CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

When God created man, He gave him an estate, a glorious inheritance. God

the creator and possessor of heaven and earth decided to make man in His image and

after His own kindness and delegated His authority to man. God was to reign in

heaven while the man was to reign on earth; as Psalmist says:

“The heaven’s even the heaven is the Lord’s, but the earth He has given to the

children of men” (Psalm 115:16NIV).

The man was authorized to rule over all God’s creation on earth. But he was not to

rule independently. There was a fellowship, a communion between God and man

daily.

Severally, as the Church study scriptures and watch God’s dealing with men

and women when whom he used to bear His word unto others each one of them was

summoned up to the mount. He sat on their lives on the mount, away from the crowd

at the foot of the hill. The content of His teachings and dealings with these men on

the mount was usually unknown to multitudes in the valley. Most of the time they

came back with their faces shining because of some unspeakable experience and

deep visions of the Lord they saw. (But one thing in containing; men are never made

in the valley or amidst the multitudes).

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 As disciples who long to climb up to Him on the mount for specific

instructions for their lives so that they can become vessels unto His hands.

Instructions on the mount are usually for the serious-minded. God does not pamper

any man who dares to come up to the mount with Him. He does not waste their lives

either. He could be so meticulous and patient with details.

The detail that most over-look in one’s characters and actions do not escape

the scrutiny of the hard especially for someone he wants to use for noble purposes.

Discipleship through the only means for transforming believers into the very

nature and likeness of God has been neglected in the Church of God. Discipleship in

the Church today has little or no place in the Christian lives or worship. Little

priority is given to discipleship and in most cases; it is spoken verbally without

putting it into practice. Discipleship mold one’s life to look like his master (Jesus),

stand for God in difficult times and through discipleship God gets to know those

who are His, who upon them He will want to build His Church which the gate of hell

will not prevail against it.

Hence, the researcher seeks to find out ways on how the 21 st Century Church

achieves God desired plan in transforming the Church, the means of discipleship.

The researcher seeks to know what discipleship means, methods of discipleship and

the relevances of discipleship in the 21st Century Church.

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1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The researcher has discovered that there are lapses in the area of discipleship

among believers of the 21st Century Church which leads the researcher to ask the

following questions which need to be addressed.

a. Why Christians easily converts to other religions like Islam?

b. Why is the spirituality of most Christians not outstanding in terms of

difficulties despite series of programmes organized in the Church for the

upliftment of their spiritual lives such as seminars workshops, Bible study,

midweek prayers, Baptismal classes, women fellowship, men fellowship,

youth fellowship, prayer groups and Bible schools?

c. Since Christians are Christ-like, why are the lifestyle and the behaviors of

Christians toward one another is different from that of Jesus Christ?

Because of these problems, the researcher saw the need to investigate the

possible ways of solving the problems in order to help the 21 st Century Church

become like Jesus Christ through the means of Discipleship.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH

The researcher finds it necessary to embark on the research because of the

role that discipleship can play in terms of Church growth and in making the Church

become true representatives of Jesus Christ. Another purpose of this research is to

help the Church learn from Jesus type of discipleship and making Him (Jesus) a role

model.
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- To help pastors, lay men and women who are working in the vineyard of

God and those desiring to work for God know their responsibilities of making

disciples, and to understand that God is not only interested in making converts, but

He is also interested in making true disciples.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

As a result of the above problems, the researcher discovers that discipleship

has a role to play as the basis for bringing up the believers faith that may fit in into

God’s plan and meeting God’s standard for His service. The researcher intends to

specify categorically the dangers of not engaging in discipleship. The researcher

works proper ways on how to engage in discipleship true ambassadors of Jesus

Christ in offices, market places, schools, place of worship, at home and in all works

of life.

1.5 THE SCOPE/LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The researcher limits the research only on Jesus way of discipleship which is

found in Matthew 28:16-20; and the necessity of discipleship and the relevance of

discipleship in the 21st Century Church.

1.6 METHODOLOGY

The researcher uses the library research method. The researcher uses the

G.T.S. Library, TCNN Library, FCE Pankshin library, and personal library. The

following materials were used in gathering information such as Bibles, related

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literature, commentaries, related literature, commentaries, Bibles dictionaries,

encyclopedia, magazines journals lecture notes and the internet.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS:

The researcher has to define the following terms for better understanding;

“Necessity,” “Disciple,” “Disciple” and the “Church.”

1.7.1 Necessity

Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines Necessity as the

circumstances that force that force one to do something. (Learners Dictionary, 776).

1.7.2 Discipleship

Gbele Ahanni in his book Understanding the concept and conditions for

Discipleship defines discipleship as a process of reproducing or imparting the life of

a teacher to a pupil. It is a life-long process, a systematic and cumulative way of

making someone/a student, a pupil, a trainee, an apprentice, a raw material, a

disciple) to be confirmed or transformed into the image, the stature and the full

personality of the master. In this case, Jesus Christ. (Akanni,10).

The researcher understands that the above statement to mean that

discipleship does not complete its work in the life of a disciple at once, but it is a

gradual and a continual experience to mold the disciple’s likeness of his master

(Jesus Christ).

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1.7.3 Disciple

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines a disciple as a follower, Apostle,

any of the twelve close followers of Christ during His lifetime (Learners Dictionary

329).

Gbile Akanni also defines disciples “A disciple is a pupil who has voluntarily

conceded the pedagogical authority to the teacher so that God’s purpose might be

fulfilled. He has come to accept the wisdom of the teacher as the best ever possible

for his own life. He is not afraid of anything. Rom. 8:28-29 NIV, John 6:68-69 NIV,

Job 13:15 NIV. He knows that the teacher knows what is doing. He is willing to stay

through all the process He sees everything permitted in his life as divine apparatus to

get him confirmed into the image of his master who he loves and highly esteems.

(Akanni, 14)

By implication, a disciple is a follower, a pupil a student, an apprentice, a learner

who accepts and believes whatever the master does or said to be the best and final

thing he can adhere to for a religious purpose with the aim becoming like his master

or disciples.

1.7.4 Church:

The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines Church as, “a building

where Christians go to worship; or the masters of the Christian religion, the

institution of the Christian religion (Advanced Learners Dictionary, 250).

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 CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES

In this chapter, related literature on the subject matter were carefully reviewed for a

deeper and a brother understanding of the concept. It is believed that the concept

disciples be redefined and place in its right place or perspective in order to challenge

the church to rise up to her mission.

In spite of all the discipleship programmes going on in the church, a

diminishing number of new believers are being brought up to maturity in Christ.

This is caused by the misconception of the concept of discipleship. Much of what is

thought of discipleship tends to end up in a theoretical experience while the practical

aspect of it is not practical.

Therefore, the researcher is hereby examining some literature on discipleship

as they are relevant and would add more knowledge to the researcher

understandings, so as to give a critical analysis of them. The researcher looked at

what discipleship means, who is a disciple, and reasons for discipleship. These are

spread out as the contents of the chapter is unfolded

2.1 WHAT DISCIPLESHIP MEANS

George Janvier in his book gives the meaning of discipleship as follows:

i. Discipleship is the type of educational activity that God designed to help all

Christians grow in the areas of knowledge spiritual matters, and Christian

activities. It has a human part and part which God plays in the growth of the

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 individual Christian. It should also be seen as a non – formal apprenticeship

programme rather than a formal degree programme.

ii. Discipleship offers training, learning, and experiences rather than degrees. A

discipleship program is more personal, oriented to smaller groups. is done in

the course of life and events rather than waiting for graduation ceremonies. It

is less formal and contains both academic learnings as well as experiences to

reinforce the learning.

iii. Discipleship is a process that leads to a product; has goals of glory to God

and of Christ; is personal; is educational; is growth-oriented; and is an

interaction between at least two people and Christ ( Janvier, 42).

