Go and Make Disciples, Not “Converts”

You may know the Bible passage well. It’s called The Great Commission.  “Go and make disciples of all nations…” {Matthew 28:19}

Find all my Bible Printables HERE.

Sometimes when we hear a passage so many times, we can become numb to its meaning. But there’s an important word that jumps out at me every time I read this, including when I read it this morning.

There’s so much that could be said about The Great Commission. {Personally, I love how we can see the doctrine of the trinity in these verses, but that’s for another time.}

As a mama to four blessings, I wanted to share my heart specifically related to parenting our kids as we raise up the next generation to love and follow Jesus and His Word.

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Go and Make Disciples, Not “Converts”

Jesus said we are to go and make disciples. Make disciples.

Jesus didn’t say, “Go and make converts.”

Now, you might argue that we must first have converts before we can make disciples, and you would be correct!

It seems to me, however, that many churches and families have adopted the mindset of “Go and make converts.” And this has been to the detriment of the next generation.

When our kids repent and become a follower of Christ, our job is NOT done. We can’t afford to just sit back on our laurels and say, “Whew. My kids are all converts now. My job is over.”

Quite the contrary, my friend. When our kids become “converts,” the job of making disciples has just begun!

If we don’t “go and make disciples” of the next generation, the world most certainly will.

Teaching our kids to be a disciple of Christ takes intentional work.

It’s teaching and modeling things like:

• consistently reading God’s Word
• obeying God’s Word out of our love for Him and for His glory
• denying yourself
• trusting God through trials and tribulations
• going against the culture, even when it means you’re unpopular
• sharing God’s truth & love with others He puts in your path
• passing everything through the filter of God’s Word {What does God’s Word say about…?}

The nitty-gritty details of making disciples is a subject for more than I have time for today. My goal in writing this particular post was to make us aware that many of us have a “go and make converts” mindset.

We must change that and be intentional with the next generation. Judges 2:10-11 {as well as other Bible passages} is a great reminder of why.

If you want to explore more as you make disciples of the next generation, I just finished devouring reading Biblical Worldview by Dr. Josh Mulvihill. I found myself saying, “Amen!” over and over again as I read it. It’s practical, and he shares great resources for all ages. I highly recommend it as a starting point.

Let’s go and make disciples!
~Becky

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