It is a process of leading
a person to Christ and devoting continual attention to that person,
from the time of spiritual birth and until he is established as a
mature believer.
It is commonly known as 'evangelism & follow-up'. Each without
the other is incomplete. The Great Commission is to go and make
disciples :
Mat. 28:18-20.
The process normally includes the following stages:
Conception, Conservation, Maturation & Multiplication of the fruit of evangelism. John 15:16.
Not just a feeble attempt but really bearing fruit that remains.
Spiritual dead babes stink!
Spiritual Peadiatrics: As parents are committed to take care
of baby, likewise in spiritual realm. 1Thess. 2:7-12. Picture of nursing
mother & father who disciplines. Discipline the child to be worthy
of God.
Reasons for discipling: Someone made an important observation:
"It is not the main job of every church to turn out a lot of
work, lst a long list of members or raise a lot of money. It is the
main job of the Church to fashion people to behave like Christ. They
can not be hewn out of the mediocre mass wholesale."
1. God's Word emphasizes it: Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 20: 28; Jn 21:
15-17.
2. The Lord wants our fruit to remain: John 15: 16; Acts 14: 22.
3. God wants our fruits to be brought into fullness of life in Christ:
Col. 1: 28- preach, teach, warn to present every man perfect in Christ.
2 Peter 3:18- grow in the grace...."
Eph.4:13-16- unto a perfect man ,unto the measure of the stature...
Lord Jesus our example: - His calling of Peter, John ,....etc.
Mat. 4:18-22; Mk. 1:17-20.
Jesus concentrated time wth 12 men who later stormed the world.
Pauline Pattern: Modelled after Christ. 11Tim. 2:2. Paul discipled
Timothy and is encouraging him to do the same. Paul used the Word
of God to train people for Christ. His aim was to present them complete:
Col. 1:28-29. 2Tim. 3:14-17.
The result of discipling is multiplication of disciples, growth
of the Church both qualitatively and quantitatively.
"... Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: