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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 everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
Jesus’s words in Matthew 28:18-20 are known as the Great Commission. It is a commission that all Christians are given. We are all required to make disciples of nations. We can’t begin to do this, however, unless we first become disciples ourselves. This is not as hard as some might imagine, and with a little effort – and a lot of grace, which is available to those who put in a little effort – we can all become good disciples of Christ.
But first, what is a disciple?
 A disciple of Christ is first and foremost a follower of Christ, who proceeds to learn what Jesus teaches, and then teaches others what he has learnt.
A Follower
In the following passage (Luke 9:57-62] there are descriptions of three men who wish/are called to follow Christ. These men are representative of us and it might be helpful to identify which one of them most closely resembles us.
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (Luke 9:57-58) He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:59-60) Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:61-62)
The first is a man who sees the crowds following Jesus and is attracted to him, believing that Jesus might bring him power, glory, fame or fortune. Jesus asks him if he is aware of what the cost of following Him is.
The second is a man whom Jesus Himself calls, much like he did the twelve apostles. But unlike the Twelve, who left everything and followed Jesus, this man says there are obligations that he has to fulfill. Jesus tells him not to worry about that; He has another mission in mind.
The third is a man who has been with Jesus for a while, but now wants a little break from the hard life that he has been leading. He wants some time out, but Jesus tells him that there is no quitting - not even temporarily - for those who have decided to follow Him.
From Jesus’s replies to the men, and a few other relevant Scripture verses, we can determine the requisites of becoming a true follower of Christ. Read the following Scripture verses and determine what some of them are:
1. Luke 14:26
2. Luke 14:33
3. Luke 14:27; Matthew 10:39
4. Matthew 8:21-22
5. Matthew 11:12
6. Luke 9:46-48
7. John 8:31
8. John 13;35
9. John 15:7-8 10. Acts 14:22
A Learner
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
We learn from Christ by taking his yoke upon ourselves and walking with him in tandem, doing what he would do. Jesus practiced everything he preached, and the following Scripture verses illustrate some of these things.
1. Mark 10:42-45
2. Luke 22:39-42
3. Philippians 5:2-8
4. Luke 19:1-6; Mark 10:17-21
5. Matthew 4:1-11
6. Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35
7. John 13:2-5
8. Mark 1:14-18
9. Mark 3:13-15
10. John 8:3-11
For more attributes of Christ that we need to implement in our life, please refer to Romans 12, specifically Romans 12:4-8.
A Teacher
He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach (Mark 3:14)
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20:21)
Study Hints
Clues (A Follower):
1. Luke 14:26: A disciple gives Jesus precedence over everybody
2. Luke 14:33: A disciple gives Jesus precedence over everything
3. Luke 14:27; Matthew 10:39: A disciple dies to oneself
4. Matthew 8:21-22: A disciple is single-minded in his pursuit of his goal
5. Matthew 11:12: A disciple needs courage, unwavering faith and determination
6. Luke 9:46-48: A disciple is humble and places others over himself
7. John 8:31: A disciple is faithful to God’s teachings
8. John 13:35: A disciple will love all God’s children
9. John 15:8: A disciple will treasure God’s word and be obedient to it
10. Acts 14:22: A disciple has endurance
Clues (A Learner):
1. Mark 10:42-45: Servant leadership
2. Luke 22:39-42: Acceptance of, and obedience to, the will of the Father
3. Philippians 5:2-8: Humility and obedience
4. Luke 19:1-6: An unconditional acceptance of others
5. Matthew 4:1-11: Resisting temptation using the Word of God
6. Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35: Prayer
7. John 13:2-5: Humility and exemplifying a love for those who would hate Him
8. Mark 1:14-18: Inspiring vision
9. Mark 3:13-15: Enabling others to act
10. John 8:3-11: Modelling the way
Clues (Romans 12:4-8):
1. Sincere love
2. A hatred of everything evil
3. Brotherly love
4. Honor and respect for one another
5. Zealous
6. Enthusiasm in serving the Lord
7. Joyful
8. Patient in trouble and sorrow
9. Prayerful
10. Sharing with those in need
11. Hospitable
12. Ability to withstand persecution without hatred towards those who trouble you
13. Sharing the joys and sorrows of others
14. Living in unity and peace
15. Humility
16. Forgiving
17. Honest
18. Peacefulness
19. Doing good, even in the face of evil |
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