Faith Foundations: Living for What Matters MostSample

A New Identity

Would you describe yourself as a disciple-maker? Maybe you’re hesitant to say yes, because you think of making disciples as a super-spiritual level of Christianity beyond your reach. But Jesus talked about disciple-making as a foundational role for all his followers. When Jesus first called Simon and Andrew to be his disciples, he made it clear they’d no longer be gathering fish into nets but people into God’s Kingdom (Matthew 4:18–20). And Jesus’ last words to his friends were a call to make disciples of every nation (Matthew 28:18–20). Throughout his ministry on earth, Jesus made it clear that to be his disciple meant making disciples of others, worldwide. That commission still stands for us, his followers today. God doesn’t just want us to enjoy and exalt him by becoming more like Jesus; he wants more people in more nations to enjoy and exalt him by becoming more like Jesus. So, our discipleship involves not only delighting in God but actively making disciples who, in turn, glorify him around the world.

Despite this clear biblical mandate, many Christians seem to think disciple-making is optional. Sadly, many lifelong believers have attended church and engaged in some church-related activities, but have never led anyone to faith in Jesus, or mentored any new Christians, and so have missed out on their disciple-making calling. Imagine how the world might change if we broke free from this kind of culturally acceptable way of practicing Christianity. God has not saved you to sit you on the sidelines of his grand purpose in the world. God has invited you to play a significant part in his plan to reach all the nations of the world with the greatest news in the world.

There are four fundamental components to disciple-making, as outlined in Matthew 28: (1) sharing the Word, (2) showing the Word, (3) teaching the Word, and (4) serving the world. We get to tell those who don’t know Jesus the good news of his love for them. We get a picture of the Word’s transformative power in baptism. And we get to teach God’s Word, a task extending to all believers and not something restricted to pastors only. Disciple-makers are called to serve the world by actively engaging in these practices among all nations.

Take some time to think about your sphere of influence: your family, friends, classmates, co-workers, and neighbors. What would it look like for you, this week, to share, show, and teach God’s Word more strategically or intentionally with the people around you—and perhaps even those far away? May you begin to embrace, more and more, the identity of a disciple-maker. May the Holy Spirit continue to empower you to move outside of your comfort zone and love others enough to point them to Jesus.