Considering the ‘Math’ of Christianity

Have you ever gone into a grocery store and looked at two different size packages or containers for a product you wanted to buy? Which is cheaper? The answer is simple: Do the math. If 32 ounces of something costs $5.49, but 64 ounces of the same thing costs $8.99, a simple calculation will tell you the larger one costs less per ounce.

 

When making a major purchase, such as buying a new house, new car or even a new TV, “do the math” can be sound advice. What impact will that have on the budget? Can we afford it? There are few things worse than monthly outgo exceeding monthly income. Been there and done that!

 

Interestingly enough, there were times when Jesus Christ asked His disciples to do the math, although not in so many words. We have instances recorded in the gospels when He confounded them by doing what seemed mathematically impossible, except for the fact that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). 

 

Mark 6:30-44 recounts a time when more than 5,000 men, women and children gathered to hear Jesus speak. When the disciples pointed out it was getting late in the day and the people were getting hungry, Jesus responded, “You give them something to eat.” To which they responded, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages!” 

 

Rather than telling the disciples to send His eager listeners away to fend for themselves, Jesus asked how much food was on hand. The disciples looked around and found five loaves of bread and two fish, hardly enough to cater a suitable meal for a small group, let alone the assembled throng. But for Jesus that was sufficient. He blessed the food, looking up to heaven and offering thanks for it, then instructed the disciples to start distributing it.

 

Miraculously, everyone had more than enough to eat – with 12 basketsful of broken pieces of bread and fish left over.

 

Another time, recorded in Mark 8:1-10, Jesus did the same with another large crowd that exceeded 4,000. This time He had seven loaves of bread and a few small fish to work with. He again gave thanks before the food was passed through the gathering of men, women and children. Afterward the disciples collected seven basketfuls of broken pieces. When the disciples tried to ‘do the math,’ the task seemed insurmountable. But when God does His multiplication, the impossible becomes possible.

 

In both accounts, the Lord demonstrated His preferred arithmetic operation is multiplication. This idea is consistent throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In the Bible’s opening chapter, after God created Adam and Eve as the first humans, His first command to them was, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it…” (Genesis 1:28).

 

We could cite other examples in the Scriptures of how the Lord multiplied things in a material sense, but most important is that God doesn’t limit His ‘mathematical’ strategies to things like food and wine and oil. His primary focus is to multiply the number of those who become His devoted followers.

 

Within the context of the Creation account, before the command to “be fruitful and multiply” we read, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). He wanted them to reproduce both physically and spiritually, making more people who would become His image-bearers.

 

Ultimately, what this looks like in Christianity is disciple-making. In His Great Commission, given just before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). This directive was intentional. Mere converts – what the Bible calls “newborn babes” in Christ – aren’t mature enough to reproduce. That’s the responsibility of true disciples – followers, learners and mentors who will become spiritual reproducers.

 

Too often the modern Church focuses on converts, getting folks to pray a salvation prayer or walk an aisle. However, when people begin to grow in their relationship with Christ there’s a ripple effect, an exponential impact that multiplies from one person to another, from one generation to the next.

 

This is why the apostle Paul, writing to his protégé Timothy, admonished him, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). In that single verse we see four generations of believers – Paul, Timothy, reliable (or faithful) people, and others.

 

Years ago, a friend showed me an Old Testament parallel to this imagery. Speaking to the Israelites, His chosen people, God declared, “Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life” (Isaiah 43:4).

 

This promise continues to hold true today. I’ve known many people who have taken it to heart, investing countless hours and pouring their lives into younger believers, helping them to understand and apply the foundational truths of the Scriptures so they can grow in their faith and reciprocate with others the Lord brings into their lives.

 

God can multiply our material resources whenever necessary, fulfilling the assurance of Philippians 4:19, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” Of far greater importance, He desires to do spiritual multiplication, multiplying those who follow Him and will faithfully serve and represent Him to a broken world desperately needing to hear the life-changing Good News of Christ.

From a ragtag group of followers after His resurrection, the Lord has multiplied believers all around the world, millions upon millions. All because of obedience to His command to “go and make disciples.” You can do the math. 

Celebrating the Steps, Not Sweating the Falls

One of the joys and benefits of grandparenting is experiencing again what it’s like to raise little children. Without the time commitment, loss of sleep, or ever-increasing expenses. As many a grandpa or grandma has said, “We spoil ‘em, then we send ‘em home.”

