Multiply

1. The Core Command: Every Disciple Makes Disciples

From the beginning of Christianity, the natural overflow of being a disciple of Jesus has always been to make disciples of Jesus.

Jesus's clear mandate. Jesus commanded all His followers to "Go into all the world and make disciples" (Matt. 28:19). This isn't a suggestion or a task reserved for pastors and missionaries; it's a universal call for every Christian. Historically, the early church understood this, actively spreading the message and multiplying believers.

Beyond spectator Christianity. Tragically, this costly command has often been mutated into a comfortable call for Christians to simply "come, be baptized, and listen" in one location. Many Christians today struggle to articulate what disciple making means, delegating it to professionals. This sidelines the majority of the church into a spectator mentality, ignoring Christ's commission.

Your personal calling. God intends for every disciple to make disciples who make disciples, until the gospel reaches all peoples. This purpose is worth dedicating our lives to, not only for the billions who don't know God, but also for our own joy in sharing His love and spreading His Word. You are called to make disciples, and this material is designed to give you the confidence to step out in faith.

2. Disciple Making Requires a Heart of Love and Example

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Motivation matters most. Our "why" for making disciples is crucial. God cares more about the heart than outward religious activity, as seen with the Pharisees, whose zealous ministry was declared "in vain" by Jesus due to their loveless motives. Ministry without love is worthless, making us "nothing" and gaining "nothing."

Love comes first. True discipleship is not about accumulating knowledge or status, but about loving God and loving people. Jesus identified these as the greatest commandments, stating that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments, which includes loving our neighbor. This love is sacrificial, mirroring Christ's love for us.

Teach by living. Hypocrisy, teaching truths we don't apply, is damaging and makes our religion worthless. As disciple makers, our lives must be transformed by God's Word, providing an example for others to imitate. This doesn't demand perfection, but a wholehearted devotion to following Jesus in every aspect of life, allowing God's truth to continually change us.

3. The Church is God's Essential Vehicle for Discipleship

It is impossible to make disciples aside from the church of Jesus Christ.

No Lone Rangers. While individual obedience to Jesus is vital, we cannot follow Him in isolation. The New Testament is filled with "one another" commands—love, pray for, encourage—which necessitate community. The church is not a social club or an option; it is God's strategy for reaching the world, a group of redeemed people living and serving together.

Commitment to local church. God intends for every follower of Jesus to be part of a local gathering of believers, under biblical leadership, for fellowship and mission. Many avoid this commitment due to self-reliance, indecisiveness, past hurts, or simply not seeing its importance. However, the local church is where we grow in Christlikeness, bear one another's burdens, and express Christ's love to the world.

A compelling community. Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers "so that the world may believe that you sent me." Our love and unity should be visible to the unbelieving world, making them curious about our hope. When the church functions as God intended—generous, holy, fearless, and multiplying—it becomes a compelling community that draws others to Christ.

4. The Bible is God's Authoritative Word for Transformation

If we really believe that the Bible is the Word of God, then it should be much more than a book that we are familiar with.

God's direct communication. The Bible is the "Word of God," meaning the all-powerful, all-knowing Creator chose to write to us. We should approach it with the same reverence as hearing a voice from heaven, allowing it to shape every aspect of our existence and guide our decisions.

Beyond wrong motivations. Many study the Bible for reasons like guilt, status, or merely for teaching material. These motivations miss God's true intention. God gave us the Bible:

• To teach us about Himself (His character, power, justice, love)
• To teach us about ourselves and the world (our origin, purpose, destiny)
• To enable us to live godly lives (completing and equipping us for good works)
• To facilitate a relationship with Him (His thoughts, emotions, desires)
• To exalt Jesus (all Scripture points to Him)
• To prepare us for our God-given mission (our marching orders)

The Bible reads us. Scripture is "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword," piercing to our core and exposing who we really are. If we read the Bible without changing, we are approaching it incorrectly. It's not about finding support for our views, but letting God change and redefine us, drawing us closer to Him.

5. Study the Bible Diligently, Logically, and Contextually

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Diligence is commanded. God calls us to "do our best" in studying His Word, loving Him with our minds. Laziness is inexcusable when engaging with the very words God chose to communicate. Misunderstanding Scripture can lead to significant consequences in our lives, making careful study essential.

