in the quicksand of nonessential activity awhile are commanded to help others From Genesis to Revelation, we see God
without the blessing of Jesus. join us in walking with Jesus (2 Timothy working His plan to reverse the curse of sin
2:2). Jesus told us as we are “going, bap- and bring us back into perfect, eternal rela-
Built on a Relational Model
tizing, and teaching” that we are making tionship with Him. He promises to finish
The authority to make disciples is disciples for Him. the work He begins in us (Philippians 1:6).
meant to be exercised in a relational con- Working with new converts to devel-
text. When Jesus told His disciples to
Accompanied by a Timeless
op them into mature disciples can be an
“make disciples,” they understood what
Presence
exhausting process. But Jesus promises us
He was asking. But do we? Since discipleship is to be done in the He will hold our hand while we take the
The Greek word for “disciple” is context of relationship, Jesus would not hand of someone else to help them on
mathetes. It essentially means a “learner.” want us to be alone in the process. He their spiritual journey.
Lawrence O. Richards, in his Expository promised us He would be “with [us]
Dictionary of Bible Words, describes what always, to the very end of the age.”
What More Could We Ask?
this word meant in the first century: Jesus is with us not only when we gather Fulfilling the Great Commission is of
utmost importance to God. This is why
“God’s heart cries out to see us get serious about
the Father sent the Son. This is why Jesus
making disciples. He promises us His authority and
invested in those first disciples to get
them ready to spread the Gospel. His
presence in the process. What an incredible privilege!”
heart cries out to see us get serious about
making disciples. He promises us His
“A mathetes was one who attached in His name (Matthew 18:20), but also authority and presence in the process.
himself to another to gain some practical when we are scattered into the world to What an incredible privilege He gives us
or theoretical knowledge, whether by bear witness to His name. He not only to be partners with Him in helping peo-
instruction or by experience. The word seeks involvement with us to develop our ple develop a growing relationship with
came to be used both of apprentices who lives, He wants to help us as we tell oth- God. What more could we ask?
were learning a trade and of adherents of ers about Him. He sent the Holy Spirit to
various philosophical schools.” empower us to make disciples (Acts 1:8).
Charles E. Fischer is senior
Eugene Peterson, in his challenging Jesus is in this with us for the long
pastor of New Life Fellowship
book A Long Obedience in the Same haul. Before the world as we know it was
Church of God in Longview,
Direction, shows us how being a disciple of created, God had a plan for our redemp-
Washington.
Jesus Christ gets fleshed out in our every- tion (1 Peter 1:18-20; Ephesians 1:4-10).
day lives: “Disciple (mathetes) says we are
people who spend our lives apprenticed to
our master, Jesus Christ. We are in a grow-
ing-learning relationship, always. A disci-
A Rising Tide of Expectancy
ple is a learner, but not in the academic
setting of a schoolroom, rather at the work
An accelerated move of God is stirring God’s people to a greater emphasis on
site of a craftsman. We do not acquire
fulfilling the Great Commission. It is no accident that we are the generation permit-
information about God but skills in faith.”
ted to live at this time. We are a transitional generation, called to deliver a trans-
When Jesus called His first disciples,
forming message and to carry out a transitional move of God.
He commanded them to “follow” (Mark
A sense of urgency in the Church is ushering in a wave of evangelistic fervor that
1:17) and “be with him” (Mark 3:14).
will bring about a great last-days revival. A rising tide of expectancy among Spirit-
Spending time with Jesus helped them
filled believers declares that this can be the finest hour for the Church. Until Christ
learn what God was like. As they
comes for His Church, we have every reason to expect an abundant harvest of souls.
watched, listened, and asked questions,
We need not send a hungry world somewhere else, saying that we don’t have the
they learned. As they walked with Him,
resources, that it is too late, or that someone else can feed them. Jesus is the only
He helped them become “fishers of men”
answer, and the Church must proclaim Him as the Bread of Life.
(Mark 1:17).
The Great Commission emphasis is a wonderful opportunity for the Church of
Discipleship is all about us building a
God to participate in a great revival move as we go forth in the power of the Spirit
relationship with Jesus so He can make us
to win the lost to Jesus.—Timothy M. Hill, first assistant general overseer
who He wants us to be. Those of us who
have been on this discipleship journey
EVANGEL • SEP 2009 9
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