 

Grandparenting also provides the opportunity to again witness major milestones – such as a little one learning to eat actual food (and tossing it on the floor), discovering babytalk, and taking the first steps of a lifetime of walking and running. 

 

After discovering that crawling isn’t meant for distances, the little one learns to pull up on a chair or momma’s knee. Then comes the magic moment: the first step. After a tentative, tiny stride, the first-time stroll comes to a sudden end when young Jimmy or Ginny falls back onto his or her bottom. One small step for toddler, one giant step toward the future.

 

How do the parents – and grandparents – react? With glee. Sure, the child didn’t walk across the living room or den, but it was a promising start. Everyone applauds. “Good job!” No one says, or even thinks, ‘What’s the matter with you? People aren’t going to carry you around forever, you know.’ We celebrate this little victory, those first steps, knowing many more will follow. 

 

Too soon this youngster will grow, walk out the door, step into the car, and eventually embark on a new life of his or her own. Time passes so quickly. So, we revel in the initial tiny steps and don’t worry about the inevitable falls that must follow. It’s all part of the process, the plan. Enjoy them while we can.

 

We find a similar scenario when participating in someone’s spiritual journey. Making a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and even getting baptized aren’t the destination. They’re just the first step, one of many in a lifelong walk with the Lord. In terms of spiritual maturity, there’s no shortcut, no accelerated growth plan.

 

There’s a temptation to put new believers on a pedestal – especially entertainers, well-known athletes, prominent business and professional people. But success in some vocation doesn’t make a person a seasoned theologian or expert on the Bible. Regardless of status, we all must go through an arduous adventure of growing, stumbling and maturing in our faith. 

 

I recall a well-known professional athlete who made a bold statement of faith years ago, declaring he had been “born again.” Less than a year later, however, news accounts said he was struggling with substance abuse. It wasn’t until years afterward that the athlete reaffirmed his commitment to Christ, engaged in spiritual growth programs, and later became leader of a fruitful ministry. His story isn’t uncommon.

 

When Jesus gave His followers their final instructions prior to His ascension to heaven, He said we’re to “make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). He didn’t command them – or us – to focus on making converts. One must be a convert before becoming a true disciple, but Jesus’ clear and specific commission was to develop followers, learners, people who become spiritual reproducers.

 

Similar to the initial stages of a toddler’s walk, one’s walk with Christ is unsteady at best. Many of us know this from experience. Falls are inevitable, along with bumps and bruises. This is why parenting is important, both in physical and spiritual terms. Writing to believers in ancient Thessalonica, the apostle Paul declared: 

“…we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us…. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8,11-12).

 

The apostle Peter, again from experience, understood about what it was like to be a spiritual babe. In one of his letters he wrote, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:2-3).

 

Like human infants, spiritual babies need to grow up. Sometimes it requires parental discipline to move the process along. For instance, Paul chided believers in Corinth, “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready” (1 Corinthians 3:2).     

 

The writer of the book of Hebrews also recognized the periodic need for a swift kick of correction to the readers’ spiritual pants: “…though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).   

 

Walking with Christ can be like taking one step forward and two steps back at times, but the Lord is abundantly patient. He’s always been that way, as we discover many times in reading the Old Testament. We find an excellent reminder in the book of Nehemiah, concerning the headstrong Israelites:

“For many years You were patient with them. By Your Spirit You admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so You handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in Your great mercy You did not put an end to them or abandon them, for You are a gracious and merciful God” (Nehemiah 9:30-31).

So, if you’re going through a rough patch spiritually right now, or someone you’re discipling is, take heart: “…for the Lord your God goes before you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5). 

Making Disciples Amounts to Spiritual Parenting

Entering into parenthood is joyous – and filled with surprises. We look at someone else’s baby and think, ‘Aw, how cute!’ Once we begin having our own children, ‘Aw, how cute!’ remains true. But living with them 24/7 also brings the reality that raising children is demanding. Difficult. Even daunting at times.

 

The hard work doesn’t stop after the potty training, helping to walk, and teaching them how to feed and dress themselves. Every stage of raising children – toddlers, adolescents, teenagers, and even well into adulthood – comes with its own set of challenges. Over time we realize that children, no matter how old, remain our children. And we remain their parents, long after they’ve left home.

