Introduction

Robby Gallaty of Replicate Ministries and pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church outlines The Great Commission using three words:

• Make Disciples (Go)
• Mark Disciples (Baptizing Them)
• Mature Disciples (Teaching Them)

Garrett Kell defines discipleship in this way:

Disciples are called to follow Christ, and following Him means helping others follow Him.

The goal of teaching is to help disciples obey Jesus’ commands. Jesus plainly states this when said, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:20).”

The overarching goal is spiritual maturity. The expression of spiritual maturity is obedience to the commands of Christ. This article looks at the characteristics of teaching and how it relates to making disciples.

This article will rely mainly upon the words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy in His second letter (2 Timothy 3:10-17). Remember, in many ways, Timothy is a disciple of Paul. You see this specifically in verse 10. Paul reminds Timothy that he has followed Paul. The list Paul gives of that which Timothy has followed encompasses the whole of Paul’s life and ministry:

• Teaching
• Conduct
• Aim in life
• Faith
• Patience
• Love
• Steadfastness
• Persecution

Then, in verse 14, Paul encourages Timothy to continue in what he has learned and firmly believes. Notice the order here:

• Leaning
• Believing

It is possible to learn something, know it, and even understand it, but not believe it. For example, I worked with a man many years ago who is the most well-read man I have ever met. He could quote Shakespeare and the Scriptures. I am amazed at the level of knowledge and understanding he had of the Scriptures. Yet, he chose to live an alternate lifestyle. So, he learned the Scriptures, knew them, and even understood them, but did not believe them. The truth of the matter is your behavior demonstrates your beliefs.

Jesus said to teach them to obey. Paul encourages Timothy to continue with what he has learned and believed in. The goal of making disciples is obedience to Christ. So, Paul recognizes that the things Timothy has learned and believed were a result of learning the “sacred writings.” In other words, Timothy had learned the Word of God.

Paul uses the word “profitable” to describe the Word of God. Dr. Wiersbe makes an important observation:

A Christian who studies the Bible and applies what he learns will grow in holiness and avoid many pitfalls in this world.

A Christian who studies the Bible and applies what he learns will grow in holiness and avoid many pitfalls in this world.

Paul then gives a list of four characteristics of the Word of God. Paul uses two words in verse 17: 1) complete and 2) equipped.

Paul does not intend to say that everyone who studies and applies the Word of God will be perfect or fully complete. He is conveying the idea that the person who studies and applies the Word of God to their life will be fit for service. Thus, the second word Paul uses, “equipped,” conveys the idea that God gives us what we need through the Scriptures to do the work of the ministry. Every Christian is a minister. We are to minister to the people we encounter every day.

Verse 17 is the goal of discipleship. Spiritual maturity should characterize every follower of Jesus Christ. The maturing of a Christian cannot happen apart from the proper study and application of God’s word to our lives.

Let’s focus now on the list of four characteristics that Paul gives about the Scriptures. Because these encompass the whole of the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke of teaching disciples to obey His commands. But Jesus is the Word that was made flesh. So, the commands of Christ do not contradict any of the rest of the Scriptures. Therefore, Paul’s instruction to Timothy to teach the Scriptures identifies the foundation for making disciples. We are to teach them.

Teaching Imparts Knowledge

Paul states, “All Scripture is…profitable for teaching.” The word “teaching” in Greek is the root word from which we get our English word “didactic.” Didactic refers to something that is intended to teach.

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he reminds Timothy that Godliness holds the promise for this life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8). Paul sets this in contrast to bodily exercise. Bodily exercise is good in this life. But, it is only temporary. Godliness, on the other hand, is profitable for this life and the life to come. Pursuing godliness begins with imparting the knowledge of the Word of God.

Peter writes his letter to those who scattered during persecution. He encourages them to confirm their calling and election. Peter is speaking of godliness, which is the goal of discipleship. So, in 2 Peter 1:5-7, Peter gives a list of qualities to supplement our faith. As he concludes this list of qualities, he makes this assertion:

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note the word “increasing.” Increasing speaks of spiritual growth or maturity. If these qualities increase, Peter says they will “keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So, as we teach disciples, knowledge is imparted to them.

Teaching Incites Conviction

The second word that Paul uses to describe the Scriptures is “reproof.” Reproof could also be translated as “conviction.” So, first and foremost, the proper teaching of the Scriptures convict a person of their sin. It is repentance and turning away from sin that is the beginning of discipleship.

However, repentance should characterize the life of a follower of Christ. Repentance is not a one-time act. None of us are perfect. There will be sin in our lives if we have breath. So, as disciples of Christ, we must remain under the faithful teaching of the Scriptures. As we do so, a conviction will be incited in us.

A life of spiritual maturity is one in which we respond appropriately to conviction. 

Teaching Invokes Correction

Correction is the restoration to an upright state. It is a straightening up. The implication is that there is an improvement in life or character.

I am sure that many of us have heard our parents or we have said to our kids, “You better straighten up!” That statement comes directly from this idea of correction.

The Proverbs state, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid (Proverbs 12:1 ESV).” The word discipline is also the word correction. Notice the Proverb connects discipline (or correction) with knowledge. Do you see the theme? Earlier, we saw that Peter listed knowledge as one of the qualities of a spiritually maturing life.

Again, the Proverbs assert, “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence (Proverbs 15:32 ESV).” In chapter 12, the love of discipline is the love of knowledge. In chapter 15, ignoring instruction (discipline or correction) despises himself.

Teaching Informs Righteousness

Righteousness, in the broadest sense, is the condition acceptable to God. But, in a narrower sense, it is integrity, virtue, and purity of life. Righteousness characterizes the Kingdom of God. Jesus spoke often about righteousness.

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he speaks of righteousness thirty-five times. He speaks of righteousness in terms of salvation. But Paul also speaks of righteousness on a personal level.

According to Paul, the righteous live by faith.

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith (Rom 1:17 ESV).

He then points us back to the promise Abraham received. Paul makes the case that the promise did not come through the Law. It came through the righteousness of faith.

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith (Rom 4:13 ESV).

Paul instructs us to present our bodies as instruments for righteousness. Why? Because we are under grace, sin no longer has dominion over us.

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness (Rom 6:13 ESV).

All that Paul writes to the Romans about righteousness is in line with the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. According to Jesus, those who thirst for righteousness will be satisfied.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6 ESV).

In the same sermon, Jesus instructs he hears to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When you seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness, God will give you all you need.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33 ESV).

So, Jesus instructs us to make disciples, mark them through baptism, and mature them through teaching.

So, what does this third characteristic of the mission look like in your life?

Application

There are three realms of your life in which you need to think about discipleship. The first is in a large group. Are you connected to a local church? Do you regularly participate in that local church’s times of worship? If not, why not? You need to be under the preaching of the Word of God on a regular basis.

Secondly, you need to consider discipleship in a small group. You must be involved if your local church has Sunday School, where you can get age-appropriate, systematic teaching through the Word of God. I mention Sunday School because it is a small group in nature. There are also other opportunities for small-group discipleship. So, are you involved in a small group?

Lastly, you need to consider discipleship in your personal life. Indeed, you should be involved in regular reading and study of the Word of God during daily quiet time. But I am thinking about your interaction with other people. Who do you have that is pouring themself into you? Likewise, who are you pouring yourself into?