Matthew 28:19-20

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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Discipleship is not an option; it is an imperative. It was the Last Command Jesus gave His disciples just before His ascension to heaven. The process and procedure are clearly identified and systematized. There is no other way to accomplish the task. Jesus will return only when the job is finished.

Rev Dr Betia sees two aspects of discipleship. One deals with the biblical concept of discipleship; the other is the dynamics of discipleship.

I Biblical Concept of Discipleship

1. New Testament Imperative

In our previous broadcast, we discovered that the command is written in all four Gospels (in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 21). The command is written twice in the book of Acts (in chapters 1 and 26). It was given as a final instruction to the disciples of Jesus. It is better to call it The Last Command of Jesus.

2. The Imperative

The clearest and simplest record is in Matthew.

Matthew 28: 19-20 – make disciples.

In Greek, the word is matheteuo. There is only one verb in the verse. The imperative is ‘to disciple’.

3. The Cycle of Discipleship

Matthew’s version is the most systematic presentation of the concept, process and procedure of discipleship.

The 3 other active words may be sound like verbs in many languages; they are not verbs but participles. These tell the process and procedure of discipleship:

1. Step One is Going. The Greek word is poreuo.

The teacher/disciple maker should be pro-active. He must initiate the search for possible students. He must find them, not ‘invite’ them. Go to where they are, not ‘bring them to church’. He goes to places where potential disciples could be found.

However, he does not simply choose students at random. He is to search, screen and select students. These actions must be followed strictly if discipleship is to be established, maintained and developed.

The teacher must set his parameters for selection. Just as schools have admission procedures, a disciple maker should also set the standard for taking in a student into his class. One needs to ascertain the kind of disciple he would produce.

2. Step Two is Baptizing - baptizo in Greek. This is the rite of initiation and acceptance of the student as a member of the class. It is simply the public declaration of the student that he is under the tutelage of his teacher. The Teacher-Student relationship must be made formal.

Rev Dr Betia shares,

I asked my group why that other student was shouting my name. The answer was the person was trying to impress people around him that one of his teachers was a foreigner. It was a way of improving his social status!” Certainly, associating with the right teacher has its privileges!

3. Step Three is Teaching to Obey. In Greek, it is didasko tereo.

The curriculum is for us to understand and obey the commands of the Master Teacher. The primary learning objective of these lessons is to produce obedient students! It is not simply the accumulation of information or skills, not simply consistent attendance nor even the display of concern for one another. Over and above these qualities is obedience! Obedience signifies loyalty and devotion to Jesus.

A practical way to know Jesus’ commands is to get a red-letter edition of the New Testament. Direct quotations of Jesus are printed in red. This is a simple but effective way of getting to know the words of Jesus and obeying them.

Obedience to Jesus and His Word is the quality that every of His followers should display. This is the identity of Christians. It shows that they have simply listened.

II  The Dynamics of Discipleship

We have gone through the process of discipleship. But when can one say that he/she has fulfilled the imperative?

One cycle is completed when a person is converted, baptized and taught to obey and he/she becomes a disciple.  Now when this disciple leads another to Christ and that second one is converted, baptized and being taught to obey, two cycles are completed. As the command is to make disciples, the task is completed only when a new disciple is produced. In other words, the first disciple has become a disciple maker! Of course, the more disciples made, the better!

This is the only way to claim that one has obeyed the imperative!

It is rare to find completed cycles of discipleship. The most popular part is the going – also called witnessing or evangelism. Many churches hold meetings; rallies and numerous training systems. Much resources are poured into this activity and many Christians participate.

Very often, the statistics for a church or a Christian organization show the number of conversions. But when one’s activity stops at this level, can we say that a disciple is produced? Definitely not!

The number of baptisms is also a significant statistic among churches. Church growth is frequently measured by these two markers. But there are some Christians who only go this far and are happy with new additions to church membership.

The first two steps are one-off, definitive events. However, the third step – teaching to obey - is an ongoing activity. This step is the most difficult part of the cycle. It has a beginning and never really ends; it is a lifelong learning journey without a graduation!

There are many challenging hurdles in discipleship and being a disciple maker. The task is clear. There is no other option – either one obeys or disobeys. When you meet Jesus, what would be the one and only question He will ask you?

This is the only significant statistic for Jesus. What would be your answer?

Regardless of the level and degree of difficulty, one has only to Simply Listen ….