Making disciples like Jesus did

"And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach." (Mark 3:13)

Setting an example

Jesus showed His disciples how to live. Jesus invited them to participate in His doctrine, not to study it in theoretical isolation. He proved the relevance of what He taught by doing truth. Class was always in session. Discipleship was a way of life. Jewish disciples were expected to observe their teachers/rabbis and to learn by asking questions and then applying to their own lives what they observed. People do what they see and hear. First came heart connection then ministry responsibility.

Called to be with Him

Jesus method was personal involvement. He called His disciples to be with Him. Jesus’ disciples were distinguished by one thing, and that was being with Jesus. Jesus’ disciples were with Him on trips, prayer retreats, times of worship, eating, sailing, and fishing expeditions. They were together in the desserts, cities, synagogues, homes, wedding feasts and funerals. They were with Him more as a group than alone.

The few to reach the many

Jesus concentrated on a few at a time so He could have greater effect on their lives. Jesus concern was not programs, but people, people who would be fathers and mothers to the multitudes. Though He had a vision for the whole world, He started by investing His life in a few men and women. We cannot accomplish the mission of Jesus or live the life of Jesus apart from the example of Jesus to select and disciple a few people.

Total surrender

Jesus expected His disciples to obey Him. They were not required to be the best educated or wealthiest, or most prominent, but they had to be obedient. They were not selected based on their age or education or gender but their willingness to forsake everything for Him. Jesus did not have the time to scatter Himself around with those who wanted to follow Him on their own terms. Jesus spoke often about the cross. At least 16 times prior to His arrest He spoke about suffering and death.

He gave Himself

Jesus gave from His heart. He didn’t hold back sharing personally his deepest challenges and temptations. He brought his disciples close to Him in friendship. He told them they were not His servants but His friends. Paul did the same. He told the Thessalonians that he gave them not just the gospel but his own heart. Programs don’t disciple people, people disciple people.

Sharing the load

Jesus involved His disciples in the work. He gave the church back to them, rather than leaving it in the hands of a few priests. Jesus accomplished the work of ministry by giving opportunity and responsibility to as many who would help carry the load. Delegation was more than a nice gesture to include a few people. The great commission to go and make disciples was God’s way to accomplish His plan of redemption. We are men and women who have been delegated a responsibility. The question is: will you fulfill your part? Practically it started with small, manual responsibilities, but it grew from there.

He assessed them and gave them feedback

He supervised them. He gave responsibility with accountability. Experience is not the best teacher, evaluated experience is. There was no failure to Jesus, just opportunities to learn. He heard their reports, rejoiced with them, and moved forward from there.

Reproduction in every sphere of life

Jesus expected His disciples to reproduce His life in others in everything they did. Marriage and family. Work and sports. One on one, family on family, cell on cell, house church to house church, congregation to congregation, business to business. We must evaluate the faithfulness of our lives by whether we are reproducing what God has given us in the lives of others. Through intentional relationships.

Conclusion

Personal disciple making is the Jesus way of influencing people, launching a movement, doing ministry and engaging the culture. No one is exempt from doing it His way. We cannot improve on how Jesus modeled ministry for us in the word. Though He came to reach the whole world He did it one person at a time.

By Floyd McClung (used by permission)
All Nations

For more resources relating to church planting visit Floyd's homepage: www.floydandsally.org/