Making Disciples of All Nations

 



In recent times, disciple-making has not been the practice of many ministries or churches. Unlike now, disciple-making was prioritized in the early days. This was so because the apostle, as well as the early church fathers, valued Christ's commission to go into the world and make disciples of all nations.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt 6:19 -20).

Today, many churches are concerned about building structures and have little or no concern about building people. Instead of investing their resources into heavenly bags (the poor), they invest on earth (perishable projects) where moths and thieves will break in. Thieves cannot break into people’s lives (widows, orphans, the poor, etc.) nor can they steal the impact you have made in the life of a child on the street. This is not to say building structures is wrong, but our priority matters in this case. People should be considered above structures. Discipleship or making disciples offers us an opportunity to invest or lay our resources in heaven. “Assuredly, I say unto you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me” (Matt 25:40).

We have many people who call themselves preachers, but we hardly find people who consider themselves disciple-makers. These are two different things; one can be a preacher without committing himself/herself to anyone. Making disciples involves laying down your life for others and giving out what your life depends on. This is what Jesus did to His disciples and when He commissioned them to go and make disciples of all nations, they had a blueprint. Jesus laid down His life not just for his disciples but for the entire world. He washed their feet and served them in several ways.

Not many people are willing to lay down their lives for others or invest time and resources in people. Doing this will compare them to ignoring their selfish desires, which does not profit them. In Disciple-making, you don’t look for money, you rather spend your own money. Therefore, many people move from one church to another to preach so that they can raise offerings or seeds (first seed) but cannot think of making disciples because there is no material gain.

Discipling involves a huge cost, something that demands laying down not only our money but also our lives, it is the will of God that we lay down our lives so that we will have it again. Therefore, any church or ministry that cherishes the commission of making disciples is heavenly-minded. A church or ministry that is heavenly-minded cares for the poor, the needy or the weak. It is not just a ministry that preaches nice sermons but also ministers or gives to the poor.

Within the past few months, Christian Faith Institute (CFI) as a bible college has received about 1,000 students who have come from different parts of Nigeria and neighboring countries. All these students came on 100% scholarship. This means that Christian Faith Ministries has taken over their accommodation, feeding, and other training expenses which run into millions of Naira every month. Every month, Christian Faith Ministries trusts God for money to feed the students, for we believe that Jesus who has given the commission to make disciples of all nations will take care of them.


New Students sitting during CFI Matriculation

This is what disciple-making means; teaching and nursing or supplying needs of the needy. We cannot shy away from the commission because it is tasking but to obey God and live. We must carry our cross daily and follow Him.


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