All God’s children need to be committed to, and involved in, accomplishing the Great Commission. – Unkown
Jesus told his disciples:
“..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.’”- Matthew 28:20
THE CALL TO MAKE DISCIPLES
The call to make disciples (Christ’s followers) is a call not just for some but for everybody. Before we look at some practical steps it’s important that we first see God’s heart for reaching the lost. The whole reason for Jesus coming to this earth was to seek and save those who yet don’t know Him.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” – Luke 19:10
We get to join him on that mission to see people saved. The call to make disciples is the great call to partner with God in his great rescue mission.
THE NEED AND URGENCY
When we understand the enormity of the Good News of Jesus it’s inevitable that you want to tell that news. When you have good news, you inevitably want to tell others about it.
‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Matthew 9:37 – 38
There is a great need and there are too few workers. We need everyone on board, we should be praying for more people to be spreading the good news. If you make One Life Church your home, you’ll hear us often use the phrase, “Invite a friend.” This us giving you an opportunity to bring a friend to church to hear the “good news.”
HOW DO I TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS?
People often are worried that they don’t know enough about the Bible or that they are too new to Christianity to truly explain the Gospel. However, your testimony is the best witness of the Gospel. Many of the most effective evangelists we see in the Scriptures weren’t people who knew a lot but the ones who simply told their story of what had happened to them when they met Jesus like the woman at the well in John 4.
- Firstly, tell people a little about how your life was before you became a Christian.
- Then, explain the events that led you to become a follower of Jesus.
- Lastly, tell them how your life has changed since then.
Never feel like your experience of God is not radical enough. Some people, like Paul, meet God powerfully but most meet him less dramatically. Just tell your story and trust that some people will connect with it. Keep it simple. Let the focus shift from your life to God’s grace.
DISCIPLES ARE CALLED TO MAKE DISCIPLES
Telling others about Jesus is less about a moment and more about a journey. Use this resource or print a new one from onelifechurch.org.za/followingjesus
and go on. discipleship journey with somebody.
Day 1: “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.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Day 2:”And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” – Acts 1:8
Day 3: “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
Day 4: “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’.” – Matthew 4:19
Day 5: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” – Romans 10:14-15
Day 6: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”- Romans 12:4 – 5
Day 7: “But in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. – 1 Peter 3:15
- How can we effectively balance our personal experiences with faith and the call to make disciples, as suggested in the passage? What are the benefits and potential challenges of using our own stories to spread the message of Jesus?
- The passage emphasizes the urgency of spreading the message of salvation. What are some practical ways we can actively participate in this mission, especially in a world with diverse beliefs and backgrounds? How can we encourage more people to join in this mission?
- The passage highlights the concept of disciples making disciples. How can we identify and mentor individuals who may benefit from our guidance in their faith journey? What qualities should a disciple possess when taking on the role of a mentor or guide?
ACTION POINTS:
- Share your testimony with somebody.