As I approach the second week of the five-week youth discipleship program I oversee, my lethargy and anxiety remind me of the heavy cost of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Commonly known as the Great Commission, Jesus commands His church to make disciples wherever they go. (See Matthew 28:19-20) As I desire to fulfill this command of Jesus, for the past four years I have had the privilege of leading a dynamic youth discipleship program called, On The Edge.
This program consists of daily Bible teaching, a missions week, community service, activities, games, workshops, conferences, three days of beach camping, and much more. Think of it as five weeks of blessed craziness. (Shout-out to the 100 students, and 60+ staff members that are serving this year! You guys are awesome!) This program has taught me much about the expense of making disciples.
If you desire to be obedient to the Great Commission, get ready to count the cost of investing into people's lives. Being used by God to make disciples is a privilege that comes with great sacrifice. Many desire to be used by God in this way, but few follow through. Here are a few reasons on why to hold off on making disciples, if you're not quite ready for the cost. Don't make disciples if:
You are not fully surrendered to Christ
Discipleship in its purest form is teaching others to: deny self, take up their cross, and follow Jesus. If you as a mentor/leader cannot surrender your entire life to Jesus in this way, you disqualify yourself from teaching others. You cannot lead others into a place that you, yourself have never been. In your surrender and brokenness, God will fill you with wisdom and direction. Without this, you cannot be an effective disciple-maker.
You're not committed for the long haul
Our job as disciple-makers is not done until the people that we are mentoring are in turn, making disciples. This process is not done overnight. Jesus spent three years with His disciples. It is wrong for us to have the "clock in, clock out" mentality when it comes to discipleship. Building friendships, and sharing life the way Jesus would have us to do is not easy. God's people have many layers. In order for you to get to get past the layers and to the heart, you will need to spend quality time with your student.
You love personal comfort
If you love security, sleep, and personal comfort, don't ask someone to learn from you. You will disappoint, and be disappointed/scared that God would call you to step out of your comfort zone. Discipleship should be fueled by Christ's sacrificial love for us. If we are to teach about God's love, we need to live out God's love. The thing is, is that His love knows no boundaries. God's love is vulnerable, deep, patient, and full of self-sacrifice. If you desire to remain untouched and never get your hands dirty, making disciples if not for you.
If you are guilty of any of the above reasons, please don't automatically disqualify yourself. God desires to use you, despite you. Pray and ask God to make you fit for Kingdom building. The Bible is full of flawed men and women being used for the glory of God. No one is ever too far-gone from the Lord's redeeming, restoring, and empowering grace.
If you'd like to start or continue to be used by God to make disciples, I encourage you to be willing and available. God will equip you for this work. It will always be Him working in you to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 3:13) As a fellow disciple-maker, I encourage you to run hard for His glory. This is a tough work, but it's an eternally worthwhile work. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Aaron serves in Murrieta, CA and is a pastor at Cross Culture Ministries and is also the director of On The Edge.
Aaron Sabio's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/aaron-sabio.html