Shortly before Jesus ascended to heaven He gave His disciples the mission to: “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” – Matthew 28:19-20. The mission of Jesus’ disciples making disciples has not changed.
We were all once in a stage of being lost in our sins. Someone taught us the Gospel and we obeyed and were baptized into Christ. From our initial baptism into Christ to going and making disciples, the cycle of discipleship progresses. To not advance in the growth cycle of discipleship indicates a lack of personal spiritual development. The writer of Hebrews confirms this truth. In Hebrews 5:12-13, the recipients are told, “12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.”
The discipleship cycle perpetuates when a disciple shares the Gospel with an unbeliever. When the unbeliever comes to believe, repent, and be immersed into Christ, that unbeliever has become a disciple and the growth cycle begins for the new disciple.
The new disciple is taught about what Jesus commands of His followers and learns about the New Covenant from studying the New Testament. A spiritually healthy disciple will grow. The new disciple, “2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” -1 Peter 2:2.
Just like a physical child, growing disciples change. As a disciple learns more about what it means to follow Jesus and live out that walk, they go through a process of change and transformation. Romans 12:2 comes to mind, where Paul writes: “2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
The growth cycle is not always linear. Not every disciple develops at the same rate. Yet, as growing disciples change to be more like Christ, they become challenged. Growing disciples are challenged by the truth of the Scriptures to conform to the Word, while at the same time are challenged by the ways of the world to doubt God and His Word. A growing disciple comes to trust God and be confident in His Word. When Jesus came walking on the water causing His disciples to think He was a ghost, Jesus offered words of encouragement. In Matthew 14:27, “Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Facing an uncertain situation, Peter, and the other disciples, were challenged by the words of Christ. Peter could have remained ignorant or denied the challenge. Instead, verses 28-29 tells us that “28 Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” Like Peter, when a growing disciple is challenged, they learn to trust God and obey Him completely, trusting in His Word.
The command of Jesus to “Go therefore and make disciples” is one that trusting disciples obey. Obedient disciples reach out and share the Gospel with others just like someone shared with them. As the discipleship growth cycle perpetuates the Kingdom of God grows.
