Okay, I am finally writing about how to make disciples the way Jesus did. First, a disclaimer: I am hardly an expert at this, so if you don't like what I write, I welcome your input! Basically I will just take a look at Scripture and attempt to describe what Jesus actually did to make disciples (I think we all know that Jesus told His followers to make disciples, right? And since He had was talking to His disciples, I think I am safe to assume that how He did it was what He had in mind!). So here goes...
First, make sure you are really Jesus' disciple. Well, that's a bit obvious, but I didn't want to have anyone reading this assume that you can just decide to make disciples without first having been discipled into a place of maturity as a true follower of Jesus. After all, Jesus' disciplemaking was based on His intimate, obedient relationship with His Father, so we must start in the same place. (See some of my earlier posts on what it really means to be like Jesus).
Next, do something miraculous. What???? Well, that is what Jesus did. In His first contact with Andrew and Simon Peter, He prophesied Simon's future (see John 1:40-42), and He follows that by "reading" Nathanael's heart (John 1:43-50). Furthermore, in Luke's account of the calling of Simon, Andrew, James and John, Jesus starts with a miraculous catch of fish (see Luke 5:1-11). My point is that in New Testament times, following Jesus apart from a supernatural lifestyle was unthinkable. After all, we don't get very far in the Gospels before Jesus is equipping and commissioning His disciples to heal the sick, cast out demons, etc. To be a true disciple of Jesus, then, is to start in the context of supernatural power. This theme is carried through the New Testament, isn't it? The first large ingathering of new followers of Jesus (Acts 2) occurred in the context of a huge outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And Paul describes his ministry as one that was characterized by power, deep conviction and the Holy Spirit (see 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and 1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Just something to think about :-)
Next, pray all night before inviting people to the discipleship process. What??? Well, again, that's what Jesus did. In Luke 6:12-16 we see that He prayed all night before calling the Twelve to be those whom He would "disciple" the most. And notice as you read this passage that Jesus chose those who were already following Him as disciples. This is a hugely important discipleship principle: You can disciple only those who are truly disciples already (truly born again, truly living in obedience or at least wanting to).
Next, heal them. What??? Again, that's apparently what Jesus did. In Luke 6:40b it says, "A disciple is not above his/her teacher, but everyone who has been restored and mended so as to be fully prepared will be like his teacher." (Tom's paraphrase). Note that I have yet to find a translation that adequately translates this passage--the word that is usually translated "fully trained" or something similar is a word that refers to the mending of nets so as to make them functional again. My point here is that inner healing and deliverance are part of the disciplemaking process--one that we dare not overlook in this era of badly broken people. I may write more on this at a later time.
Next, hang out with them. In Mark's version of the calling of the Twelve, we read, "He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons..." (NKJV emphasis mine). This is again a hugely important principle. Disciples are made only in the context of relationship and primarily by means of modeling. Thus the idea of a "discipleship class" where information is poured into people's lives is not a biblical concept. There is only one way to make disciples and that is to live the life of a follower of Jesus in the context of close relationship. That's how Jesus did it, that's also how Paul did it. Consider how many times Paul points to himself as an example (see Acts 20:18-19, 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 and 2:4-12 for two examples) and also encourages his readers to imitate him (see 1 Corinthians 11:1 and Philippians 3:17 for two examples). And Paul clearly expected those he discipled to do the same--he tells both Timothy and Titus to be examples to those they lead (1 Timothy 4:12, Titus 2:7).
Well, ponder these for a while, and I will write more in a couple of weeks about the "training" aspect of discipleship. As you can imagine, it will probably be different from some of what you have read or experienced in the past! For now, ponder well what is written above, asking yourself first, "Am I a disciple of Jesus?" and secondly, "If so, have I ever really truly discipled anyone?" Happy pondering to all!
Stay lost in His love, inundated by His power...
Tom, the least of Abba's children
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