Re: Matthew 28:19--What is the best way to "make disciples" ?

Question

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Matthew 28:19

Answer 1

What Jesus said is recorded at Matthew 28:18-20: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” Jesus spoke of “all authority,” “all the nations,” “all the things,” and “all the days.” His commands involving those four all-embracing expressions raise some important questions, which can be summed up in the words why? where? what? and when? Let us consider the questions one at a time.

“All Authority Has Been Given Me”
First, why should we obey the command to make disciples? Jesus stated: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go therefore and make disciples.” The word “therefore” points to a major reason why we should obey this command. It is because Jesus, the one who issued the command, has “all authority.” How extensive is his authority?

Jesus has authority over his congregation, and since 1914 he has had authority over God’s newly established Kingdom. (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 11:15) He is the archangel and as such commands a heavenly army of hundreds of millions of angels. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 19:14-16) He has been empowered by his Father to bring to nothing “all government and all authority and power” that oppose righteous principles. (1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Ephesians 1:20-23) Jesus’ authority is not limited to the living. He is also “judge of the living and the dead” and has God-given power to resurrect those who have fallen asleep in death. (Acts 10:42; John 5:26-28) Surely a command given by the One vested with such vast authority should be viewed as of the highest importance. Therefore, we respectfully and willingly obey Christ’s command to ‘go and make disciples.’

Early in his earthly ministry, Jesus taught his disciples in a striking way that recognizing his authority and obeying his commands would lead to blessings. He once told Peter, who was a fisherman: “Pull out to where it is deep, and you men let down your nets for a catch.” Peter was sure that there were no fish, so he told Jesus: “Instructor, for a whole night we toiled and took nothing.” However, Peter humbly added: “But at your bidding I will lower the nets.” After Peter obeyed Christ’s command, he caught “a great multitude of fish.” Overwhelmed, Peter “fell down at the knees of Jesus, saying: ‘Depart from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord.’” But Jesus answered: “Stop being afraid. From now on you will be catching men alive.” (Luke 5:1-10; Matthew 4:18) What do we learn from that account?

Jesus gave Peter, Andrew, and other apostles the assignment to “become fishers of men,” not before, but after they made this astonishing catch of fish. (Mark 1:16, 17) Clearly, Jesus did not require blind obedience. He gave the men a convincing reason why they should obey him. Just as obeying Jesus’ command to let their nets down led to overwhelming results, so obeying Jesus’ command to ‘catch men’ would lead to great blessings. In full faith, the apostles responded. The account concludes: “They brought the boats back to land, and abandoned everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:11) Today, as we encourage others to share in the work of making disciples, we imitate Jesus. We do not require that people simply do as we tell them, but we give them convincing reasons to obey Christ’s command.
Jehovah's Witnesses would be happy to explain more to you about making disciples.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Preach the Gospel. Let God make the disciples. It's interesting that the King James uses the same word differently, and I think this time better:
G3100 matheteuo -- pronounced: math-ayt-yoo'-o

from 3101; intransitively, to become a pupil; transitively, to disciple, i.e. enrol as scholar: KJV -- be disciple, instruct, teach.

See Greek No. 3101

It leans the word matheteuo towards instructing, teaching, as I think ought to make the bringer of the Good News a speaker. By saying 'make disciples' may cause some to do more, as perhaps you are asking.

But I would lean towards not doing anything except how God leads you. If you can preach the Gospel, then you have that gift. If you can do also other things, then you have those other gifts.

But weigh it on the Spirit, because I am just a man.

Answer 4

Many ways. Find common ground. Something that you and the other person both believe in and build on that. It could even be a statement about how bad everything around us is. Then from there Bible scripture can be discussed pertaining to that and how there will come to be a time when all of this badness will be gone. It is best to have a Bible of course so that the other person doesn't think you are just making it up. Of course that person would have to believe in the scriptures.

Also, by conduct disciples can be made. Some people may be leading a bad way of life. They may be unhappy. Good christian conduct can draw others to you and they may agree to learn God's word to make changes in their own life.

Answer 5

That is why the JW's go door to door. Jesus said to go & make disciples ,,,notice he said in the name of the father AND the son AND the holy spirit. 3 different people , not one like so many religions teach.

Answer 6

First of all prepare with prayer
Then go and speak, either to individualls who the Lord puts in our path during the course of the day, or we might have the opportunity to preach to numbers of people at one given time.

To make disciples, is to also disciple people when they make the committment to Jesus Christ. They need nurturing just like a new born baby would, in its new life and environment, giving whatever support is needed, to help them grow.

The fields are ripe unto harvest.

Answer 7

Tell them the story of Jesus....the Gospel.

Then...as it says: BAPTIZE them!!! This is what sets a "disciple" aside. It is something that GOD does in the Sacrament.

But never forget to teach them that the root word of "disciple" is "discipline" - and teach them about keeping a proper Rule of Life.

Answer 8

stay focused on the Word:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. - Romans 10:17.

have compassion.

have concern.

contact others.

* live what you teach.
* love people.
* meet with the public
* communicate
* concentrate and let the nucleus be the LORD Jesus Christ
* try to bring a person to a decision
* know when to dust off your feet and move on
* let your speech be pleasant:

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. - Proverbs 16:24.

pray for wisdom, plant a seed.

Answer 9

Answer questions that no one else can answer. Help them to unravel the mysteries in the bible. If they are honest hearted and looking for the truth, they will respond.

Roman 16:25 Now to him who can make you firm in accord with the good news I declare and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the sacred secret which has been kept in silence for long-lasting times. 26 but has now been made manifest and has been made known through the prophetic scriptures among all the nations in accord with the command of the everlasting God to promote obedience by faith.

Answer 10

Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen