Multiplication of Disciples–the Focus of Jesus’ Ministry
Multiplication of disciples was at the center of Jesus’ ministry. Everywhere he went, Jesus invited people to follow him. Why? So that he could teach them what they needed to know to live in faithful obedience to God. At first, He gathered a crowd of people. But soon, he narrowed his focus down to the Twelve. In order to arrive at multiplication, Jesus taught his disciples to pass on to others everything that he taught them to do. And they did.
Pass It On to Others
One of the Twelve reached out to a man named Barnabas, and began to teach him what he had learned from Jesus. Barnabas was a natural encourager. When he heard that a new convert named Paul of Tarsus was having a hard time finding acceptance in the Church because of his past, Barnabas took him under his wing. He taught Paul what the Twelve had learned from Jesus. And he told Paul to pass it on. Paul did just what Barnabas taught him to do. Soon, he ranked as one of the most prolific disciple makers of all time.
Disciple Trustworthy People
One of Paul’s disciples was a very young man named Timothy. Paul taught him everything he had learned from Barnabas, who learned from the Twelve, who learned from Jesus. After some time passed, Paul appointed Timothy as an elder in the Church at Ephesus. While there, Paul wrote at least two letters to his young charge. In the second letter, Paul wrote the instructions we call 2 Timothy 2:1-2: “Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
Are You Trustworthy?
Eventually, this sequence of disciples-making-disciples became an unbroken chain that extended for 2000 years and across millions of lives. Ultimately, it found its way to you, when you responded to someone’s invitation to follow Jesus Christ. Now, the only question we now need to resolve is, “When will you take your place in the chain, share what you have learned and begin to invite others to become disciples who make disciples?” To find out how, visit www.zumeproject.com
