The True Cost of Discipleship

Last week on Breaking the Silence, we discussed the definition of disciple. The Greek word is mathetes, which means a learner.

Matt. 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The word teach in verse 19 is matheteuo, which means to disciple, instruct, or teach. Here, the Lord Jesus is instructing His disciples to replicate the pattern He began. The Lord Jesus taught by doing more than just speaking to the disciples. He spent time with them; He took them to the places He went. He withheld nothing from them. This was the pattern He instructed them to follow.

The word teaching in verse 20 is didasko, which means to teach. The word observe in verse 20 is tereo, which means to guard. The Lord Jesus was commanding the disciples to teach in such a way that those being taught would not only know the commands, but would do them and endeavor to guard them in their heart. Over the centuries, we have succumbed to the false teachings of others, and this process of discipleship has been superceded by making church members.

We must endeavor to work in unity to learn, do and teach the things the Lord Jesus imparted to His disciples. For in doing this, we will carry out His desire to establish His kingdom on this earth.