Last week, I posted four of the most common reasons people say don’t make disciples or see disciplemaking as a priority in their church or ministry. This week I will remind you of the reasons and follow up with a response to each of them.
Never Been Discipled
Many people have never been discipled. They have never been part of a small group that meets for the expressed purpose of accountability and spiritual growth. Because they have never experienced the kind of life change that can happen in this environment, they don’t know the value of it.
Response
Although it may be difficult to make disciples if you have never been discipled, it is not impossible. In fact, many people I know personally have never been discipled and are making disciples today. If you have the opportunity to be in a D-Group, get in one, be fruitful and then replicate. If you don’t have a group to be part of; you lead a group. You’ll find that it’s not that complicated, memorize scripture, read the Bible and do
HEAR Journals with discussion, and pray for one another. As you let the Holy Spirit control and empower you, you will grow in skill as you facilitate the group.
Ignorant of The Biblical Mandate
Some don’t make disciples because they are ignorant of the Biblical mandate. They don’t know the command of Jesus to make disciples and they are not aware of Jesus’ model for ministry; particularly the group environment He ministered in.
[bctt tweet=”Some don’t make disciples because they are ignorant of the Biblical mandate. They don’t know the command of Jesus to make disciples and they are not aware of Jesus’ model for ministry.” via=”no”]
Response
The Bible is clear about the ministry that God has called every believer to; make disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20). By disciplemaking, I mean inviting people to come to faith in Christ and then investing in them. So disciplemaking includes both evangelism and discipleship.
In addition to the great commission and the ministry model of Jesus, the Apostle Paul raised up gospel co-workers and emerging leaders through disciplemaking. Just look to 2 Timothy 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 2, Titus 1:4-5, just to cite a few examples.
Not Enough Time
Many believers say they will not make disciples because they say they don’t have time or are not willing to commit to the time it takes to do the daily work (memorization, scripture reading, journaling, and prayer) or spending the time it takes to get to know the people in the group.
Response
My response is that if you are too busy to make disciples, then you are too busy. In fact, when people say that to me, I say something like, “You don’t have the time not to make disciples!” Why? Because if you are consistently making disciples you will multiply your ministry, equip the saints, identify emerging leaders, and really get to know people beyond a surface level relationship. Besides, when you make disciples you are obeying Jesus and following His model for ministry.
[bctt tweet=”My response is that if you are too busy to make disciples, then you are too busy.” via=”no”]
Someone Else Will Do It
Some people don’t make disciples or make it a priority in their church because they believe someone else will do it.
Response
Although we may believe this is true, it is not the case. Most are not making disciples. I don’t know about you, but at the end of my life I want to hear Jesus say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Dawson Trotman said, “Only three things are eternal; God, His Word, and the souls of men and women.” If that’s true, and I believe it is, we must invest in these things. Disciplemaking is a way to do all of that and to do it well!
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Matt Botsford on
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