Gbele Akanni says,

Discipleship means a process of reproducing or imparting the life of a

teacher to a pupil. It is a lifelong process, a systematic and cumulative

way of making someone (a student, a pupil, a trainee, an apprentice, a

raw material, a disciple) to be confirmed or transformed into image, the

stature and the full personality of the master (in this case, the Lord Jesus

Christ). It is God’s means of bringing a man into a close intimate and

deep relationship with the master. It is a means of making people be at

God’s disposal. God uses it to get men tied up for the master’s used

(mark, 3:13 – 15, 1Kings 19:19 – 21). Is, therefore, the means by which

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 God recruits mend to be with the Lord under His training and at his

disposal ( Akanni, 15 – 16).

This is God’s desiring to help all believers to grow spiritually as Mai wa’azi

Dan Daura Samu in a Pamphlet said, “ it is that functionality which produces or

cause others to bring forth or bear fruit. It makes people multiply themselves (Dan

Daura, 12).

Michael, states that “Discipleship means living a fully human life in this

world in union with Jesus Christ and growing in conformity to his image” (Michael,

42).

Discipleship is a popular word, often used vaguely and ambiguously. It's’

actually quite simple. Discipleship is the relationship between a teacher (discipler)

and a student’s ( leaner, disciple). Many churches and Christian groups around the

world do element of discipleship but rarely engage in holistic discipleship as

modeled by Christ. This is to be done by all believers and not some selected people

(42)

Jeff observed in his book what discipleship means, in many respects,

Christian has departed from this pattern. In most churches, the congregation pays the

pastor to preach, win the lost and build up the saved - while the church members

functions as cheer leaders ( if they are enthusiastic or spectators. The converts are

won, baptized, and given the right hand of fellowship, then they join the other

spectators. How much faster the churches would grow and how much stronger and
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happier now church members would be if each one were disciplining another

believer. The only way a local church can be fruitful and multiply ( instead of

growing by Additions) is with a systematic discipleship program. This is the

responsibility of every believer, and not just a small group who have been “ called to

go” ( Jeff, 49).

He further stresses that the element of discipleship includes; fellowship,

accountability, evangelizing and making converts, bible study, training seminar,

listening to sermons, hanging out with an older believer.

Therefore, one should note that these are elements of discipleship, not

equivalent of discipleship. They are good and godly, but they lack the individual

attention, growth, and accountability that Jesus modeled. Hence by looking at Jesus

minister and the early church, one sees that a holistic discipleship involved someone

training disciple in a word, relationship, and ministry. Discipleship entails teaching

disciples to obey all that Christ commanded and modeled throughout the scriptures,

Jesus clearly showed his disciples the importance and use of the scripture, both in

his personal devotion and in winning others to himself, learning and obeying

scripture is essential for ones’ growth as a disciple of Christ.

Jeff also gives his view that; discipleship is relationship building, a

relationship that feature love, commitment, authenticity, vulnerability,

accountability, and intentionality. Having called this man, Jesus made a practice of

spending time with them. This was the essence of his training programme letting his
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disciples follow him. Knowledge of Christ was gained by association before it was

understood by explanation. He ate with his disciples, slept near them, and talked

with them for most of his active ministry. Although there is no command to commit

to such a level, it seems convincing that Jesus shows how important relationship

development is to a growing a disciple. If this does not happen, the disciple may fell

like a project, not a person. The person should know he is loved, not only by Christ

but also by their disciples (50).

Furthermore, he explains that Jesus never asked anyone to do or to be

anything which first he had not demonstrated in his own life. His desire was to get

the disciple into a vital experience with God. It is important that we realized that

these early disciples really did not do much other than watch Jesus work for at least

a year. However, the vision was kept before them by his activity. The modeled has

been set for the church. The mission of equipping believers to communicate their

faith to the world was a huge component of discipleship in Jesus approach. Word,

relationship and ministry work together to holistic modelled discipleship principles

taught by Jesus. The goal of discipleship is to develop healthy believers that work by

faith, communicate their faith, and multiply their faith (50).

Type of discipleship

There’s scriptural support for these two – tied discipleship which the

researcher finds in the gospel account of Jesus and his relationship with the disciples

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and the “ crowd.” One of the clearest examples is found in the accounts of Jesus

feeding the five thousand (Mark 6:30 – 44).

The first type of discipleship is represented by the crowd who were drawn to

Jesus and his disciples. Those that came to be healed and to hear the goodness of the

coming kingdom of God.

The second type of discipleship is represented by the “ apostles”. They are

the ones who have committed their lives to walk, following and serving alongside

Jesus in the world. They are also the ones Jesus equip to feed, care for, and heal the

crowd ([Link]/knowledge/new-belivers/.../[Link]/).

The researcher discovers that God mostly used the apostles whose desire is to

do the will of the master. For the sake of this research work, the researcher agrees

with the second type because God does not look at the multitude or quantity but

quality.

2.3 WHO IS A DISCIPLE?

Michael J. Wilkins says in his book, “ The word disciples is a Greek word

( mathetes) and it comes from the verb “ to do learn” manqa`nw [manthano]

(Wilkins 26)

The English word, the disciple is a drive from the Latin, Discipulus, meaning

“ a hearer or pupil; one who accepts and follows a given doctrine or teacher” ( the

interpreter's dictionary of the Bible vol. 1:845).

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 Behind the English word, disciples lie the Latin terms Discipulus (masculine

Discipula (Feminine and the Greek words Mathetes ( masculine), mathetria

(feminine). Since Latin and Greek norms have a linguistic relationship to verbs for “

learn” in their earliest history they were used to refers to “ learners’ and students.

Eventually, the meaning broadened so that they were used to refers to “

adherents” Of a Greek master.

In the new testament, the primary word for disciple is the Greek term ‘Mathetes”

( Mathetai pl) a committed follower of a great master Wilkins, 38 – 40).

What defined a disciple is Jesus’ words in John 8:31 which says, “If you hold

to my teaching, you are really my disciples” while Webster’s dictionary described a

disciple as “a pupil or follower of any teacher or school of religion, learning, art Etc”

a Christian disciple follows Jesus.

Hence, Frances in his book said, the term “ disciple” was the popular names

for the early believers. Being a disciple meant more than being a convert or a church

member. Apprentices might be an equivalent term. A disciple attached himself to a

teacher, identified with him,, leaned from him and live with him. He leaned , not

simply by listening, but also by doing the Lords called twelve’s disciples and taught

them so that they might be able to teach others ( Mark 3:13ffNIV)

A disciple then is one who has believed in Jesus Christ and express his faith

by being baptized and he remains in the fellowship of the believers that he might be

taught the truth of the faith ( Acts 2:41 – 47NIV). He is then able to go out and win
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others an teach them. This was the pattern of the new testament church ( 2 Timothy,

2:1 – 2NIV) (34).

Thus, a Christian disciple is one who loves God with everything he/she has.

A Christian disciple, by God’s grace, becomes more and more like Christ through

the life of faith. Biblical disciples walk by faith. A disciple follows out of a genuine

trust that acknowledges Jesus and all for which he stands ( Romans 3:20 – 25; James

2:20 – 25).

The concept of being a disciple is rooted in Jesus and his gospel, but it also

flows out of what I truly mean to be saved by grace through faith. they are

developed in their relationship with God by doffing into the scriptures and

developing a prayer life. They start having consistent quiet times, biblical disciple

deal with issues of holiness in their lives. They’re dealing with sin and developing a

sensitivity to turn from sin when they see it in their lives. they are learning how to

worship, and how to endure trials. They are developing a walk with the lord.

Akanni in his book said that “ a disciple is as followers: one who has been

born again – John 3:1 – 7; 1 Corinthians 2:13 – 14; Ezekiel 36:26 – 27). – he is that

person that voluntarily yield his neck under the yoke of the Lord Jesus Christ so as

to be taught and nurtured by him until he ( the disciple become like him ( Mathew

11:29 – 30) – A man or woman that has one focus under one master ( Mathew 6:21 –

24). A pupil who has voluntarily concealed the pedagogical authority to the teacher

so that Gods purpose might be fulfilled; He has come to accept the wisdom of the
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teacher as the best ever possible for his own life. He is not afraid of anything

(Romans 8:28 -29; John 6:68 – 69; Job 13:15) – is someone who is not choosy. He

does not mind by what means the master chose to hammer him into desired shape

Job 19:25 - 27; 2 Corinthians 4:16 - 17; Eccl. 3:11a; Romans 8:28) – is someone

who loves his master (Jesus, he is loyal, committed to him, and is zealous for his

master's honor and interest at one cost ( Akanni, 12).

