Disciple-Making Pastor, Part 4

The Product We Hope to Develop: a re-commitment to Christ’s clear commands to make disciples.

Biblical Foundations of Disciple Making:
Matthew 28:18-20, John 20:21, Acts 1:8. As you are going, baptizing and teaching, making disciples. The charge is not to make converts. This is a process of multiplication, not addition.

The Obedient Church:
This is an intention effort that requires a commitment to reproduction, and multiplication.

Are Disciples More Than Converts?
We are called to make disciples and to bear fruit, Luke 14:25-35.

Are Disciples Born or Made?
The Bible talks a lot about transformation and a willful decision to become a follower of Christ. Paul writes about immature believers that ought to be farther along, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, and the writer of Hebrews 5:11-13 addresses the same issue.

Jesus’ Definition of Disciple:
Luke 9:23, Luke 14:25-35, John 8:31, Matthew 9:36-38, John 13:34-35, John 15:7-17 (the disciple’s profile: he remains in Christ, relates to Christ’s words, is committed to prayer, is obedient, bears fruit, glorifies God, has joy, loves as Jesus did).

  1. True believers are more than just converts, but followers of Jesus, obeying what He has commanded.
  2. Jesus meant more than just go and do evangelism. Disciples count the cost, make sacrifices, and follow Him, which requires a long and intentional process for people to become disciples.
  3. Making disciples of all nations is stated as a goal, to win as many as possible, develop many as possible and multiply through many as possible. Converts are born but disciples are made.
  4. Jesus charges the church with building reproducing disciples. Disciple making triggers multiplication.

Related Images: