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Real Disciple-MakingBy Dan VisOctober 24, 2022 Comments: 88 |

Making disciples involves more than just doing evangelism. Real disciple-making is connecting people to the real disciple-maker: Jesus Christ. At least, that's how I've come to view it after nearly 30 years of full-time ministry.
Jesus made this point exactly in his parting instructions to the church: "go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" by 1) "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" and then 2) "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-2019 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen., NKJV). It is both calling people to follow Christ, and then helping them grow in their walk with Him, together, that makes up the Great Commission.
I became a Christian as a young college student, just a couple months into my twenties, after reading a copy of the Desire of Ages that I had stumbled on to in a used book store. Through a series of additional providential steps, the Lord soon brought me into his endtime church, and I was baptized. That was part one of the Great Commission.
Fortunately, I had some friends around able to help me with part two. A handful of guys from the university I attended, took me under their wing and began to teach me the basics of the Christian walk: how to pray, study the Bible, deal with temptation, manage my time, share my testimony, and more.
Perhaps most important--they taught me the one thing Jesus said we should teach every new believer: how to "observe" the things Christ commanded. By introducing me to the basic nuts and bolts of Bible memorization, they gave me a skill that completely transformed my life.
You see, the word "observe" in the Great Commission comes from a Greek word meaning to guard or keep. It's used in Matthew 27:54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. to describe how the centurion was assigned to "watch" Jesus on the cross. And in Acts 16:23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:, it's used to describe how the jailor was charged with "keeping" Paul and Silas locked up in prison. And in Jude 1:6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day., it's used to describe how the fallen angels are being "reserved" in chains until their judgment.
Together, these verses suggest "observing" means to lock up God's Word so securely, it can never be taken from you. To me, that sounds like memorization!
Through memorization, I could fix my eyes on Jesus anywhere--by simply meditating on verses I knew. Through memorization I was able to lock up the Bible in my mind, and prevent it from slipping away. Through memorization, I was able to reserve the Scriptures, so they would be available for any trial I faced. Basically, memorizing connected me to the One who gave us the Word.
It wasn't easy, at first. I didn't have a great memory, and I had little exposure to the Bible growing up--so it was all brand new to me. But I was determined, and persevered in investing whatever time it took to get my verses learned each week. I learned to memorize word-perfect, the secret to long term retention, how to remember references, and more. Little by little, my store of verses began to grow.
At one point, something clicked. I had probably accumulated 50 or 60 verses, when I started noticing them popping up in sermons. Or I'd be studying a passage in my devotions, and some verse I had memorized would come to mind, shedding light on what I was reading. Or I'd be praying about something, and I'd suddenly think of a promise directly related to that request. And old temptations began losing their hold in my life, as I discovered how powerful quoting Scripture can be. When asked a question, it seemed I always happened to have just the verse I needed to explain my faith. It was as if Jesus were right there at my side, day by day.
In fact, the more it happened, the more exciting it got. At the time, I had a job that enabled me to memorize while at work--and I took advantage of it. Soon I had moved from 2-3 verses a week to 2-3 verses a day. Memorization was getting easier, and I couldn't seem to get enough. The Bible became "the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jeremiah 15:16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.).
And it soon began to open doors. Though young, and quite new to the church, I was soon asked to teach the lesson study in my church. And then to do prayer meeting. Soon I was preaching sermons.
Looking back now, I'm amazed at the doors God opened. With no formal training, I was soon invited to teach Bible at a local academy. Then a second academy. Then a small college. I went on to serve as an administrator in two evangelistic training centers. And ultimately, was asked to pastor a church in the Chicago suburbs--where I was ordained to the Gospel ministry. I've preached in hundreds of churches in more than a dozen countries. The last two decades have just been a blur of amazing adventures.
I'm fully convinced these doors opened, because years earlier, a handful of college friends took some interest in me, and taught me how to memorize Scripture. How to "observe" the teachings of the Bible.
These doors opened for me, because those friends were true disciple-makers, connecting me to the real disciple-maker. Jesus Christ. And following Him is never anything less than an amazing adventure!