 

In a similar sense, this is true for those taking part in Jesus’ instructions to His followers to “make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). What this doesn’t say explicitly is that making disciples basically amounts to spiritual parenting.

 

The apostle Paul addressed this clearly in writing to believers in the early Church. He explained, “...we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us…. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8,11-12).

 

Paul was recalling that in spending time with them, he was “like a mother caring for her little children….” As well as was responding to them “as a father deals with his own children.” 

 

If this parenting analogy for disciplemaking comes as a surprise, it might be that we misunderstand the term “disciples.” In Greek the words for disciple and convert are very different. The word for ‘disciple’ in Greek is mathētēs, while the work for ‘convert’ is epistrephō. They’re distinct, not even derived from the same root.

 

A convert has turned and faces another direction, perhaps reflecting a change of heart. A disciple, however, has not only turned but is also moving forward. Webster’s definition for “disciple” is “a pupil or follower of a teacher or school. A true disciple is not just a student or a learner, but a follower: one who applies what he has learned.”

 

I’d take it a step further in terms of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. He or she also is one able to reproduce spiritually. That’s why Jesus didn’t just command us to make converts – because converts are merely spiritual babes, unable to do much for themselves. He wanted spiritual reproducers.

 

How does one change from being a convert to a genuine disciple? This is where the idea of spiritual parenting comes in. Jesus implied this as He concluded His Great Commission when he declared, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” He was promising to remain spiritually present with these disciples, in whom He’d invested countless hours instructing, admonishing, encouraging, correcting, and providing an example. 

 

The Lord wasn’t about to leave them to their own devices. He’d entrusted them with a crucial assignment with eternal consequences. Mark 16:15 records His command as “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Jesus’ zealous but rag-tag collection of disciples would need much more than good intentions to accomplish this ambitious responsibility.

 

Paul fully understood this. A number of times he referred to men in whom he had invested much time and energy as his “son.” In a letter to followers of Christ in Philippi, he wrote, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon…Timothy has proved himself because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel” (Philippians 2:19,22). Elsewhere Paul cited Timothy as “my true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), and “my beloved and faithful child in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

 

Lest we incorrectly conclude that Timothy was Paul’s biological child, Acts 16:1 describes Timothy ”whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek” (a non-believer). The apostle also said he was “our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ…” (1 Thessalonians 3:2). Similarly, Paul addresses a man named Titus as “my true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4).

 

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of meeting with a number of men in discipling relationships – some only a matter of months, but others that spanned years, even decades. I and one good friend whom I regard, to borrow Paul’s words, as a “son in the faith,” remain in regular contact more than 40 years after our first meeting. He now lives in another city, so we often chat via FaceTime, sharing with each other about our everyday lives and our walk with Christ.

 

Another man I met more than 20 years ago at a Christian conference. Much has changed in our lives since then – we’ve had great conversations about many challenges encountered along the way – and we continue to check in periodically to talk about what God’s doing in our lives. Both have had a significant impact for the Lord in their homes, where they work, and in their communities.

 

What a joy it is to enlist in Christ’s Great Commission to become spiritual dads and moms. In so doing, one day we’ll be able to declare, as did the apostle John, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4).

Are We Missing Out on the ‘Secret Sauce’?

Recently I read a concerning report about the current state of the Church in America. Weekly church attendance was once part of the fabric of everyday life in America. However, according to the Barna Group, a prominent research organization that studies churches and trends in evangelical Christianity, only 20 percent of Americans report they attend worship services every week. 

 

The same research includes a slightly more positive indicator: Just over 40 percent of people surveyed say they attend church once a month or more. But many people visit the doctor’s office that much, so that isn’t saying a lot. This also means nearly 60 percent of people in our country seldom or never attend a religious service.

 

We know that attending church doesn’t make one a true follower of Jesus Christ any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. But it’s still troubling that the tradition of “Sunday going to meeting” seems to have become a relic of the past. Why is that? 

 

It’s not like evangelical denominations and congregations haven’t tried to keep up with the times. For many years the King James Version of the Bible was the only translation used. But in recent decades numerous translations and paraphrases have been produced and published, overcoming the complaint that “the Bible is hard to read.”

