We are called to make disciples. The question I most frequently hear in this regard is “How do we make disciples?” This question suggests that we know what a disciple is, but we’re not clear on how to make one. However, I’m finding that this assumption is like most assumptions = wrong!
I work with numerous pastors who are smart, dedicated, called, trained and very passionate about ministry. For them to stick with working with me they also have to be pretty passionate about the Great Commission. So I asked these folks a month or so ago to tell me what a disciple is – how do we define disciple? I’m finding that it’s not all that clear and each pastor answers in a slightly different way. Of course, there is overlap in most of these answers, but the feedback I’m getting so far is that we’re not clear on just what a disciple is and, therefore, we struggle to make one. So I suggest that we get this foundational issue settled, at least in our own minds. Perhaps if we better understood what a disciple is we’d do a better job at making them.
Here’s a place to start – a beginning definition as I see it. At the most foundational level, I’m seeing a disciple as a . . .
SELF-FEEDING MULTIPLIER
A mature disciple is self-feeding, meaning that he or she has taken responsibility for his or her own spiritual development. This disciple is not dependent on a pastor, small group leader, or other leader to grow on his behalf, to do the leg work. She is disciplined on her own, taking charge of her own spiritual development. Spiritual disciplines are at the center of the disciple’s life, including a strong emphasis on prayer and Bible study, the one-two punch of maturity.
A mature disciple is a multiplier, reproducing himself in others through outreach, evangelism, teaching, training, mentoring, coaching, etc. The truly made disciple makes disciples. With this in mind, I’m rethinking how I go about discipling others. How do I develop self-feeders? How do I develop multipliers? How do I make disciples who make disciples?
Come to think of it – am I a self-feeding multiplier?
