In every mission’s conference we talk about the Great Commission. It is found in several places in the gospels, but most often referenced from Matthew 28.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”– Matt. 28:18-20 NIV
This verse speaks of actions we all can be involved in. It tells us to;
- Go,
- Make disciples of all nations
- Baptize them and
- Teach them to obey.
Ying Kai and Steve Smith, authors of the book, T4T A Discipleship Re-Revolution, speak of how we are Trainers of Trainers. Ying uses the word trainer for a disciple-maker. Do you see yourself as a Trainer of Trainers?
For many years I saw myself as a teacher. What I didn’t see was that I was to train the people I taught until they could train others! Instead of seeing myself as a teacher, passing on knowledge and information, I began to see myself as a trainer and those who were learning from me as those who in turn would immediately train others. I am a Trainer of Trainers – a disciple-maker.
I train one person to follow Jesus and obey His commands, they go and train another, who trains another. In this way the Kingdom multiplies and grows.
Making disciples of Jesus (trainers of trainers) is a crucial task not only for pastors, spiritual leaders and missionaries. This is the task of every believer. This is the task of everyone who is a disciple of Christ. As basic as it seems, why do so few get involved directly in disciple making? Why don’t we see ourselves as trainers of others?
We have settled for a model far short of what Jesus taught. Why? There are numerous answers to this question. We could blame anyone from Constantine to today’s clergy for not placing more emphasis on empowering local believers to do the work of the ministry. Blaming them would serve no real purpose, though sometimes it can be helpful to understanding the process that led us to the situation the church is in today.
Instead of analyzing the history or blaming various people, it is time for all who follow Christ to wake up to their identity and to their task. We are disciples. Disciples train other disciples. It’s natural. It’s normal. It requires no special skills or special qualifications. We just need to obey Jesus’ command, and begin to do it.
Who are you training to obey Christ? Who are they training? Are you a trainer of trainers? A disciple who makes disciples? If not, you can be! Embrace that identity today.
Comments
I am ready to obey Christ Jesus and be a Trainer of Trainers as this is a task of every believer of Jesus Christ, we MUST make disciples. It requires no special skills nor special qualifications, l just need to obey and make disciples. God help me!
This is the obedience of heavenly calling and the great commission in Mathew 28:18-20, i am ready to go, and train those who able to trained others. this is Just matter of availability and obedience to Christ.
i am ready to be train to be trainer so help me God
Erick
I am ready to serve Christ by training persons as discipleship. Prefer to serve in South Asian region. I have 25 years experience as a bivocstional ministry worker.
IAM based in Zambia I started DMM class with Roger Thoman and iam finishing lesson 14 today through Zoom now I would like to be a trainer if trainer.I have begun other classes today and baptised 6 disciples.
Lackson
Zambia
Author
That is great Lackson. Keep up the wonderful work. May God bless and multiply what you’ve begun.
We love God but He first he love us
God chose me to be part of His team, Thank Anderson, I am doing evangelism for kids and serving my Heavenly Father now for 20 years through, but has never had such revelation. I think I will redirect my thoughts from now, I could there is more I can do but was wondering what that was. Please explain to me the difference between evangelism and discipling, and when is the right time for discipline.?
Author
Hey Quelin! That is a great question! I’m sure lots of people would like input on that. We’ve put it on our list to be answered on my Friday Q&A time that we broadcast live. Please join us! You can go to https://www.facebook.com/dmmsfrontiermissions and see it there as an event, or check our You Tube Channel as well https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVfHlYkT2NvV1hu6RWFFiUA we are live in both places every Friday.
Great opportunity to make disciples. All around grow up to maturity
Author
Amen! Yes, let’s do it!
Great. …but the email sent…but no
response pertaining your resources.
I thank you much for work
Author
Hey Frederick! Sorry to hear you didn’t get a response. 🙁 We are usually very good about replying to all emails to us within 24 hours. Perhaps there was some issue in cyberspace and it was lost. Would you mind resending it?
I love disciple making movement,
Thank you for your dedication to disciple people all over the world
Pr Ben Tamale
Freedom Sanctuary church
Lungujja Kampala Uganda
East Africa
Am ready and to the task of making desciples. It’s my prayer that the Lord through His holy Spirit will empower me as I do submit to His will.
Need your prayers.