“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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This passage from Matthew 28 is a call to action for every Christian. It’s a mandate to share God’s message with everyone we meet, so that they may know Him and be saved. And this isn’t just something we should do passively; it requires us to go out into the world and preach His gospel. How can we do this effectively? By making disciples of all nations!
In this blog post, we will explore what it means to be a disciple and how we can make a difference in this world. We will also look at some practical ways that you can begin making disciples today.
What Does Matthew 28:19-20 Mean?
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples that they are to go forth and make disciples of all nations. This is significant for a few reasons.
First, it builds on what Jesus had said earlier in the gospel – that he is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Making disciples means teaching others about this unique message and helping them find salvation.
Second, it emphasizes Jesus’ universality. He wants everyone to come to know him and receive salvation. No one is left out – not Jews, Gentiles, slaves, or rulers.
Finally, making disciples is a lifelong task. We can’t expect it to happen overnight – just as Jesus didn’t come back to earth right away after his death. It will take time and patience but we should never give up hope!
How to Go and Make Disciples?
There is no one better equipped to disciple others than Jesus Himself. In this article, we will outline how you can go and make disciples of all nations.
Before beginning any evangelism work, it is important to have a solid understanding of who the target audience is. Ask yourself: what kind of people live in this area? What are their needs? Once you have a good idea of who to reach out to and what they need, start by targeting key groups. For example, if your target audience is young adults, start by preaching to youth groups or college campuses.
Once you have identified your target audience, your next step is to create an effective outreach strategy. One way to do this is through social media. Make sure that you are using hashtags and following relevant users so that your followers can find you easily. You can also create flyers or advertisements that targeted at your audience. Additionally, hosting small group meetings or Bible studies nearby where people can come and learn more about Christianity is another great way to connect with potential disciples.
If you are feeling overwhelmed when it comes to reaching out to people, don’t be afraid to enlist the help of others. There are many organizations that provide volunteers for evangelism work such as World Vision or Samaritan’s Purse. Or if you already have some friends who are interested in Christianity, invite them over for a Bible study or discussion group! Ultimately, the most important aspect of evangelism work is sincerity and compassion.
‘Disciples’
The command to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” is one that can be applied to missionary work. Making disciples means becoming like the master, submitting to his example, and then inviting others to follow suit. It is the same concept that Jesus taught. By making disciples, we are fulfilling Jesus’ great commission.
The Great Commission is one of Jesus’ last teachings to his disciples. This is one of his most important teachings. The disciples had studied with him for three years, had witnessed his death, and believed that he was the Messiah. Therefore, it was important for them to become his disciples and to share the Good News with as many people as possible.
In the book of Acts, the word ‘disciples’ is used of all believers, not just the first followers. This term is consistent with the use of the primitive church in Jerusalem as well as the ministry of Jesus. But there are important differences. Some scholars have argued that the word ‘disciples’ is used of all believers, including those in the ministry of Jesus.
Many people view this challenge as impossible, but we should remember that “all nations” really means all nations, not just the countries we have yet to reach. The great commission encourages us to share the good news in our communities and spread the Gospel to all nations.
‘Ordinary’ Christians
The command to make disciples of all nations is not only for ‘churchy’ Christians. In order to do this, ‘ordinary’ Christians must first live as disciples of Christ. This requires a close personal relationship with a fellow Christian. This mentorship can help a young Christian apply the teachings of Christ to the real world.
Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations is so broad and far-reaching that it is almost paralyzing to think about. Even though his followers were only about 500 people in Galilee, the command would have seemed ridiculous to them. Nonetheless, they must obey Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations.
Making disciples is a fundamental component of Christianity and involves every aspect of a Christian’s life. Regardless of our level of education, income level, or social status, discipleship is an essential part of being a Christian. The church has always been about making disciples, and this is true of ‘ordinary’ Christians as well.
