Devotions

Makes Disciples

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.  2 Timothy 2:2

Read the following passages. 2 Timothy 2:2  1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Mark 3:14, and Matthew 28:18-20!

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.  But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.  For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,  but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.  For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.  Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.  But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.  So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.  You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers, for you know how, like a father with his children,  we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

What do these passages say?  What do we learn about God and Jesus?

What is a disciple?  What is discipleship?  What is the activity of discipleship?

In religion, a disciple is one of the 12 personal followers of Christ, one of the 70 followers sent forth by Christ (Luke 10:1), and any other professed follower of Christ in His lifetime.   A disciple teaches; train.
Jesus tells his disciples to make disciples in Matthew 28.  He had modeled it to them or three an half years.  He had poured His life into a group of 12 men and was not calling them to do the same.  We might not all go out in the same way, but we are called to make disciples.
Discipleship is investing in others’ lives to have the life of Jesus reproduced in their life.  It is more than teaching or a class.  It involves your life.  Making disciples involves sharing the truth.  Making disciples demands that we each keep growing and learning.  Making disciples involves making time for others, and it involves work.
Do you disciple others?  Does there need to be a change in your life to give more time and energy to the cause of making disciples?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending Jesus to be our example of making disciples.  I pray that we will know your word and see how the disciples made disciples.
In Jesus Name
Amen