Mark 1:17 contains this invitation: “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (ESV). Jesus’ invitation is to be extended by those who seek to imitate Him by making disciples of all nations until He returns. His invitation extends beyond making disciples to transforming disciples into disciple-makers. Those who follow will become like Him: a disciple-maker.
Guide
The Follow Me invitation requires a guide who is someone that can be followed into Christlikeness. The guide is a disciple-maker who helps other disciples become disciple-makers.
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV).
Growth
The constant thread that runs through the four invitations is abiding in and obeying Christ. Abiding in Christ brings personal growth and transformational growth in others.
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:10 ESV).
Goal
This invitation moves disciples from hearers of the Word to doers of the Word to fruitful multipliers of disciple-makers. The goal is not to create disciples or a new group but to create new disciple-making leaders (guides).
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40 ESV).
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV).
Hear His invitation and let His disciple-making movement begin in you.
State Missionary Daniel Edmonds serves as director of the Office of Sunday School & Discipleship. He may be contacted at 1-800-264-1225, ext. 2285, or (334) 613-2285, [email protected].
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