Musing – Should we be making Converts? Or Disciples?

Hebraic Musing – Should we be making Converts?  Or Disciples?

The word “Convert” only appears as a noun (in the NIV) and references someone who has already accepted Christ.  It’s interesting that there is no reference to Jesus “converting” people.  The only time Jesus uses the word “convert” is during a chastisement of the Pharisees, scolding them for producing knowledge-filled followers filled with pride and void of love. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.”  Matthew 23:15

Instead, Jesus discipled people.  How?  He shared his life, teachings, and meals. Could this be the model Jesus meant for His church to follow?  If so, what would discipleship look like? 

This sharing of life, teachings and meals reminds me of the good old days when I was conducting a series of breakfast and dinner meetings that included meals and sharing of testimonies.  Each man’s testimony revealed his life, the teachings he received and the change in life resulting from the teachings while the Holy Spirit revealed the reality of Jesus Christ.  Thus many were discipled into Salvation and attended future meetings where they enjoyed more life stories, teachings and meals which continued to minister to them.  A lot of Discipleship took place!?!?

Frank Powell* said “For me, making disciples meant making converts, leading non-Christians to Jesus. In fact, evangelism was so strongly emphasized, the Great Commission became a rallying cry to baptize people, rather than disciple them. Yes, that’s right. I was taught to focus on the word ‘baptizing’ rather than the first (and most important) phrase in the sentence, ‘Go into all the world and make disciples…’” So, according to Jesus, being a disciple and making disciples is not optional.

Frank Powell went on to distinguish some differences between Converts and Disciples:

• Converts follow doctrines and denominations. Disciples follow the life and teachings of Jesus and it is more than a program.  Discipleship fails if one’s private life doesn’t match his/her public life.
• Converts attend church. Disciples are the church.  The church Jesus modeled was organic, alive.
• Converts might not fully recognize Christianity comes with costs. Disciples believe their salvation costs everything.  Discipleship is intentional; not hit-and-miss, inconsistent exposure.  That’s why Discipleship dies in a busy culture.

·         Converts are filled with knowledge and information. Disciples are filled with devotion and love.

·         Converts measure growth externally using tangible variables like church attendance and good works.  Disciples measure growth internally based on intimacy with God and the fruit of the Spirit.

Discipleship is about being, not focused on doing; and that is so well portrayed in the story of the difference between Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.

Points to ponder

So what is the best way to disciple non-believers?
And if you do it right you will find yourself discipling a “convert”!

 “Therefore go and make disciples…”

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd,                                  April 12, 2016