When a church’s mission statement is “To do everything we can to advance the Kingdom of God by making the Great Commission our daily mission,” it is apparent that their focus is in step with the words of Jesus when He said that His mission is to “seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus’ last commands were reiterated five times, and when the Creator of the universe and everything in it repeats something, as Christians we better perk up our ears and realize that He did not merely desire His mission to be for the Apostles but also for every one that follows Him. Jesus repeated what is known as the “Great Commission” when speaking to the Disciples, and five versions of it are offered in Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-49, John 20:21, and Acts 1:8. In order for the mission statement previously mentioned to be carried out effectively, three things are needed to be implemented: Discipleship (inward), Evangelism (outward), Fellowship (together).
Growing more each and every day to be like Christ is the result of effective discipleship. If a soldier is not equipped or trained to go into battle, he or she will fail. The same is true of a “soldier” of Christ (2 Tim. 2:3-4; Phil. 2:25; Philem. 2). He or she must be properly trained by their local church through receiving biblical training of the Word of God. They must always “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks for the hope that is in” them, not only toward others, but most importantly, for themselves (1 Pet. 3:15). If a person does not what they believe, they will never be able to show and articulate it to others. An effective strategy for a local church to train disciples is to implement “The Way of the Master” training course for all their members, as well as all of them taking an online course called “The School of Biblical Evangelism” (LivingWaters.com)
These courses are evangelism focused, but they are a means of providing biblical roots for a disciple to properly understand and defend their own faith. Two birds; one stone. As the members begin to understand their own faith through discipleship, these programs light fires of evangelism into the hearts of those being trained. Fear is the biggest factor for those who do not share the gospel with others. I personally think that the fear that has its roots dug deep into most Christians is not really “fear” at all; it is lack of knowledge, and the “fear” is someone who believes in something for which they cannot explain themselves being exposed. They are not studying to show themselves approved and therefore cannot rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
Once a disciple is properly trained and evangelism is burning in their hearts, fellowship becomes second nature to them because a common subject is now be established. Conversations do not become self-centered; dialogues are now about the Bible, Jesus, and the lost, and the wonderful things that each person has learned through speaking with the unsaved outside the church. Meals are no longer merely a time to eat; they are a time for each member to speak of the wonderful times they have had learning and witnessing. Activities and Bible studies scheduled during the week are no longer scarcely attended; they are overfilled with people that have become so closely connected through their Christ-centered conversations that they actually want to attend, and they even want more of them!
Discipleship, evangelism, and fellowship are key ingredients to make each Body of Christ remain healthy. Members learn and grow in their own faith, proclaim it to the lost and invite them to their church to learn more, and they all do it together as a family of God. It’s a simple three step process, and The Way of the Master training course and The School of Biblical Evangelism are two means that the Holy Spirit can use to keep members learning, proclaiming, and binding everyone together into effectively advancing the Kingdom of God. God does this by each person making the “Great Commission” their daily mission each and every single day.
Works Cited
The Holy Bible: New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.
Growing more each and every day to be like Christ is the result of effective discipleship. If a soldier is not equipped or trained to go into battle, he or she will fail. The same is true of a “soldier” of Christ (2 Tim. 2:3-4; Phil. 2:25; Philem. 2). He or she must be properly trained by their local church through receiving biblical training of the Word of God. They must always “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks for the hope that is in” them, not only toward others, but most importantly, for themselves (1 Pet. 3:15). If a person does not what they believe, they will never be able to show and articulate it to others. An effective strategy for a local church to train disciples is to implement “The Way of the Master” training course for all their members, as well as all of them taking an online course called “The School of Biblical Evangelism” (LivingWaters.com)
These courses are evangelism focused, but they are a means of providing biblical roots for a disciple to properly understand and defend their own faith. Two birds; one stone. As the members begin to understand their own faith through discipleship, these programs light fires of evangelism into the hearts of those being trained. Fear is the biggest factor for those who do not share the gospel with others. I personally think that the fear that has its roots dug deep into most Christians is not really “fear” at all; it is lack of knowledge, and the “fear” is someone who believes in something for which they cannot explain themselves being exposed. They are not studying to show themselves approved and therefore cannot rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
Once a disciple is properly trained and evangelism is burning in their hearts, fellowship becomes second nature to them because a common subject is now be established. Conversations do not become self-centered; dialogues are now about the Bible, Jesus, and the lost, and the wonderful things that each person has learned through speaking with the unsaved outside the church. Meals are no longer merely a time to eat; they are a time for each member to speak of the wonderful times they have had learning and witnessing. Activities and Bible studies scheduled during the week are no longer scarcely attended; they are overfilled with people that have become so closely connected through their Christ-centered conversations that they actually want to attend, and they even want more of them!
Discipleship, evangelism, and fellowship are key ingredients to make each Body of Christ remain healthy. Members learn and grow in their own faith, proclaim it to the lost and invite them to their church to learn more, and they all do it together as a family of God. It’s a simple three step process, and The Way of the Master training course and The School of Biblical Evangelism are two means that the Holy Spirit can use to keep members learning, proclaiming, and binding everyone together into effectively advancing the Kingdom of God. God does this by each person making the “Great Commission” their daily mission each and every single day.
Works Cited
The Holy Bible: New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.