DISCIPLESHIP

Dallas Willard (1937-2013) professor and author wrote:

“Clearly thought out and decisive apprenticeship to Jesus is the bridge between initial faith in him and the life of obedience and fulfillment in his kingdom. Those who have found their way in will inevitably want to share the new reality they have found with those around them. When we discover something great, we naturally want all those we really care for to be in on it. We would no more want to leave the sharing of the kingdom to “full-time workers” than we would anything else we were really enthusiastic about.

The directions Jesus gave to his people when he last met with them in his familiar visible form was that they should “make disciples” (Matt. 28:19). Although the language may seem somewhat intimidating, and our contemporary practice is almost unrecognizably different from what his earliest people did, there is no reason to think that he has changed his expectations and hopes for us. Our only question is a practical one: How do we do it?

The answer comes in three parts: we must, of course, be disciples, we must intend to make disciples, and we must know how to bring people to believe that Jesus is really the One.” (From: ‘The Divine Conspiracy’)

“So you must go to people in every country of the world. Teach them how to become my disciples. Baptize them by the authority of God the Father, his Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will be with you until the end of time.” Jesus