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them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you
always, to the end of the age.”

Evangelism – the first aspect of a discipleship ministry.

This commission is a command to not only the disciples, but to every believer. It essentially outlines
what Jesus expected his followers to do in His absence. It is interesting that, in the original Greek, the
only direct command in Matthew 28:19–20 is “make disciples.” The Great Commission instructs us to
make disciples while we are going throughout the world. The instructions to “go,” “baptize,” and
“teach” are indirect commands—participles in the original. How are we to make disciples? By baptizing
them and teaching them all that Jesus commanded. “Make disciples” is the primary command of the
Great Commission. “Going,” “baptizing,” and “teaching” are the means by which we fulfill the command
to “make disciples.” xxxiv

To become a disciple of Christ, a person must first come to Christ in repentance and incorporate the
death and resurrection of Christ into his life. He must believe and be willing to follow the teachings of
Christ. He must be a Holy Spirit filled person who desires to follow Christ’s example. To make a disciple
means the disciple must be a follower of Christ. We would say he must be “born again” or “saved.” So,
an integral aspect of making disciples is to first evangelize those who are lost, so they can become
disciples of the Lord. We fully understand that God desires all men to be saved and come to a
knowledge of the truth (I timothy 2:4). The Great Commission compels us to share the Gospel with all
lost people so that they can begin their discipleship journey. The first great component of a discipleship
ministry is evangelism.

How did Jesus do discipleship?

The first thing Jesus did when He began his ministry at age 30 was to select 12 men to become His
disciples. Of course, Jesus was God, so He knew the hearts of the men He selected. I’m sure He looked
into their hearts to see their willingness to follow and obey Him. Once he selected them, He poured
Himself into them. Though Judas was eventually to betray Him, he included him in his effort to make
him a disciple. He taught them as much as possible in preparation for His departure.

Scripture gives us only a glimpse of what He taught them. They were together day and night. They
walked the roads between Galilee and Jerusalem at least three times, maybe four. These journeys took
several days. I’m sure He talked with them all along the way. His disciples became like His own children.

Deuteronomy 6 gives us a glimpse into what true discipleship is:

7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you
sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and

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when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as
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frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your
house and on your gates.

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