The Scriptures actually put disciple-making into the category of a moral issue–a choice between right and wrong, obedience and disobedience. But is that true? Is making disciples really a “moral” issue? That’s an important question. Because the motivation to persevere after those first five minutes when any idea seems possible depends on whether or not you are a “true believer” in the idea. So here are the texts: “You will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8), go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19), equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church (Ephesians 4:12), teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others” (2 Timothy 2:2). It is a moral issue, and for those of us in men’s discipleship, we could say this: Anything less than a plan to disciple every willing man is a catastrophic moral failure.

Disciple-making is every Christian’s mission and duty–starting at home. Failure here leads to failure everywhere. Problems get solved when the right kind of people are trying to fix them–disciples. So if we help people become who God created them to be, then they will do what God created them to do. They will become servants of God and agents of change in our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities. They will populate our governments, school systems, healthcare, and businesses. Disciple-making is God’s designated way to release the power of the Gospel on every problem we face. Everything else is lipstick and rouge.