Making Disciples according to Jesus
Last week, Skye Jethani was interviewing David Kinnaman on my favorite podcast, The Holy Post. Kinnaman works at Barna, and shared some recent data on how pastors measure discipleship in their congregations. I highly recommend checking the episode out, as it shows some pretty revealing information. I bring this up because how we as Christians measure discipleship has been on my mind lately.
Growing up in the Christian and Missionary Alliance, it has been very common to hear the Great Commission proclaimed as an ongoing direction and commandment for both the Church and individual Christians. I agree with this conviction. Not only is it important we support those who are going to unreached people groups around the world, but that we also be faithful witnesses in our own surroundings.
However, after listening to Skye’s conversation with David last week, something stood out to me that has been stirring for awhile. Having listened to different pastors, evangelists, and apologists from different Protestant backgrounds, I have seen the Great Commission be oversimplified many times in outreach.
Now how can a commandment as straightforward as the Great Commission be oversimplified? Let’s take a look:
“Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
My concern is when an evangelist starts with verse 18 and ends with verse 19. In other words, the command to teach disciples everything Jesus has commanded us is left out. Skye has addressed on the Holy Post more than once the concern that discipleship in Evangelicalism has often been defined by conversion to Christianity and church attendance. This is what stood out to me last week, because I have seen it myself.
I have had training seminars on how to evangelize, and the majority of the content was based on convincing someone they are a sinner and to believe the Gospel. Is this wrong? Of course not! But I have been taught (more than once) that this is how we live out the Great Commission. But there is an obvious problem with this: the teachings of Jesus are left out. How is that fulfilling the Great Commission according to Jesus?
To be a disciple is to be a learner, an imitator. Conversion is crucial, it is the first step in discipleship, but there is a lifelong journey ahead for the Christian, and it is our job in making disciples to walk with the new Christian on this journey. I am not saying a new Christian must learn all of Jesus’ teachings overnight. But if we are to take the Great Commission seriously, we must take all the words spoken in the Great Commission seriously.
When Christians received Matthew’s Gospel in the 1st century and read the very end, how would they have understood the Great Commission? When Jesus says to teach everything that He taught, it would have been assumed this was in reference to what Matthew recorded in his Gospel account. This means teaching the Sermon on the Mount, the Kingdom parables, and the promises Jesus gives throughout.
Discipleship takes a lot of time, and frankly, it can be complicated. Humans are diverse, and there is not one method of discipleship that will work for everybody. This is partially why I believe the teachings of Jesus focus more on the character of a disciple rather than the philosophy of teaching.
So, as we go out to live our calling, let’s pray for the humility and willingness to invest in people. Jesus left His home to invest in us, serve us, and die for us. Let’s live out our discipleship to the fullest, and help others in their journey of discipleship, observing and following the Lord and His way.
Check out mentioned episode of the Holy Post here.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Thumbnail Image: “Methodist Camp Meeting” – Edward Williams Clay and Henry R. Robinson (1836). https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_326094