Harpeth Community Church

Evangelism vs. Discipleship

(Relational Discipleship Series #1)

Matthew 28:1-8-20

Bob Harrington

The problem . . .

In book entitled The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard calls much of what passes for conversion today as “bar-code faith.”

Think of the bar codes now used on goods in most stores.  The scanner resonds only to the bar code.  It makes no difference what is in the bottle or package that bears it, or whether the sticker is on the “right” one or not . . . there is something about the Christian that works like the bar code.  Some ritual, some belief, or some association with a group affects God the way the bar code affects the scanner . . . And the payoff for having faith and being “scanned” comes at death and after.  Life now being lived has no necessary connection with being a Christian as long as the “bar code” does its job . . . it is not necessary to be a good Christian in order to be forgiven.  That’s the main point of the bar code . . .[i]

Vast numbers of preachers and teachers propagate this false version of faith, telling people that by it “they are saved.”

The Root of the Problem (According to the Bible)

A “disciple” is “a follower,” “a student” or (better yet) “an apprentice” of Jesus. 

Matthew 28: 19-20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Three Keys to being discipled (discipleship):

1. Baptism       2. Obedience to all Jesus’ teaching      3. Trusting God’s presence.

Evangelism vs. Discipleship

Success

Evangelism:  A person says “yes,’ to Jesus and makes a decision to trust and follow him (a decision)

Discipleship: A person learns to live out a commitment to obey all Jesus’ teachings in the power of the Holy Spirit (lifestyle change).

The Method

Evangelism: We make a verbal presentation and invite the person will respond.

Discipleship: We bring a person into a mentoring relationship(s) that intentionally loves and leads them to a different way of living.

The Process

Evangelism: A Christian presents “content” and invites a non-Christian to “respond.”

Discipleship: A Christian invites a non-Christian into “a relationship(s)” that enable a person learn to “trust and follow” the Ways of Jesus.

The Assumptions

Evangelism: The decision to “accept” Christ will naturally lead a person to “live” in the Ways of Jesus (assumption).

Discipleship: The decision to “accept” requires relationships that help a person to learn to “live” in the Ways of Jesus (intentional discipling).

Small Group Questions

1.      Read and review Matthew 28:19-20. What does this passage teach us?

2.      Open the discussion time by asking who has been discipled? Ask: “who discipled you and how did he or she do it.” 

3.      Who is responsible to make disciples according to Matthew 28:19-20?  Explain hy?

4.      Ask those who are Christians:  “who have you discipled and how did you do it?”

5.      Review the difference between evangelism and discipleship.  In the teaching time, Bobby said that the two biggest barriers, once a Christian truly understands his or her responsibility to make disciples, are knowing “what to teach” and “making time to disciple another.”  Which of the two barriers do you most relate to?  What are you willing to do to overcome these two barriers?

6.      How will your group follow the teaching outlined for the fall at HCC? How can you help each other to read the material the elders are asking everyone at HCC to read and discuss each week?