“19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
—Matthew 28:19-20“‘40 Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.’” —Luke 6:39-40
Kartartizo (Fully Trained): To be shaped so that you are completely adjusted and fit for a purpose.
Jesus’ model for training was discipleship.
Discipleship is a pathway not a program.
“24 The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” —Proverbs 20:24
“105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” —Psalm 119:105
The goal of discipleship is for the student to now teach.
“12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” —John 14:12-14
“13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ 14 ‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.’ 15 Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ 16 Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ 17 Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.’ 20 Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” —Matthew 16:13-20
“21 From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.” —Matthew 16:21
When we make disciples we are advancing the Gospel in Jesus name.
“12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’” —Romans 10:12-15