EMQ » April–May 2021 » Volume 57 Issue 2
By Marvin J. Newell
This edition focuses on the theme that is at the very core to the Church’s mission – that of disciple making and discipleship. Producing authentic, lifelong followers of Jesus should be the paramount goal of mission efforts. But just how best to make disciples has never been universally uniform, nor has a predominant strategy been agreed upon. Given the varied cultural contexts in which the gospel has been proclaimed, discipleship and disciple making can never be squeezed into a one-fits-all straight jacket. It has rightfully been varied in methodology by Spirit-driven and creative believers throughout the history of missions. What works best in one culture does not mean it can be uncritically transferred to another. Each cultural setting demands its own unique disciple making application.
As you read through these articles you will find differing opinions pertaining to discipleship content, methodology, and practice. The lead article, on the increasingly popular discovery groups by Steven Steinhaus, is challenged by the following article on “disembodied discipleship” by Aubry Smith. It is left to the reader to sort out the tension.
Regardless, the outcome of making disciples should be the producing of authentic, lifelong followers of Jesus. Christ followers should evidence their genuineness in the faith by their progress in spiritual maturity that transforms their beliefs and behavior. Thus, I suggest this appropriate definition of a disciple:
A consistent lifelong follower of Jesus whose life is progressively being transformed into the image of Christ. The disciple joyfully walks with Christ and is constantly being informed by Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and other believers, with the chief end of glorifying God.
The making of disciples is the accompanying step to evangelism in the Great Commission strategy. It encompasses all those activities that bring believers into increased maturity in Christ.
In the early church, the Apostle Paul stood out as one of the foremost disciple makers. The book of Acts records how he did it and what a major focus it was in his ministry as he evangelized new areas. However, his passion for making mature disciples is probably best noted in a prayer he uttered for a group of believers he had never met. Those were the believers in Colossae who were brought to Christ by Epaphras where Paul had sent him. In his prayer for these young believers, Paul voices what is included in the essence of discipleship:
… we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:9–10).
In this prayer of encouragement to these new believers, Paul cites each of the elements that make up transformational discipleship:
Knowing: that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Being: so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him
Doing: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God
These are the elements of discipleship that are transformational. These should be the personal goals of every believer no matter how mature in the faith. Jesus intended this kind of outcome in the hearts and minds of believers when he gave the “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) strategy to his disciples.
One last word. Be sure to read the final article by three writers from SIM that is a response to the article by Aweis A. Ali in our January 2021 issue entitled: “The Case for Denominationally Based Ministries Among Somalis.” Their broader perspective is helpful.
Marvin J. Newell, D.Miss
Editorial Director