Wilkins J. in his book shaved his view on who a disciple is. He said disciples

are as follows: are learners: some suggest that a disciple is leaner who follows a

great teacher. They suggest that the term disciple refers to one who puts

himself/herself under teaching authority of a great teacher but it has no reference to

whether or not the person is Christian – disciple are committed believers – a

disciple is a committed Christian, a believer who has made a commitment to follow

Jesus and to obey his radical demands of discipleship – disciple is minister; a

disciple is the believer who has been called out from among lay believers in order to

enter into ministry ( Mark 1:31) – a disciple is someone who is in the process of

discipleship; he is a true believer who enters the life of discipleship at the time of

conversion (Wilkins, 26 -31).

Charles Ryrie in his book gives his own understanding on who a disciple is,

he said, “ a disciple is a follower of a teacher and his teachings, involvement in Bible

times, traveling with that teacher wherever he went” (Ryrie, 155).

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 Carlos Ortz says, “ a disciple is one who follows Jesus Christ. But because

we are Christians we do not necessarily mean we are his disciple, even though we

are members of his kingdom. Following Christ means acknowledging him as Lord’

it means serving him as a slave” (Carlos, 9).

Peter Wagner asserts that in his book “ a person is not a disciple us because he has

been born in a Christian country or in Meany cases even if he is a church member….

The basic meaning of disciple in the new TESTAMENTS equivalent to true born-

again Christian (Wagner, 285 -293).

Sanders J. Oswald also said, a disciple is a ‘ learner’, but Jesus infused into that

simple word of profound meaning. As used by Jesus and Paul, it means “ a leaner, or

a pupil who accept the teaching of Christ, not only in belief but also in lifestyle.”

This involved acceptance of the views and practice of the teacher. In other words, it

means leaving with the purpose to obey what is leaned. It involves a deliberates

choice, a definite denial, and a determine obedience (Sanders, 8)

Adesogan E. Kayode agrees that a disciple is a leaner or a followers. This

presupposes that there is an expert who is capable of instructing or a learner who

knows the way of what to do. In the Christian sense, a disciple is a follower of Jesus

Christ. He looks to Christ as his teacher and instructor. He takes him as his lord who

will direct him in his ways and approve his way of living. the disciple has the

implicit confidence in his teacher. And he is someone who gives jess his unalloyed

loyalty and allegiance (Adesogan, 10).

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 Moreover, Biblical disciple communicates their faith, biblical disciples are

developing a heart for what is in God’s heart and one of the things on God’s heart is

people who didn’t know him. The biblical disciple has a heart for the lost, a growing

compassion for the fact that people who don’t know Jesus, need to know Jesus.

Biblical disciples want to know how to relate to non Christian and how to share

personal testimony in a way that no – Christian can understand. They want to initiate

spiritual conversion in a loving, tactful way and learn how to answer the taught

questions posed during those encounters.

In agreement to the above statement, Koss gives a summary of the

characteristic of a disciple in the underneath ways:

i. A true disciple of Jesus worships God. if one is a new creation in Christ,

is someone who brings glory to God and recognizes his honor.

ii. A disciple must be confident in the efficacy of Christ’s death and

resurrection for his salvation. He must know that he is a child of God and

Christ dwells within him.

iii. A disciple walks in the fullness and power of the holy spirit. The holy

spirit is responsible for everything that happens in the life of a believer –

his new birth, daily walks, understanding of scriptures, prayer, etc. he

produces the faith of the spirit in us, which enables us to live holy lives

and witness for Christ.

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iv. A disciple demonstrates love for God, neighbor, fellow disciples and

enemies; Jesus commands us to love God, with every fiber of our being

and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

v. A disciple is one who knows how to read, study, memorize and meditate

upon the word of God, to store its truth in his heart. It is impossible to

walk in the fullness of God’s holy spirit without understanding God’s

word. The reverse is also true; you cannot understand God’s word

without the holy spirit.

vi. A true disciple of Jesus is a man or woman of prayer. Jesus model

throughout scripture that communicating with God is one of the most

important things in a Christian life. He models that those whoare children

of God seek the father.

vii. A disciple is one who obeys the commands of God in a lifestyle that

honors Christ.

viii. A disciple is one who trusts God and lives a life of faith. Scripture

reminds us that, without faith, it is impossible to please God.

ix. A disciple understands God’s grace. God loves us unconditionally,

whether we obey him or not. This is the opposite of legalism – a heretic

way of thinking that urges us to obey God’s laws in our own wisdom,

strength and power.

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 x. A disciple is someone who witnesses for Christ as a way of life. If you

love jest you are spurred on to tell people about him, testifying to what he

has done in your life.

2.4 REASONS FOR DISCIPLESHIP

Disciples are not super – Christians. They are followers of Jesus Christ. At

the same time, disciples are more than covert. They have moved beyond the

profession of faith into a lifelong pursuit of living like Jesus Mathew 28:18 – 20).

Then Jesus came to them and said, “ all authority in heaven and on earth has

been given to me, therefore, go and make disciple of all nations, baptizing them in

the name of the father, and of the son and of the holy spirit, and teaching them to

obey everything I have commanded you;. And surely I am with you always, to the

very end of the age.”

From the quotations above, several scholars and internet sources have

suggested a reason for discipleship which are:

i. After Jesus’ resurrection: All authority was entrusted to me”, came to

fruition. He is not waiting passively in heaven for his glorious arrival as a king but

already he is exercising his [Link] literal translation is a command: “ you

disciple” the word disciple translate as to become a learner or pupil. Grammatically,

Mathew uses the aorist active imperative tense. This simply means an action that is

absolutely required and occurring without end. It is surrounded by three participles

(go, baptized and teach). The first participle going traveling is one of attendant
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circumstance. It is used to communicate and action that is equally as important as

the finite verbs. Disciple? In this respect, the verbs are not dependent “go is

understood as not only a one negotiable but an assumed action that is always linked

to the command ‘ disciple’. baptizing and teaching are a participle of means. Jesus is

communicating how the actions of the finite verbs are accomplished. By using

‘baptizing’ Jesus is disrobing the symbolic. The gesture of being initiated into this

fold. The gospel is the catalyst for that initiation and thus the most relevant message

that a person can receive in this life. the focus is witnessing, so the tats of baptizing

in this text are mainly evangelistic in nature. Teaching refers to catechesis, which

means the process of educating through the method of active questioning and

response. By teaching what Jesus taught, the church becomes an extension of his

ministry. In all, the command to disciple finds its fulfillment in evangelism and

education. The discipleship characteristic as commanded by Jesus appears not only

in this commission but throughout the gospel.

ii. Jesus’ model – discipleship was Jesus’ method of winning the world to

himself. In fact, Jesus converted very few people I this earth ministry in a clear-cut

way. He literally staked his whole ministry on twelve men. As popular as he was

during his earthly ministry, Jesus did not focus on the momentary applause of men

but quietly poured his life into those who world multiply. Jesus was not trying to

impress the crowd but usher in a kingdom. Christ expects his followers to be fruitful,

but often we are not without external motivation and accountability. Jesus knew that
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he would have to equip the saints to be able to lead the multitudes. This is what we

need in our churches. It is safe to say that discipleship was foundational to Jesus

ministry ([Link]...). Another internet source has the

following reasons for discipleship:

iii. Discipleship was central to the Ministry of Jesus.

