Jesus called His followers to make disciple of all nations in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). He also instructed them to love God and love their neighbors in the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:38-40). The two instructions are the core of discipleship. The making of disciples is centered on the love for God and fulfilling this task is by having the love for one another. This is the purpose for our existence as a church since the church is made up of disciples. Disciple-making is a collective effort whereby Christians are to take an active life-centered approach over an individual and program-centered approach.

In the Greek language, the term “disciple” (mathetes) in general is in reference to a student or an apprentice. In ancient Jewish tradition, a student under the tutelage of a teacher lives and serves his teacher. Unlike today it is conducted in a classroom with minimal relational element; and centers around discussing hypothetical or theoretical situations over applying what is learnt into real life experiences right away. Thus students after graduation finds that what they have learnt has very little use in their lives except for making them better informed in their minds.

The use of the word “disciple” in Christianity is not only different but exclusively for someone who believes in Jesus and who follows His teachings and example. As Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples” (John 8:31); and “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). Thus a disciple is one who believes in Jesus and lives his life according to Jesus’ teachings and by following His example. Just as Paul told the Corinthians: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

However, it is important to be cautious that in making disciples, people do not “idolize” the disciple-maker. This is seen in the Corinthian church when the disciples were divided over following Apollos and Paul instead of following Jesus. When this happens it becomes idolatry rather than disciple-making. It is also important that it does not turn into a program. Following Jesus’ example, we find that He uses a life-centered approach over a program-centered approach. Most modern disciple-making has evolved into the latter which places people in a regime for a specified period of time through the use of a curriculum, and at the end a person is considered as being “discipled.”

I am not trying to nullify the value of the program-centered approach, but the program-centered approach alone cannot make disciples. Nor am I saying that the life-centered approach is the only approach. I am cautioning the false sense we may have that the person has “arrived” at discipleship even though we may know that we are all far from it as it is a process.

Discipleship is merely the layman’s term of the theological term—sanctification–which is also a process. Whichever term you choose, the goal is still the same: becoming more like Christ or confirming to the image of Christ. The only difference in them is their implications. The former highlights the human effort while the latter highlights the divine power. They are both required as partners in the process. In our human effort, we have no power to transform anyone. We can only teach and encourage since it is the Holy Spirit who has the power to transform us to live out what we believe as a disciple.

Judas Iscariot’s example confirms the idea that disciple making is not achieved by an approach for he is someone who goes through a life-centered approach but fails to be a true disciple. In fact, he came out worse off than we anticipate. Thus disciple-making whether life-centered or program-centered is not the measure of who is a better disciple or the success of our disciple-making endeavours. There is no guarantee that a person who starts well will end well. This should keep us humble and not think we are better than others as a disciple of Jesus Christ. The minute we think that way, we have inherited Pharisaical pride. We would need to allow the Spirit to bring out the fruit of humility in us and repent of that pride.

On the other hand, if human efforts alone can make disciples we will be disappointed when it doesn’t happen. We may be called to make disciples of all nations; but the transforming work of a believer into living out what he or she believes is the work of the Holy Spirit. We are merely the instruments God uses to teach and model to others what being a disciple could look like.

Jesus’ life-centered approach is seen in His choosing of twelve men to follow Him. They were given the opportunity to observe what He did and how He lived. He used their life experiences as His “curriculum” to disciple them by pointing out how they dishonored God and disrespected man by their actions; and what was the right thing to do and how to correct them. The world was His “classroom,” not for hypothetical and theoretical discussions to take place, but to put into action the things they were taught right away and to live right with God and with man.

This requires effort just as it took effort on Jesus’ part to come into the world to become a man and live among us. It took effort for Him to turn the life experiences of His disciples and turned them into teaching moments for them to learn how to be a disciple, and practice what they believe. It is unlike the Pharisees who use the written Law that requires strict adherence without grace as well as how it affects the adherents’ life.

A program-centered approach seems more attractive because it so much easier and less messy over the life-centered approach. All one has to do is stand before the class to teach without any commitment to the students or how they can apply or live out what they are taught. After the class, the teacher can just leave without getting involved in their lives. Discipleship goes beyond the classroom and enters into the lives of the people and sometimes in the darkest part of their lives which can be uncomfortable.

But such an approach requires time and effort as we are required to enter into the messiness of people’s lives. Yet it is necessary for transformation to take place as there is a real life context to apply Jesus’ teachings and an opportunity to imitate His example. Changes do not take place in a vacuum but in the reality of life. Therefore, effective discipleship is helping the believers experience God’s working in their life experiences. This is to build on a foundation of learning how to live out Jesus’ teaching and imitating His example daily in our lives for ourselves.

It is not just informing the mind but encouraging trust in God and surrendering one’s life to His Lordship. There is a Chinese saying, “If you give a man a fish he is hungry again in an hour. If you teach him to catch a fish you do him a good turn.” The mind needs renewing as Paul says in Romans 12:2 but he also said in the first verse “to offer the body as a living sacrifice.” Both mind and body need to be subjected to Jesus’ teachings and to follow His example.

True disciples are those who deny their minds of the thought of thinking only about themselves. Out of their love for God, they give their fellowmen the same thing they desire because of their willingness to follow the example of Jesus.