5 Common Disciple Making Mistakes to Avoid These mistakes will hinder your efforts at making disciples. By Lesli White

 

5 Common Disciple Making Mistakes to Avoid

These mistakes will hinder your efforts at making disciples.

By Lesli White

Are You Equipped?

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By definition, a disciple is a follower of Jesus who accepts and assists in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in Jesus, equipped by the Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts, which assists us in not only overcoming the pressures and trials of this life, but also helps us to be more Christlike. As Christians, we are called to discipleship. Jesus' final words to us were to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit". His call was clear. If you are looking to actively disciple, there are certain things that you may do that will hinder your efforts at making disciples. Here are five common disciple-making mistakes to avoid.

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More Than a Conversation

It's easy to get caught up thinking that simply engaging in a conversation about Jesus or about your faith qualifies as discipleship. While these conversations can be engaging and can even begin to build solid friendships, this is only the first step on the path to discipleship. The goal of discipleship is about building others up so that they too may go and build others up. If we want to build disciples, we must truly invest ourselves in their lives. This includes praying for this person, guiding them through Scripture and walking alongside them on the path.

Making Yourself the Focus

The sole focus of discipleship is Jesus, but it's surprisingly easy to start thinking the focus of discipleship is "me" instead of "Him". Your thoughts can seem innocent, initially. It could be as simple as having a conversation with someone and telling them how you disciple. "I disciple because...". Notice the "I"? Discipleship isn't about you. It's about what's on God's heart and sharing this with others. It may also be you telling someone the reasons why you disciple. Some say "I really enjoy discipleship" or "I love teaching people about Jesus". While these reasons are great, it's important that we remember that discipleship is about God's plan for reaching the world. It just requires us to step out on faith.

Watering Down the Gospel

Out of our desire to win disciples, we've often tried to make Jesus more convenient. Too often we water down the Gospel to reflect our culture. We may share the Gospel, but it isn't always the same version Jesus shared. What we sell may be softer and more comfortable. Because we don't want to be called radicals, we leave out the more intense parts that might scare people away. This is an easy trap to fall into. We reduce the Gospel and its expectations to a matter of simply believing, not involving much change. But carrying our cross is more than just believing. It's a radical relationship of self-sacrificing love. The Gospel should not be watered down or reduced.

Offering the Consumerism Gospel

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We live in a consumer-based culture, and we try to sell people on a Jesus that is easy to follow. When we sell the "Consumerism Gospel," can we really get frustrated when people bail out or drift off when things don't go so smoothly? It's easy for these same attitudes to carry over into church. We begin to think: It's my way, my desires and my preferences. If I don't get it my way, I'm done or I can go elsewhere. We put things above Jesus, whether it's wealth, comfort, causes, interests or dreams. Even when desiring to make disciples, we think that Jesus is a part of our life, when Jesus should be our life. He is life. Following Him requires our whole life.

We Are More Than Cheerleaders

Many of us come to Jesus, thinking it is enough to just believe. We think we can just stand on the sidelines and root for Him. But Jesus isn't looking for cheerleaders. We must get out of the stands, and get on the ground in order to make disciples. He is seeking men and women who will follow Him whatever the costs may be. Jesus says "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). It's about denying ourselves not sometimes, but daily and following Him wholeheartedly. This requires a death of self to create new life in Him.

An Important Choice

Many of us have made these mistakes and that's ok. It's never too late to get our mind and our hearts back on track. Are you ready to respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting to discipleship? We should be ready to give testimony of the reason for the faith and hope within us and disciple others to walk in His way. This requires us to follow Jesus' teachings and put Him first above all things. Jesus is ready to walk beside you. I can't tell you it will be easy, but it will be worth it.

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Lesli White is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council.