Are All Christians Supposed to Disciple Others?

While I have always thought of myself as a Christian, I did not really act like what the Bible describes as a Christian. I never really talked much about my faith. I certainly did not go out and try to lead other people to Jesus. I just always thought that was what the pastor of the church was for. Right!

You know, one of the biggest things that I've learned in my recent attempts at becoming an authentic Christian is that God didn't just call the pastors and the ministers wives and the Billy Graham's of this world, to be disciples, and to spread his good news. He even called us wallflowers, the ones that just kind of hang along the edges, thinking that they're doing what God wants them to do. But in reality, we are all to be spreading his good news. This is what is referred to as the Great Commission. Matthew, 28:18-20 show us this:

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Did you catch that? Jesus told his disciples to make disciples of all the earth! What he did not say was to make disciples only of the pastors, priests, ministers etc., but all the earth. That includes you and me!

Now wait, don't go running out the door just yet. I'm thinking the same thing. You know, I don't feel in any way shape, or form qualified to be a bible teacher. I mean, I'm just learning this stuff myself. So how am I supposed to go out and make disciples of other people?

Thankfully it's been said that God doesn't call the equipped, that He equips those He calls. Well, honestly, I have been feeling really called lately. I feel like God is just tugging at me, telling me that He'll be with me. And that I can do it. And that my message really does need to be spoken. So that's what brought me here. I'm just trying to follow God's great commission. And I invite you to come along with me, and learn as I learn. And hopefully... maybe, if we work together, we just might be able to reach someone who is desperately searching for that reason to hang on in this life or for the meaning of their life, and we can lead them to Jesus. What a joy that would be!

Stay tuned, in my next post I'll be diving into how I have come up with what I believe to be a biblically based meaning of an authentic Christian woman.