 

The high quality of books, videos, audio recordings, websites, and other technology have helped churches fit into the 21^st century. And the contemporary worship and praise music we hear today has complemented, and often usurped, traditional hymns and liturgy.

 

Many churches have introduced small groups to help in building community, along with special interest groups for people going through divorce, grieving, adopting, addiction recovery, parenting, and other interest areas.

 

There have been huge strides in entertainment media as well. Christian movies no longer hide in church basements. The production, writing and acting in many films these days compare favorably with the secular standard. Some well-known actors are going public with their faith, happily cast in films that make Christ the central focus.

 

So, what’s the problem? Why isn’t the Church having more impact in society these days? Is there a missing ingredient in God’s recipe for vitality and fruitfulness within the body of Christ? Are we lacking a “secret sauce”?

 

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave a final charge to His followers. It’s often called His Great Commission: “All authority 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” (Matthew 28:19-20).

 

Many congregations have adopted various evangelistic strategies and approaches for presenting the Gospel message to non-believers. Some refer to this as “soul winning.” However, even when successful, many times they’ve only made converts, “baby Christians” wondering, “Now what do I do?” Like human children, these new believers need to be fed, nurtured, comforted, even assisted in cleaning up their messes. 

 

In His Commission, the Lord clearly instructed us to “make disciples.” This involves investing time and energy to teach and show these babes in Christ how to grow into strong, devoted, spiritually reproducing followers of Jesus.

 

What does it mean to disciple someone – to make disciples? Isn’t that what happens at worship services, Sunday school, and small groups? Those are all good, contributing toward the overall goal, but aren’t the biblical model for making disciples.

 

A powerful description is found in the second letter the apostle Paul wrote to the younger man he was discipling, Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). This single verse shows four generations of believers – you (Timothy), me (Paul), reliable men, and others.

 

We might call this spiritual multiplication, hearkening to God’s command way back in the first chapter of Genesis: “God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply…’” (Genesis 1:28). Having already said one verse earlier His intent was to create human beings “in His own image, in the image of God…male and female He created them,” the Lord desired not only an increase in numbers but also people in His own image.

 

During His earthly ministry, Jesus had lots of people following Him, many being curiosity seekers. But He had 12 disciples with whom He spent countless hours round the clock for three years. They met together as a group, but there also were many occasions when He spent time with them individually. Today we’d call it mentoring, or one-on-one discipling.

 

The apostle Paul, himself mentored/discipled after his conversion by Barnabas, followed the same model. In letters to the various churches, we see he was always traveling with at least one other man –Timothy, Silas, Titus, Sosthenes, and others.

 

I’ve benefited from ministries that have made disciple-making central to their work. After I became a believer, God guided me into a discipleship program created by The Navigators. When I joined the staff of CBMC I learned how to come alongside other men and help them in their desire to grow in Christ.

 

There’s something about the very personal, candid spiritual relationship you can build with another person through one-on-one discipling. It provides a setting where trust and vulnerability are cultivated, where no question is a dumb question, confidences are protected, and both disciple-maker and disciple can grow together, learning from each other.

 

It’s a place where, even with our imperfections, we can say as did Paul, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you” (Philippians 3:17). Understanding his complete dependence on Christ, Paul could boldly say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

 

Maybe a renewed vision for making disciples is the “secret sauce” today’s Church desperately needs.

What does It Mean to ‘Make Disciples’?

In my most recent post I observed that many congregations and followers of Jesus are failing to pursue Jesus’ Great Commission, to “go and make disciples…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded them” (Matthew 28:19-20). Some may wonder, “What’s disciple-making, and is it the same as discipleship?”

 

There’s a very significant difference between the two, in my view. Discipleship focuses on the everyday, unending process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ in thought and deed. Campus ministry Cru defines discipleship as “a journey of intentional decisions leading to maturity in one’s relationship with Jesus so that you become more like Him in your attitudes, focus, and ultimately, behavior.”

 

This could – and should – include such things as consistent time reading and studying the Scriptures; praying; joining other believers for worship and fellowship; sharing one’s faith with others; and striving to live out biblical principles on a daily basis.

 

Disciple-making includes this but adds the dimension of leading, teaching and helping others to grow in their own faith, then to pass on what they have learned so others may become mature Christ followers.