He invested much of his time and energy in building up a community of disciples. It

was thanks to his emphasis on discipleship-on embedding his teaching in the life of

his followers that the church was established and grew.

iv. Jesus told His followers to make Discipleship a key task

His last words to them were to make disciples of all nations (Matthew

28:19). He disciple a group of followers so that they could make other disciples and

his intention was that this process should be repeated through the centuries.

v. Healthy churches emphasis discipleship

Flourishing movements within the church hare always seen making disciples

as central to their task for example, the Franciscans, the Wesleyan revival and the

Chinese church in recent years.

vi. Discipleship is ‘a ritual to produce effective Christian Leaders

Leaders who are like Christ need to have their lives formed by Christ ritual

for this is discipleship from an early stage. In particular, future leaders of mission

need to have a commitment to God’s mission planted in their hearts from their

earliest days of faith. Discipleship equips Christians to promote the Kingdom of

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God. This is the main reason discipleship is so important. It’s a rather limited vision

to bring more people into the church just so that they can bring more people into the

church. (Sometimes the emphasis on evangelism can read like that.) Drawing

individuals to Christ should bear Kingdom fruit by enhancing their ability through

being disciple-to love other people, promote justice and care for creation.

([Link]/a...)

Concurring, Hal Koss said, “ The early church showed the modeled of

discipleship, although not in a methodical plan as what we are accustomed today, the

apostles of the early church believed the command of Jesus was indeed serious. One

clear example is the life of Paul modeled as shown most beautifully in the

exhortation given in 2 Tim. 2:2.

- Paul understood it was important that Jesus sent him to do all that he had

commanded. In the same way, he was sending Timothy. While being sent, Timothy

is to continue the legacy by sending out faithful men out who would send others.

This is what Jesus commanded Paul and this was his command to Timothy. The

command is also extended to us today that we submit people under the leadership of

the overall disciple (123).

An internet source gives another set of reasons for discipleship which are as

follows:

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- Jesus expected His church to make disciples: Jesus never anticipated that His

bride would become a people who simply hosted church events and held weekend

worship experiences. He declared that we should, “therefore go and make disciples

of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And

surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:19-20).

- Maine Christian (disciples) evangelizes. Every biblical church is passionate

about making the gospel known to the world; allowing those who are in the world to

start an eternal relationship with Christ. Matine disciples intuitively tell others about

the Jesus who has transformed their own lives.

- A disciple-making church is never void of leaders. One of the most tragic

realities in the present day church is that she is void of the leadership necessary to

accomplish the vision the senior pastor has been given. A disciple-making church

produces leaders who produce leaders.

- Disciple-making transforms the church dynamic. Many churches suffer from

a church full of immature followers of Christ. Because of this, the church is

constantly dealing with petty arguments and unhappy congregants. At the same time,

those who resist the church are hesitant to join as they sense the tension and

immaturity of the people who make up the church. A church that makes disciples is

full of people who exhibit “love, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness

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and self-control,” the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). A church made of

people exhibiting these characteristics is a magnet for both believers and

unbelievers.

- Disciple-making transforms households. Many families are made up of

husband and wives that are Church attendance but have never been disciplined.

Because they have never grown to spiritual maturity these couples hire a life of

carnality often leading to divorce. For those who stay together and raise children,

their children are void of parents who nurture them spiritually so, when they reach

adulthood, these children often leave their faith for the rest of their lives.

- Disciple-making engages the entire Church body in the meeting of one

another’s emotional, spiritual and physical needs. Many pastors are overwhelmed

with an unending number of counseling sessions, mediating conversations between

those who are at odds with one another, and easing the tensions of immature

believers concerned that the Church isn’t “meeting my needs.”

([Link]).

In a summary, another internet source gives some reasons for discipleship which are:

- Disciple-making is the key to the transformation of the world.

- Disciple-making is what it means to follow Jesus.

- Disciple-making is strategic and central to making a difference

- Disciple-making was Jesus priority

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- Not making disciples is a serious offense to Jesus

- Disciple-making is what Jesus told us to do

- Disciple-making should be the principal task of our lives

- Disciple-making is how God will cover the earth with His glory

An unknown source has it that, “A relationship of grace is marked by a disciple who

listens and seek to understand the person. They communicate they believe the

person, they encourage, they walk through life with the person-not only in victory,

but also in failure and sin. A relationship of truth is marked by infusing the word of

God into our life-understanding it, learning how to apply it, being held accountable

to live it out.”

The source further said, “Discipleship should be marked by grace and truth,

not one or the other. Discipleship is working out the truthful word of God in the

context of a gracious relationship. Without someone relationally involved in their

lives loving them extending grace to them, working through the hard stuff-believers

may miss out on the abundant life Christ promises us.” (Unknown source).

Looking at the several reasons for discipleship by some winters and scholars,

the researcher believes that discipleship is of necessity because of its far-reaching

benefits to the local movement, local Church and the body of the believers around

the world. Discipleship develops an authentic relationship which can only emerge

when we’re diving into one another’s lives. There is a depth within small groups and

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one-on-one relationship that cannot happen at s cru meeting attended by 200 people.

Depth is what discipleship is all about.

2.5 WHAT IS THE CHURCH

Moabes notes that the Church is from a Greek term “Ekklessia” consisting of

two words “EK” meaning “out” and “Klelos” meaning “called” (Moabes 2000:122).

Hence, the Church is the assembly of people who are “called out.” Manens add that,

historically, the Christian Church is a community founded on the teachings of Jesus

Christ and striving to bear witness to Christ’s gospel in its worship and faith, work,

and memory. Theologically, the Church is a spiritual communion of the whole

people of God.” (Manens, 123).

The most common sense in which the word is used to denote the body of the

acknowledged followers of Christ or his visible body, it is also used to denote the

community of true believers, whether known to be such or not, it is used as “Church

Militant” to distinguish between believers yet on earth, and still contending with

opposition, and believers already glorified in heaven, it is used to designate the

house of Christian worship, any particular denomination of Christian people, as the

Lutheran, or the Protestant, Episcopal, or Methodist Episcopal Church, a particular

congregation of any one denomination of Christians, the religious establishment of

any particular nation or government, as the Church of England, the sum of the

various Christian denominations in a country, as the Church in America (Moabe,

125).
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 These are the ordinary uses of the word, and it is important, in order to have

a right understanding of the Church and to know in which of these senses it is

employed. Much confusion might be avoided if disputants would always clearly

state in, which of all these equally admissible senses they use the word. Hence, one

can be right when he says that all these uses are attached to the Church, but the most

comprehensive and more acceptable one should be “the body of believers locally

and universally.”

In the New Testament the Church denotes “That one mystical body of which

Christ is the sole head, and in the unity of which all saints, whether in heaven, or on

earth, or elsewhere are necessarily included as constituents parts.” For this church,

Christ gave himself (Eph. 5:23). This church, chosen in him before the foundation of

the world (Eph. 1:4; 1peter 1:2), he nourishes and cherishes as his own flesh (Eph.

5:29, 30). God’s people, and is his dwelling place (1Cor. 3:17, 2Cor. 6:16, Rev.

21:3, 22:14, 15). The church is uniformly represented in the New Testament as the

companionship of the saved; and they are spoken of as the body of Christ (1Cor.

12:27), as one body (Eph.3:6; 4:4; 1Cor. 12:13, 20), of this the body of Christ is the

Saviour (Eph. 1:23). They are termed also the light of the world (Matt. 5:14), and the

salt of the earth (Matt 5:13), as indicating the church to be the true source of spiritual

illumination and the instrument of salvation to the world. For the work which the

church is accomplish for Christ by teaching, preaching, witnessing, discipline ,

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comforting, etc, it must necessarily be visible, though all its members may not

always be known.

2.6 METHODS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Wilkins Michael in his notes that, “making disciples “was the sorts of things

rabbis do, but Jesus’ followers are to make disciples for Jesus, not for themselves.

Disciples are made here in a twofold way: (1) By baptizing them. Because baptism

was an act conversion (used for Gentiles converting to Judaism), it means initiating

people to the faith. (2) By teaching them Jesus’ commandments recording in

Matthew. Rabbis made disciples by teaching them. Many Jews outside Palestine

sought converts among the “nations” (which can also be translated as “Gentiles” or

“pagans”). But only a few converts ever studied under rabbis, so the idea of making

Gentiles full disciples-followers of Jesus who would learn from and sure him-goes

beyond this Jewish tradition” (Michael 2001:321).

