When I gave my life to Christ, I felt a drive to truly learn as much as I could and I found myself asking so many questions to mentors in my life. I started to develop my relationship with Jesus through reading my Bible, praying, and watching a lot of sermons online about how Jesus wants us to live. That led me to look deeply into the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew chapter 28, after Jesus had resurrected, He told His disciples, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
The Great Commission always stood out to me, but when I first read it, I wondered how to make disciples? Well after talking to some wise men I learned that you have to be a disciple in order to make disciples. That shifted my focus. I began to prioritize becoming a true disciple of Christ: a journey that never really ends. It’s a daily process of refining ourselves and deepening our relationship with Jesus. For me, that looks like regular prayer, reading God’s Word, and having intentional conversations with other believers I admire. Through those practices, I’ve felt more equipped to go and make disciples myself. I think everyone who is a follower of Jesus should make disciples and work on becoming a disciple.
Just like a football team huddles before a play to strategize and encourage one another, church is the moment we gather as a team to get equipped and refocused. The Super Bowl is what happens Monday through Saturday. That’s when we go out into the world and make an impact. No matter what your week looks like, every person you encounter is an opportunity to reflect Christ through your words and actions. So here’s the challenge: don’t just go to church, go and be the Church. Live it out. Make disciples.
- Kainan Wade