Context is king. Every word, sentence, and chapter derives meaning from its surrounding context. Reading verses in isolation greatly increases misinterpretation. We must read the Bible like an "apple" (the whole fruit) rather than an "orange" (isolated pieces), always mindful of how each part connects to the larger story of the chapter, book, and entire Bible.

Interpretation vs. application. It's crucial to distinguish between what a passage means (its single, intended interpretation) and how it applies to our specific lives (which can be many). We must seek the plain meaning of the text, taking it literally unless the context clearly indicates a figure of speech. Additionally, understanding grammatical and historical context helps shed light on the author's original intent, avoiding personal "baggage" and assumptions that distort truth.

6. God's Story: Creation, Fall, and the Promise of Redemption

The Bible tells a story. And it’s a true story. It’s a story that gives meaning to our existence, our daily lives, and to every other story on earth.

The perfect beginning. The biblical story begins with God, the eternal and all-powerful King, creating a "very good" world out of nothing by His word. Humanity, made in His image, was placed in the Garden of Eden to lovingly rule on His behalf, living in perfect harmony with God, each other, and creation. This initial state sets the stage for understanding everything that follows.

The tragic turn. Genesis 3 describes "the fall," where Adam and Eve, tempted by Satan's subtle lies, chose to rebel against God's kingship, asserting their autonomy. This single act of disobedience brought devastating consequences:

• Separation from God (exile from Eden)
• Broken relationships (shame, distrust, blame)
• Curse on creation (pain in childbirth, toil in work, thorns, futility)
• Death (spiritual immediately, physical eventually)

Sin's pervasive spread. The effects of the fall quickly escalated, leading to Cain's murder of Abel, widespread wickedness, the global flood, and humanity's defiant tower of Babel. These events demonstrate humanity's persistent rebellion and inability to represent God accurately. Yet, even in these early stages, God hinted at a plan of redemption, promising that the serpent would be crushed and making covenants to preserve His creation.

7. God's Covenants: Shaping a People for His Global Mission

God’s plan to rescue the world from sin started very quietly. God chose one man, Abraham, and said: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

A global promise. After humanity's repeated failures, God launched His global plan of redemption by calling Abraham. God promised to make Abraham a great nation, bless him, and make his name great, so that he would be a blessing to "all the families of the earth." This unconditional covenant, confirmed by God alone, revealed His commitment to creating a people who would embody and spread His salvation.

The Law and relationship. With Moses, God established a conditional covenant, giving Israel the Law at Mount Sinai. This Law, including the Ten Commandments, defined Israel's identity as God's "treasured possession" and a "kingdom of priests" and "holy nation." It provided a code of conduct for maintaining their relationship with a holy God, promising blessings for obedience and curses (like exile) for disobedience. The Law was not for salvation by works, but for relationship.

David's royal line. God's covenant with David promised an everlasting kingdom and a kingly line, reiterating promises made to Abraham and Moses. This established the expectation of a coming King, a "shoot from the stump of Jesse," who would perfectly rule Israel and the nations, restoring God's reign. Despite Israel's consistent disobedience and eventual exile, God's covenants remained intact, pointing to a future recreation of His people and a new covenant.

8. Sacrifice and Atonement: The Solution to Sin's Separation

The Old Testament sacrificial system demanded a sacrifice for sin, and Jesus offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.

Sin's devastating cost. The fundamental tension in God's plan is how a holy God can maintain a relationship with sinful people. From Adam and Eve's covering with animal skins to Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac, the Old Testament consistently points to sacrifice as God's solution for sin. An animal had to die to cover sin's shame, foreshadowing a greater sacrifice.

The Law's sacrificial system. The Mosaic Law detailed an extensive system of animal sacrifices, each serving functions like expressing gratitude, demonstrating contrition, and making atonement for sin. Atonement, meaning "at-one-ment," reconciled people distanced from God due to sin. The constant need for sacrifices, often bloody and messy, served as a graphic reminder of sin's seriousness and the need for a substitute.

The ultimate sacrifice. The annual Day of Atonement, where the high priest offered sacrifices for his own sins and the nation's, and a "scapegoat" carried sins away, vividly illustrated God's provision for forgiveness. However, the need for constant repetition and God's rejection of loveless sacrifices (Malachi) highlighted the system's limitations. All these sacrifices culminated in Jesus Christ, our "Passover Lamb," whose single, perfect sacrifice permanently atoned for sin, establishing the new covenant in His blood.

