The third step in Jesus’ disciple-making process was to train new believers to be and build disciples. When Jesus went public with His mission and message, large crowds of people came from miles around to see Him. Mark 3.7 NLT says, “They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon.”
Jesus knew it was time to call His leadership to the next level. After praying all night, Jesus called twelve men to be His apostles. Mark 3.14 ESV says, “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.” After choosing these twelve men, Jesus spent four times as much time with them as He did with anyone else. Jesus’ first invitation was to “come and see.” His second invitation was “follow Me.” His third invitation was “be with Me.” He would train them to live as He lived.
How Jesus trained his disciples to live as He lived.
During this time, the Kingdom of God (the rule and reign of God in the lives of His people) was Jesus’ main theme. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught about the character required of those in the Kingdom (Matthew 5.1-12 ESV), the influence of those who live in the Kingdom (Matthew 5.13-16 ESV), the morality of those in the Kingdom (Matthew 5.17-48 ESV), and the spiritual habits of those in the Kingdom (Matthew 6.1-24 ESV). He also taught about trust, forgiveness, judgment, and wisdom (Matthew 6.25-7.27 ESV).
After His sermon, Jesus demonstrated the power of the Kingdom over earthly powers. He calmed a storm (Luke 8.22-25 ESV), cast out demonic spirits (Luke 8.26-39 ESV), cured sickness (Luke 8.43-48 ESV), and restored the life of a girl who had died (Luke 8.49-56).
Jesus also taught people about the Kingdom using parables. Through stories about soils and seeds (Matthew 13.3-9 ESV), wheat and weeds (Matthew 13.24-30 ESV), leaven and bread (Matthew 13.33-35 ESV), treasures and pearls (Matthew 13.44-46 ESV), Jesus illustrated what the Kingdom of God is like. Through it all, Jesus was training His disciples to do what He was doing (Luke 9.6 ESV).
To be a disciple-maker, you have to be trained for the job. Hope isn’t a strategy. You must be properly equipped and effectively empowered to win the battle against the powers that oppose you. That’s what Jesus was doing with His twelve apostles. He intentionally trained them by inviting them to be with Him. We must do the same.
As you walk new believers through the three-part Grow Series, you are training them to walk with God, reach their world, and invest in a few. As they develop the character and competencies of Jesus, they will grow in their faith and begin to make disciple.
This blog features an excerpt from one of our Student Series books, Invest In A Few.
