How important is discipleship to the Church?
I think it's very helpful for us to see Matthew 28 as being a job description for the Church.
It teaches us the priorities in our lives. It's important to walk out the agenda of the Word and the Holy Spirit as found in the Bible.
Describe a disciple.
When we think of the twelve disciples, we remember that they walked, learned, and followed in the footsteps of Jesus. That's a good example of what we need to be doing. Another good example of what a disciple should be is found in Luke 10, when Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing his words. That is what every Christian is called to do: to hear his word and live it out.
"Hearken" is a good word. It means to hear in order to do. A lot of times in churches we do a good job hearing, but we don't go and do. The Great Commission points out that the high calling of every believer is to help others to know the Lord.
When Jesus said "Follow me" to his disciples, he not only taught, but he went out and did. It's not merely evangelizing, but also a life of compassion.
Obedience encompasses so much. Not only beginning to share the gospel, but also walking out the love of God.
John 21 carries the story of Peter being reinstated into the disciples. Jesus asks him three times, "Do you love me?" And every time Peter says he does, Jesus replies, "Feed my sheep."
We are to live a life of compassion and love and mercy. A faithful disciple is going to be aggressive in his lifestyle following after Jesus, not passive.
What's the best way to make disciples in local church?
Disciple our families in the home to begin with, and then carry that into the church.
Fathers and mothers who pray and disciple their children are vital to the life of the body.
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