a disciple-maker's message

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

ESSAY
DSMN 500
DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES

BY
CARLA JOHNSON-LANE

GAINESVILLE, FL
June 2, 2013

CONTENTS

Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1-2

Tradition Definition Purpose ………………............................................................................3 Observation/ Participation ........................................................................................................3-4 Inspiration Definition Purpose ...................................................................................................4

Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................5 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................... 6

Introduction
Unlike other key world beliefs that are established on individual morality, Christianity is centered on a concrete historical event. Christianity as a religious conviction is not known automatically; it is something that must be taught. To simplify this idea, the humbled teaching event that was displayed by Jesus in John 13:14-15 can be used as a great example. The Bible states in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Jesus was a teacher. He became a servant to train and teach the disciples how to humble themselves and serve others. While Jesus was having supper with the twelve in the upper room, He did something that was unthinkable to man. The Bible states in Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. Jesus’ actions were so out of the ordinary that it made the disciples feel uncomfortable. In that day Jesus actions would have been unheard of for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to wash another’s feet. But Jesus had to teach standards that were different from the world’s standards. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Jesus as a teacher, He became a servant to teach the disciples how to humble themselves and serve others.
The Bible states in Ephesians 4:11, “And he gave some apostles and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” With this said, I believe that God has given spiritual leaders a vision for ministry that is for the perfecting of ministry not for the perfecting of self.

Barna let one know that the Great Commission is not primarily about perfecting evangelism but it’s about discipleship.1 The Bible states in Matthew 28:19, “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.” As leaders, teachers, and pastors we must understand that an important element of the making disciple is teaching and sharing truth. God has commanded us as believers to “go” into a dying world and teach truth. Every spiritual leader and Christian should believe and agree that teaching truth to the lost is what matters. If teaching the truth, which is the Word of God, did not matter, God would not have given the life of his only son, and he would not have given a command of the Great Commission.
The Bible states in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” With the world that we live in today, there is a dire need for trained and motivated disciples. There are Christians that have access to good information lacking context and as a result lose that information