Pastor Shane Bengry
3.6.2022

MAKE DISCIPLES - the ugly truth: why we don’t make disciples

MATTHEW 28 (NIV)
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

the Great Commission

• 3 ACTIONS
• 2 COMMANDS
• 1 FORMATIONAL TRUTH

“DISCIPLESHIP MISSION” CHURCH

• The Great Commission calls the church of Christ to a missionary vision, and it also provides the paradigm for the ministry of the local church.
• The Great Commission calls every believer (men, women, teenagers & children) to not only be a disciple of Christ, but in doing so, they are also purposed to be a disciple-maker!

LUKE 14 (NIV)
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 ” ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ “

I can’t MAKE DISCIPLES because,

• “I am too busy to be in a discipleship community.”
• “I don’t want to evangelize or covert someone.”
• “Discipleship was only for the early Christians.“
• “I am not a pastor or missionary … I am not qualified to make a disciple.”
• “I don’t know anyone who would I want to have this kind of relationship with.”

MAKE DISCIPLES MYTH - It will just happen.

In order to Make Disciples, we have to recognize the obstacles we face.

MEN:

• learn the value of discipleship relationships
• integrate discipleship time into your daily lives

WOMEN:

• expand your circle
• address hurt from past relationships

MARRIED:

• look for discipleship relationships outside of the family unit
• evaluate standards of friendships

SINGLES:

• overcome a reluctance to share

PARENTS:

• get out of your bubble

YOUNGER GENERATION:

• seek out Christian mentors

OLDER GENERATION:

• continue to lean into church groups
• practice being open with others

INTROVERTS:

• accept invitations
• look for extroverts that you know

EXTROVERTS:

• listen and ask questions
• learn to appreciate small groups and one-on-one