To the Point
Discipleship is the call to the Church (Matt. 28: 18–20). The most effective way to engage the world is by making disciples, who then are equipped to reach out to the hurting world around them. We see this pattern in the church in Acts, which did not simply meet the needs of the “outside community” but focused on “one another” (Acts 4:32). Although this approach might initially appear selfish and inward-focused, it is a sort of a paradox: When the Church makes disciples effectively, it will at the same time effectively engage a lost and hurting world through those disciples. Simply put: making disciples = engaging the world.
Walt Roberts, Crossroads Church, Hagerstown, Md.
Unfortunately, we often view these issues as dichotomous rather than look for the synergy. When we as
believers respond to the needs around us as Christ calls us to do (Matt. 25), our own discipleship begins to
develop and grow. As our own love grows, the reality of Christ living within us begins to be revealed more and
more to those around us, creating a winsome life that draws people to follow Christ themselves.
When we focus first on the other person’s need to
know Christ, we often ignore our own deficiencies and engage in an imposing explanation of the Gospel. This is certainly not Christ’s example of inviting people to follow Him and often results in people turning away from Christ.
So where does that leave us? When we love those around us, Christ, who lives within us, will prompt us
in both actions and words that point to Jesus. And
when Jesus is lifted up, He draws people to Himself.
Michael Yoder, Millersville (Pa.) BIC
