Cliché Two: Everything is Disciplemaking

Cliché Two: Everything is Disciplemaking

PodCast Link: https://castbox.fm/episode/Cliche-Two%3A-Everything-is-Disciplemaking-id2800003-id258442224?country=us

Description:

This cliché often comes out in sermons of spiritual gifts or when someone is pressed on how they are serving the Lord. We have heard pastors finish an otherwise good sermon on gifts by concluding that whatever you are doing you are contributing to the Kingdom of God. If you cook for the Church lunch that is disciplmaking! Bring people in to where they can hear the gospel. etc. The impression is whatever you are doing is enough, disciplemaking is just Jesus’ work anyway and He will do what He will do.

The Good:

I think the intent is to not get people stuck in a legalistic frame of mind and to avoid shaming others. It displays an apparently high view of God. Leaders believe it is of the highest importance that people remember the simple gospel that Jesus is the one who died for us, He is the One with the power, whatever we do in serving Him He is able to use… etc.

The Bad:

Disciplemaking has a specific definition and we lose that when we put out these broad statements to make everyone feel good. For instance, look at the great commission:

• Matthew 28:19-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (emphasis mine)
  • 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.”

Jesus has a specific thing in mind when He calls His disciples, and therefore us, to make disciples. We are to personally teach others to observe, we are to both teach and then see that teaching through to real action in other peoples lives. You can see from this how cooking a meal, doing a Bible study, etc. while contributing to the church’s image and helping some down the road of knowing Jesus is not in fact disciplemaking.

Conclusion:

There are many good and needed things people can do for the Kingdom, but disciplemaking is a specific thing that is described in detail in scripture.

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