9. God's Presence: From Tabernacle to Jesus to the Spirit in Us

The stunning truth was that God once again blessed His people with the greatest gift He could give: Himself.

Longing for presence. Humanity's greatest loss after the Fall was God's intimate presence, as Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden. The Bible's central theme is God's desire to dwell with His people, and their longing to regain that fellowship.

Tabernacle and Temple. God provided a solution through the tabernacle, a portable tent where His presence (the ark of the covenant) would dwell among Israel, making them distinct. Later, Solomon built the permanent temple, signifying God's residence in the Promised Land. These structures were palaces for the King, glimpses of God's kingdom on earth. However, God warned that His presence was conditional on obedience, and tragically, His glory eventually departed due to Israel's sin and idolatry, leading to exile.

Jesus, the Spirit, and the Church. The problem of God's presence was ultimately solved in Jesus, who "became flesh and dwelt among us," literally "setting up His tent" (tabernacle) among humanity. With Jesus, God's presence was perfectly embodied. Now, through the Holy Spirit, God's presence dwells in every believer and in the collective church, making us "a temple of the Holy Spirit." This indwelling is a miracle, empowering us to live faithfully and fulfill God's mission until His presence fills the entire renewed earth.

10. Jesus the Messiah: The Fulfillment of God's Kingdom and Covenants

"These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

The awaited King. Israel, under Roman rule and divided by conflicting hopes, awaited the Messiah—the King from David's line who would restore God's kingdom. Jesus's birth, ministry, and identity as "the Christ" (Messiah) fulfilled this ancient promise, marking "the fullness of time." He was the culmination of God's plan of redemption.

Fully God, fully man. Jesus was a real man, experiencing hunger, tiredness, and suffering a painful death. Yet, He was also fully divine, existing eternally with God before creation, conceived by the Holy Spirit, calming storms, forgiving sins, and knowing the future. This unique dual nature means He is the only one capable of bridging the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

Life through death. Jesus's mission, though surprising to many who expected a conquering warrior, centered on His death. He came to "save his people from their sins," serving as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." His crucifixion was the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system and establishing the new covenant in His blood. His resurrection, the ultimate proof, confirmed His identity as the conquering King and secured our hope.

11. The Great Commission: Empowered by the Spirit, for All Nations

Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The church's singular mission. After His resurrection, Jesus gave His disciples the "Great Commission," the church's all-important task: to spread Christ's rule by making disciples of all nations. This mission is founded on Jesus's absolute authority over all creation, giving us confidence despite opposition.

Worldwide scope. Jesus is the Savior for all people, regardless of race or nationality, because all have sinned and need His salvation. The mission is global, extending "in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." This massive task requires God's power, not just human effort, to transform rebels into disciples.

Spirit-empowered discipleship. Disciple making involves telling others about Jesus, calling them to follow Him, baptizing them as a sign of identification with Christ and His church, and teaching them to obey all His commands. This lifelong process is impossible without the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent as "the Helper." The Spirit empowers us, dwells within us, and works through the church to fulfill this mission, securing our faithfulness and ensuring the gospel's advance.

12. The End of the Story: God's Promise of a New Creation

The Bible begins with the statement that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” and ends with God’s declaration: “Behold, I am making all things new.”

Hope in the end. Meditating on the end of the world keeps Christians focused and reminds us that God is in control, working towards a glorious conclusion. Jesus's first coming secured our salvation, and His "Second Coming" will bring that salvation to fruition, reversing the effects of the Fall and making all things new.

Reversal of the curse. Humanity has always sensed something fundamentally wrong with the world, a pervasive brokenness stemming from sin and death. The entire creation "groans to be set free from its bondage to corruption." God's comprehensive plan of redemption is to undo everything sin has corrupted, bringing justice, peace, and righteousness where there is currently injustice, division, and sin.

A new heaven and new earth. The book of Revelation provides a beautiful vision of the story's end: a "new heaven and a new earth" where God will dwell with His redeemed people. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. This multiethnic multitude, from "every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages," will worship God for His salvation. This assured victory should fuel our confidence and joy in pursuing God's mission today, knowing our efforts are not futile.

Last updated: December 3, 2025