Making Disciples is our calling; our purpose. Sharing the gospel, leading people to Christ, baptizing people, discipling them in their faith–is what we do to make disciples.
Too often we tend to gravitate towards either evangelism or discipleship. It takes courage to share the gospel. It takes time to disciple someone. God has called us to do both. The command to make disciples includes evangelism and discipleship. It’s not an either/or proposition. It is a both/and.
For me, discipleship was always easier. I love people. I love getting to know people and spending time with them. I enjoy teaching and serving. Sharing the gospel with someone was always difficult. And to be honest, it still is. I have to work hard at putting myself in situations where I can share the gospel with lost people.
The story of Paul and Barnabas tell an interesting story. When Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, it was Barnabas that welcomed him and discipled him in his new faith. Barnabas “the encourager” spent a lot of time with Saul who became known as Paul. They even went on their first missionary journey together. They invited John Mark to join them. At some point, John Mark left the group. When Paul and Barnabas planned their next trip, Barnabas wanted John Mark to come as well. But Paul refused. They argued and the decision was to travel separately. Barnabas would take John Mark and Paul would take Silas.
Paul and Barnabas, two godly men, that God chose to use to make disciples on their journeys. They differed in their approach. Paul put his focus first on the mission of traveling to new places and sharing the gospel. Barnabas focused on people first as they traveled to new places and shared the gospel. They had two very different perspectives and methodologies but they shared a common objective—making disciples.
Both teams shared the gospel and saw people come to Christ in almost every city. But then, they stayed and taught them in their new born faith. Paul and Barnabas knew that evangelism and discipleship are inseparable. To do one without the other would weaken the church and the movement around the globe in sharing the good news.
Using a sports analogy, teams compete to win the game. Each team has their own unique plan to accomplish their objective. Both teams need an offense and a defense. To neglect either of these is to damage their prospects for victory.
Jesus’ plan to make disciples of all the nations demands that we do both evangelism and discipleship. They are not two separate programs. They are the same program and the same objective.
The questions is not “if” we will share the gospel or “if” we will disciple someone. The real question is who will you disciple and how will you accomplish your mission.
Sean Keith is the Sunday School/Discipleship Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Sean has free resources available at www.louisianabaptists.org/churchgrowth and www.revseankeith.com. Follow me on twitter @revseankeith.