The Church X - Discipling

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, 1Corinthians 4:14-21

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 02 July 2000 9 am English Service

Introduction: We have so far dealt with the important ministries of teaching / preaching, evangelism / missions, worship and prayer.

In Matthew 28:19 the word "teach" is better translated "make disciples." Jesus made disciples of the Apostles and others (eg. Joseph of Arimathaea, MAT 27:57). And His disciples, in turn, discipled others (eg. Paul discipled Timothy, 1TI 1:2) and taught them to disciple others (2TI 2:2 "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also").

Discipling is simply the process of reproduction - which is the God-ordained means of preserving a "species" in this world. The process of reproduction usually involves birth, sacrificial loving, role modeling, teaching and admonishing. The purpose of reproduction is to produce another like you.
Jesus started this reproductive "relay race" and passed the "baton" to His disciples, who then passed the "baton" to their disciples. Most Christians have failed to pass the "baton" and the "Christian species" is an endangered "species." We have benefited from discipling by other Christians who invested their lives in ours. Therefore, let us invest our lives in others and do our part in producing many, many more Christ-like lives. May the "Christian tribe" flourish!
The process of discipling is described in 1Corinthians 4:14-21.

1. Evangelizing: The process of reproduction must begin with birth. Apostle Paul had evangelized the Corinthian Christians (v.15 "I have begotten you through the gospel"). Discipling is most natural and effective, when we disciple our converts. There is a greater sense of responsibility and love for one whom we brought into the kingdom of God, and a corresponding greater sense of indebtedness and love from them. This close bond between "father" and "children" gave Paul the right to be frank with the Corinthian Christians. He warned them (v.14), scolded them (v.18) and threatened to punish them (v.21).

2. Loving: Discipling must be done in love. Paul called the Corinthian Christians "my beloved sons" (v.14). True love for a disciple is more than a mere emotion, it is a commitment to meet his needs by sacrificial giving of time, energy and resources. (See 1CO 14:4-7 for a biblical definition of agape love). Selfish carnal Christians find the process of discipling too demanding.

3. Role modeling: The most effective way to disciple Christians is to be a role model for them - because men are by nature imitators. Paul tells his disciples: "be ye followers of me" (v.16) and wants them to be in "remembrance of his ways which be in Christ" (v.17). We do not need to have perfect Christ-like lives to disciple others. In fact, if such a person existed it would be extremely intimidating to be discipled by him! We just need to be a little more Christ-like than those we disciple. For example, young children learn many useful life-lessons from those who are only a little older than themselves.

4. Teaching: Role-modeling must be supplemented by effective teaching of God's Word. Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to "remember his ways….which he taught every where in every church" (v.17). A good discipler must know God's Word well and be able to use it effectively.

5. Admonishing: Role-modeling and teaching is insufficient because even the best disciple errs and may need to be admonished occasionally. Paul warned (v.14), scolded (v.18) and threatened to punish (v.21) his disciples. Admonishment is generally not accepted unless there is a strong love-bond between discipler and disciple.

Conclusion: The process of discipling is much more demanding than that of evangelism. Therefore most churches do not have effective discipling ministries and churches are filled with born-again Christians who lead miserable unproductive pagan life-styles. Let us pray that GLCC will have an effective discipling ministry and produce many Christ-like Christians who will disciple others. Will you be a good discipler and a good disciple?