 

My own experience with both discipleship and disciple-making started years ago in a small group Bible study that used materials developed by The Navigators. Founded by Dawson Trotman, the “Navs” joined evangelism – seeking to introduce people to Christ – with a discipling dimension that many other ministries lacked. This dual focus remains their mission today.

 

Jesus’ command to “make disciples” was not simply to make converts – people who once were heading one way spiritually and had turned toward Him. It also meant to invest in people “life on life,” developing disciples by helping them understand and apply truths of the Bible in relevant, practical ways.

 

We have the Lord’s own example. During the three years of His formal earthly ministry many people followed Him, but Jesus focused His attention of 12 individuals. He even had an inner circle of three men He spent more time with – Peter, James and John – discipling them through example and purposeful instruction. That was why, moments before His ascension to heaven, Jesus confidently instructed them, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….”

 

My understanding of disciple-making expanded when I joined the staff of CBMC (Christian Business Men’s Connection) in 1981. Influenced by The Navigators, CBMC had developed its own discipling resources called “Operation Timothy,” named after the apostle Paul's admonition to his protégé, Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

 

This passage offers a word picture of multi-generational discipling. Paul had invested many hours in teaching Timothy (2^nd generation). He was telling him to entrust what he had learned to “reliable men” (3^rd generation) who then would teach others (4^th generation). This underscored the reality that discipleship and spiritual growth aren’t automatic – they require intentionality and support.

 

Perhaps the best biblical metaphor for disciple-making is parenting. Spiritual ‘converts’ essentially are spiritual infants, unable to do much on their own. Human babies spend much of their waking hours eating, crying and making messes. Often, a new believer isn’t much different. He or she needs to be ‘parented,’ having someone to care for and comfort them, serve as a confidant, offer counsel, and help to clean up messes they’ve made in living contrary to Christ’s teachings.

 

In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 the apostle Paul recognized this, writing, “but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” Just a few verses later he added, “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

 

How often have you heard about becoming personally involved in making disciples? For most of us, not much if at all. We hear about talking with non-believers about Jesus, but rarely receive exhortation to come alongside others and assist them in their spiritual journey.

 

We might feel unqualified, like we need to grow ourselves before we can help others. Making disciples also takes time, energy, and even personal resources. As Paul wrote, sharing “not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” This is a considerable personal investment but the dividends are wonderful – and eternal. And it’s the Lord’s desire for us.

 

Nearly 40 years ago I attended a conference where the speaker talked about making disciples. Inspired, I earnestly prayed for God to guide me to one man I could meet with on a regular basis to help with his spiritual growth. Within two months, the Lord had brought TWO men into my life. I had the privilege and blessing of meeting with each man almost weekly over many months, and I maintain a close relationship with one of them to this day. Since then I’ve had the privilege of meeting with a number of other men.

One day, pointing to a vineyard as an object lesson, Jesus told His disciples, “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Then He declared, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last” (John 15:16). If we’re willing to obey Him in making disciples, Jesus will enable us to bear more fruit than we could imagine. 

Have We Been Missing ‘The Main Thing’ All Along?

Many important issues are competing for our attention these days. There’s the never-ending battle against poverty. Many believe abortion is a crucial concern. We have the ongoing culture war that’s trying to turn morality on its head. Then we have the economy, politics, global health crises, debate over causes and effects of climate change, and many others.

Followers of Jesus Christ are often understandably torn over which matters should receive the bulk of our energy and resources. Some people seek to dispel this confusion by asking the famous question, “What would Jesus do?” WWJD bracelets are no longer the rage, but it remains a valid question.

 

For the answer, some seem inclined to turn to the books of 1 and 2 Opinions. These aren’t in the Bible, but people talk and act as if they are. It’s kind of like saying, “Well, if I were Jesus….” We’d be wise to stop right there because, well, we’re not Jesus. 

 

The best way to find out what Jesus Christ would do – and what He would want of us – is to consult the Scriptures, because that’s where the Lord is revealed most definitively. The four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us the clearest picture of Him. 

 

They reveal a lot about how Jesus lived and what He taught, but don’t give a complete, 24/7 accounting for everything Jesus did and said over His 33 years on earth. The gospel of John even acknowledges this by stating, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25).

 

Nevertheless, I believe the gospels and the remainder of the Bible give us everything we need to know about Jesus for seeking to live as He desires of us. We don’t need to know more than that – we have enough difficulty trying to understand and apply what has been recorded.

