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).
- True believers are more than just converts, but followers of Jesus, obeying what He has commanded.
- 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.
- 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.
- Jesus charges the church with building reproducing disciples. Disciple making triggers multiplication.