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
The last thing Jesus told His disciples before ascending to heaven was this. It’s important for us to take note of a God who’s incredibly specific and knows exactly what He is doing…to pay attention to the last thing He tells His disciples in person. Go….make disciples….in my name….teaching them everything….and I’ll always be with you.
Why are we here? What are we called to do as Christians? What is God’s purpose for our lives? As we are called to bring glory to God, we are told we do that through making disciples. That is what we are called to do as Christians. Are we really making disciples?
As we follow Jesus and make disciples, we’ll experience God in amazing ways. We’ll experience Him being right there with us, helping guide us with wisdom on how to lead others, and we’ll experience Him rescuing more and more people from darkness, to light. We don’t have to force discipleship because we can love others and God will bring the results.
Disciple is an identity; everything else is a role.
Here is what the Bible has to say with scripture on discipleship:
John 12:26 – If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
John 13:35 – By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Job 36:11 – If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness.
John 14:21 – Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.
John 8:31-32 – So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 15:8 – By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Matthew 16:24-25 – Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
2 Timothy 4:1-2 – I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
What does the Bible have to say about other topics?
Thanks, Mike, for this good word! May we all become strong, trustworthy disciples who love the Lord, the Bible, and all peoples, so we can help draw others to Christ.
Thanks so much for sharing Mary!