Jesus’ last words to His disciples were of highest priority and summarised the “marching orders” He would leave with them. And they are no less relevant to us, His disciples today.
“All authority in heaven and earth have been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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 28:18-20
That which Jesus had modelled for His disciples while He was with them, was now the very thing He was asking them to do. And not only to them, but to all who would follow them down through the ages. Our high calling still is to make it our sole purpose in all that we do, to make disciples of Jesus.
And yet, how easy has it been for churches and Christians to lose sight of this high calling and let even good and well-intentioned things get in the way of the one calling that Jesus has entrusted to us. The danger of drift can almost unknowingly draw our attention and resources to lesser more convenient things.
The high calling of making disciples should encourage spiritual leaders to take a fresh look at the way Jesus modelled a life to live as a disciple maker.
The most helpful book that I have found on this subject was written by Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism. He wrote, “The twelve disciples observed in Jesus the life they were to live and teach. Everything about Him was a demonstration for their sake and ours. Classes were always in session as the Master Teacher, in a natural manner, turned situation after situation into a learning opportunity.”
Dwight L. Moody commenting on the ministry of Jesus said, “He who is successful in getting things done through others is exercising the highest type of leadership. I would rather put a thousand men to work than do the work of a thousand men.”
As I have reflected on the life of Jesus, I note the following four stages in His journey that He modelled for His disciples:
- I do it.
- I do it and you are with me.
- You do it and I am with you.
- You do it alone in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul affirmed this strategy of making disciples and not just decisions when he wrote to Timothy,
“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.” 2 Timothy 2:2
In His teaching ministry, Jesus demonstrated the following three steps for all teachers and preachers to follow if they were to be effective disciple makers:
- What I need to teach – content
- Why I need to teach it – purpose
- How my listeners can apply this teaching – practical application
In so many ways Jesus in His relationship with His disciples modelled for them how to live the life of a disciple including:
- How to pray to His Father in Heaven
- How to grow as a disciple by daily study of the scriptures
- How to share the good news of Jesus in the world in which they lived
- How to live a life empowered by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit
- How to live an extraordinary life by trusting God for His resources and sustaining grace
- How to share their lives and be a model for others to follow
Robert Coleman wrote that Jesus’ strategy for making disciples “is so unassuming and silent that it is unnoticed by the hurried church person. But when the realisation of His controlling method finally dawns on the open mind of the disciple he will be amazed at its simplicity and wonder how he could have ever failed to see it before. Nevertheless, when His plan is reflected upon, the basic philosophy is so different from that of the modern church that its implications are nothing less than revolutionary.”
Accordingly, we need to study the gospels not only for their contents but also for their methodology. Interestingly, Jesus devoted himself primarily to a few men, rather than the crowds, in order that the crowds could be saved. This allowed Him to work in depth and produce people of quality thus conserving the fruit of His ministry and establishing a foundation on which to build. The calling of Jesus to make disciples, and not just decisions, is a word in season for the advancement of the Kingdom of God in the world today. May it not go unheeded for we need to return to a model of ministry that produces deep mature disciples, for a church will never rise above the level of its leaders. And why not appoint a Leader for Making Disciples to your church leadership team.
ROBERT COLEMAN : The Master Plan of Evangelism
A classic book written in 1963 focusing on Jesus’ relational 8 step strategy for making disciples. I first read this book in 1980 prior to beginning my first pastoral ministry. It provided me with a strong foundation and vision for making disciples and not just decisions. Nearly 4 million copies translated into 100 languages have been sold. Dr Billy Graham, in writing a forward to this book said, “few books have had more impact on the cause of world evangelisation than this one.”