A biblical model for making disciples of everyday people
/How does the New Testament instruct us about making disciples; and what are the implications of these instructions for Reformed evangelical churches seeking to reach everyday people?
First, introduce them to Jesus (evangelism)
The New Testament shows us three main ways in which God works to bring people to himself.
1. Through the words and life of an apostle or Christian leader
In Acts 2, the Apostle Peter proclaims the gospel to the crowds in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and about 3,000 people become followers of Jesus.
In Acts 17, the Apostle Paul proclaims the gospel in Athens to the large crowd gathered in the Areopagus, and many come to believe in Jesus.
And it’s not just their preaching but the way they live their lives that commends and models the gospel. Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
… we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)
To the Thessalonians, Paul said:
You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 1:5–6, emphasis mine)
It’s so important that a leader’s life reflect their message that Paul rebuked Peter (Cephas) for not living in accordance with the gospel when he came to Antioch:
When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, ‘You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?’ (Galatians 2:11–14, emphasis mine)
2. Through the words and example of his church
God does not use only Christian leaders to introduce people to Jesus, but both the words and the example of his church.
Think of how Paul praised the Thessalonian church:
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia – your faith in God has become known everywhere. (1 Thessalonians 1:6–8)
3. Through the words and lives of individual Christians
Finally, God uses individual Christians to make disciples of Jesus. The Apostle Peter instructed Christians to live and speak in a way that would point others to the Lord Jesus Christ. He said:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15–16)
Note that whether we’re talking about individuals or a church, both words and lives are important.
Evangelistic efforts often focus solely on the message to be delivered, with little thought to showing the gospel through the lives of God’s people. And that message is almost always delivered by an ‘expert’.
This is largely due to our university-focused education system in which words and knowledge are more highly valued than practical implications or actions.
At theological college, I once wrote a paragraph in an essay outlining the practical implications of the biblical truths discussed. I was told, ‘This is not what you write in an academic essay.’
But seeing the gospel modelled in real life is really important for making disciples of everyday people, who may not be interested in knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but in finding out what real implications and value it has for their lives.
Are Reformed evangelical churches creating and encouraging opportunities to both speak the gospel and live the gospel before non-Christians?
And are all types of people – regardless of qualifications, status or class – encouraged to share their faith with others?
Why do I ask this last question? Because it’s really important that everyday people receive the gospel from (and see the gospel at work in) other everyday people.
Next, grow mature followers of Jesus (discipleship)
How do those who have been introduced to Jesus and accepted him as their Lord and Saviour go on to become mature disciples of Jesus?
Interestingly, the New Testament does not suggest sending them off to read books – and not just because the printing press hadn’t been invented yet.
In the New Testament, growing mature disciples happens not only through imparting information but within the context of relationships. It’s why the writer to the Hebrews urges Christians not to give up meeting together (Hebrews 10:24–25).
Growing mature disciples of Jesus is a communal and relational activity, and goes against the individualism inherent in Western university-educated professional culture. In the New Testament, people become mature disciples in community as:
Christian leaders proclaim and preach God’s Word (2 Tim 4:1–2)
Christian leaders train every Christian to be disciple-makers (Eph 4:11–13)
everyone sings psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to each other (Eph 5:18–20)
Christians model the Christian life (Phil 3:17; 1 Thess 2:1–12; 1 Cor 11:1)
all Christians encourage, teach and warn each other to keep following Jesus (Heb 10:24–25; 1 Thess 5:14–15)
all Christians keep each other accountable (Heb 3:12–13; Gal 6:1–2).
Practical implications for discipleship
Everyday people, on the whole, are more likely to prefer learning through a discussion, or by observing someone else and having a go, rather than by reading a book. This is why so many of them have chosen to be trained for their jobs through an apprenticeship or traineeship rather than a university degree.
So, as an example, if an everyday brother is having marriage difficulties, what will help him to grow in Christlikeness in his marriage? What kind of discipling could you offer him?
It could start by listening to him talk about the difficulties he is facing, taking these to God in prayer, and asking for God’s help and wisdom to grow so that his marriage might be a reflection of Christ’s relationship with his church.
It will most certainly involve looking at the Bible together, but not necessarily through reading a book – rather, by talking about relevant passages as you have a beer or dig a trench together.
It might involve sharing your own marriage struggles; inviting your brother into your home to see how you serve and encourage your wife; and spending time with your brother in his home.
Without doubt, it will involve time – meeting regularly, keeping him accountable, praying for and with him, and seeking ways to encourage each other.
Just imagine what could be accomplished by the body of Christ, under God, if every part of the body of Christ was nurtured and matured in this way.
Reformed evangelical churches need to invest much more time and resources in relational discipleship and training. And one person cannot do it all.
Deep relational investment, church-wide
If every disciple of Jesus is going to be discipled in this way, then every disciple needs to play their part, fulfilling their role in the body and discipling others.
Reformed evangelical churches need to reform discipleship practices that focus on knowledge and information if they are to reach everyday people. Instead, they must foster relationships of honesty and accountability, in which people encourage, warn, teach, correct and model godly sacrificial service to Jesus our Saviour and King.
This is the discipleship modelled by Jesus with his disciples, Paul with the church in Thessalonica, and Paul with Timothy. It is the model of discipleship given to us in the New Testament.
And it requires commitment, sacrifice and love.