Thus one of the methods of discipleship is Bible reading with the disciples.

Reading the Bible with the disciple is making them be a good disciple of God

(http.//worldbiblesociety..org/). In discipleship, when the Bible is read, the disciples

find it easy to see the reality of what the disciple is teaching them, as the root of

discipleship is found, as the scriptures. In view of this, Alan posits, “Bible reading

helps disciples to get acquainted with the commands and ordinances of God as they

live it as expected from them. This is the more reason the Martin Luther would want

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than everyone hears the gospel because as the gospel truth falls in the ear of men, it

rings to them wherever they go” (Alan, 123).

An additional method of discipleship is prayer. In prayer, many things are

brought to bear. In this regard, Dietrich encapsulates: “A prayerful discipliner

breaths hard hearts. He gets into places that are untouchable, he touches souls that

seems untouchable and he disciples many people for the glory of God” (Dietrich

142). Base on this declaration, one concurs that prayer is a very vital method of

discipleship that disciples ought to be using. In addition, James affirms that “prayer

is a very vital panacea for handling the problem of hypocrisy. In discipleship, people

pretend to be getting along but actually, they are not, they act as if they are listening

but are just given it a deaf ear and so by prayer, the disciple can be able to discern

who is really true and who is not” (James, 211).

Again, openness is very vital in discipleship. No-one can actually give out

what he/she is having unless he/she opens up to the people he/she wants to affect

their lives. On this note, openness and being magnanimous in words is very

important. Concurring with this, Peter Wagner submits: “Openness is very essential

in discipleship, open in words, action and giving as the disciple's copy” (1981:321).

Disciples cannot be real with someone who is not open with them because, in

openness, the disciples are corrected, rebuked, and instructed in such a way that they

can easily learn.

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 Furthermore, a very important method again is a discussion. Here, one opens

a forum that everyone or the disciple contributes and not the discipliner dominating

but serving as a facilitator of the talk. In this view, Dietrich explains: “Discussion

method of discipleship was seen in the life of Jesus Church. There are times that he

sat with his disciples and talked with them like friends, they asked questions, and

answer the question. They discussed as if they were the same and this is a very good

example and method for discipleship” (Dietrich113).

However, this is a method similar to Bible reading and very same with Bible

studies. In Bible study, everyone reads and contribute and this has always been very

effective in grooming people for Christ. More lucidly, Francis Ecludates:

“Discussion is a very effective method of discipleship. In disciple(s) pour out their

minds, grievances, and problems in such a way that solutions can refer to. The

discussion is always very effective more than preaching. The discussion is likened to

Je-loave food where the ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the food producing a

very good taste and becomes nutritional” (Francis, 111).

Teaching is also a method of discipleship, it is like discussion but slightly

different because in teaching dominates more while in discussion everyone is

engaged. It is very vital to head the commandment of Jesus when he commands

believers to teach for the expansion of God’s Kingdom. On teaching, as a method of

discipleship, Jeff captures that, “teaching is aimed at letting people know what they

don’t know or reminding people of what they have forgotten. Discipleship is aimed
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at bringing people to maturity. When disciples are taught, they are instructed to obey

the precepts of the Gospel which becomes the cardinal point of the great

commission. Hence, Jesus taught his disciples and this goes a long way toward

helping their lives. Moreover, Jesus had opened the minds of his disciples to

understand the scriptures (Luke 24:44-45). They knew what He wanted them to

teach their converts. It is not enough to win people to the savior; believers must also

teach them the word of God. This is also part of the great commission. They lived a

life of fulfillment for the Kingdom’s sake” (Jeff, 123). Thus a teacher always plans

or read ahead of his students to see that he meets them at the point of their hunger. It

is worthy of note to know that, disciples making include much more than just

conversion because it focuses on teaching and helping people obey everything Jesus

commanded. That is, it is really big, lifelong shift. Again, disciple-making is much

more than baptizing people. It is equipping people to embrace the lifestyles of

surrender and obedience to all of Jesus’ teachings. Yes, conversion is the most

important step in the journey, but life transformation is the goal. The mission of

Christ entrusted to believers is to teach people to form their entire lives around His

Lordship. This is why Christians definition of disciple is not just the commitment to

follow Christ Jesus, but also to “being changed by Jesus” and “being committed to

His kingdom mission.” They seek whole life disciples. Looking at the methods of

discipleship, Bob Harrington and Josh Patrick give out some essential elements in

discipleship as captured below:

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 i. Jesus- Jesus is the original disciple maker and the centerpiece of discipleship.

Our goal is to know, treasure and promote Him.

ii. Intentionality- To make disciples, we utilize strategy and a roadmap for those

we are discipling.

iii. Relationships- Discipleship happen best in the context of genuine life on-life

connections grounded in Christ-like love. Bible- The word of God is the

manual for making disciples. The Bible living and active. In it, we encounter

Jesus and learn to form our lives around Him.

iv. Journey- There is a traceable, but sometimes disjointed, growth story from

new birth to spiritual parenthood where the Holy Spirit leads us on a shared,

formation journey.

v. Multiply- Authentic discipleship repeats and multiplies, where the disciple

becomes the disciple-maker, reproducing the discipleship process (Bob and

Josh, 15).

What is the principal intention of this commission; to the disciple to all

nations. Matheteusate-“Admit them disciples; do your utmost to make the nations

Christian nations;” not “Go to the nations, and denounce the Judgment of God

against them, as Jonah against Nineveh, and as the older-Testament prophets”

(though they had reasons enough to expect it for their wickedness), “but go, and

disciple them.” Christ the mediator is setting up a kingdom in the world, ring the

nations to e his scholars; raising an army for the carrying on of the war against the
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powers of darkness, and enlist the nations of the earth under his banner. The work

which the apostles had to do was, to set up the Christian religion in all places, and it

was honorable work; the achievements of the mighty heroes of the world were

nothing to it. they conquered the nations for themselves, and made them miserable;

the apostles conquered them for Christ and made them happy.

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 CHAPTER THREE
EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW 28:16-20

3.1 BACKGROUND OF THE BOOK

In this chapter, the researcher considers the background to give clearer

meaning to the passage under discussion. The background of the book is divided the

authorship, and date of writing, place of writing and the Recipients of the book;

purpose of writing.

3.1.1 Authorship

When one deals with the question of who wrote a particular Bible book, the

evidence is normally twofold: evidence outside the book (“External evidence”) and

evidence within the book itself (“Internal evidence”). External evidence strongly

supports the view that the Apostle Matthew wrote the Gospel that bears his name.

Many early church fathers cited Matthew as its author. Including Pseudo, Barnabas,

Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Justine Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and

Origen (Norman and William, 193).

Matthew was certainly not one of the prominent apostles. One might think

the first Gospel would have been written by Peter, James or John. But the extensive

tradition that Matthew wrote if strongly commends him as its author (193).

The Internal evidence also supports the fact that Matthew was the author of

the first Gospel. The book has more references to coins than any of the other three

Gospels. In fact, this Gospel includes three terms for coins that are found no-where

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else in the New Testament; “The two-drachma tax” (Matt 17:24 NIV); “a four-

drachma coin” (17:27); and “Talents” (18:24).

Since Matthew’s occupation was tax collecting, he had an interest in coins

and noted the cost of certain items. The profession of tax collector would necessitate

an ability to write and keep records. Matthew obviously had the ability humanly

speaking to write a book such as the first Gospel.

His Christian humility comes through as well for Matthew alone continually

refers to himself throughout his Gospel as “Matthew the tax collector.” But Mark

and Luke do not continually use the term of contempt when speaking of Matthew

(Walroold & Zuck, 15).

3.1.2 Place of Writing

Most scholars take Antioch as the place of composition. Antioch was a

Greek-speaking City with a substantial Jewish population; and the first clear

evidence of anyone using the gospel of Matthew comes from Ignatius, bishop of

Antioch at the beginning of the Second Century. This is a good guess as any. Yet it

must be remembered that Ignatius depends more on John’s gospel and the Pauline

epistle than Matthew. But this does not mean they were all within in Antioch. Others

centers proposed in recent years include Alexandria (Van Tilborg, 172). More

plausible is Slinger hand’s proposal that Matthew 4:15; 19:1 show that the gospel

was written somewhere east of the Jordan. Actually, the place of writing the gospel

of Matthew is uncertain (Gaebelein, 21).

