At our annual goalsetting retreat a couple of weeks ago, I (Doug) suggested we might want to change our mission statement to reflect the idea that we are inviting others to follow Jesus (not “making” them into disciples). But several on our Leadership Team gently pushed back. (I actually like it when people say no to me – even though I’m the President. It shows they aren’t afraid to speak truth.) Their logic? They asserted that we aren’t instructed by Jesus to “invite.” We’re told to “make disciples.” The difference is subtle – but real. There should be no question: In spite of societal norms, political correctness, or what’s fashionable for the day, our role is to be relentless (in a gentle sort of way, mind you). They were right: We aren’t called to invite. Agree or disagree? …and why?
A Brain-teaser! We are to “invite” them to trust in Jesus as Savior. Jesus didn’t “make” them come and follow Him. He said, “Come and see.” But, once they were following in His footsteps, He said, I will “make” (poieō) you fishers of men. And, yes, just before His leaving the earth He said, “Preach the Gospel”. Make them thirsty. “What must we do to be saved?” they asked. THEN, (“mathēteuō”) disciple (verb) them. How? Do it, with them watching. Do it with them. Let them do it. They will become a disciple (noun) (one who follows one’s teaching) of JESUS! To God be all glory!
Neal Pirolo’s words are beautiful and right on target! Thanks, Neal! My bottom line is: YES, we are ultimately called to “Make Disciples!” All other invitations and activities must feed into the bottom line activity of “Making Disciples”!
The above comments are excellent. I agree with “make disciples” – and would posit that making disciples is not one step but an entire process. We are commanded to enter into a continual and expansive ministry process that makes disciples of our Lord. That process would involve and can involve many different approaches and steps, including invitation, demonstration, and so on. The one problem with the English word “make” is that it can have a meaning of forcing someone to do something, the very thing that Jesus would never have us do.
With all love, respect and Christian humility I believe we need to challenge our entire concept of discipleship. I would have to argue that from a scripturally and historically/cultural perspective the contemporary evangelical church doesn’t understand discipleship and frequently actively discourages it.
Discipleship is the ancient institute of higher learning. It’s the vehicle in ancient times used to achieve the technical expertise to be a Rabbi, philosopher, physician ECT. The institution of discipleship is completely predicated on learning and academics. Jesus said very important and vital things that in many ways set his disciples apart from others ( as did other ancient teachers like Pythagoras ) non of which change the nature of or teleos of the institution which is learning. We have completely lost track of this fact. The Greek verb form for the word for disciple is is not discipline as in English but learn and probably be better translated as learners.
This is simply not happening in vast areas of the contemporary evangelical movement. We invited yes but we didn’t disciple at all. The great commission is predicted on making disciples (learners) and we are completely failing to do that to a large degree because we invited everyone to something other than discipleship (salvation?). The strategic value of the great commission is in creating Jesus followers who can independently lead their own ethnic groups to salvation by perpetuating learning as opposed to dependency on outsiders for salvation.