IX. Discipleship
A disciple is a “learner” or “pupil.”4 The Great Commission
teaches us to make disciples. In Christian theology, the process of making
disciples is called “discipleship.” Scripture teaches disciples to become
mature. The Apostle Paul wrote that people within
the church should work together to bring disciples to maturity.
Disciples become mature by becoming like Christ.
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets,
some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s
people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until
we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and
become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the
waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning
and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the
truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is,
Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting
ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its
work.(Ephesians 4:11-16 NIV)
It is the job of the whole church to make disciples. Some in the
church focus on evangelism, some on teaching, and some on various other tasks.
By working together, church members bring disciples to maturity. And churches
and mission organizations plant new churches, making more disciples.
A. Process of Discipleship.
A church should have a plan for developing disciples. The plan
should include the following elements.
1. Evangelism and Immediate Follow-Up.
The church plans and conducts evangelism, and then quickly visits
people who pray to receive Christ. Preferably within a day or at a minimum,
within a week, a couple of people visit the new convert. Ideally the person who
led the convert to Christ will be one of the people who go back to visit. The
visitors from the church should assure the convert of his salvation by sharing
Scripture (see 1 John 5:13). Visitors should encourage the convert to attend
church meetings, and help the convert to get there.
2. Confession and Baptism.
Soon after a person professes faith in Christ, that person should
make a public profession of faith by being baptized. Baptism and the Lord’s
Supper are two ordinances of Christ for the church. The convert should also
verbally confess his faith. Confession is an important part of the salvation
experience (see Romans 10:9 above ).
3. Developing a Devotional Life.
The convert should be trained to spend “quiet time in prayer” with
God daily. Christians should not only pray, but also listen to God as he guides
their thoughts. If the convert can read and has a Bible, the convert should be
taught to study the Bible daily. Christians may start by reading the Book of
John, then the other Gospels, then the rest of the New Testament, and then the Old
Testament. Christians should memorize key verses that have an impact on them as
they study and meditate on Scripture.
4. Bringing Converts into a Local Church.
Every Christian should be integrated into the life and work of a
local church (see Hebrews 10:25). Disciples should be encouraged to discover
their particular spiritual gifts. Disciples are not to be given
responsibilities greater than their spiritual maturity, but they should be
given some work in the church. Either a church uses disciples or loses them.
Each convert should be in a small group
that meets for Bible study and fellowship.
5. Disciples Should be Taught to Bear Fruit.
Jesus said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much
fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). There are three
types of spiritual fruit: converts, character, and conduct. As soon as
possible, a new convert should be invited to go with a more experienced
disciple to learn to evangelize and win converts (see Romans 1:13). The convert
should be encouraged to develop character—the fruit of the spirit (see Gal.
5:22,23). And the convert is encouraged to conduct himself in a righteous
manner (see Romans 6:21,22). 5
6. Transmitting a Vision for a Church Planting Movement.
Each convert should be given a vision for a church planting
movement (see the training module “Missiology”). Converts must learn that one
of the objectives of a local church is to reproduce itself. (For details and for free course
visit <www.missionstraining.org>)
