Put a name on it.
A number of years ago, I was asked a really helpful question when it came to disciple-making. That question was, “Can you put a name on it?” This question is so simple and so straightforward, and that is why I think it is so helpful. For many of us, we earnestly want to embody the life of Christ, that is, do what Jesus did and what he commands us to do. Yet, like a lot of things in our lives, we think we can bite off more than we can chew or just plan to take really big steps. Maybe it’s just me that has made a New Year’s resolution and tried to go from 0-60 all in one week. No? You too? Whew, I am glad it isn’t just me. We’re all in this boat, and we do it in our spiritual lives as well. Again, I’m not sure about you, but this cycle of ambition and frustration when my ambition doesn’t match reality can really sideline me. So, this simple question helps me stay oriented and focused on taking steps, not leaps, when it comes to being faithful in disciple-making. How can we take faithful steps in this area? Let’s start with the basics.
What is a disciple?
A disciple is simply a follower. In the first-century, this was a normal invitation from a rabbi to a young man, “Come and be my disciple.” This invitation was literally to come and follow and be like me. Jesus invites us to be his disciples (followers) and to be like him. That is what Paul explained to the Corinthian church in 1 Cor. 11:1-2, and John wrote to the church in Ephesus in 1 Jn. 2:6. As Christians, we are to follow and grow to look more like Jesus. The theologian Dallas Willard often talked about this in terms of being an apprentice of Jesus. An apprentice trains under their master and through that training ends up looking a lot like their master. Simply, a disciple is someone who follows Jesus in a life-defining way.
Who is a disciple?
Going back to the first-century rabbinic invitation, only those who were invited by a rabbi could be considered a disciple. And with that, the more prestigious the rabbi, the more honorable the invitation and status one had as a disciple. But here is the beautiful thing in Christianity, everyone is invited to be a disciple of Jesus! That means that when we respond by faith to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we become disciples. The invitation into discipleship is for all people here and to the ends of the earth.
What does a disciple do?
Disciples are first invited to enjoy the non-anxious presence and abiding connection with God through Jesus (Jn. 15:1-17). Jesus also gives all disciples (followers) a specific command in the Great Commission, that is to go and make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). That is we are to invite those who are not following Jesus to come, see, and consider Jesus and the abundant and eternal life that he alone offers. We do this in both words and deed. We are also to help younger believers grow in their faith and conformity with Jesus.
Back to the opening question, “Can you put a name on it?” If we are commanded by Jesus to both invite those around us to consider and follow Jesus, and to help other believers grow, can I put a name on who those people are? Here are some questions to consider:
- Who are 3 people I interact with regularly that I can invite to come and see and follow Jesus for the first time?
- Who are 2 believers that I interact with regularly that I can help grow into maturity?
- Who is 1 believer that I interact with regularly that can help me grow into maturity?
In the Great Commission, Jesus not only commands us to be concerned for those directly around us but also for those to the ends of the earth. If you would like to grow in your knowledge of the importance and how to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth, you can join in on a Perspectives class that is beginning in January in Ankeny. All info is available here: https://perspectives.org/courses/des-moines-area-ankeny-ia-s24/