Read it: Matthew 10:1-4, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42
Live it:
I am hoping that from today’s scriptures you pulled the following information: 1) Jesus had 12 disciples; 2) The disciples were given the command to go and make disciples; and 3) The disciples became apostles when they taught others all they had learned from Jesus
During Jesus’ time on earth he chose a specific group of 12 men to be his disciples; these men, along with others, traveled with Jesus during his 3 ½ years of ministry. Jesus taught kingdom principles to his disciples; he taught them how to pray, he gave them authority to heal the sick and lame, he showed them how to preach, and he gave them understanding of what it truly is to give up everything and follow after God. Jesus invested 3 ½ years into this group of followers so that when he ascended to the right hand of the Father, they could then take everything that they learned and make more disciples.
In the last chapter of Matthew, we see Jesus give instructions to his disciples. Right before Jesus ascended to heaven, he gave the disciples one final mission: to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES. They were called to replicate themselves so the Kingdom of God would grow. They were disciples who were now called to be apostles. These apostles were to do everything they had watched Jesus do for 3 ½ years.
In the book of Acts, chapter 2 we see that the disciples had obeyed Jesus’ command. Many of the people who heard the sermon that Peter preached after the falling of the Holy Spirit had become believers. Those new believers were now devoting themselves to the apostles teaching. What were the apostles teaching? They were teaching everything they had heard and learned from Jesus. They were sharing all the Kingdom principles that Jesus had shared with them. They were making disciples to further God’s Kingdom. Making disciples is not just about how many people hear us preach the gospel, it’s about devoting time to them, so they can understand the true and real gospel. For true discipleship to happen, real time has to be invested, truth has to be made clear, and a deep love for the other person must take place. Discipleship takes time. It might be uncomfortable at times, but it has to be real, and when it is done correctly, much fruit will come, and the Kingdom of God will grow.
Becca