 

Jesus’ life and teachings were wide-ranging, but what He said moments before His ascension seems particularly significant. After declaring, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me,” Jesus gave His last instructions to His followers: “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” (Matthew 28:19-20).

 

Of all the last words He could have said, Jesus told His disciples to make other disciples. He could have addressed any of the issues listed above, or others, but making disciples was the final thought – the main thing Jesus wanted to leave with them. And us.

 

A disciple, by definition, is a learner, a follower, one who influences and teaches others so that they too become disciples. It’s noteworthy that the concept of making disciples isn’t mentioned at all in the Bible until…the first chapter of Genesis. After the declaration, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27), the very next verse says, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number [multiply]; fill the earth and subdue it….’”

 

Connecting this first of God’s many biblical commands with what we commonly regard as Jesus’ Great Commission, we discover discipling others – making more people in His image – is central to His will and purpose for humankind.

 

When we hear the oft-asked question, “What’s wrong with the Church today?”, I suspect a major factor is the failure to follow through on the last thing Jesus said before being taken up to Heaven. He commanded His followers to “make disciples,” not just converts but people who are growing, maturing and reproducing themselves spiritually.

 

We see a description of this in one of the apostle Paul’s writings to his protégé, Timothy. Paul directed the younger man, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

 

In this single verse we find four generations of believers – Paul, Timothy, “reliable men,” and “others” whom they would teach. Just as Paul had invested much of his life into Timothy, he wanted Timothy to do the same with reliable (faithful) men, who would in turn do the same with other people.

How many churches are doing this today? We hear moving sermons and uplifting music during times of worship; we have programs designed for nearly every target audience; we devise slick marketing campaigns to attract people. But how many of our churches are intentionally and aggressively striving to do the main thing Jesus said we’re to do – go and make disciples? 

A Million Dollars – Or a Penny?

Suspend your disbelief for a moment, okay? Imagine someone approaches you today and offers a choice: He will give you one million dollars immediately, or one penny doubled every day for the next month. Which would you choose?

No, I don’t have insider knowledge of some wealthy magnate planning to make this offer. I haven’t consulted with Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, or even Donald Trump. But as you’ll see, it’s an interesting exercise that illustrates an important principle. 

Most of us would probably leap at the $1 million offer. No brainer, right? But wait. At first it would seem anyone who opted to receive a penny the first day, then have it doubled the second day and each succeeding day for a month, would be the loser. But as they say, do the math.

Let’s suppose Joe accepts the $1 million. He even sets it aside to collect interest. Good decision, right? However, his friend Jim, a curious soul, elects to take the one penny the first day, doubling that amount every day for a month of 31 days. At first things go slowly for Jim – one cent, two cents, four cents, eight cents, 16 cents. Ho hum. But momentum starts building.

On day 10, Jim receives $5.12. Day 15 nets him $163.84; on day 20 he gets $5,242.88, and on day 25 Jim’s single day’s “earnings” are $167,772.16! The agreement of the one penny doubled daily for a total of 31 days, so the amount continues to multiply. On day 31, Jim is the recipient of…more than $10.7 million! Would you still rather take the $1 million up front?

This silly scenario represents the genius behind Jesus’ strategy for growing His Church around the world, a plan that’s been has largely ignored.

You might recall the Lord’s last words to His followers before ascending to Heaven. He told them, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”(Matthew 28:19-20). We know it as the Great Commission. 

Instead of “making disciples,” however, much of Christianity has focused on making converts, producing spiritual babes without putting in the hard work to assist them in growing into maturing, spiritually reproducing disciples.

Let’s apply the monetary illustration to Jesus’ command. Suppose an established follower of Christ meets for a year with a younger believer, helping him or her to grow in their faith. At the end of that year, they both find someone else to disciple, effectively doubling or “multiplying” their number from two to four. One year later, each one finds another person to disciple – now there are eight. So far, not too impressive.

But like the example of the ever-doubling pennies, the numbers begin to surge geometrically. At year 10, assuming there’s no attrition, there would be 512 believers meeting and helping each other to grow. By year 20, the number has grown to 524,288! Projecting to year 30, following Jesus’ strategy and directive to “make disciples,” there would be nearly 537 million committed, fruitful followers of Jesus Christ having an eternal impact at home, at work, in their communities and the world around them.

