Where does a perfect circle begin? Well, if it is a perfect circle, there is not starting point. It will seem continuous with no starting point or ending point.
So it is with discipleship and evangelism. Hear me out once again.
All discipleship leads to evangelism and all evangelism leads to discipleship.
Discipleship Leads To Evangelism
When Jesus called his first disciples, he immediately informed them of his intent. He was going to teach them to fish for people (evangelism). The first call to discipleship in Matthew began that way (Matt 4:19) and the last call of discipleship ended that way. (Matt 28:18-20).
Matthew 4:18-19
NRSV
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
Matthew 28:19-20
NRSV
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
It is clear this is what Jesus had in mind as part of his discipling of those who would follow him. He was teaching them and preparing to them go into the world to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them. His discipleship led to evangelism.
Evangelism Leads To Discipleship
Were you paying attention to the Matthew 28 text? Did you catch it in the previous section? What were the disciples to do once they made other disciples and baptized them?
Matthew 28:19
NRSV
...and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
That's right. Disciple them! Teach them.
But what are they going to teach them? Obviously, the identity of Jesus. They certainly would have taught them how the followers of Jesus were different than the world. But to what end? So they could go out and evangelize others also. Isn't this the command Jesus gave?
Go. Make. Baptize. Teach.
Once a person was evangelized they were taught and trained (discipled) to evangelize.
A Continuous Circle
It is the continuous circle that never ends until Christ returns.
Challenge
So here is the challenge: What should be the ultimate purpose of every Sunday School class, every small group that gathers, or every Bible study?
Sure, we grow in our faith, strengthen one another, fellowship, lift each other up, and celebrate when one celebrates, but to what end?
The ultimate purpose of everything we do in the church should be to bring glory to God. There is no greater way of glorifying God than by making disciples, baptizing them, and then teaching them how to do exactly what you just did.
After all, that is what disciples do. Jesus taught so. Last time I check, we follow Jesus.
