Therefore 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 28:19-20
When Jesus established the Church through His Apostles, He gave the Church the job of making disciples. A disciple is a student who learns from their teacher with the purpose of imitating their teacher. Believers are students of Jesus who grow closer to Jesus by pursuing Jesus, and in turn, pass on what they have learned to another disciple. Sadly, discipleship is not always a priority for believers, but shouldn’t it be?
Our first step of intentional discipleship should be to make sure we are becoming mature disciples ourselves. Many of us have become satisfied, comfortable Christians who are no longer taking steps forward in sanctification and maturity in Christ. We need to let the Word of God convict us again and shape us until we look more like Christ. This should be our first order of business, our highest concern, and our most important priority.
Our second step of intentional discipleship should be to find a younger Christian whom we can help along the way. More mature believers need to build relationships and offer gentle, yet challenging instruction to less mature believers. Who are you investing in?
The Church has become known for several activities and practices, but it seems that discipleship is no longer our primary function. May I challenge you to pursue discipleship for yourself? Church leaders, will you follow Christ’s mandate to go and make disciples through your churches? Together, let us accept this heavenly assignment, engaging every resource in this task, and lift up the name of Jesus!
