Make Disciples

Disciples Making Disciples: Being a Disciple

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and mak 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 28:18-20).

We are called to ‘make disciples who make disciples’ and we recently received a tool to help us carry out this calling. The tool is called Discipleship Map and it is one of many gifts because Cedar Hills belongs to The Alliance of Reformed Churches (ARC). This map explores twelve essential qualities of a disciple who makes other disciples.

One essential is Being a Disciple. A disciple understands what it means to follow Jesus.

One of my favorite images of a growing disciple is the one who follows so close that they become covered in the dust of the one they follow. Being a disciple is more than sitting in a classroom memorizing information. Discipleship meant sharing meals, traveling, observing daily habits, and completely imitating the rabbi’s character and lifestyle.

When Jesus called his disciples to “follow me,” he was inviting them into a whole-life relationship. As followers of Jesus, this is still our call today. We follow close enough to Jesus that His way of loving, serving, and acting “rubs off” on us. (John 15 – abide.)

This Biblical vision of following is found in the story of Mary and Martha. (Luke 10:38-42) Martha was caught up in preparing to serve Jesus. Mary simply sat at the feet of Jesus. And Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better.” (Luke 10:41-42).

A disciple chooses to follow Jesus. Discover more by watching this video: The Choice.

May the Lord be with you.

Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

Discipleship is the main thing. Jesus talked about it this way: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

We are the kind of people who follow Jesus and aspire to obey him in all things. And so we make disciples.

Though we aspire to this it can be difficult to measure fruit. What does discipleship look like? How do we know if we are doing this successfully? Is discipleship really the main thing? How can we do better? These are the kinds of questions that guide us (and motivate us) as leaders.

At a recent meeting we shared dozens of stories with the same basic theme. That theme was individuals who followed Jesus and their lives were transformed. Individuals growing in kindness, growing as people who pray, growing a bolder witness, growing to be better leaders, growing in love, growing to be better followers of Jesus. These are all stories of discipleship. Following Jesus.

Because discipleship is the main thing, we are the kind of people who grow. So, how are you growing?

In John 15:5 Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Discipleship starts (and ends) with abiding. When we abide with Jesus, we become like Jesus. It’s the main thing.

Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

Love. Belong. Serve.