A Plan of Discipleship?
If you have been a pastor for some length of time, you have probably been asked “What is your plan of discipleship?” By this, many are likely thinking of some program or book that outlines specific steps through which to walk members. Or, they may have in mind a one-on-one mentorship where an older Christian meets with a younger one. While I am not against utilizing a program, this may miss the biblical picture of what making disciples is all about. To understand that, we need to look at the Great Commission.
Sandwiched between two stunning promises about Jesus’ authority and presence with his people is the pivotal command to make disciples: “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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:16-20). In doing so, Jesus has given us what we need to understand discipleship.
Going
You may know that the active verb in this commission is “make disciples” (matheteuo) and the remaining actions are participles: going, baptizing, and teaching. So to start, making disciples must have a sense of mission, intentionality, or action.
We make disciples by going out and proclaiming the Gospel. The central message of the Christian faith, of Jesus’ atoning death for our sins and his triumphal resurrection, needs to be shared. We are all witnesses. If people never hear the Gospel presented to them, they will never become disciples to begin with!
Baptizing
Discipleship includes the powerful symbol of baptism. This ordinance assumes a confession of faith in the Gospel. It also assumes a recognized connection with a Christian community. To be baptized means to have someone baptize you (e.g. Ananias with Saul of Tarsus). A disciple is now a recognized and connected part of a Christian community.
An essential part of discipleship is involvement in a local church. What can be done one-on-one, however important, cannot replace the value of participation in the life of a church. Learning to love others, forgive and be forgiven, weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice, is a sure means of grace to deeper discipleship. Throw people into the church family, and watch them mature in the faith.
Teaching
Discipleship means learning the Word. It is not education detached from life experience, as the learning is meant to produce obedience. While baptism typically comes at the beginning of the Christian life, learning to obey all that Jesus commanded is a lifelong pursuit. We never finish the work of “becoming a disciple.”
Making disciples must include instruction in the Word. Encourage people to sit under good exposition (preaching is a form of discipleship), meditate over the Word on their own, and be part of a Bible study. To make disciples, there is no replacement for the study of Scripture.
All nations
The command to go to all nations is particularly poignant today. A church that doesn’t emphasize the global mission of God has a malnourished discipleship plan. Call people to short and long-term missions, welcome missionaries to come speak and teach, and preach on the call to reach the nations. Whether sending or going, every disciple should be involved in the Great Commission.
For many cities and towns here in the United States, the nations have come to us. This means disciple-making must be willing to cross cultural barriers and reach those different from us. For some churches, it means opening the doors to a multi-ethnic congregation. For others, it could mean cross-cultural connections and friendship.
Maybe your church benefits from a program that helps assist the discipleship process. I’ve gleaned from books like Simple Church and some of the Purpose Driven material. Certainly, one-on-one mentorship can be an invaluable part of the discipleship that goes on in your church. Like me, it could be that you find the organic approach more effective, just doing the things that the Great Commission commands. The key question is whether or not we are actually making disciples.
Rick Harrington is a pastor at First Baptist Church - Haverhill in Massachusetts and the Provost of the (upcoming) BCNE Multiplication Center. He is the author of the books "How to Find a Church: Seven Steps to Becoming Part of a Spiritual Family" and "The Weight of Preaching: Heralding the Gospel of Grace".
