This month we will kick off our Institute for Christian Discipleship at Agape Christian Fellowship. This is a two year program designed to transform converts into disciples and turn disciples into disciple makers. The fact that someone has converted in belief to Christ does not automatically make them a disciple.
Most of us have no issue with recognizing that to tell a lie is disobedience to God’s Word and is sin. Similarly we understand that to commit audultery or murder is a sin and in direct disobedience to God’s commandments. We also undrstand that we are commanded to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength and as well, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that to fail to do either is disobedience to the will of God. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gives a clear commandment when He says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everthing I have commanded you.” Since this is given as a command - to disobey is to commit sin.
If current statistics (i.e. Barna, etc) are correct which tell us that of the professing Christians today, over 90% have NEVER led a person to Christ. If we have never led a person to Christ, it is highly probable that we are likewise not involved in their discipleship. This means that 9 out of every 10 believers are living in open rebellion to God’s Word.
There are a number of “manifestations” that men long for and believe will mark the advent of true revival in the church. I am confident that true revival in the church of Jesus Christ will be clearly marked by one manifestation: We will see converts become disciples and disciples become disciple makers. We may see many powerful manifestations in unprecedented measure; healing, prophecy, tongues, miracles and all of the other manifestations of the Holy Spirit and I long for them as do many of my brethren - but that will not mean revival has come. You may feel free to announce revival when the nation is transformed and a generation turns to God. Movements are time limited and geographically contained; visitations are highly impactful and personally transformational, but REVIVAL turns the tide of a nation or nations and spans generations. Are we praying for REVIVAL or will we be satisfied with a visitation.
“By definition, there is no such thing as a self-made disciple. Every disciple is made by someone else. The very command to ‘go and make disciples’ signifies that disciples are not self-made. The pattern the Bible describes is one of making and being made. The pattern of disciple-making according to Matthew 28 and 2 Timothy 2 is everyone should be being made a disciple and be in the process of making others. If you are not in the process of being made a disciple or making other disciples, then you really are NOT a disciple. ‘Being made’ has to do with the willingness to be taught, molded, rebuked, and trained. Making disciples involves the same. You can’t possibly be a disciple if you are not willing to be called up and challened. The same is true in regard to making disciples.” (Norm Willis, from his pamphlet “Discipleship.”)
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