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3.1.2 Date of Writing

A.D 50-70 It was some years after Jesus ascension, but before A.D 70

i. The fall of Jerusalem A.D 70, is prophetic (Mtt 24:1ff NIV).

ii. The statement such as “to this day” (Mtt 27:8) and “to this very day” (Mtt

28:15) suggest a date sometime after Jesus’ ascension, but not too far in the

distant future.

iii. The scattering of Jerusalem Church due to persecution (Acts 8:4 NIV) Suggest

a date sometime after the ascension. A gospel would not have been necessary

so long as the Church and the apostles were together.

iv. The quote by Iranaus points to Matthew’s writing during Nero’s reign “while

Paul and Peter were in Rome.”

3.1.3 Recipients

The Gospel of Matthew was written originally to the Jews. However, its

breathe a message for all, a message proclaiming the messianic hope of the world for

the Great Deliverer.

3.2 PURPOSE OF WRITING

Matthew was written to show that Jesus is the Messiah, Saviour, and King

prophesied by the Hebrew prophets.

Matthew is a strong book a book written to forced belief in Jesus. Matthew

set out to prove that all the prophecies of the O.T. are fulfilled in Jesus, the

Carpenter from Nazareth. It has on a recurring theme.

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 “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: …”

This is repeatedly approximately sixteen times, there are ninety-three O.T.

quotations (Preacher outline 2000:3).

3.3 BACKGROUND OF MATTHEW 28:16-20

Matthew began his gospel proclaiming the baby Jesus was the son of David,

the promised King of Israel (Mtt 1:1-2). He now closes his gospel by proclaiming

that the Lord Jesus possesses all power and Authority in heaven and on earth. The

Lord Jesus had risen from the dead, and in the power of His resurrection. His

followers are to go forth proclaiming his glorious Kingdom.

In this great passage, Matthew covers the great commission of the

resurrected Lord, the King to whom all power and authority belong (The preacher's

outline and sermon Bible, 62)

3.4 EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF MATTHEW 28:16-20

The Great Commission of Jesus is a commission to make more disciples. In

verse sixteen, “Oi Se” (Hoi de)- “So the” shows to us that something had happened

and this is the reaction to what had transpired.

Jesus had just risen from the dead, which an angel had to relate that to Mary

Magdalene, and the other Mary when they went to the tomb (28:1 ff).

However, Jesus appeared to them himself and instructed them to tell the disciples to

go to Galilee and there they will see him there. Now verse sixteen shows the

disciples’ response to what Jesus had instructed for.

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 In addition, the fraudulent explanation of the tomb was purchased with a

bribe (vv 11:15), but the eleven do what Jesus says and go to Galilee, they go “to the

mountain where Jesus had told them to go:” the subordinate clause makes the

expression “eis” to “Oros” (to the mountain) specific. We do not know what mount

is meant, but the verse presupposes the arrangements implicit in 26:32; 28:7, 10

Associating the great commission (vv 18-20) (Gaebelein 595).

Thus verse 17 makes clear that, some of the eleven who went to the

mountain worshipped him (i.e. they believe that it is really him) and some doubled

him-meaning they don’t believe actually it was Jesus. But Jesus never cares whether

they disbelieve him. Therefore, verse 18, “ (Kai proselthonho Yesu elalese

autois) meaning “And approaching Jesus talked with them.” This means he

approaches all that believe and skeptics as well. This shows that, if the Church will

make disciples for Christ, it must approach the double-minded as it does to the

single-minded (Wilkins 107).

More to this, Jesus approaches them and talk saying, “

,“ meaning; “All authority was given to me in heaven and on earth.” Note that, He

did not say, “some little authority” but “All” (Marshall, 136). Moreover, “All”

dominates verse 18-20 and ties this verses together: all authority, all nations, all

things, all the days. The authority of Jesus Messiah has already been heavily stressed

in this Gospel (e.g. 7:29; 10:1, 7-8; 27 and so on). Therefore, it is in cautions and

38
altogether wrong to claim that the resurrection conferred on Jesus an authority

incomparably greater than what he enjoyed before his crucifixion. Rather, the

spheres in which he now exercises absolute authority are enlarged to include all

heaven and earth. Jesus Christ who is the son becomes the one through whom all

God’s authority is meditated (Gaebelein, 596).

Therefore, in verse 19, two features tie the command to Jesus’ universal

authority. The first one is because Jesus now has this authority, his disciples are to

go and make disciples- i.e. the dawning of the New age of messianic authority

changes the circumstances and impels his disciples forward to a universal ministry.

his promotion to universal authority serves as an eschatological marker inaugurating

the beginning of his universal mission-discipline the whole earth through the

disciples and the Church. Secondly, because of that authority, his followers may go

in confidence that their Lord is in Sovereign control of everything in heaven and on

earth.” (Marshall 1958, 22-9). In the Greek, “go”- like “baptizing” and “teaching”- is

a participle. Only the verb “Make disciple” is imperative. This has been deduced that

Jesus’ commission is simply to make disciples “as we go” (i.e wherever we are).

This indicates that the commission of the Church in discipleship,” because the main

emphasis is on the command to “make disciples” which in Greek is one word,

“Mathesteusate.” To disciple a person to Christ is to bring him into the relation of

pupil to teacher, taking his yoke of authoritative instruction (11:29), accepting what

he says as true because he says it, and submitting to his requirements as right
39
because he makes them.” Considering this, disciples are those who hear, understand

and obey Jesus teaching (12:46-50). The injunction is given at least to the eleven in

their roles as disciples (11:16). Therefore, they are paradigms for all disciples. Either

way, it is building on all of Jesus’ disciples to make others what they themselves are

disciples of Jesus Christ (Gaebelein, 596).

In addition, the word “Pantata ethnic” (all nations) have been understood

primarily in two ways. First, they refer to all Gentiles i.e. all nations apart from

Israel. Secondly, they refer to all people including Israel. Now, “ta ethnic” in its

eight occurrences in Matthew (4:15; 6:32; 10:5, 18; 21; 20-19, 25) normally denotes

pagans. It is also used in its basic sense of “tribes,” “nations” or “peoples” and

means all people without distinction or all nations, thereby including Jews

everywhere ( 596).

Thus the meaning of Jesus’ discipleship pattern, therefore, is to make

disciples of all men everywhere without distinction. But such a command can

possibly be authentic. This authenticates Jesus’ pattern of disciples as “make

disciples, baptized and teach.” The syntax of the Greek participles for “baptizing”

and “teaching” forbids the conclusion that baptizing and teaching are to be

constructed solely as the means of making disciples. Most likely some imperative

force is present since the disciples are certainly to baptize and teach and these

characterize discipleship. The response of disciples, however, is baptism and

instruction. Moreover, the masculine pronounces authors (them verse 19-20) hint at
40
the same thing, since “ethnic” (nations) is neuter; the “them” who are baptized and

taught are those who have been made disciples. In discipleship and baptism-

instruction, the New Testament can scarcely conceive of a disciple who is not

instructed. Indeed, the force of this command is to make Jesus’ disciples responsible

for making disciples of others, a task characterized by baptism and instruction.

Therefore, those who became disciples are to be baptized into the name of

Trinity which is a sign both of entrance into the messiah’s covenant community and

pledge submission to his Lordship (598).

In the verse also, those who are disciplined must not only be baptized but

also taught. The content of this instruction is everything Jesus commanded the first

ifs disciples. Therefore, five things stand out. First is the focus on Jesus’ command

not Old Testament law. Jesus’ words, like the word of the scripture, are more

enduring than heaven and earth (24:35); and the peculiar expression “everything I

have commanded you” is reminiscent of the authority of Yahweh (Exodus 29:35).

