It always feels like I\u2019m \u201cpreaching to the choir\u201d when I write on discipleship. I mean, this is the “North American Mission Board” blog, after all. It\u2019s undoubtedly a part of our DNA as replanters, church planters, or even the lucky folk who happen upon this site because of the keywords in the title.<\/p>\n
But just as we never outgrow our need to be reminded of the gospel, I think we\u2019d do well to remind ourselves of the importance of discipleship, along with some tips therein.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s commanded<\/strong><\/p>\n Remember when Jesus shows up in Galilee after the resurrection? Some worshiped, some doubted, and Jesus draws in real close to declare, \u201cAll authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.\u201d And then comes this command we all know well:<\/p>\n \u201cGo, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.\u201d<\/p>\n And in case any of them were prone to forget (like I forgot about the request to write this article), \u201cRemember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.\u201d<\/p>\n We know this passage, we\u2019ve studied this passage, we\u2019ve preached this passage, and we might even have \u201cMatthew 28:18-20\u201d tattooed on our forearm. Or something.<\/p>\n Majoring on the ‘both\/and’<\/strong><\/p>\n However, at least for me, it\u2019s pretty easy to major on the “either\/or” of the Great Commission. Maybe we\u2019re pretty comfortable open-air preaching or passing out tracts to random strangers, but the idea of a long-term investment in someone gives us the heebie-jeebies.<\/p>\n Conversely, we might love the idea of working one-on-one with a few folks, digging deep into the Word, but would rather have our back waxed than go door to door. However, when I see the Great Commission, I see a command for both evangelism and discipleship.<\/p>\n Jesus says, \u201cGo,\u201d and do what? \u201cMake disciples,\u201d how? By \u201cbaptizing them,\u201d and it doesn\u2019t end there, does it? We don\u2019t just lead someone to the Lord, baptize them, and add them to our membership role. No, we then teach \u201cthem to observe everything I have commanded you.\u201d<\/p>\n Practical tips for ‘both\/and’<\/strong><\/p>\n So, if we agree the Great Commission is both evangelism\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0discipleship, here are three tips for incorporating each into your daily routine:<\/p>\n Evangelism<\/p>\n 1. Pray<\/em><\/p>\n Pray God will give you opportunities to declare the Good News and pray for the boldness and courage to do so. One of the things I notice when I pray is how much it changes me. When I pray for opportunities to share the gospel, it seems my head goes on a swivel when I\u2019m out and about,\u00a0looking<\/em>\u00a0for opportunities to share.<\/p>\n 2. Go<\/em><\/p>\n Go where people are. While God certainly could bring someone right to your doorstep (especially if you happen to live in a parsonage), I encourage you to get out of your study one day a week and into the community. Get out where folks gather and take the initiative to \u2026<\/p>\n 3. Share<\/em><\/p>\n If your mouth is closed, it\u2019s rather difficult to share the Good News. If you\u2019re prayed up and if you\u2019ve gone to where people are, then, by all means, step up to the plate and tell someone that Jesus saves!<\/p>\n Discipleship<\/p>\n I have a version of the \u201cThree Circles\u201d I follow, totally different than the one you\u2019re thinking. When it comes to discipleship, I disciple in my home, in the office, and with someone in my circle of influence. Let me explain:<\/p>\n 1. Home<\/em><\/p>\n My first circle is the home. These are the folks I\u2019m around the most, so it makes sense to be discipling them. My wife and I will study Scripture together, our whole family will have family worship each night, and I\u2019ll guide our girls through daily Bible reading.<\/p>\n