The Meaning Of Make Disciples In The Broader Context Of The Gospel Of Matthew

Students of the Bible are generally comfortable with their understanding of the command “make disciples” (Matt 28:19). Indeed, most of them would argue that the Gospel writer, Matthew, spells out very clearly the meaning of the term in the Great Commission (Matt 28:16–20) by utilizing three key words, viz., “go[ing],” “baptizing,” and “teaching.” This point of view is the result of centuries of scholarly opinion that has looked primarily, if not solely, to these three adjacent participles of “make disciples” (Matt 28:19), and not to the entire Gospel of Matthew, for the meaning of the command. This book does not suggest that “going,” “baptizing,” and “teaching” are not to be considered in determining the essence of Christian disciple-making. Rather, it contends that the three terms should not be our only source of meaning. This problem is tackled herein by demonstrating that Matthew establishes a framework within the Great Commission itself that points to a fuller meaning of “make disciples” in the broader context of his Gospel, and that the Gospel writer expects his reader to draw on his entire Gospel to grasp the full meaning of this important command.

Students of the Bible are generally comfortable with their understanding of the command "make disciples" (Matt 28:19). Indeed, most of them would argue that the Gospel writer, Matthew, spells out very clearly the meaning of the term in the Great Commission (Matt 28:16-20) by utilizing three key words, viz., "go[ing]," "baptizing," and "teaching." This point of view is the result of centuries of scholarly opinion that has looked primarily, if not solely, to these three adjacent participles of "make disciples" (Matt 28:19), and not to the entire Gospel of Matthew, for the meaning of the command. This book does not suggest that "going," "baptizing," and "teaching" are not to be considered in determining the essence of Christian disciple-making. Rather, it contends that the three terms should not be our only source of meaning. This problem is tackled herein by demonstrating that Matthew establishes a framework within the Great Commission itself that points to a fuller meaning of "make disciples" in the broader context of his Gospel, and that the Gospel writer expects his reader to draw on his entire Gospel to grasp the full meaning of this important command.

The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.

Following up Robert Traina's classic Methodical Bible Study, this book introduces the practice of inductive Bible study to a new generation of students, pastors, and church leaders. The authors, two seasoned educators with over sixty combined years of experience in the classroom, offer guidance on adopting an inductive posture and provide step-by-step instructions on how to do inductive Bible study. They engage in conversation with current hermeneutical issues, setting forth well-grounded principles and processes for biblical interpretation and appropriation. The process they present incorporates various methods of biblical study to help readers hear the message of the Bible on its own terms.

We grow in Christ as we seek him together. Jesus' own pattern of disciple-making was to be intimately involved with others and allow life to rub against life. By gathering in twos or threes to study the Bible and encourage one another, we most closely follow Jesus' example with the twelve disciples. This workbook by Greg Ogden is a tool designed to help you follow this pattern Jesus drew for us. Working through it will deepen your knowledge of essential Christian teaching and strengthen your faith. Each week contains the following elements: a core truth presented in a question-and-answer format a memory verse and accompanying study a field-tested inductive Bible study a reading on the theme for the week questions to draw out key principles in the reading This material is designed for groups of three. It has also been used successfully as an individual study program, a one-on-one discipling tool, and small group curriculum. This expanded and completely updated edition includes a new guide for leaders. Jesus had a big enough vision to think small. Focusing on a few did not limit his influence. Rather, it expanded it. Discipleship Essentials is designed to help us influence others as Jesus did—by investing in a few.

"The followers of Jesus are to be different," writes John Stott, "different from both the nominal church and the secular world, different from both the religious and the irreligious. The Sermon on the Mount is the most complete delineation anywhere in the New Testament of the Christian counter-culture." In the Sermon on the Mount, the "nearest thing to a manifesto" that Jesus ever uttered, we find Jesus' own description of what he wanted his followers to be and do. In this Bible Speaks Today volume, Stott guides readers through Jesus' well-known but often poorly understood teachings in Matthew 5 through 7. Leading us to listen carefully to the meaning of each verse in its context, Stott also confronts the challenges this text raises for today's Christians and draws out practical applications. This revised edition features lightly updated language, current NIV Scripture quotations and a new interior design. A seven-session study guide at the end of the book will help you more deeply ponder the message of the Sermon on the Mount and how it speaks to your life.

As Christian believers, we have been given the powerful weapon of the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With the vast amount of resources available today, including ChatGPT, we have no excuse for neglecting to sharpen our swords and deepen our understanding of God’s Word. With ChatGPT at our fingertips, we have an amazing opportunity to learn more about the Bible, deepen our faith, and grow in our spiritual walk. So, let’s take advantage of this wonderful resource and allow it to help us sharpen our swords and become more effective in our Christian walk. There is a warning in their program which states: ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. If there is an error cited in their response, we post the above warning: ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts.

Those in the church and ministry are familiar with the Great Commission – the call to go forth and make disciples. However, for many, it isn’t that easy in a world increasingly influenced by doubters and distractions. Many Christian leaders may talk about it, but few really do it. Making disciples isn’t a complicated program, but a simple plan that comes only from Jesus. Now a diverse group of pastors, representing urban and rural communities, secular and Christian areas, as well as diverse multicultural backgrounds, and all known for successfully making new disciples, have gathered these sermons to encourage others to be disciple makers too. Discover: How Jesus practiced the Great Commission before He ever preached it Why discipleship begins with a whole-life understanding of worship When disciple-making gets confused with church growth efforts These and countless other insights will help guide you in a faithful, deliberate effort to fulfill the Great Commission – no matter where you live or what communities in which you minister. Included in the book are: The sermon texts and their outline formats. 12 study guides, one for each sermon, that can be used in small group or one-on-one settings in the week following the preaching of the sermon. A final appendix providing a self-evaluation tool that helps each person being discipled to evaluate the progress they are making in their walk with Christ.