Movement of Discipleship Key 6: Disciple Disciple-Makers

To disciple disciple-makers, we need to first live out the Great Commission and teach the disciples. Ps Dennis Abbeyquaye share his thoughts.

Disciple-making is crucial to our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. It begs the question: if we, as believers, don’t make disciples, what is the significance of our faith? As Christians, we have a divine responsibility, for Christ has commissioned us to make disciples.

Fulfill the Great Commission

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands, “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Several key words in this passage deserve careful consideration. The word “GO” emphasizes that Jesus wants us to actively reach out and win souls. The task He has given to believers is to witness. Without witnessing, how can we make disciples? Acts 1:8 reinforces this: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Evangelism is the foundation of discipleship. If we do not evangelize, we cannot disciple.

Evangelism is the foundation of discipleship. If we do not evangelize, we cannot disciple.

Teach the Disciples

Another crucial aspect is “make disciples.” Making disciples requires significant effort from those who are discipling. After someone accepts Christ, Matthew 28 emphasizes the need for baptism and then teaching. For a new believer to remain steadfast in the faith, they must be nurtured with the Word of God. This teaching helps them to be grounded in their faith.

In our churches, we must GO and win souls, but the work doesn’t end there. We also need to teach new believers the Word of God so they can grow strong in the faith. Our churches can only grow effectively through these two principles: GO and TEACH. We must develop a strategy to grow our church, not by sitting idly, waiting for a miracle, but by laboring to do the work He has commissioned us to do.

John 14:12 says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” Jesus tells us that we are called to do even greater works, and we must not be complacent in fulfilling the Great Commission.

We also need to teach new believers the Word of God so they can grow strong in the faith.

See the Urgent Need

Matthew 9:35-38 reminds us of the urgency of this task: “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”

The pressing question we must ask ourselves is, “Where are the laborers?” We need laborers to go into the harvest fields and bring in the harvest. In conclusion we as a church need to fulfill the Great Commission, without fulfilling it we cannot achieve the purpose and the call of God in our life.  “Thriving churches have the Great Commission as the centerpiece of their vision, while dying churches have forgotten the clear command of Christ.” ― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased

Ps Dennis Abbeyquaye and his wife, Ps Jacklyn, first met in the 1990’s in Tung Ling Bible School (Singapore). Having both served God individually since their teenage years, their zeal and passion for God continued till today. They have in their past years, experience pastoring in Singapore and Toronto, Canada. Ps Dennis also ministers frequently in different parts of Southeast Asia, namely: Malaysia, Indonesia and India. They have three children, Lebelle, Samuel and Joshua, and they are currently living in Singapore. The couple founded Living Faith International Church, a church made up of believers from different parts of the world, studying and working in Singapore, since 2010. Ps Dennis and Ps Jacklyn’s hearts’ desire is to bring the gospel to the lost, as they continue to bring the word of God to those who need deliverances, and to understand the saving grace of God. He holds a Diploma in Theology (All Nation Bible College), B.A. in Ministry (Theological Centre of Asia) and M.A. in Counselling (University of South Australia).