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06βͺAUGUST 2024βͺwww . cmausa . org |
By PETER Helgerson
What is a disciple ? The dictionary tells us this : β Any professed follower of Christ , a pupil , a follower .β This means that as a disciple , I am to learn and adhere to the teachings of Christ . It is a new way of living because of the awakening of the newfound grace of God . It requires the disciple to learn Jesus β s teachings and grow in an intimate relationship with Him . This new lifestyle is then a choice to obey Biblical Scriptures and a submission to the teaching of Jesus as the only truth .
As children of God and believers in the Word of God as a foundation for life on Earth and eternal life with Jesus , we are charged with sharing the Gospel . This is the first step to making disciples . Matthew 28:18-20 ( NLT ), is where we are given Christ β s command , which is most commonly called β the Great Commission .β β Jesus came and told his disciples ; β I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth . Therefore , go and make disciples of all the nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you . And be sure of this : I am with you always , even to the end of the age .ββ It is evident in this scripture that the charge to us as
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believers is to reproduce and teach new believers to become disciples . The first step is to share the Gospel of Christ . But simple head knowledge of Christ is not enough . Think about someone knowing what a car is and that it does exist . However , more than knowledge is needed to operate the vehicle safely to the extent of its ability . The potential driver needs teaching . Or , most people know what fish are . We have seen fish . Most of us have eaten fish , but more than knowledge is needed to catch fish . Mark 1:17 ( NLT ), β Jesus called out to them ; β Come follow me , and I will show ( teach ) you how to fish for people !ββ Jesus was trying to make disciples by teaching them how to disciple others . They had head knowledge of who Jesus is , but they needed to be taught how to make new disciples .
The importance of disciple-making is a key element in the future of Christianity . Without making disciples , there may not be future generations of believers who can proclaim the Good News of the Gospel . And for the ministry of CMA , it can also apply to the growth of our chapters , which in turn becomes the growth of CMA worldwide . Those early disciples were the foundation of Christianity today . Someone had to disciple Herb Shreve with the
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teaching of Christ and , through the Holy Spirit , speak to Herb to go into the world of motorcycling to share what he had learned of the teachings of Christ . Now , we are blessed to be a small part of what Herb began by fishing for people .
I think we can all agree that our world needs Christ . It seems we are seeing an increase in immorality and a move away from the teachings of the Bible . I believe this : this world cannot change the truth , but the truth can change the world . Making disciples is simply investing in a new believer , teaching them to obey all God β s commands that are given to us in the Word . In the last chapter of Revelation , Jesus says , β I am coming soon .β We can β t wait until tomorrow because tomorrow may not come ! CMA
Peter and Laura Helgerson are members in New Hampshire .
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