What it Takes to Make Disciples

Long form web content written for gemission.org

Making disciples is a well-known Christian concept that's inspired thousands of books and articles. It was Jesus' first step when starting his ministry. Before changing the world, Jesus first chose a team of followers that he taught and mentored.

If making disciples was an essential step for Christ's ministry, it must be an essential step for any ministry. If it's an essential step, then it merits diligence, meaning we should try to be good at it.

The GEM Method

While there is no one formula for making disciples, I believe it takes at least 3 things: Commitment, authenticity, and intentionality.

In this article, I'll outline these 3 traits, which were discussed in a recent GEM webinar. I believe if you exhibit these 3 traits, you'll have what it takes to make disciples.

#1 Commitment

In John 17, Jesus prays over His ministry and over His Disciples. He repeatedly mentions that the Disciples are still part of the world (John 17:11, 15, 18). Why? Because Jesus knows He'll be leaving them behind with the responsibility of continuing His work so that others may believe (v20). A little while later, Jesus is crucified, resurrected, then ascends to heaven. Before his ascension, He hands down to the Disciples what we've come to call the Great Commission.

As commandments go, the Great Commission is one of the clearest: "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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." That is one of the last things Jesus ever said to the (then 11) Disciples. They would have understood it as a commandment to follow Jesus' model. In the same way that Christ mentored and taught the 12, they were to go teach and mentor all the nations.

The Great Commission can be considered an eternal commandment, meaning it applies to all Christians, in all places, and at all times. Obedience to eternal commandments isn't optional. It's a necessary part of wearing the name Christian. It's something we have to be committed to, which brings us to the first thing it takes to make disciples.

Commitment to me means a deeply held refusal to give up. Commitment helps us deal with the challenges and failures that come with making disciples. A sort of blind obedience allows us to roll with the punches because we're forced to move past them when all logic and reason would tell us to move on to something else. I've failed several times to bring someone to Christ. Young guys that I've befriended sometimes decide to abruptly end our relationship for diverse reasons. But that's ok! We're not called to be high performers, as if we're salespeople; we're called to be committed.

We are not responsible for the success of the mission. That's the Lord's job. Just commit your time and energy to God and watch what He does through you. You may not even see the impact of your work in your lifetime. Surely, the 12 Disciples never imagined their works would lead to a global movement. Making disciples is about responding to the calling and embracing it with our whole strength. I've had to accept that failure to bring someone to Christ is just part of the job. I can't force people to believe. But I stay committed through the failures because it's what we're commanded to do.

#2 Authenticity

The second thing it takes to make disciples is authenticity. By this, I simply mean being real with people.

Making disciples is a lifestyle. It's motivated by the heart and is tough to fake. But, if you imitate Christ, people will notice and embrace you. People appreciate genuine interactions and don't want to feel like they're being sold on something. If you deeply care for the unsaved and are passionate, it'll show, and those receptive to the message will gravitate toward you. Authenticity makes us spiritually contagious. Bare minimum, when we cross paths with someone, they should at least notice the Jesus bug.

Not only is authenticity an essential trait for making disciples, but it's also something God wants from us. God is more interested in our hearts than in our sacrifices (Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13), which means making disciples should be at the core of who we are.

Just like I've failed to make disciples, I've also successfully mentored and discipled people who were originally just interested in what I had to say, mainly because I was authentic with them.

#3 Intentionality

The last thing it takes to make disciples is intentionality. By that, I mean constantly examining your choices and behavior and avoiding autopilot.

All Christians and non-believers are unique individuals. Discipling one person will never be the exact same experience as discipling another. Because of this, making disciples requires close, personal, family-like relationships. You must get to know the person you are discipling. The teacher and the learner have to spend a significant amount of time together, just like in a family, friendship, or romantic relationship.

This involves a certain level of risk. For example, asking for an introvert's time could make them uncomfortable. Others might react negatively to being pursued. Depending on their background, they could perceive intentionality as pushy.

But Jesus did not command us to make everyone feel comfortable. In the same way that some followers of Jesus left him, people will leave you in the middle of the discipleship process. But as we've learned, failure is ok! You simply "shake the dust from your feet," learn what you can, and move on. Remember, just because you failed to make someone a disciple does not mean they are lost forever. I often pray they meet another Christian who will continue where we left off. God will send someone else to complete the process when they are ready.

Conclusion

To wrap up, making disciples requires these 3 things:

1.    Commitment

2.    Authenticity

3.    Intentionality

These are by no means a holistic summary of the discipleship process, but they're certainly essential.

If you really work to make these 3 things traits, meaning they are identifying characteristics or habits, I believe you'll see more success in making disciples.