Comments
How important is it to combine evangelism with follow-up and training? How important is it to make sure our training connects people to Jesus, the real disciple-maker? How important is memorization in the life of a believer? Share a thought or two in the comments below...![]() |
Posted by Deanne Reinke on 11/11/22 | ||
John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - the word was with God and the word WAS God John 17:17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. - We are Sanctified by the truth, God's word is truth John 18:37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.- Jesus said: for this reason I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. John 1:4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.- Jesus was life and this life is the light of the world. John 6:56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.- He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me And I in Him. from these texts I deduce that my spiritual nourishment comes from God's word, God's word will provide light to show me the way to eternal life, by spending time in God's word I abide in Him, by God's word I am Sanctified. Every one who spends time in God's word knows the truth and hears Jesus voice speaking to them. To me. these verses confirm that internalizing God's word through memoriaztion means that ALL OF THESE BLESSINGS BELONG TO ME!! THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF MY WHOLE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. IF I HAVE HIS WORD MEMORIZED, THEN IT IS ALWAYS WITH ME AND CANNOT BE TAKEN FROM ME. MEMORIZATION IS EVERYTHING! * regarding evangelism with follow-up training--YES! this is ESSENTIAL! very few converts stay if they do not have follow-up training! my experience has been that they need continuous support for up to 2 years so that they have time to process the new information, and hear it over and over and then have all their questions that come up fully answered and verified and reconfirmed and to get them established in their relationship with Jesus. memorizing texts helps them remember what they believe in and gives them points of reference to confirm what they believe. gives them reassurance that they are not mistaken or confused . This is also what it does for those who are not NEW disciples !! |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 11/09/22 | ||
Right Louise. All of these different facets are important to doing a well-balanced work. Sounds like the program you did was well designed and well run. Great job! | |||
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Posted by Dan Vis on 10/25/22 | ||
We've got some great tips on that Gail in our Crash Course class. Or even better, consider doing our Breakout Memory Challenge. Enrollment closes for that class in just a couple days... | |||
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Posted by Rebecca on 09/24/22 | ||
I’m grateful to you and your ministry for turning me on to memorization. I decided to make the effort with just one text. Jeremiah 31:3The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. as I memorized the text, breaking it down word by word, I fell in love, in more love with God! It was with ‘loving kindness’ that He drew me to him. Your right, texts now leap off the pages of the Bible as ones I know and live and a pile of texts on cards for future memorization. God has used this tool to change me. Follow up training is vital. I hope to learn more about how to disciple others. | |||
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Posted by Barbara E. LaRose on 09/24/22 | ||
How important is follow up? When we call others to Christ many don’t have any idea of what to do or how to do it. Following up encourages them to stay on task, gives them a feeling of community. Paul did this by going back and visiting the churches or writing letters to them. All our training needs to lead them to Jesus, the source of all true discipline. He has given us all the but and bolts of how to win others and how to implement them. Memorizing scriptures has given me the tools to help others when they are faced with great trials, hardship, pain, and temptations. It is a great encouragement to me. I really like Jeremiah 15:16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.. Jeremiah 15:16 |
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Posted by Tev Gray on 09/23/22 | ||
An amazing testimony of how God can work in and through us and the people He sends in our lives. My prayer is that I'll always see God in those around me and have that love in action, to want salvation for them and to be diligent at it. In this disciple-ship, I am claiming God's promise in Proverbs 13:4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. that the soul of the diligent will be made fat. |
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Posted by Louise P on 09/23/22 | ||
What a wonderful testimony to God’s goodness! Also noteworthy is friends who connected with you and helped strengthen your connection with Jesus! Lovely enrichment of ‘observe’ in Matthew 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. - thank you for further insight into the Word! |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 09/20/22 | ||
Sadly people are sometimes baptized without being well grounded in the basic teachings of the Bible, there is limited or no follow-up, and because strong ties and relationships are limited, people go off on tangents. I've got an article on this you might find interesting Sam. It's entitled, Death in the Pot. |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 10/19/21 | ||
I think those are indeed the critical skills: internalizing Scripture, and then learning to apply it. The third thing I gleaned from them that was really foundational was multiplication. That's still the bedrock of our ministry: take it in, live it out, pass it on. For a fun verse Valerie, take a look at Ezra 7:10For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 10/11/21 | ||
That's a powerful cross reference there in John 3:33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true., and yes this process is definitely an important aspect of the New Covenant (Hebrews 10:16-1716 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.). I also really like your emphasis on relationship Paul, both our personal relationship with God, and how well we are able to help others have that experience. Good post! | |||
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Posted by Paul Carson on 10/11/21 | ||
You nail it with the line from Jeremiah 15:16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. in that God's word is good (full of nutrients) for the soul. Additionally John 3:33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. indicates to me that receiving God's word (His testimony, His covenant), is related to the sealing work of the Holy Spirit upon the believer. It follows that our impact as disciple-makers is directly correlated to the relational connection that God has established for us - that of engaging with Him through His word. We can only impart that which we have tasted, and testified to, as making a difference in our own lives. |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 10/13/20 | ||
Petrona , yes definitely! Not only will it help us stay on the right path, but also those we work with. Good post! Lupita, actually they reached out to me. It's a good point worth mentioning, that new believers rarely know what they need. Which is why we should take the initiative in reaching out to them. :) Jeannie, I've moved your question to a dedicated forum post as I think it is a super important topic and deserves some dedicated attention and discussion... |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 10/10/19 | ||
That's wonderful Bert! We're thrilled to have you here. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help. And thanks so much for sharing about us in your sermon!!! :) | |||
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Posted by Dan Vis on 10/10/19 | ||
Happy to share my experience Nan. God is good, and His Word is powerful! It's a blessing to share it. :) | |||
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Posted by Nan on 10/09/19 | ||
Thank you brother Vis for your powerful testimony. I was greatly blessed! It reminded me of Acts 4:13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.. Knowing and sharing the Word is the life of evangelism and Abba's opportunity to bless his children as He did with you! May Abba continue to bless you as you do unto others as it has been done unto you!😊 |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 10/09/19 | ||
Amen Carol. Anything we can do to help others get going strong in their walk with God is a blessing to the cause of Christ! | |||
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