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Jesus'
Pattern for Making Disciples...
...turned a small band of irregular men
into a dynamic team that revolutionized the world.
Jesus started with people where they were. When John the Baptist
pointed to Jesus saying, "Behold the Lamb of God," Andrew went to Jesus
and asked, "Where do you live." He was skeptical and not at all committed
to Jesus. Jesus didn't demand commitment from Andrew. He didn't tell him
that he needed to take up his cross and begin to follow. Jesus simply
responded to Andrew's reasonable, legitimate question.
"Come
and See" John 1:39
 Jesus
knew that credibility and authenticity must precede commitment. He knew
that He was responsible to cause Andrew to want to follow. During this
come and see phase, Jesus was calling the disciples to establish a relationship
with Himself and with other believers. Jesus knew commitment seldom comes
when it is demanded, it comes as people are drawn to it. Jesus demonstrated
such authenticity and credibility that the disciples wanted to be with
Him. Then one morning Jesus said, "Come follow Me and I will make you
fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). He had created a desire in their hearts to
commit. They "immediately left their nets and followed Him" (Mark 1:18).
"Come
and Follow" Mark 1:17
 This
began the second stage of the disciples' development. At this stage Jesus
called the disciples to follow Him so He could build into their lives
the values, disciplines, and character essential to accomplishing anything
eternally significant. He modeled for them the disciplines of prayer,
the study of the Scriptures, obedience, and commitment. For approximately
10 months the disciples learned, by Jesus' example and teaching, the values
of the Kingdom and the life-style of a true disciple.
"Come
and Be" Mark 3:13
 There
were many people now following Jesus, but He selected 12 men to "be with
Him" (Mark 3:13). It wasn't until this third stage that they got a title.
During this phase, Jesus wanted the disciples to discover and to develop
their God-given gifts and calling. He wanted them to find their place
in God's plan. Jesus allowed the disciples to develop in ministry. They
were apprentices in the mission. He helped each of them find and fill
their role in the Master's plan.
"Remain
and Go" John 15; Matthew 28:19-20
 In
preparing the disciples for His departure, Jesus washed their feet demonstrating
the character of a true leader. He talked to them about the vine and the
branches. "Remain in Me," He said, "and you will bear much fruit. Apart
from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). He was reinforcing the importance
of maintaining the right relationship with God as well as following His
pattern in developing people. Jesus gave them their assignment, "Go and
make disciples" (Matthew 28:18-20). During the remain in Me, go make disciples
phase, Jesus released them to carry on the purpose of His Father to reconcile
people to God and to each other. He called them to commit to the mission.
Jesus had provided them the pattern. He had reinforced the values, character,
and commitments that were essential and now He was leaving the future
of the Church in their hands.
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