THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF MAKING CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES
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." Matthew 28:18-20
The mission statement of the Church of the Nazarene is “To make Christlike disciples in the nations.” Based upon the above Scripture that we call the Great Commission, this new mission statement succinctly captures the essence of the Church of the Nazarene. The new name for Sunday School Ministries is Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI). The focus of SDMI is changing to emphasize making Christlike disciples, whatever venue we find to do that. In order to make Christlike disciples, one must be in process of becoming Christlike. What do Christlike disciple look like? Three qualities are needed.
CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES ARE TRUSTWORTY. What makes a disciple trustworthy? Jesus looks for immediate obedience. “’Come, follow me.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:19-20) Delayed obedience is called disobedience. Jesus wants disciples who display intentional accountability. A disciple allows his teacher to question his intentions, his motives, and his actions. He becomes vulnerable to become like his master. Jesus requires disciples to have an invested faith. He wants disciples who know no other master, and want no other teacher.
CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES ARE TEACHABLE. A teachable disciple is one who is willing to listen. He hears, he seeks to understand, he evaluates, and he responds to the message of Scripture. A teachable disciple is willing to learn. She is educable—willing to be melted, molded, and strengthened in order to become a useful utensil in the hands of the master. A teachable disciple is willing to grow. Growth is spelled C-H-A-N-G-E. As rubber bands are made to stretch disciples are made to grow and to change.
CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES ARE TRANSPARENT. A transparent disciple has nothing to hide. Transparency allows us to exhibit genuine empathy. Transparency brings to us an attitude of gentle expectations of people in our lives. Transparency commands a response of genial endurance. We endure suffering and pain, rejection and vitriol for the sake of the Gospel.
Robert Coleman tells us that Jesus method was men. “It all started by Jesus calling a few men to follow Him. This revealed immediately the direction His evangelistic strategy would take. His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with men whom the multitudes would follow…. Men were His method of winning the world to God.” Here are FIVE PRINCIPLES OF THE MASTER’S PLAN FOR MAKING CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES.
1. PRAYER AND FASTING.
2. THE AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD
3. THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
4. GENUINE ACCOUNTABILITY
5. RELATIONAL MULTIPLICATION
We cannot take any shortcuts to becoming a people of God who make Christlike disciples. It must begin as we pray and fast for an outpouring of God’s grace and wisdom in our lives. With God nothing is impossible. Nothing is even hard. God has a thousand resources that we have not even considered.
So let’s pray, fast, invite, witness, and expand our ministry to the unchurched in our communities. Jot me an email note with any questions or suggestions at scnnazpastorgary@charterinternet.com. God is growing a great church in Eastern Michigan. We are blessed to be a part of his great kingdom work!
Yours for His Kingdom,
Gary A. Slusher
EMD SDMI Chairman
Christian Singles Get Away Weekend
There will be a Christian Singles Get Away on October 5, 6 & 7, 2007 at Indian Lake Nazarene Campgrounds in Vicksburg, Michigan. This event features guest speaker Jim Pope and music by Dan Evans. If you are interested in attending, you can download the registration form for this event from the district Web site.
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The Olivetians will be in concert at South Flint Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, July 15th at 6pm. The Olivetians bring a blend of contemporary and traditional music that will bless all ages. If you were at District Assembly, you had the opportunity to hear the wonderful talent these ten young people possess. South Flint Church would like to extend a special invitation to the Flint zone churches, as well as all EMD churches, to come and join them for this special concert.
Just a couple of quick notes this month. Please note that the Mission is CLOSED until Monday, August 6. Please hold any clothing, food or household item donations until after that date.