This article is a continuation of a series from “Teaching with Truth” about the purpose and power of Christian education and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Foundationally, making disciples is about proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47) so that lost sinners may be called by God through His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit, repent from their sins, and follow Christ as Lord and Savior. Then, once a lost sinner is born again (John 3:3: 1 Peter 1:3) into the family of God as a child of God (1 John 3:1), that person can be discipled to obey God’s Word and grow in Christ.
Discipling can only happen when a person is a Christian, born again into the family of God. Until then, that person cannot be discipled, only evangelized. However, when a person becomes a Christian, then the discipling – teaching and training – can truly take place. Hear the words of Jesus in the Great Commission from Matthew 28:19-20:
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, even to the end of the age.
Jesus said that we are to “make disciples” (Christians) and then – and only then – once a person is a disciple, we can begin “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” A disciple (Christian) is to make other disciples, by proclaiming the gospel to them, and then teach and train these new disciples to obey God’s Word – what God has given us and commanded in His Holy Word.
Furthering God’s Kingdom is God’s plan ordained before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Christians are part of God’s plan and citizens of His Kingdom. Jesus said:
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).
Again, Jesus said:
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:5-6).
In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father concerning His Kingdom:
Your kingdom come, Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen (Matthew 6:13).
Again, Jesus said about God’s Kingdom:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
God’s Word in Hebrews says this about Christians and God’s Kingdom:
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28).
Making disciples of Jesus Christ is God’s plan for furthering His Kingdom. When we believe in Jesus Christ and become a disciple of Christ, we are commanded by God to go and make disciples, new Christians. These new Christians may be your children, family members, neighbors, friends, and students. Then, once they are Christians, we are to teach them to obey all that God has commanded us in His Word. And that is why we are to know God’s Word. We cannot teach God’s Word, if we do not know it.
Are you making disciples? Are you furthering God’s Kingdom? Are you reading God’s Word to be prepared to teach and train disciples?
May God bless you with His grace, love, and truth!