Matheteuo
Making Disciples for Christ
As Jesus was about to be taken up, ascending into heaven, He gave the disciples this last command.
“19Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
The Greek word used here is matheteuo, which is defined as to disciple, to initiate or instruct a disciple in the ways or teachings of a specific teacher or leader.
Jesus is the Chief Teacher. We must keep in mind that they are not our disciples, they are Jesus’ disciples, just as we, too, are disciples of Jesus.
As a disciple maker, we become teachers and mentors. What is it that we are to teach them? Jesus told us in verse 20 what this is: to follow all that He had commanded us.
All that He commanded us? That’s a lot! Your next question is probably going to be, “Where do I start?”
It starts with relationships. The main relationship is your relationship with Jesus. That relationship will set the stage for our relationship with the person we are teaching. If we look at the relationship between Jesus and His disciples, we see how close it was. He cared for them, prayed for them, taught them, and nurtured them. He cried with them, laughed with them, and encouraged them. He settled their arguments. He also disciplined them when they got out of line.
In Matthew 16:21-23, after blessing Peter for recognizing that He was the Christ, the Son of God, He chastised him for stating that Jesus wouldn’t go to the cross, be killed, and rise again.
After the relationship is established, it is studying the gospels together. Your main resources are the Holy Spirit and the Bible. An Interlinear Bible will also be of great help in understanding what the scriptures are saying. If you don’t know how to use one, talk to your pastor.
Be sure to spend time in prayer independently and together, especially at the start and end of each meeting. Pray for guidance and understanding from the Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately, discipleship has become a misunderstood concept in Christian circles. It has become programs, conferences, and committees. You have to buy this book, or subscribe to this podcast, or attend this conference in order to be a disciple maker. Nothing could be further from the truth. These weren’t present in the first-century church, and a lot of disciples were made without them.
Don’t misunderstand me. These may be helpful in your task, but they aren’t essential. Do not let these become excuses for not making disciples.
As we continue our journey in being disciple makers, we will be posting blogs and resources to help you. I would encourage you to develop relationships with other disciple makers close to you to be able to work through any issues that may arise.
Thank you for your prayers and support as we strive to follow Jesus’ command to make disciples!