleship.

If you want to make disciples, first, be accountable to other mature believers and leaders about your desire to mentor others and take their questions or concerns seriously. Keep them updated on progress too. Secondly, make sure you can find space in your diary to take on this responsible task and commitment. Thirdly, examine your own motives - remember, we recruit to Jesus, not to ourselves - we are seeking to build His kingdom and not our own. Fourthly, don’t rush into this - prayerfully consider younger believers whom you might like to disciple, initially looking for those who are sincerely seeking to grow in their faith, and not just based on compatibility or ability. Fifthly, be realistic about how many you can disciple at once, bearing in mind that even Jesus struggled coaching twelve men. Start with two or three. Finally, approach individuals with the invite to participate in this specific and purposeful activity for a set season. Be enthusiastic, but not ‘over the top’. Share the potential goals and benefits of such a meaningful relationship. Be clear about the commitment expected from them. Then encourage them to go away to consider and pray about your invitation before responding.

Are we making disciples?

Though we often hear the Matthew 28 commission quoted within church and ministry contexts, relatively few churches or ministries have disciple-making as a backbone activity. Having been in full-time church leadership for several decades, I do sympathise with leaders who are expected to deliver teaching and pastoral care, children and youth ministries, plus social action and midweek home groups. Alpha and Freedom in Christ courses, for example, do provide a very helpful and fruitful discipling context for a season, but can be primarily focused on the course content rather than the life content of participants. They can often fail at the point of follow through into application.

“Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20) seems to imply a deeper investment than providing Bible teaching and discussion groups; it sounds more like a cooperative and volitional ‘follow the life’ input into new and less mature believers. Baptism is commanded, as a public confession of belief in Christ as Saviour and of being identified with His church, but Jesus’ commission doesn’t end there. He adds that obedience to His commands is also expected of those who have been baptised. So, what about obeying Him by making disciples?

This article was originally published in the Autumn 2024 edition of the TFT magazine, Ascend. Click the button below to download your copy.