Thoughts and Adaptations from Keystone Manual, Richard Greene

What defines a disciple?
1. A person initially becomes a disciple by repenting of sin, believing in Jesus as Savior, and being baptized. (Mark 1:15; Matthew 28:19) A disciple is a Christ - follower.

A disciple can be characterized by four things
1. Obedience -Hebrews 5:8
2. Faithfulness - Hebrews 3:1-2
3. Loving God and Others -John 13:34,35
4. Reproducing - John 12:24,32

A disciple must be "Taught to Obey" (Matthew 28 - I have to use this reference at least once.)

We must "Teach to Obey" The Seven Major Commands of Christ. Of course there are others -that's why discipleship takes time, time, time. For those who are bothered by what is left out remember all other commands flow out of these seven.

1. Repent, believe, and be baptized. (Mark 1:15; Matthew 28:19)
2. Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22)
3. Love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40)
4. Celebrate the Lord's Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-26)
5. Pray daily (Luke 18:1)
6. Give generously (Matthew 19:21; Luke 6:38)
7. Make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)

How does one make disciples?
1. It is not done in a classroom.
2. It is not accomplished by only teaching -they must also learn by doing.
3. It is not the responsibility of the institution but it is every Christ follower's responsibility. The institution should release the Church to do this main thing themselves.

Matthew 28:18 -20 After Jesus rose victoriously from the grave and with authority as God - He made it a point to gather the apostles for some last minute instruction - and apparently very important.

1. "As you are going" - Means it is a lifestyle of representing Jesus incarnationally in the world every day and everywhere. (Wherever you go -let God open the doors of opportunity).
2. "Make Disciples" - If you are one you better reproduce yourself by making others who are also like Jesus. You cannot reproduce what you're not! You will reproduce what you are!
3. "Baptizing them" - A profession to the world that you stand with Jesus.
4. "Teaching them to Obey" We covered that above.
5. "And I will be with you" It's like - "Oh in case you are chickening out-just so you know -I am with you always." "If you don't know what to say -I'll tell you!" "If you don't know where to go -I'll show you."

Disciple makers must examine their lives often and must possess a surrendered heart and life.

Disciple-maker cop out: Invite them to church before inviting them to Jesus! Let the church - "going to church" -program do the work for you. Many people dislike the church in America but long for Jesus! When they find Jesus they will gather asthe Body of Christ.

Disciple maker mistake - push for a decision before a relationship is established and before they are really ready to live the life of a Christ follower. The more they see Jesus in you the more likely they will want Him!

(I have to take full blame for this thought). Disciple makers first sin - wait until they accept Christ to begin discipling them. The disciple-making process begins by revealing Jesus to them in the context of trusting relationships. I believe we must disciple people to Jesus and continue discipling them as they grow in Christ as long as it takes.

Disciple makers need to listen to and rely totally on the Holy Spirit as He leads those discipling moments.

"As we are going" -let's notice the harvest and let God do something about it through us.

Churches who put people in discipleship classes often make good members out of them. People who invest their lives in one on one discipleship always make Christ followers.

Richard Greene - "God gives four things to accomplish the Great Commission."
His Authority
His Name
His Word
His Presence.