Discipleship
Being a Disciple to Making Disciples!
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18-20 (NIV)
Becoming Like Jesus
You’re on a journey with Jesus, stepping into the life He crafted uniquely for you. There’s a special purpose only you can fulfill here on earth. Your personality and the way you connect with others make you the ideal vessel for God’s love to touch your family, friends, coworkers, and everyone around you.
Becoming more like Jesus is called discipleship. It means growing closer to Him and letting Him work through you to impact the world around you. Jesus taught us to pray, “Let it be on earth as in heaven.” Through discipleship, you become a channel of change, bringing the goodness of your Heavenly Father into the earth where you live.
So, how do we respond to Jesus’ command in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples? It’s a good question, and there isn’t a single, specific answer. However, here are some starting points and things to consider: don’t get over-stressed about it – you don’t have to do it in your own strength. Holy Spirit is right there to help you.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””
Learning from Jesus
Let’s take some time to learn from Jesus, our great teacher. Read John 4:1-42 carefully. Notice how he started a meaningful conversation, how his genuine love transformed a woman’s heart, and how that transformation rippled out, touching her entire community.
Here is a simple and clear way to summarise how He did it. We like to call this approach the SALT method. Of course, there are many different ways to do this, so don’t feel limited. Just be open to the gentle leading of Holy Spirit and always remember to be yourself in the process.
S – Start a conversation
A – Ask questions
L – Listen
T – Tell your and Jesus’ story
You’ve reached the end of this guide in your Discipleship journey! Now, it’s your turn to walk alongside someone else, guiding them in their journey with Jesus and supporting them just as you have been supported.
Well Done!
Don’t worry, and remember that you’ve already know the pathway by going through these steps. You’ll see some people respond to God’s love, but not everyone will—don’t worry about that.
Some are ready, some aren’t. Use what you’ve learned to make disciples and help them do the same. That’s how you came to know Jesus—someone shared God’s love with you.
The best way to do this is as a team. Talk with the person who is discipling you about reaching out to others. Community, support, and spiritual leaders help us work with God to grow His Kingdom. Spiritual growth begins in a loving church family that supports and shares faith, then spreads out to impact more people with God’s love.
Personal Application
Reflect on how you came to know Jesus.
Share your salvation story with someone to practice.
Practice the SALT method with someone you feel comfortable with.
Try it out with people that don’t know Jesus.