Secondly, Jesus does not foresee a time when any part of his teaching will be rightly

judged needless, outmoded, and untrue; everything he has commanded must be

passed on “to the end of the age” and this must be by the church. Thirdly, what the

disciples teach is not mere dogma steeped in abstract theorizing but content to be

obeyed. Fourthly, by careful passing, on everything Jesus taught, the first disciples

themselves-as eye-witnesses. This in term pass on the truth they received and

therefore, a means is provided for successive generations to remain in contact with

41
Jesus’ teachings. Lastly, the church or Christianity must spread by an internal

necessity or it has already decayed; for one of Jesus commands is to teach all the

commands. Failure to disciple, baptize and teach the people of the world itself as one

of the failures of our own discipleship. Hence, discipline the earth became the

mandate given to the church by God and so the church must not take it lightly.

Finally, the commission ends, not with command but with the promise of

Jesus’ comforting presence which, if not made explicitly conditional on disciple;

obedience to the great commission, is at least closely tied to it. “Surely” captures the

force of “idou” here he introduced to us in the prologue as Immanuel, “God with

us,” is still God with us, “to every end of the age.” The English adverb “always”

renders an expression found in the New Testament only here. “Pasastes he meraji

strictly” “the whole of every day.” Not just the horizon is in view, but each day as

we live it. This continues to the end of the age at the end of the history as we know it

when the kingdom will be consummated. Perhaps there is a small hint of Judgment;

the church dares not dnji, because it rushes to the indefinite length; but whatever its

duration, it is the time of the church’s mission and of preliminary enjoyment of the

Lord’s presence (599).

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 CHAPTER FOUR
RELEVANCE OF DISCIPLESHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH

Discipleship is more than a call. It is a life style that is never to stop in the church for

the church’s growth. It must never stop until the believers are called home to eternity

with the Lord. one’s continual devotion, worship, learning, growth, and practice in

Christ as Lord. Overall. Discipleship is also reciprocal. That is, when one learns, he

or she makes the commitment to train someone else. Discipleship is the primary

earthly goal of the church as a whole, and of the Christian as an individual.

Commands the church to do (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV). IN SO SHARE His outlook

and conatus (Luke 6:39-40 NIV). Discipleship should not be that believers should

make DISCIPLES IN their image but they should be disciples in the way Christ

thinks, feels, as notes by Asserit (Asserit 45).

Dietrich Bonheoff said “Christianity without discipleship is always

Christianity without Christ. It remains an abstract idea, a myth which has a place for

the fatherhood of God, but admits Christ as the living son… There is trust in God,

but no following of Christ.” (Dietrich). Therefore, the church’s responsibility does

not end when disciples have been gathered into the church. It has the commission

also to “teach all things which Christ has commanded.” The implication of

discipleship is that “Christian instruction is to be a continuous process.. With a view

to enabling disciples to walk worthily of their vocation.”

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(p. 340). A disciple is described in the scripture as one who is committed to the

savior, is willing to take up the cross and follow Him (Luke 14:26-27 NIV).

Continues in Christ’s word (John 8:31-32NIV), bears much fruits (John 15:8 NIV),

loves to follow human beings and this gives evidence of discipleship (John 13:35

NIV). The church has the responsibility, therefore, to lead and nurture its members

in their life of discipleship by teaching the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27 KJR);

including especially such central doctrines as low and Gospel, justification and

sanctification, Christology and soteriology, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Moreover, since Christians are not renewed completely but are still burdened with a

sinful nature, the Church has the responsibility not only it incite and motivate its

members to take seriously Lord’s commission to confess His mane before those who

have not heard the Good news, but it is also that the task to admonish, exhort, and

ever prod the lax and indifferent (Gerhard p. 449).

Discipleship is no other than the product of a layman or a clergy who, having

committed his life to Christ and His Lordship, has committed himself or herself to

be a lifelong student of Christ in His school of foundational development and

deployment studies and to live for and serve Him.

In this, the disciple has committed also to groaning others to the highest level

of maturity in Christ and also for the growth of the church here on earth.

Demonstration likeness in living and fruitfulness in service to God in the church

includes discipleship which will help the church to grow the soma extent.
44
 Conversion and commitment are expected of all followers of Christ. The call

to discipleship in the Global Evangelical church is not only for pastors and leaders to

teach others to make disciples, but they themselves to get involved so that the church

will grow. Not until the talks and plans may not be effective and will not yield

results as expended. In essence, the most important part of the church growth is

discipleship.

As members are disciples for the spiritual growth of the church. However,

the expectation or dream of a disciple-making church is that the church in which the

members (or some members) individually at any time in their lives are committed

and involved in someone’s life, bringing the person up as a disciple of Christ

maturing deity until he/she reach the highest loved of maturity. Church leader at the

end of the year is expected to declare the percentage of members who are committed

to disciple-making because that actually promotes a very tremendous growth in the

church.

Getting committed people in the church means getting people for

discipleship and getting people for discipleship means making the church to grow

drastically because the process of discipleship means having a church that is filled

with members who are committed to the values of the church. They understand

Christ’s perspective for church growth and the need for making disciples for the

church’s sake (Peter p. 47).

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4.1 THE RELEVANCE OF DISCIPLESHIP FOR THE KINGDOM OF

GOD

The kingdom of God is nourished when people become mature candidates

for heaven. Hence, it is through discipleship that people can be taught to mature in

the faith. To a remarkable extent, the kingdom of God is the fore promise abbot of

believers. Likewise, God’s people are only their job if those who study them (rest

assured, the community studies and evaluate people who claim to be Christians) see

that their lifestyles, attitudes, words, and values are truly those of their Boss.” If

people know we are Christians and we “stuff it up”, disciples mentor people in

God’s Name and as they do so, He receives honor from those who might not

otherwise offer it and the kingdom of God rejoices when more also, discipleship

helps people to present the kingdom of God. Thus, the true disciple does not

represent himself or his denomination. When all the world can see are the disciple’s

culture, ethnicity, occupation, social standing, fashion, foibles, marital status or

lifestyle preferences, it is possible he/her vision of Jesus. Independent observers

ought to be able to look past their personalities, biases, feelings, thoughts,

perspectives, and opinions (which chance over time) and see “something different”

as the present the kingdom outpost. When Peter and John were arrested in Jerusalem

and dragged before the Jewish leaders, accused of Stirring up the community with

their preaching; it was obvious they were “unschooled and they too make the

difference for the kingdom’s sake- Acts 4:13 (Barttect 145).

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4.3 THE RELEVANCE OF DISCIPLESHIP FOR COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT

The community not extended from the command and great commission. But

rather, Jesus sent His Disciples in twos to explore communities for Him. Hence, the

disciple should belong to the community; the community needs the support of other

Christians to grow in their faith.

James Dunn said; “Jesus has shown pioneers created a community of

followers who traveled with Him, living and learning as they went. They grew in

faith in individually, but they did so largely in the seething of the community as they

prayed, learned and ministered together” (Dunn 34).

Notably, Eprorth added; “One of the striking features of the earliest church is

the sense of shared life and in that shared life, they mentored each other, they

disciple those who are babies in the faith, which led to the growth of the believers as

they live in the community”. There are many accounts of Christians meeting with

one another and expressing their faith collectively. Paul’s letters were addressed

mainly to Christian communities. In essence, the Christian communities were

developing through discipleship. The portrayal may be somewhat idealized… But

anyone who is familiar with movements of enthusiastic spiritual renewal will

recognize authentic notes: the enthusiasm of the members of the renewal group, with

a sense of overflowing Joy (Acts 2:46), desire to come together frequently (Acts

2:44-46) eating together and worshipping (Acts 2:46-47). And including the
47
readiness for unreserved commitment to one another in a shared common life.

Community Development seeks to enable individuals and communities to mature

and grows spiritually through self- assessment as you move through the stages form

membership to fellowship to stewardship to discipleship. Community Development

takes place both in our neighborhoods and within the church as people identify what

is relevant to them. Community Development ministry is a part of Reid Temple’s

membership Development and is crucially concerned with developing disciples; as

such it includes “everyone” in the process when following Matthew 28:18-20 (“to

make disciples”) to purposely more individual in the community toward a direction

of spiritual growth and development (Epworth 34).

