Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/28

PASSAGE: Matthew 28 [18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

INSIGHT: The focus today is on the final command that Jesus gave the disciples here in Matthew 28. After spending just over three years in public ministry and relationship with his disciples, Jesus wanted them to pass on life with God to others: making disciples who make disciples.

A disciple is simply a student who emulates his teacher in everything. So what is this last challenge that Jesus gave his followers here that could be summarixed as – “making disciples who make disciples”? Disciple-making is apprenticing another person in the things that God has shown you as a follower of Christ and then encouraging them to pass it on to a third generation.

Pass on what you heard from me to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2

Disciple-making isn’t complete until there is a third generation.

The levels of learning:

• Teaching – “I do, you watch.”

• Mentoring/Modeling – “We do together.”

• Disciple-making – “You do, I affirm.”

Jesus focused his time on disciple-making. Often, he would model life with God in front of his disciples and then turn them loose to reach others in the towns they visited – “you do, I affirm.” He stretched their faith as he sent them out. They had to rely on God as they went out.

The one challenge that I would leave here is – how many disciples do you have? Who are you pouring into as a follower of Christ so that they can, in turn, pass on life with God to someone else. And the chain of disciple-making goes on and on and on.

PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to help you identify one person on your life that you can begin building a disciple-making relationship with and begin to fulfill Jesus’ command one person at a time.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Once you identify that person that you can pass on life with God to, pray and ask them if they would like to meet weekly for seven weeks to interact about what it means to go deeper spiritually. For example, read the Gospel of John together and discuss how to live out life with God that’s discussed in the gospel. Remember, there are formulas for disciple-making. It can be messy. But, as you enter into an intentional disciple-making relationship with someone, the spiritual joy and rewards are out of this world as you see someone grow in Christ and then pass on life with God to someone else. Disciple-making and helping others to experience Jesus is the greatest adventure that this life offers. Start today. Join God in what he is doing in this world to reconcile others to him and give them “more and better” life.

I hope the best for you on your journey with Jesus.