Too often we over complicate life.

There is a renewed understanding about the Great Commission in some churches. Jesus is calling all His followers to GO and make DISCIPLES – not converts, or churches. Where there are disciples there will be churches, but the call is to make disciples.

This Does Two Things

It puts things in their rightful order.

It becomes something that every believer is able to do.

We Are Disciples

The moment we answer Christ’s call to follow Him we become a disciple – His follower. The work of a disciple is straight forward. Observe, obey, and make disciples. It’s not easy, but it’s not complicated either. It does call for devotion and commitment.

Discipleship is Not a Destination

It’s a lifestyle. It’s a way of living – learning from Jesus and modeling it for those who come behind.

2 Tim 2.2 sums it up, “What you have heard from me entrust to faithful men who will be able to pass it on to others.” The end goal is to disciple others who will, in turn, disciple others. It is a multiplication method.

Own the Assignment

God’s plan is not a program we do at church. It is YOU. You are His plan for making disciples. When you accept Christ, you accept the assignment. It is a call for ALL followers of Jesus.

Understand the Method

God’s plan is life-on-life. Form relationships. They may be formal or informal. Demonstrate obedience to God. Imitate what you have learned from Jesus. Be a model of love, caring and integrity.

Be Ready with a Plan

A plan helps you stay focused and build right habits. It helps keep you intentional. I believe we have over complicated discipleship. We’ve made it far harder than God intended it to be. We think we must master a certain amount of knowledge before  we can begin. That’s wrong. Let’s boil it down to the basics.

1. Commit to relationships.
2. Be intentional.
3. Meet regularly.
4. Each person shares honestly about what God is doing in their life.
5. What do we talk about? (Use your own words)
   • a. How are you doing in your relationship with Jesus?
   • b. What is Jesus teaching you?
   • c. How are you living that out where you live, work, and play? THAT’S IT.
6. What about prayer and scripture reading? These are channels through which Jesus teaches us and grows our relationship with him. Frequently they will become a part of sharing what Jesus is saying and doing in one’s life. There are many good ways to do this. Choose one that suits your personality and lifestyle.

Stop Making Excuses

It is not dependent on a level of knowledge or maturity. As soon as Jesus called the disciples, they followed him and went into action. Of course, they continued to learn and develop along the way. In business it might be called on-the-job training, or just-in-time learning. The time to start is NOW.

Remember the Goal

It is not to add disciples, but to multiply disciples. Disciples need to practice making disciples themselves.

Next Step

Are you a disciple-maker? What is the one next step you will take in the multiplication process?

Start where you are. What would happen if you invested one meal a week in someone else? Then grow in the process

By Phill Sandahl