Why has making disciples become so difficult?

Rob Streetman Jan. 15, 2019

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Being a disciple of Jesus Christ requires making disciples. It is the commission He gave to everyone who follows Him. If you don’t currently understand, believe and commit yourself to obey this command, you need to search out this matter for yourself.

Those who have committed themselves to the Great Commission must realize that Jesus intends to use us as instruments to make disciples. They are not our disciples. They may follow us, but that must be because we’re following Him. When they look at us, it must be to behold Him.

Furthermore—and this is critical—we’re not making disciples unless those we disciple are also making disciples. This is a place we often get stuck, and a matter to which we should be giving more thought.  For example, how do we know that they are making disciples if we only talk to them once a week?

Take a moment and consider what that means for ministry. 

So, why is disciple-making difficult? How can we get our people refocused on the Great Commission?

If we hear ourselves answering those questions with a focus on “them,” then we have begun in the wrong place. This is not about our commitment to ministry or our love for the people we lead. It’s about a way of equipping the saints for ministry.

I’m convinced that making disciples is difficult because the proper foundation has not been laid.  We assume too much about those sitting in our congregations, even those leading in our churches. Much has been lost in the last 50 years. 

When leaders—our leaders—are left thinking that the story is about them and those they serve, they totally miss God’s eternal purposes (i.e., His will). Then they naturally cater to the opinions and pleasures of man. The story of the Bible is about God! It must be told and lived from that perspective.

Similarly, how many times have you heard it said being a good Christian means putting God first, others second and yourself third? Sounds good. But how close of a second are others we serve to God (in our thinking)?

It was with intention that Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). This was the best way He knew to describe the distance between first and second (and third). Are we willing to teach and live the same?

Honestly, I think we consider others so close a second to God that we get confused and begin acting like they are first. This is no small matter. In doing so, are we not teaching baby Christians that their satisfaction and pleasure is most important—as opposed to others, and to God?

Lastly, what does it mean to you to be the third priority? Does it mean you’re dead? Was Jesus kidding when He said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35)? Did you know this warning is recorded six times in the four Gospels? Is it not a matter of life and death—for ourselves and those we are called to disciple?

Consider this: Jesus builds His church where solid foundations have been laid. Making disciples cannot be measured by a number.

Photo source: istock 

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Rob Streetman serves the body of Christ as President of two parachurch ministries: inLight Consulting (a workplace transformation ministry) and 2:2 Collective (a unity and church growth ministry). He is the author of two books: The Map Maker and A Storm is Coming. Rob’s heart desires is to encourage, edify and equip Christian leaders as disciple-makers and transformation agents—that they would become houses that stand in the storms of this life. He previously worked in various IT industry positions. Learn More »

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