I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
Philippians 2:19-24 (ESV)
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore 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.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
Making disciples is the mission of every Christian. —Pastor Scott Luck
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore 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.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:8 (ESV)
When will the church learn this lesson? Preaching to the masses, although necessary, will never suffice in the work of preparing leaders for evangelism. Nor can occasional prayer meetings and training classes for Christian workers do this job…Individual women and men are God’s method. God’s plan for discipleship is not something, but someone. —Robert Coleman
FOUR WAYS TO BECOME A DISCIPLE MAKER:
1. ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS’ MANDATE
And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
Mark 1:17 (ESV)
2. ACCEPT JESUS’ METHOD
Jesus’ Method: Life on Life
Whether he was addressing the multitudes that pressed upon him, arguing with the Pharisees who sought to ensnare him, or speaking to some lonely beggar along the road, the disciples were close at hand to observe and to listen…Through the manner of personal demonstration, every aspect of Jesus’ personal discipline of life was bequeathed to his disciples…One living sermon is worth a hundred explanations. —Robert Coleman
3. APPEAL TO JESUS FOR BOLDNESS
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 (ESV)
And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness…” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29, 31 (ESV)
4. ABANDON ALL EXCUSES
Evangelism is doing normal life with gospel intentionality. —Tim Chester