James Asserts in his book “church and Discipleship that” it is important not

to lose sight of the central place of community for the followers of Jesus today.

Especially in our individualistic age when people may struggle the commitments

involved in a rich community life, the Christian faith involves finding life in the

community and impacting one another, because this has a missionary purpose” (34).

God is revealed in relationships more than through individuals acting on their

own. The image of God was given to man and the woman together, as they relate

with one another (Genesis 1:26-27). Christian communities are to model

relationships that non- believers find attractive. One may want to read God works

through communities. One of the most influential Theological books of the 20 th

century was “A community of character”. In it, the American Stanley Hauer was,
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argues that, “Christians should see their lives as an adventurous intention of the true

story of the kingdom. The church ambo the Christian story in a distinctive way of

life. The corporate life of believers shapes the behavior of individual Christians so

that their lives together witness to the truth and power of the gospel. The church’s

main task in society is not for social change, but to be a community that lives out the

Christians story for others to see” (Stanley 67). Hauer was has been criticized for

downplaying the Christian struggle to engage with society and transform it, for

focusing too heavily on the church. Yet despite this, there is much to ponder in his

claim that the church is effective in the mission when others can see rate life forming

authentic community is vital. When asked how disciples are mistuned as somewhere

else, the bread- making church in Liverpool, Barbara Glassan said; “Through

discipleship which includes friendship, laughter, being real with each other, finding

a way to engage in honest conversation, honoring questions, encouragement and

mutual learning” ([Link] church Community. Com). Here, the answer to this

Church brings to bear the fact that discipleship is very important in community

development.

Discipleship is what Jesus meant by “I will make you fishers of men”. It is not just

catching them and then storing them (fish were processed and sold for the

betterment use of the community).

Interestingly, adored: “Authentic disciples mentor others for the development

of authentic communities. Authentic communities in which people are loved will

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have the passion for discipleship in them to continue as they themselves have been

disciples.” These discipleship making communities should be in places people can

explore, question, be challenged, celebrate, fail and experience affirmation, grace,

mercy, and forgiveness. Within such communities, discipleship almost happens at an

accelerated pace which involves bringing people up for the genuine Christian life.

([Link] Church= community. Com). Jeff Reynolds explains: “Although

discipleship is a chaotic buffet meal of others who don’t understand it, it is no less

part of Christian hospitality and understanding is demonstrated at each vine session”

(Jeff p. 26). This nurtures discipleship as one share outside what he/ she have

learned from Christ and that makes the community more structured for the church.

Jeff Reynolds pointed out that, “Authentic disciples can take different forms

some on quite soled. Members meet in the same place at the same time, weekly,

fortnightly or monthly to be able to meet up with the discipleship of others who are

not yet matured in the faith.

Others are more fluid. Central meetings are less regular and more advoc, but

individuals get together spontaneously between meetings and keep in touch online,

but occasionally come together” (Jeff p29).

Disciples in the community should be able to see themselves as an

intentional and dispersed community of people who are seeking to be fully present

to the kingdom of God here and now. Francis Schaffer agreed with the fact that,

“discipleship will help to impact, relinquishing their pride so they can learn and
50
comfort in the community to avoid conflicting desires and in a treat. Thus, the

impact of the people transformed and pass on to the people around them physically,

emotional and otherwise” (Francis p. 132).

Another aspect of discipleship is character growth. The community is a

powerful place where life change can occurs in many ways. The community can

impact character growth by spurring on group revival. God can inspire people as a

group to seek changed lives (2Chrnicles 34, Nehemiah 9 and Jonah 3). The

community challenges individuals to seek after God, transforming the entire

community through discipleship. Discipleship can also be helpful in correction and

reconcile relationships in the community. Jesus challenged His followers to involve

several others, or even the entire church to win over a brother who “sinned against

you” (Matt. 18:13- 17). God can also use individuals known as a community to help

encourage Christ-like behavior. For example, the death of Ananias and Saphira

reminded their entire fellowship of the need of Holiness and integrity (Acts 5:1-11).

A true community can also embrace individuals in need of correction for a group of

people can have significant influence in the life of an individual. A great example is

how Aquila Priscilla gently corrected Apollo’s, making him more useful for the

gospel (Schaeffer p. 133).

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 CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 SUMMARY

The research work is done on the topic; “The Necessity of discipleship in the

21st-century church: An exposition of Matthew 28:16-20.” The research consists of

five chapters. Chapter one consist of the general introduction of the research were;

the background of the study, the statement of the problem, the purpose of the study,

the significance of the study, the scope/ limitation of the study, Methodology of

research and Definition of terms are engulfed. Chapter two contains the review of

relevantly related literature, where, the researcher captures what discipleship means,

who is a disciple, reasons for discipleship, what the church is, and Methods of

discipleship

Again, the researcher moves to chapter three, which is the background of the

book under study and the exposition of the text. In this chapter, the researcher

considered the authorship/ Date, of writing, the background of the book under study,

and the where the researcher looked intently at the relevance of discipleship in the

21st-century church. In this, the researcher considered the relevance of discipleship

for church growth, the relevantance of discipleship for the kingdom of God and the

relevance of discipleship for community development. Finally, in chapter five, the

researcher summarizes, concludes and gives out recommendations.

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5.2 CONCLUSION

Discipleship is vital for the development of Christianity. From this research,

it is obvious that discipleship is a necessity in the church of God today. People grow

when they are daily fed when they are taught to follow Christ in his footsteps.

Indeed, this research friend out the facts that the church proliferates quickly as a

result of discipleship. In spite of this indubitable truth, some ministers and churches

overlook the necessity of discipleship, they plead without maturing and tutoring.

This is because such churches and ministers see discipleship as optional while it is

an imperative- a command from the institutor and initiator of the Church. In fact,

form this research work, the researcher discovers that a believer is not habituating

Christ until he/ her takes the mind of Christ and to take the mind of Christ means to

be passionate heaven and this can only be achieved through discipleship. In this

way, discipleship is a model presented to Christians by Christ. He came from heaven

to earth and chooses some set of people to be his disciples. From there, tutored them

until the whole world is a benefactor now. Therefore, discipleship is a dear need for

the 21st-century church, if the church really wants to move and walk in the will of

God. Hence, when the church sees discipleship as a necessity, then the Church can

never be complacent until she makes kingdom citizens and candidates of heaven.

5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

Having passionately embarked on this research, the researcher has the

following recommendations to make:

53
i. The researcher discovers that many ministers and churches are complacent with

the spiritual life of their members. Hence, the researcher endorses that the

church should never relax at the task of disciplining members, most especially

new converts.

ii. The researcher recommends clergy-laity relationship for effective discipleship.

It has been discovered that clergymen are too far from their members to know

their struggles spiritually not even to disciple them.

iii. Discipleship should be in the curriculum of church institutions, to help pastors,

students understand and to have the burden of discipleship because the pastor

talks about discipleship whereby they themselves are not a disciple. It is said;

“you cannot give what you don’t have” effective discipleship will only take

place when those who desire to disciple others must allow themselves to be a

disciple by others.

iv. The researcher recommends that all church Elders should be discipleship

oriented members of the church, not those who had only passed through E.B.S

because the researcher saw E.B.S. Or T.E.E. More of academics- base on how it

is handled in some churches.

v. The church should encourage teaching because teaching fosters discipleship.

Moreover, a disciple is a pupil who learns from his/ her master and the pupil

cannot learn when the master doesn’t teach.

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vi. The researcher recommends that ministers should strive to present to the

member's good example because that is also a way of discipleship. In this

research, it is discovered that many disciples have this slogan, “Do what I say

but not what I do.” Hence, this adage is detrimental to the task of discipleship.

vii. Also, the researcher recommends that disciples should be the first Disciples of

Christ themselves. On this note, if they are disciples of Jesus, their wisdom of

discipline others will come from God. The researcher recommends this because

he discovered that many disciples are using worldly methods and wisdom in

disciplining others simply because they themselves have not sat under the

heavenly wisdom of Jesus to be good disciples and discipliners.

55
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