This process is established around ten distinctives of a disciple stated by Jesus Christ and founded on the over 300 imperatives (commands) of our Lord from the Gospels.
This work was developed to assist all who desire to fulfill Matthew 28:19-20 by providing a systematic approach of teaching the 10 distinctive’s of a Christ follower which provides the framework to journey through the imperatives (commands)of Christ. The process is to achieve our Lord’s instruction to teach them to live out all that He commanded in Matthew 28:20. This resource will begin by introducing 50 prioritized imperatives of Christ. It is our hope this will encourage you and others to explore and live out all that our Lord has commanded and to fulfill His command to make disciples.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the
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 NASB)
Jesus stated that a disciple is
one who is fruitful (reproducing) and a disciple maker is one who is making
fruitful disciples. This means we have not accomplished the command to make
disciples until the one we are discipling is making disciples.
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear
much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
(John 15:8 NASB)
Jesus emphasizes this truth as he summarizes His thoughts in John 15. He shares that we have been chosen, appointed to go and bear fruit and the fruit we bear should abide. Meaning
those we disciple will bear fruit as He commanded in John 15:4.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you
should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain. (John 15:16a NASB)
The goal throughout this study is to create a generationally reproducing lifestyle of disciple making. This was emphasized by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:2. The ultimate aim being to glorify Jesus.
Our focus throughout this work will be on hearing, knowing and following, spoken of by Jesus Christ in John 10:27.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and
they follow Me. (John 10:27 NASB)
As you read this introduction, what are you hearing? Jesus repeated many times to those who heard His voice “he who has ears to hear, let him hear.” What is Jesus saying to you? Listening leads to learning and transformation. Learning goes way beyond head knowledge but what I like to call heart knowledge. Is your life being so transformed that others are encountering Jesus through you? This will never happen unless we move to following. Where is Jesus going today? Will you follow Him? We may give the expected Christian answer of anywhere, but what
if it costs you something. If it costs you everything, would you still live for Him?
The time is now, the mandate is clear, the ministry is before us, the mission calls us to action.
Will you join me as we seek to “share God’s love through word and deed.”