Discipleship is the method by which the Lord is building His Church.
Matthew 28:16-20
The mission of an organization is essential. Understanding a mission provides a foundation for clarity, direction, and shared purpose, enabling individuals and organizations to work collaboratively toward achieving their goals and making a meaningful impact.
In the same way, the Church has a mission. When we rightly understand the mission of the Church, it provides clarity, direction, and a shared purpose to enable each of us to work collaboratively toward making a meaningful impact in our community and society. Therefore, we need to understand the mission of the Church.
Matthew 28:16-20, ESV
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus’ eleven disciples are gathered on the mountain in Galilee as He instructed them. Having resurrected from the dead, he comes to them to give them His final words before ascending back to heaven. Some of them are still unsure about the situation. Some of them worshipped Him, and some of them doubted. Interestingly, Jesus does not address their doubts. Instead, He gives them His instructions.
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The text before us is known as “The Great Commission.” To emphasize its importance, we should note that some form of this commission appears in all four Gospels and the book of Acts. These are Jesus’s last words to His Disciples. Jesus instructs His disciples (and ultimately the Church throughout all ages) concerning how to build His Church. So, according to Jesus’ last words, the mission of the Church is discipleship!
We are asking the question, “Why is discipleship important?”
I am giving you five reasons why discipleship is essential. I am sure there are more answers than I will provide you with in this article. But my hope is that we will come to appreciate why the Lord chose to use discipleship as the means by which He would build His Church. Not only will we appreciate the mission, but we will start the new year by committing ourselves to being on mission this year. Let me give you five reasons why discipleship is essential.
The Passing of Truth
Genesis 1:28, 18:19; Deuteronomy 4:9, 6:4-9; Joshua 4:21-24; Psalm 78:1-8, 103:17
Time will not permit me to take you through a complete look at the passing of truth in the Old Testament. But let me give you some thoughts from the Old Testament to demonstrate the importance of discipleship for passing truth. God determined that He would create man in His image. He created them male and female.
He brought them together and blessed them (Genesis 1:28). In His blessing, the Lord instructed them to be fruitful and multiply. Many Bible scholars understand this to be a blessing for them, not only for reproduction purposes. But in reproduction, they would promote righteousness throughout the earth. Therefore, from the very beginning, it is God’s plan that one generation would disciple the next generation to promote righteousness. Promoting righteousness from generation to generation is seen in Deuteronomy 6.
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
God instructs the fathers to teach the commandments of God to their children and grandchildren. According to verse six, this is first a personal possession of the truth in their hearts. Then, God instructs them to teach these truths to their children.
The Psalmist speaks of passing truth on to the next generation. Note Psalm 78:4
4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
How often do our children hear us speak of the strength of God and His work in our lives?
Discipleship is how the Lord answers the first three petitions of the Model Prayer
Matthew 6:9-10
The first three petitions of the Model Prayer focus on the Lord.
Matthew 6:9-10, ESV
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
The first petition of the model prayer is for the Lord to make His name holy among us.
10 Your kingdom come.
The second petition of the model prayer is for the Lord to rule in our lives.
Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
The third petition is for the will of the Lord to be accomplished on earth.
So, when we disciple others, we focus on fulfilling these three petitions.
Jesus Modeled Discipleship
Mark 1:14; Luke 6:12-13; Mark 6:7, 30
Jesus chose twelve men for Himself. The amazing fact about these men is that when Jesus called them to follow Him, they left everything they had immediately to follow Him. We do not know how much they understood about Jesus and who He is, but they followed Him when He called them.
Jesus calls twelve men to follow Him. They traveled with Him, heard His teaching, and witnessed His miracles. They listened and watched Jesus day after day. Jesus modeled discipleship.
Now, of those twelve men, it appears that there were three men (Peter, James, and John) with whom Jesus spent more time and poured Himself into them. So, when we consider why discipleship is necessary, we should look to the model of Jesus. Following the model of Jesus is all the more critical when we call ourselves followers of Jesus. As His followers, why wouldn’t we want to follow His model?
Jesus Promised the Holy Spirit to Help Us
John 14:15-31, 16:5-15; Acts 1:6-11
Jesus gathered with His disciples shortly before His death to prepare them for what would happen to Him. He reassured them that the Holy Spirit would come to be their Helper in His absence. The Holy Spirit would be their Helper because He would magnify Christ. He would also bring conviction upon the world (John 16:8-11). So, when we think about the importance of discipleship, we should be encouraged that the Lord does not leave us alone. While He does not leave us alone, the Helper (the Holy Spirit) also does the work through us.
Jesus Commanded Discipleship
Matthew 28:19-20
Of all the reasons we could give concerning why discipleship is important, this is the most important reason! As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to obey Him. So, that He commanded us to make disciples is enough for us to see its importance.
Conclusion
As you consider the importance of discipleship, are you a disciple of Jesus? Is your relationship with Jesus a growing relationship? As a disciple of Jesus, are you a disciple-maker? Who are you pouring yourself into to help them know Christ and grow in Him?