By year 34, there would be more than 8.5 billion maturing, reproducing Christ followers – more than the current population of the world!

In reality, the issue isn’t numbers. If it were, Jesus would have issued production quotas. No, His desire was simply for us to make disciples who make disciples…who make disciples. Ultimately, men, women and young people all devoted to Christ and committed to following Him no matter what. Folks who, as Romans 6:11 states, “count [themselves] dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

How many people do we know like that, individuals willing to follow Jesus’ directive: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). That, in just a handful of words, is Jesus’ description of what a disciple looks like – the kind of people He commissioned to engage in consistently devoting themselves to ministering to others, life on life.

For more than 35 years, it’s been my privilege to meet one-to-one with other men, sharing from our lives and “spurring one another on to love and good deeds,” as Hebrews 10:24 expresses it. Not every one of them has gone on to give of his time and energy to help others grow, but a number of them have. In Isaiah 60:22 states, “The least of you will become a thousand.” If we’re willing, we can each play a small but important part in Jesus’ Great Commission, just as He asked us to do.

Just a Little Farther Down the Road

About 15 years ago, I collaborated with my late friend, David Stoddard, to write The Heart of Mentoring. To sum up the book’s message, we wanted to suggest that everyone should be a “mentored mentor.” In other words, each of us should be mentoring someone else, and we should find someone willing to be a mentor for us.

Today much is said and written about mentoring, with good reason. As we trudge along this journey we call life, it helps to have someone to offer wisdom, advice and guidance whenever we encounter occasions of uncertainty. Which we will. Daily life is more complex than ever; competing and often conflicting messages are plentiful. If we’re humble enough to admit it, having someone to show the way – or least assist us in sifting through the alternatives – can be indispensable.

If we don’t already have a mentor, we might be inclined to admit it could be useful to find one. But when challenged to mentor another person, a typical response would be, “Oh, I’m not qualified to mentor anyone. I don’t know enough.” As if being a mentor requires being an expert or recognized authority.

That’s hardly the case. As we stated in The Heart of Mentoring, all that’s necessary is that you be just a little bit farther down the road from the person you’re starting to mentor. You might be a bit older, or a bit more experienced. It doesn’t require a lot. A college student can mentor a high school student. A young married person can mentor a single person. A long-time married person can mentor a newlywed. Someone who’s been on the job for several years can mentor someone that’s newly hired. And anyone can mentor a child or adolescent.

We can mentor others not only by talking about our successes, but also our failures. Why do we have to make all of our own mistakes? We can benefit from hearing about the mistakes others made, and trying to avoid repeating them.

When it comes to mentoring, the demand always exceeds the supply. But as I’ve learned over more than 30 years of mentoring and discipling others, the return on investment can’t be beat. It’s a great example of the principle Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Because by investing time and a little energy in meeting with someone over time in a mentoring relationship, we receive not only the satisfaction of helping another person, but also learn ourselves – gaining from their perspectives and unique life experiences.

Mentoring might be unpleasant for both parties, as Dave and I acknowledged in our book, if the mentor takes a condescending, “I’m doing you a favor” approach. However, if it’s understood and approached as a mutually beneficial relationship, in which the mentor recognizes he or she can learn from the “mentoring partner,” it becomes not only a good experience – it can be life-changing.

One of my favorite passages from the Scriptures related to this is Proverbs 27:17, which reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” As I’ve made myself available to other men, offering to share some of what God and life have taught me, I’ve found them “sharpening” me, too, through their insights and questions.

A great thing about mentoring – or if you prefer, discipling (in a spiritual context) – is that it multiplies. Once someone starts being mentored, they can begin mentoring another individual and before long, the pattern starts repeating itself. As the apostle Paul wrote to his young protégé, Timothy, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

That’s at the heart of what Jesus was commanding when He left His disciples with the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus expected His followers to multiply – as they have through the centuries, from a mere handful to countless millions around the world. And this has occurred simply by men and women willing to be used by Him to pass along to others what the Lord has given to them.

If you’d like know more about what a mentoring process looks like, I’d suggest getting a copy of The Heart of Mentoring. I assure you it would be money well-spent. But most of all, if you don’t already have a mentor, try to find one. Ask God to direct you to the right person. Also ask Him to identify someone you could start mentoring. In both cases, it will be time well-spent.