Why Make Disciples

 

         This is Multiply, a podcast to encourage village church planters and leaders. I am Brad Snowden, and today I want to look at the question: Why make disciples?

Jesus commands us to make disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

This is important for followers of Jesus Christ to do what He asks of us. We have work to do in helping people to grow in knowledge of Him. Go and make disciples of all nations. In the Greek, nations are defined as tribes, nations, or people. This covers everyone. We disciple them to grow in understanding, and one of the first steps, according to Scripture, is to testify of what Christ has done in our lives, and that public testimony comes in the form of baptism. Baptism is such a powerful tool God can use in our lives to teach what it is to serve Christ and follow Him. This step also sets up the opportunity to encourage others to step out, and this is a simple first step of discipleship; baptism is one of the ordinances of the church. The other ordinance of the church is Holy Communion. This is again a great moment of teaching and growth within each of our lives.

The celebration of each step is so important, and that is why Jesus gave us a simple plan in helping lives to grow in understanding of who He is and what we all can do to follow Him more closely. Discipleship is teaching God’s word and how to apply it to everyday life. We have a great responsibility to teach every follower to observe, and again, in the Greek, one definition is to keep, to hold fast. We must hold tight to God’s word when challenges come, and this can be taught to new believers. There have been many challenges in my life, and if I were not discipled to hold tightly to God’s promises, I would not have grown through the storms. This time of growing in God’s word equips believers to be mobilized to make disciples. We are preparing others to go and continue the work God has. Discipling disciple makers is how we continue the cycle of God’s plan for every village and for every household and every family.  

We have a wonderful opportunity to mobilize many followers of Jesus to go and complete God’s plan for every heart, every household, and every village. This is why we need to disciple so that there is a gathering of disciples to grow together in Christ to change households and villages. This has been a word of encouragement for village church planters. Who will you share this with today?