Teaching Them to Obey

Read Matthew 28:19-20 and 1 Corinthians 11:1.

Recently, I’ve noticed that when people talk about making disciples, we often miss the first step in that process—teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded.

Discipleship is incredibly relational, and when we miss this step in the process, we’re sending converts out without instructing and encouraging them in the ways of the Lord.

In Scripture, it’s clear that Jesus commands us to do nine specific things, including …

1. Repent and believe (Mark 1:14-15, Acts 2:36-41)
2. Be baptized (Acts 2:36-41, Acts 8:26-38)
3. Make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)
4. Pray (Matthew 6:5-15)
5. Love God and others (Matthew 22:34-40)
6. Communion (Matthew 26:26-29, 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
7. Give (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)
8. Suffer (Acts 14:8-23, Mark 13:12-13)
9. Be part of the Church (Acts 2:42-47)

Followers of Jesus are called to refine our lives to conform more into His likeness … imitating His life in our own. This is no easy task, but it’s necessary to be bright lights in a dark, depraved world. Living according to God’s ways sets us apart and makes people wonder about the Spirit in us.

As God allows us to play a part in leading others into His eternal Kingdom it’s our crucial responsibility to call new believers to imitate us as we imitate Christ. Let’s make disciples today!

-written by a missionary on our Diaspora Team

Jesus, help us to obey Your Great Commission fully … making disciples and teaching them to obey Your perfect ways. Amen.