Crossroads: How much do you focus on Discipleship?
Last time in the Crossroads series we talked about Evangelism. How much focus do we put on it when it comes to college ministry (or ministry in general) versus everything else. Today let’s talk about focusing on Discipleship.
I love meeting with students one-on-one and really focusing on what is going on in their lives. I am a problem solver and this is where I feel I can really listen to someone and help them find answers in Christ through the Bible. However, the problem is there are only so many hours in a day. Evangelism can focus on multiple students but when I spend time with a student alone it is that person for one hour and no one else to invest in.
Paul tells us to not just share the Gospel but share our lives as well:
1 Thessalonians 2:8
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
Jesus even said go and make disciples…not converts:
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 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.”
Based on these verses are we supposed to just focus on discipleship?
Let’s start by defining what a disciple is:
dis·ci·ple/diˈsīpəl/
Noun: A personal follower of Jesus during his life, esp. one of the twelve Apostles.
or this video:
All these things take time and I only have a small window with the students I have. How do you make the most of your time and balance discipleship with evangelism? Can you do one without the other?
