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Part 3 - ”Going then, disciple…"

Is teaching the same as discipling?

CHURCH MINISTRY

Chuck Myers

5/8/20261 min read

As we bring this short study of the Great Commission to a close, there is obviously another phrase that we need to consider. We have seen the fact that as we are going about the life and ministry God has given us, we are to look for those who are wanting to learn what a life of dedication to Jesus Christ is all about. As you run into those people, train them in discipleship.

But, there are some details that are found at the end of the commission. There are two details that answer the question of how the discipling is to be accomplished, "baptizing them" and "teaching them".

This fascinating point of "baptizing them" is really outside the parameters of our discussion at this point, but it is also one that really needs to be addressed, even if it is briefly. Simply said, the importance of baptism is obvious just by looking at its place in this narrative. I would encourage anyone who is truly looking to disciple or be discipled to consider the statement that baptism makes on the one being baptized, and on those that experience it as observers. Part of becoming disciples includes the impressive action of being baptized, of sharing with all that desire to know that we are followers of Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives.

Finally, we have the seemingly simple phrase, "teaching them..."

The word for "teaching" is not the same word as our word for "discipling". The word used here is that of "imparting instruction" as opposed to "training in discipleship". This appears to indicate that imparting instruction is a part, a large part, of what is to happen as we are training disciples, but not the only thing. The prolonged experience of bringing one to a point of being a follower of Jesus Christ will be punctuated by periods of focused instruction, but the process goes beyond simply teaching them.

The second part of discipleship is the practice of incorporating that knowledge into our lives. It is the part of "teaching them to OBSERVE ALL THAT I'VE COMMANDED..."