MAKE - not find!

Making Disciples! It has captivated my interest lately that Jesus tells his chosen apostles to go "make" disciples, not "find" disciples. Now, for the forensic among us, let's get into some basic language to make sure our understanding is correct, after all, most "versions" of the bible do not translate it like this.   Most versions say "teach all nations."  So - which is it?  

The term used in  the original Greek language is "μαθητευσατε (mathateusate)."  This term corresponds to the original Hebrew word "talmid" which means "to become a pupil" or if it is talking about you enacting upon someone it means "to enroll as a pupil or apprentice."  "Teach" is not an incorrect representation of the word, but it does not convey the essence of what Jesus is telling them.  To "teach" is used in Mt.28:20 and is the term " διδασκοντες (didaskontes)."  His instruction is to go to enroll and make pupils - not "find." We hope to find someone with maturity and gifts already - to be honest, so that we don't have to teach or train them. We forget that Jesus told us to go make them. Not find them. Making disciples is long, hard work.

2 Timothy 2:2- "You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." 

Discipleship is about shared truth, the passing on what God has taught us to another. This is the environment of face to face discipleship, that in turn creates fellowship within the church. 

1 Thessalonians 2:8- "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives, too." 

Discipleship is also about doing life together. It's about shared experiences and inviting people into the opportunities and activities that you do and letting them be a part of them and learn with you and from you. 

We often wonder why we no longer have "dinners" and "get togethers" things like we used to, and wonder why people have lost interest. Perhaps it is because we have chosen the "easy way out" of what God told us to do.  We are no longer sharing lives, experiences, frailties, etc, to generate relationships, friendships, bonds and fellowship.  We are sequestering ourselves in isolation, keeping people at arms length and "telling" people what to do instead of showing them what to do.

There is quite a difference in what Jesus said, and what we in our modern times "do."

Jim