Make disciples who make disciples

Jesus makes it very clear in Matthew 28:19-20 what He wants us to do, "make disciples of all nations."

In the Greek, the word "nations" as used in this context is "ethne," which means ethnic people groups. There are more than 11,000 people groups throughout the world, and more than 6,000 of those groups - more than 2 billion - have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In His "Great Commission" in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus doesn't want us to just go and reach people, but to make disciples. Why? So they can make disciples who can make disciples and so on. This is the only way we will reach the remaining 6,000-plus unreached people groups.

Making disciples starts at home. If we aren't reaching those around us, how can we expect to make an impact throughout the world? But, you ask, how can making a disciple in my hometown impact the world? Allow me to use a personal example.

Over the years, God has used a number of people to disciple and mentor me. My parents have been the biggest influences in my life. They were the first to disciple me. Then there were others like my brother and sister, Mike Alsop, Mike Wondree, Pastor Bob Melvin, Pastor Mike Shroades, Franklin Moore and Pastor Ralph Sigler.

Because these people spoke into my life and have shown me, and some still are, how to live for Christ, I started applying those principles to my life and teaching them to others. They didn't know, and neither did I, that God would use me to reach the world for Him. But, all praise be to God, He is working through Love In Action to touch the nations for His glory- here in the U.S., Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, India, Philippines, Malaysia, and now Myanmar.

Here's another example. There's a young man who volunteers at Love In Action named Shaun Cast. He loves Jesus with all of his heart. I asked God for the opportunity to speak into his life, and God granted that prayer request. Others have provided discipleship/mentorship to Shaun as well.

Today, he spends every Friday night helping to lead a Bible study at Houston County Community Correction Work Release. He preached his first sermon last Tuesday night at Celebrate Recovery Inside at Love In Action. He is also making an impact for the kingdom of God in the Philippines with his giving. One day, he will travel to the Philippines with us.

See, once we take the time to do what Jesus has commissioned every single believer to do, God will use each person to impact their city and the world for His glory. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you should be making disciples.

Teach people the Word of God. Teach people how to live a Christian life. You don't have a choice. Jesus demands this of His followers. So let's all get busy making disciples who make disciples. And, if you need more inspiration, read Matthew 24:14, "This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come." (HCSB)


I want to see Jesus come back, do you? If so, let's get busy. He said He will return when His good news is proclaimed to all nations (people groups). Yes, He could come back today, but until He does that means we have work to do.


Start today by making disciples who make disciples.