Matthew 28:19-20 Making Disciples

Matt. 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (NKJV)

Matt. 28:20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NLT)

• The word in Greek for "disciples" is mathēteuō. This word is only used 4 times: Matt. 13:52; 27:57; 28:19; Acts 14:21
Mathēteuō means: to teach, instruct, make a disciple

• In order to make disciples we must already be a disciple. We must remain as students of God's presence for our whole lives

• Making disciples is the job of all Believers - we reproduce what we are

• Verse 19 ends with a comma - we don't often think of the second part of this Great Commission. Jesus calls us to:

- teach people to be disciples
- teach people to obey all His commands
- teach people to be sure in the knowledge that He is with you always

• Making disciples is both an evangelistic effort as we bring people to Christ, and a maturing effort as we bring Christians to maturity

Qualities Needed In Those Who Disciple Others:

1. Be a lover of people - both the unsaved, and younger Believers. You can't beat the genuine love that we have for one another. If we want to lead people to Christ, we must have sincere love for them.
2 Cor. 5:14 ...for the love of Christ compels us...  
If we are want to disciple others, we need to love in a way that seeks the very best for them
1 Pet. 1:22 ...love one another fervently with a pure heart. 

2. Know how to pray for people - it is imperative that we know how to hold people up in prayer and stand with then in times of darkness and spiritual struggle.
Col. 1:9 So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom.   

3. Know how to  use the Word in order to teach and instruct
The Word of God is our greatest tool as we minister to others. We must be skilled at building your own life with the Word so that you can help to form Christ in others
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another    
I know this Scripture is about psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, but the issue is the teaching power of the Word, and it's ability to build up the Church. 

4. Practice what you preach
It is so important that we live the things we are teaching to others. People watch what we do more than they listen to what we say.
James 1:17-27