Discipleship is lacking in our churches today. We are taught a basic version of the Gospel and told to “get your neighbors saved”. We do not equip the new recruits with the knowledge, tools, and spirit to go forth and make disciples of all nations. Instead, we must build the Armor of God by equipping the disciples for their new role.
‘Active’ disciples
To be an ‘Active’ disciple of Christ, you must commit your whole life to this task. This means giving up your own interests and following Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations. This is a monumental task, given your limited resources. But it’s a task that Jesus made possible.
The early disciples did not refer to themselves as disciples in the physical sense. Instead, they were living a life of service and worship. While they did not follow Jesus geographically, they still considered themselves disciples of Christ. In fact, it is difficult to distinguish disciples from ordinary Christians based on the biblical view of discipleship.
While Jesus’ earthly ministry was focused on the nation of Israel, the church is called to make disciples of all nations. This mandate extends to all people groups, languages, and nations. This mandate has implications for the Church of today. But it is also important to consider that Jesus’ mission was to make disciples of all nations, not just those who spoke the same language.
The Great Commission calls on the Church to continue making disciples until the end of time. Some have even gone so far as to say that this work should continue until Jesus returns. In other words, God’s Great Commission should be an endlessly busy task for the Church. In the meantime, every church should be actively engaged in discipling the nations.
‘Celebrity’ disciples
Jason Kennedy, the host of the E! News show, is one of the celebrities who attended a bible study. The Bible study was documented by Jason Sheeler, a reporter for E!. The study was a very positive experience for Kennedy. It helped him grow in his faith. The encounter also allowed him to connect with other Christians on a deeper level.
‘Spiritual’ disciples
One of the most challenging commands Jesus ever gave his followers was to make disciples of all nations. That command is so expansive, it would paralyze most people. It would have been absurd to give such a mandate to just 500 disciples scattered across Galilee. But Jesus did so because he established His authority over them.
Discipleship involves investing in the spiritual growth of others. Discipleship strengthens the spiritual life and increases the interaction with God. The church must have many disciples to fulfill the different ministries of the church. In addition to making disciples, the church must practice various forms of discipleship. Spiritual disciplines involve personal attention and guidance from mature Christians.
When Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to his followers, he promised them that he would be with them in their ministry. He would help them remember what he taught them and send the Holy Spirit to strengthen their ministry. The Holy Spirit would give them the confidence to proclaim the gospel message to all people. That’s why the disciples were to be witnesses to the gospel message to all peoples.
To make disciples of all nations, believers must seek intimacy with Christ. This means meeting personally with believers on a personal level and developing a mentoring relationship. By doing so, discipleship-making will create roots and strength in their relationship with the Lord. A disciple should constantly be available for fellowship with the Lord.
‘Aristotle’s’ disciples
While Aristotle’s writings were largely lost to modern scholars, there is evidence that a number of his disciples preserved and translated many of his works. In addition to Greek, Aristotle also left Latin and Arabic translations of his works. As a result, we are able to read his work in both languages today.
Two of Aristotle’s disciples were Eudemus of Cyprus and Theophrastus of Lesbos. Of these two, Eudemus was considered to be the first historian of science. He studied under Aristotle at the Peripatetic School and later became a famous philosopher.
The two philosophers disagreed on how the body functions. Aristotle believed that matter and form should go together to produce offspring. However, he did not understand that matter and form are the same thing. Although Aristotle was an accomplished biologist, his logic could not solve every problem that we face today. However, his syllogistic method helped to transform Western thought.
While Aristotle’s work has been preserved and translated throughout history, it’s not always easy to follow his teachings. Unfortunately, the transmission of knowledge is often confused with translation and original bases. Scholars have debated the accuracy of the translations. Regardless of the origin of the translation, Aristotle’s ideas were passed down and are still used to this day.
Aristotle was an influential philosopher in the Western world for two thousand years. It was difficult to dethrone him, even in modern times. Nevertheless, there are modern advancements in science that have faced opposition from Aristotle’s followers.