The Importance of Discipleship

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

It is my opinion that everyone is too preoccupied with evangelism. Everyone thinks that the number one goal of all Christians is to go out and spread the gospel to all who hear, and get them to accept Christ. While I certainly agree that they need Christ, I don't think evangelism is the number one thing for Christians to do. It's not even number two.

Firstly, worship is far most important. Worship should be the driving force behind missions. John Piper says "Missions exists because worship doesn't." Wherever there is no worship, that's where missions is to go.

I think discipleship is, by far, the second most important. Jesus didn't say to go out and make converts, He said to go out and make disciples of all nations! Once they make the decision and say the prayer and all, our job is most certainly NOT done! Our job then is to raise up that person in the Lord, and help them to know more and more about the Lord, and to aid their worship of God. We are to teach them how to effectively read the Bible, we are to teach them how to effectively answer questions to their faith, and we are most certainly to teach them proper theology!

I think th is is lacking in churches today. They are so focused on missions and evangelism that they miss out on discipleship. Personally, I think discipleship in American churches is weak, almost nonexistent. And so, therefore, I urge you to not only seek converts, but seek disciples of Jesus. Take time out of your schedules to mentor someone in the Lord.